Flushing recall petition signatures approved

Four Flushing Township Board members are one step closer to facing a recall election in November.

The Flushing Observer reports that both the county and township clerks have certified that petitioners have collected enough valid signatures to force a recall against board member Mike Gardner, Scott Minaudo, Bill Noecker and Mark Purkey. Clerks certified 1,350 signatures, but only 1,260 signatures were needed.

Gardner, Minaudo, Noecker and Purkey have until Aug. 30 to review the certified signatures and challenge them. If, after the challenges, at least 1,260 signatures remain validated, the four will face recall on Nov. 3.

The recall language varies for the four officials, but it mostly the recall mostly concentrates on their decision to layoff a police officer, which then also forced the laid off of the three part-time officers based on the union contract rules.

In July, the police union voted to pass a no confidence measure against the Board, and formally endorsed the recall.

According to the story in the Flushing Observer, the region is torn over the recall. The paper reports that opponents and proponents have taken to sitting on opposite sides of the township meeting room.