Recall effort of White Pigeon village president goes to next step

A White Pigeon man may proceed with obtaining petition signatures in an effort to recall village president Tyler Royce.

St. Joseph County Election Commission met Thursday for a clarity/factuality hearing in the case. Its chairman, probate court judge David Tomlinson, explained the commission’s role in the process.

“The statute requires the county election commission to examine the language of the recall petition and determine whether each reason for the recall stated in the petition is of sufficient clarity and factual in nature to enable the officer whose recall is sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall,” Tomlinson said.

The standard for clarity is lenient, he said.

Reading from prepared notes, Tomlinson stated the commission shall determine whether each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity.

“If any reason for the recall is not factual or of sufficient clarity, the entire recall petition shall be rejected,” Tomlinson added. “Now, 'factual' does not mean 'truthful.'”

According to the petition Kash submitted to county clerk Lindsay Oswald on June 3, he alleges Royce has compromised ethics, and used municipal equipment and employees to perform personal work beyond the realm of village-related duties.

Specifically, Kash wrote: “Ethics. Using village equipment and employees to do personal work outside of village.”

At the 15-minute proceeding, Royce debated whether to make a statement, but ultimately chose not to do so. Kash, meanwhile, made a brief statement in support of what he wrote on his recall petition.

John Gentry, a member of White Pigeon Village Council, also addressed the commission. He said Royce has a big heart and is guilty of nothing more than being a "nice guy."

Gentry said the equipment, a so-called Ditch Witch, that Royce is accused of using outside the village limits actually was rented for $100. Gentry could not immediately recall the store from which the equipment was rented.

“It’s not the village’s equipment … it’s a rental,” Gentry said. “Nobody’s perfect and if I’m going to have a (municipal) leader, I’d rather have a generous leader than a non-caring leader.”

In addition to Tomlinson, the commission comprises county clerk Lindsay Oswald and county treasurer Kathy Humphreys. Following their affirmative votes, Tomlinson provided a summary.

“The election commission has determined unanimously that the wording of the recall petition is of sufficient clarity to allow it to go forward,” he said. “Again, we aren’t determining whether anything that’s said in that is true or is not true. That’s a matter that’s a political matter and not up for our decision.”

Kash now has 60 days to collect at least 108 signatures of registered voters residing in the village of White Pigeon.

Kash, who owns a used-car dealership along U.S. 12 on the west side of the village, said he expects to secure at least 150 signatures within a week.

After the hearing, Royce said he is unsure if he will appeal Thursday’s decision or let the matter unfold.

Kash said he hopes the recall question appears before village voters in August’s primary election.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Recall process of White Pigeon village president goes to next step