Two local newspapers, the Macomb Daily and the Oakland Press, went on record recently declaring that the Shelby Township recall is a ridiculous waste of time and a disservice to township residents.
We have reprinted both editorials below. Clearly, those handful of people in our township who are pushing the recall enterprise (we highlighted the culprits previously) have found themselves on the wrong side. The court of public opinion finds these individuals “guilty” of wasting time and energy -- not to mention THOUSANDS of precious taxpayer dollars IF they manage to collect enough petition signatures to force an election.
Interestingly, those pushing this recall love to gripe about government spending. Township spending has certainly been a problem in years past, especially under the previous Supervisor, Mr. Maccarone. However, the current Board of Trustees has done a commendable job of controlling and cutting spending. It appears that some people just complain to see themselves on TV.
Since a recall election is (conservatively) estimated by our township Clerk to cost around $30,000, we demand that Mr. Delise and like-minded recall fanatics tell us what they will cut from the township budget to get this $30,000 (or more)?
Perhaps they support cutting funds from police protection? Maybe they support cutting money from our township’s fire and EMS services? What about cutting money from local roads, bike paths and sidewalks? Hey, why not cut parks and recreation programs? Perhaps they want to cut programs and activities for Shelby’s youth and senior citizens?
Since there is no endless pot of money, since Shelby Township’s share of state revenue sharing dollars keeps dwindling, and since property taxes are falling with the decline in housing values (as a result of the Wall Street mess) where would they get the money for their pet project? If they don’t want to cut, or can’t provide a coherent plan of where to cut, then where will they get the money? Higher taxes?
Here are the two editorials mentioned above...enjoy!
MACOMB DAILY
Recalls should be limited to corruption or malfeasance
Published: Tuesday, December 07, 2010
It continues to amaze us how a few political activists want to make a mockery of local government.
We're not talking about those who appear before city councils, township boards or boards of education to express their concerns over particular issues. Those elected should consider it a privilege to hear from their constituents. And those expressing their views certainly have a right to be heard.
In our representative government, we should all be concerned with how our elected officials are serving us. And certainly, as the Tea Party has shown us this year in state and national elections, we can vote against those with whom we disagree.
The problem, however, is with those who want to use their rights to disrupt government. And any vote they disagree with will result in an attempt to recall the officeholders.
We've seen such actions across Macomb County, from its southern tier to northern New Haven.
The current hotbed of threatened recalls is Shelby Township, where the rights of the electorate are being misrepresented by a few misguided activists.
In the last few weeks, recall petition language was filed against Treasurer Paul Viar and Trustee Lisa Manzella.
Viar is the latest, targeted because he voted to approve a land rezoning for apartments. But he shouldn't feel alone. All seven Shelby Township officials either are subjects of active recall efforts or have been targeted in the past several months.
Township Supervisor Richard Stathakis, Clerk Terri Kowal and Trustee Manzella face active recall efforts. Recall language was previously rejected twice against Viar and Trustees Paula Filar, Michael Flynn and Douglas Wozniak.
Seeking approval of recall petition language is only the first step. If the Macomb County Elections Commission deems the language clear, those seeking a recall then have 90 days to collect signatures equal to or greater than 25 percent of the number of votes cast for governor in the community's most recent statewide election.
In Shelby Township, the minimum number is 6,318. If certified, residents would then vote to determine whether the officials should remain in office.
Most recall efforts never get to the voters, which is reason enough for us to think that most are started only in retaliation.
A concerned and intelligent electorate, however, should realize that recalls should be limited to those elected officials guilty of corruption or malfeasance. Other issues can wait for the next scheduled election.
OAKLAND PRESS
Another example of a wasteful recall effort
Published: Tuesday, December 15, 2010
It continues to amaze us how a few political activists want to make a mockery of local government.
We’re not talking about those who appear before city councils, township trustees or boards of education to express their concerns over particular issues. Those elected should consider it a privilege to hear from their constituents. And those expressing their views certainly have a right to be heard.
In our representative government, we should all be concerned with how our elected officials are serving us. And certainly, as the Tea Party has shown us this year in state and national elections, we can vote against those with whom we disagree.
The problem, however, is with those who want to use their rights to disrupt government. And any vote they disagree with will result in an attempt to recall the officeholders.
We’ve seen such actions in the past in Oakland County and currently we witnessed some activity in Macomb County that warrants comment.
The current hotbed of threatened recalls is just next door to Oakland County in Shelby Township, where the rights of the electorate appear to be being misrepresented by a few misguided activists.
In the past few weeks, recall petition language was filed against Treasurer Paul Viar and Trustee Lisa Manzella.
Viar is the latest, targeted because he voted to approve a land rezoning for apartments. But he shouldn’t feel alone.
All seven Shelby Township officials either are subjects of active recall efforts or have been targeted in the past several months.
Township Supervisor Richard Stathakis, Clerk Terri Kowal and Trustee Manzella face active recall efforts. Recall language was previously rejected twice against Viar and Trustees Paula Filar, Michael Flynn and Douglas Wozniak.
Seeking approval of recall petition language is only the first step. If the Macomb County Elections Commission deems the language clear, those seeking a recall then have 90 days to collect signatures equal to or greater than 25 percent of the number of votes cast for governor in the community’s most recent statewide election.
In Shelby Township, the minimum number is 6,318. If the petitions are certified, residents would then vote to determine whether the officials should remain in office.
Recalling a political leader is a legitimate way to oust him before his term expires. Representatives who are not doing their jobs or who have tainted their positions because of criminal and/or immoral conduct deserve to lose their seats.
But conducting a recall effort because you don’t like the way a leader voted is petty.
Yes, it’s legal but it’s still a waste of time and money — we can’t stress that enough.
Politics is the name of the game, whether on the local level or on to the State Legislature and Congress.
We may be too idealistic — and maybe even unrealistic — but our local communities are facing some tough fiscal times in not just Oakland and Macomb but throughout the state. Why can’t those active in recalls work with the officials to try to improve the community?
Limit recalls to those elected officials guilty of corruption or malfeasance. Other issues can wait for the next scheduled election.
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Both the Macomb Daily and Oakland Press deserve praise for calling out those who are playing political games with Michigan’s recall statute.
Until next time...
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