Although recalls seem to be in vogue, they’re not necessarily wise, nor should Goodrich village officials let such threats prevent taking care of business.
Between 1998 and 2003, 69 recall petitions were filed and 22 special recall elections were held in Berrien County, Mich., resulting in 10 successful recalls.
In summer 2003, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger flexed his way to California’s top spot after Governor Gray Davis was recalled.
That same year, former Fenton Township Clerk Charles Mueller was recalled, along with supervisor Carl Gabrielson and trustees Keith McKenna and John Brancheau for not fighting hard enough against a proposed mobile home park. Despite the time and money invested in the recall, last month an appeals court proceeded to approve a 398-unit manufactured home park next to US-23 in the township.
It’s difficult enough to find responsible members of the community to run local government.
Just last year Groveland Township incumbents ran unopposed. Only one Atlas Township office was challenged, and Goodrich village couldn’t even scrape together enough challengers to give council members the required minimum contenders.
Of 15 Genesee County recall efforts that made it to the ballot over the past 10 years, almost half were successful, says county elections director Rob Coffman, although few voters show up to cast ballots in the next election to replace those recalled.
The danger is that those voted in’or appointed, if no one volunteers to run for office’aren’t necessarily better candidates than those recalled.
Elected officials cannot fear the threat of recall. In ordinary times, public meetings and hearings are sparsely attended; residents take the attitude ‘let the council deal with it?. When controversy erupts, though, council members can’t seem to win.
Suddenly the boring business of government fuels hostility at every turn. Visitors to local government offices can’t bring themselves to ask for copies of routine paperwork without a Freedom of Information Act request.
Residents previously complaining about snow pile-ups now mutter over relatively inexpensive snow-clearing equipment.
‘The council isn’t trying to be smug, but you can’t put everything off until after the recall election,? said Goodrich village administrator Jakki Sidge. ‘There’s bills to be paid, roads to be cleared, drains to be fixed, a lot of projects.?
No matter who sits on the Goodrich village council, there are tough decisions to be made. The current council has heeded the well-researched advice of its attorney.
Will residents recall a conscientious council just to spend more election money on new officials who will face the same issues?