Sunday, June 26, 2022
Since 1854 — News from Montcalm County and Ionia County, Michigan
An Otisco Township woman is beginning the process of gathering signatures in her attempt to recall the township supervisor and treasurer.
Cara Johnson filed two petitions with the Ionia County Clerk’s Office to recall Supervisor Desmond Pike and Treasurer Paula Byrne.
A petition to recall the Otisco Township supervisor was denied by the Ionia County Election Commission on Wednesday, because the petition language was not “clear and factual” as required by Michigan law.
The sponsor, Otisco Township resident Cara Johnson, withdrew a second petition to recall the township treasurer, as it contained language similar to the first.
A petition to recall the Otisco Township supervisor and treasurer filed by a township resident on April 20 will be heard by the Ionia County Election Commission next week.
The hearing, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday in the multi-purpose room on the second floor of the Ionia County Courthouse.
An attorney for four Douglass Township Board members read aloud a retraction and apology letter on Wednesday. The letter was previously filed with the Montcalm County Election Commission.
Supervisor Terry Anderson, Clerk Ronda Snyder, Treasurer Amy Laper and Trustee Tom Jeppesen all signed the retraction letter regarding allegations they made against Cindy Shick, whom the township board ousted from the Planning Commission in January.
With another month comes another round of dispute among Montcalm Township Board members and the state of Michigan financials and audit results.
During the March 9 monthly meeting of the board, consternation came forward once again during discussion of the treasurer’s report — an item that appears on the monthly agenda and is prepared by Treasurer Rose Hyde.
