Ortonville- Sue Bess announced last week she will run for village council president again, despite four recall petitions filed against her last year and nearly two decades serving in the office.
‘I want to see the sewer project come into existence,? said Bess. ‘I’ve worked on it too many years. I think it’s very important for the future of the village.?
Bess, 57, has been on the council for 21 years, 18 of those as council president. For most, if not all, of those years, the village has discussed bringing sewers here. In recent years, failing septic systems and e.coli in Kearsley Creek have made the matter more urgent and the village council’s most recent timeline on a sewer system shows a vote on the issue planned for November.
The village elections are planned for September. Bess will run for council president, a 2-year term. Three trustee positions are also available? one a 2-year term and two 4-year terms. Councilmembers Marcy Hanes and Mary Kassuba have announced their plans to run again. Councilmember Bob Flath is undecided.
Last August, village resident Jane Derry filed the first of four recall petition forms against Bess. The first form filed with the Oakland County Election Commission was rejected because it was the incorrect form. The next three were denied because the commission said the language was not clear and concise as required by law.
The last hearing regarding the matter was Nov. 27. The language on the petition form read: ‘Sue Bess has abused her power as village president by initimidating her village council members to vote according to her recommendations. She recommended the council to hire an underqualified personal friend into a supervisor village position, on January 23, 2006. She recommended the council approve to pay over $25,000.00 for unwarranted drain improvements that benefitted only the Village Pub, on July 10, 2006, personal friends to Bess. We do not believe this is the appropriate use for village tax dollars.?
Jane Derry had no comment on Bess? reelection bid, nor did Dave Bonner, who said he was one of a ‘concerned group of citizens? behind the recall effort.
Bess said she never had any doubts about running again and was not worried about recall efforts. Her focus, she says, is educating the community on the necessity of sewers, which she is going to ‘try and make happen? if she is elected again.
‘We need sewers for maintenance,? said Bess. ‘I’m not pushing growth… My baby is the sewer project. I hope to stay around until it’s done.?