Another recall attempt stymied

Another one bites the dust.

The Ogemaw County Board of Elections turned down the recall language that would go on the petitions to recall Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, today, ruling the language was unclear.

Ogemaw County Clerk Gary Klacking said the language was rejected at hearing held this afternoon in the County Building and Courthouse. It was unclear if the Michigan Taxpayer Alliance, led by Republican Macomb County Commissioner Leon Drolet, would resubmitted the language, but the pattern in the other recall attempts turned down so far has been to go directly to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The MTA is leading a statewide effort to recall legislators who voted to increase the state income tax and place a sales tax on some services that helped balance the state budget and erase a $1.8 billon budget deficit.

They have not have had much success, however, and Sheltrown joins Sen. Jerry Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores; Rep. Mary Valentine, D-Muskegon; House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford; Rep. Marc Corriveau, D-Northville; Rep. Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms; and Rep. Steve Bieda, D-Warren in having language rejected by the local boards of elections. Only Rep. Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids, has had language approved, and Rep. Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak, has a clarity hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 16 in the courtroom of Judge Barry Grant at the Oakland County Circuit Court, 1200 Telegraph Rd. in Pontiac.

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Kevin Shopshire

Me Usually a copy editor does, but in this case because it was breaking news I did. If my byline is on top of the article, I stand by it.

This recall attempt is nothing but a political move designed to take back the House; nothing more nothing less. I don't think Mr. Drolet will win in court. I have been to a few clarity hearings, although they have only been for township supervisors. You talk about the "process is what it is" -although I disagree - then why not follow the process? With all the out-of-state-money coming in why don't you or Mr. Drolet just hire someone who can write clearly and resubmit the language instead of shopping for judges?

The recalls try to "obstruct a democratic right?" When we had the higher voter turnout in November you could not hold onto the House, so when significantly fewer people are paying attention and voter turnout is extremely low you are going to try and undo the election. I see recalls being used for the officeholder doing something illegal or immoral while in office or for complete incompetence, not for making a decision you disagree with.

Where do you get I or we are "gloating" over anything, or where "I declare any victory?"

chetly

Who writes these headlines Stymied?

"... bites the dust".

The process is what it is - and while I may have concerns about the current value of the recalls, at least for reps., and when compared to what a ballot initiative could accomplish for similar money, I don't have concerns that Leon will win in court, or that the recall process is anything other than a democratic right that you gloat over the obstruction of. It's kind of funny to watch you folks declare premature victories. This was all very predictable to this point.

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Another recall attempt stymied