Goodrich – Next week marks the election in which voters decide whether to recall all five village council members.
Ballot language will be identical to recall petition language, says Rob Coffman, Genesee County elections director, ‘Failure to schedule an election for the disincorporation of the village charter of the Village of Goodrich when requested to do so?.
Village council members have also filed a statement of justification with the elections office.
Statement issued by councilperson Angie Adamec:
‘The council could not schedule an election for the disincorporation of the village until our charter was amended to reflect the changes in state law that were incorporated in 1998. That change in state law gives the township equal voting rights, and an orderly process to follow in a disincorporation decision. Currently our charter does not coincide with state law, and we would be in conflict if we were to vote to disincorporate.
‘The council certainly did immediately begin the above charter amendment work so as to proceed on to a disincorporation election to be held as soon as legally possible. We made this decision based on sound legal advice and good common sense. We in no way attempted to deny the right of the electors to vote on the disincorporation issue. The council is actually facilitating a quicker and more understandable final election result by choosing the proper method to obtain it.?
Statements issued by president Keith Walworth, president pro tem Adam Kline, and councilperson Mike Glynn:
‘The council did not fail to schedule a vote for disincorporation of the Village of Goodrich under the Village of Goodrich Charter and followed state law as stated in the Home Rule Village Act, Act 278 of 1909 section 78.27 and the General Law Village Act, Act 254 of 1998 section 18a (6). The council has acted legally, ethically, and in the best interest of the entire citizens of the Village of Goodrich by following state law. The council acted legally, ethically and in the best interest of the entire citizens of the Village of Goodrich by avoiding a lengthy legal challenge that shall arise when excluding the citizens of Atlas Township from their state-allocated right to vote in an election to disincorporate the Village of Goodrich. The council acted legally, ethically and in the best interest of the entire citizens of the Village of Goodrich by taking immediate steps to amend the Village of Goodrich Charter on disincorporation to obey the state law. The council should not be recalled for acting legally, ethically, and in the best interest of the entire citizens of the Village of Goodrich.?
Statement issued by councilperson Jayme Simmonds:
‘The council could not schedule an election for the disincorporation of the village until our charter was amended to reflect the changes in state law that were incorporated in 1998. That change in state law gives the township equal voting rights, and an orderly process to follow in a disincorporation decision. Currently our charter does not coincide with state law, and we would be in conflict if we were to vote to disincorporate.
‘The council immediately began the above charter amendment work which will allow disincorporation election to take place if village residents desire.
‘We made this decision based on sound legal advice and good common sense. We in no way attempted to deny the right of the electors to vote on the disincorporation issue. The council is actually facilitating a quicker final election result by choosing the proper method to attain it.?
Council members, all residents of the Village of Goodrich, are compensated approximately $800 per year for serving on the council.
If councilpersons are recalled, another election will be held May 3, 2005 to fill any council vacancies and interim councilpersons will be appointed, either by remaining council members or the Genesee County Elections Office.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Goodrich United Methodist Church, located at 8071 S. State Road in Goodrich.