The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Recall petition in works
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
Recalls continue to riddle London Township politics. For the third time in a turbulent and divisive year, London Township voters will have the opportunity to recall a township official.
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The Monroe County Election Commission approved language Monday for a recall petition against London Township Supervisor David Beck.
Resident Larry Fiebelkorn, who filed for the petition, has until May 4 to get about 300 signatures to get the recall on the Aug. 7 ballot.
Fiebelkorn makes five charges against Beck in the petition, including that the supervisor failed to ensure Clerk Lewis Irby Jr. and Treasurer Chuck Stoll were properly sworn in; has denied some citizens the right to speak at open meetings; has failed to amend the budget; has spent taxpayer money without board approval; allowed the township's American flag to deteriorate; and at times has ignored Gov. Jennifer Granholm's orders to fly the flag at half-staff.
"This supervisor does not know the laws and he does not know his job," Fiebelkorn said.
But Beck, who was elected supervisor last May after the recall of former Supervisor Kris Neuvirth, said the charges are unclear and unfounded.
The Election Commission does not determine the veracity of the language, only its clarity.
Beck said he intended to address the Election Commission at the clarity hearing Monday but misunderstood when he would be allowed to speak and missed the opportunity.
Beck puts the failure of administering the oath of office to Irby and Stoll at the feet of Monroe County Clerk Geri Allen, who he says should have informed him that the pair needed to be sworn in again after they were appointed in May to fill the positions of former Clerk Larry Lee and former Treasurer Lynn Davidson, who were recalled.
"I told her we were new to politics," Beck said, "and that anything she could think of to help us out down here to let us know."
Irby and Stoll were required to vacate their offices because of the oversight and a special election is scheduled for Aug. 7. Among those on the ballot are Julie Horn for clerk, former township zoning administrator Gary Taepke for treasurer, and the recalled Larry Lee, who is running for his former seat as clerk.
The recall petition language, Beck complained, does not contain specifics, but he said he would never allow a U.S. flag to deteriorate or disrespect American soldiers. He alleged that the recall effort was another step in a series of maneuvers by a band of disgruntled residents intent on haranguing his administration.
"The petitioner and his group have harassed and accused me and every official in the township of breaking the law," he said. "This group has undermined us at every move we make."
Fiebelkorn said he hopes a successful recall would open the way for new township leadership.
"I'm hoping that the right things fall into place and that the right person steps forward," Fiebelkorn said. "We need somebody who is a good leader and knows economics.
As for Beck, who vowed not to put up signs or make a single phone call to fight the recall push, he said he is fed up with the political sniping.
"If London Township allows this to happen, there is no need for me to be supervisor," Beck said. "I've had it."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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