Deb Belles and Jim Mead recall, Emmett Township, Michigan (2023)
| Deb Belles and Jim Mead recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Jim Mead |
| Recall status |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2023 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City council recalls Mayoral recalls Recall reports |
Two separate recall efforts, one to recall Township Supervisor Deb Belles and the other to recall Trustee Jim Mead, did not qualify for the ballot in Emmett Township, Michigan.[1][2][3]
Recall supporters
Township resident Gavin Powell initiated the recall campaign against Mead. The petition alleged that Mead "continues to undermine the board’s intent, hindering township business with his disruptive behavior and his tendency to break board confidentiality."[2]
Jim Mead initiated the recall effort against Belles. The petition alleged that Belles violated the township's zoning ordinances by hiring a zoning administrator without seeking approval from the board. It also alleged that Belles had given gift cards that were intended for public safety officers to “'whoever she [had] seen fit.'” Finally, the petition cited Belles' decision to hire a person with a prior felony as the township's code enforcement officer.[1]
Recall opponents
Mead declined to comment on the recall to the Battle Creek Enquirer.[1]
Belles gave the following comment on the recall petition against her to the Battle Creek Enquirer: "This is retaliation for the recall petition filed on Mr. Mead. ... His repeated actions started with a prior African American code officer, a reputable man in the community. With the recent hire, referred to in the petition, there was no cover up. ... The applicant was up front on their past, attorneys checked bylaws for me verifying no issue with their hire, and the board was fully aware. The repeated actions from Mr. Mead, including several more instances, make me wonder if this petition is less motivated by some sort of moral, but rather racist feelings."[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
The Calhoun County Election Commission held a hearing on January 18, 2023, to determine whether the petitions against both Belles and Mead can be circulated. The commission rejected both petitions for circulation.[1][3]
For a recall election to have been scheduled, organizers needed to collect 1,211 signatures for either official.[2][1]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Battle Creek Enquirer, "Second Emmett Township board member could face recall," January 9, 2023
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Battle Creek Enquirer, "Emmett Township trustee faces recall threat," January 5, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Battle Creek Enquirer, "Election Commission rejects EmmettTownship recall language for Mead, Belles," January 19, 2023
