Recall efforts moving forward for 3 more White Pigeon Twp. officials
CENTREVILLE – A proceeding to determine if a recall effort against three White Pigeon Township officials can move forward has been ruled in favor of the petitioners.
During a clarity/factual hearing Wednesday before the three-member St. Joseph County Election Commission, the language of recall petitions against township clerk Lacie Pletcher, and trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen, was deemed factual.
As a result, those behind the recall attempt have until Aug. 4 to collect and submit signatures from at least 379 registered voters who reside in White Pigeon Township in order for the process to advance to the next step.
Petitioners Anita Casada and Gayle Van Singel alleged Pletcher, Tefft and Schroen approved the township’s 2022-23 fiscal year budget without first making it available for public inspection prior to a June 6 public hearing.
Attorney Lance Thornton, representing the trio of township officials, told commission members his clients are OK to let language of the petitions stand and allow the signature-collection process to take place.
He read a prepared statement to the commission.
“Understanding that this board does not determine the truthfulness of the allegations of the recall petition, Laci Pletcher requests that the petition against her be approved, regardless of flaws in the petition, so the process may proceed without delay to the signature-gathering phase,” Thornton said. “And we can see whether the couple of people behind this recall effort have any support.”
Thornton later made the same statement when discussion centered on Tefft and Schroen.
“The allegations in the petition are false. Township officials complied with Michigan law and the township’s proposed budget was made available prior to the public hearing,” he said. “Unfortunately, there’s a small group of people who are intent on impeding township business by making it their mission to distract township officials and employees from their duties and to be as disruptive to township government as possible.”
Aside from Thornton and brief comments from the election commission – comprised of county clerk Lindsay Oswald, Probate Judge David Tomlinson and county treasurer Kathy Humphreys – no other individuals spoke during the 15-minute proceeding.
Wednesday’s decision came less than two weeks after the election commission made an identical ruling on language of a petition to recall Supervisor Don Gloy and his wife, treasurer Trudy Gloy.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Recall efforts moving forward for 3 more White Pigeon Twp. officials
