Riley Township recall, Michigan, 2010
| Riley Township Board recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
Linda Waddy Nancy Dudek |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| February 23, 2010 |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2010 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws City council recalls Recall reports |
A vote to recall three members of the Riley Township board in Riley Township, Michigan was defeated on February 23, 2010.[1]
The three township officials retained by voters were Linda Belesky, clerk Linda Waddy and treasurer Nancy Dudek.[2].
An initial recall petition was filed by local resident Ronald Gauthier on July 9, 2009. Signatures were submitted on November 6, 2009.[3]
Recall language
The official recall language filed by those who wanted the recall was "for the irresponsible use of Riley Township funds in regards to attorney fees incurred, resulting in reduced services for the Fiscal Year 2009/2010."[4]
Reasons for the recall
According to reports, the three township board members faced a recall because of the amount of town funds spent on lawyer fees. The board spent approximately $70,000 in lawyer fees, according to township supervisor David Rushing, in a legal dispute against an adult book store. The case ended in May 2009.[4]
Dudek's response to recall
In a statement released December 3, 2009, township treasurer Nancy Dudek said,"What is called 'irresponsible use of funds' refers to a lawsuit approved by all five members of the Riley Township Board...This lawsuit was to protect all the property owners in Riley, their values and to maintain the integrity of our Township ordinances. Only three of the board members are being singled out." Dudek called the recall a "political ploy orchestrated by a few disgruntled citizens."[5]
Path to the ballot
According to officials in order to force a recall election, supporters were required to collect and submit a minimum of 356 (or 25% of township voters who cast a ballot in the 2008 Michigan Gubernatorial election) valid signatures within 90 days of collecting the first signature.[6]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Times Herald, "3 Riley officials avoid recalls," February 24, 2010
- ↑ "Voice News" Two Riley board members face recall possibility, November 30, 2009
- ↑ Times Herald, "Recalls to be on ballot in Riley," December 4, 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Times Herald, "Township recall moves forward," December 10, 2009
- ↑ Times Herald, "Despite challenges, recall goes forward," December 9, 2009
- ↑ Armada Times, "Two Riley board members face recall possibility," September 30, 2009
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