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City council recall, Algonac, Michigan (2017)
| Algonac City Council recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Irene Bird |
| Recall status |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2017 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City council recalls Recall reports |
A recall effort against Algonac City Councilman Joe Nugent and City Councilwoman Irene Bird led to their resignations. Nugent resigned from office in August 2017. The effort against Bird qualified for the general election ballot on November 7, 2017, but Bird resigned in September 2017.[1] Recall organizer Amanda Gougeon sought their removal due to concerns about discussions with Woodside Bible Church about a potential move into the former elementary school building. Bird countered that the discussions were preliminary and did not lead to final decisions.[2][3][4]
Recall supporters
Gougeon initiated the recall efforts against Nugent and Bird due to alleged involvement in discussions with Woodside Bible Church to move into the former site for Algonac Elementary School. Gougeon argued that Nugent and Bird failed to provide minutes or reasons for their involvement in those discussions. The church decided not to pursue a move into the school in January 2017.[2]
Gougeon also claimed that Bird was involved in an effort to fire City Manager Doug Alexander. Alexander resigned on February 21, 2017.[2]
Response by Joe Nugent
Nugent responded to the recall petition by saying, "I never said no to anything."[2]
Response by Irene Bird
Bird presented a list of attendees and a statement regarding her role in discussions with Woodside Bible Church to the election commission. She told commissioners that she listened to a proposal from the church, but did not make any decisions on the city's behalf.[2]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
The St. Clair County Elections Commission approved a recall petition for circulation against Bird and Nugent on March 10, 2017. Gougeon submitted 430 signatures to the county clerk on June 29, 2017. The county clerk certified that at least 300 valid signatures were received, which was the minimum signature threshold for a recall.[2][3]
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Times Herald, "2nd subject of Algonac recall resigns," September 22, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 The Times Herald, "Recall language for 1 Algonac official OK'd," March 10, 2017
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Times Herald, "Algonac recall petitions submitted; Yale effort dropped," June 30, 2017
- ↑ The Times Herald, "Nugent, clerk quit Algonac offices," August 29, 2017
