Goodrich – In 2004, three village council members were voted in during a 4 percent-turnout election.
On Feb. 22 all five members of the village council were recalled in a 52 percent-turnout election, by a margin of 54 percent.
The election was prompted by Vacate the Village committee members in October 2004 after council members didn’t put the issue of village dissolution to an immediate vote.
‘It’s disappointing, but if I had to make the same choice over again I would,? said recalled village president pro tem Adam Kline, who plans to remain active in investigating village dissolution issues.
‘I think it was the right choice and I think the other group will come to see that.?
Kline was recalled by a margin of 309 ‘yes? votes to 261 ‘no? votes; village president Keith Walworth by 310-260; councilperson Mike Glynn by 307-264; councilperson Angela Adamec by 309-261; and councilperson Jayme Simmonds by 306-264.
Of 1,102 registered village voters, 571 turned out Tuesday to cast ballots.
In contrast, the March 8, 2004 election’to re-elect Angela Adamec, Jayme Simmonds, and Adam Kline’brought out 45 residents.
Kline, the highest 2004 Goodrich vote-getter, received 35 votes in last year’s election; considerably less than those cast last week by residents striving to keep him in office.
‘I’ve never had such appreciation. It was the most rewarding part of this particular recall,? Kline said.
Prior to Tuesday’s election some village residents, confusing the issues of recall and village dissolution, expected the village would automatically cease to exist if council members were recalled.
‘This is strictly a recall of officers,? said Rob Coffman, Genesee County elections director. ‘It has nothing to do with the status of the village.?
While day-to-day operations will continue to be carried out by village staff as well as administrator Jakki Sidge, major purchases or contracts require council approval, Coffman said.
By law, the Genesee County Elections Commission has no deadline to appoint interim council members, although it’s likely to happen ‘within a couple weeks? to curb delays in carrying on village business.
Only a quorum of three interim council members’enough to allow a majority vote’will be appointed to serve in office until the May 3 election, says Coffman.
Residents interested in temporarily filling council vacancies should send a letter to the Genesee County Clerk’s Office, located at 900 S. Saginaw St. in Flint. Candidates should expect to be interviewed.
The elections commission plans to avoid appointing candidates ‘active on either side of the recall,? Coffman said.
‘We’re looking for someone who’s more of a caretaker.?
Residents interested in running for long-term council positions in the May election must file by 4 p.m. March 10 at the Genesee County Clerk’s Office, Coffman said.
Candidates can pay a $100 non-refundable filing fee, or submit nominating petitions signed by six to 20 registered village voters.
Vacate the Village committee vice-chair Patti Wartella, who originally filed recall petitions last fall, did not respond to The Citizen’s request for comment.