In the latest chapter of the ongoing legal saga between Meijer and officials in Acme Township, a state court has rejected Meijer’s attempt to force the judge in the case to recuse himself due to comments he made about their attorneys.
 

Traverse City Circuit Judge Philip Rodgers may continue to preside over lawsuits stemming from a proposed Meijer Inc. store outside Traverse City, even though the judge publicly branded one of the defendants as a liar.

Five present and former Acme Township officials contend the Walker-based retailer and its former law firm, Detroit-based Dickinson Wright, caused them intentional harm over a three-year period through 2007 in trying to force the township to approve plans for a supercenter east of Traverse City.

Dickinson Wright had asked Rodgers be dismissed from the case. But Benzie County Circuit Judge James Batzer ruled Friday that Rodgers could handle the case in a fair and impartial manner, despite disparaging comments made about a Dickinson Wright lawyer.

The Messenger previously reported on this case. Meijer has been trying very hard to get the case dismissed before the trial begins, filing emergency appeals all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court. Those appeals were also rejected.