Petitions in hand, recallers gathered outside township hall to collect signatures from citizens as they came to pay their winter taxes.
‘We’ve gone through 1,200 of our tri-folds, probably another 400 left then we’ll go in for our third printing,? said Joel DeLong, treasurer for Citizens Against Independence Township Waste, calling for the recall of Supervisor Dave Wagner.
‘We’re doing very well, We’re educating people. Obviously a lot of people don’t know what’s been going on, so we’re letting them go out and look at the website. The count is increasing.?
Mike Powell, president of the group, agreed.
‘We’ve noticed we give this flyer out and once they start talking to other people or they go on and they read the Clarkston News and Oakland Press stories on the website they get angry and we’ve had people drive back to the hall and sign the petitions,? Powell said.
DeLong said they collected more than 200 signatures on Feb. 12, and probably have more than 1,000 so far.
‘It’s pretty hard to judge right now with as many people as we have out, figuring out what an exact count is,? he said.
The group has until April 22 to collect at least 3,500 signatures. They’re aiming at 4,000 to be safe.
‘We’re working at it, we’re gaining people taking our petitions, and gaining more support as we go along,? DeLong said. ‘We’ll let the numbers speak for themselves once we get done.?
The next step will be putting flyers in people’s mailboxes in targeted neighborhoods on Thursday, and then following up with a door-to-door campaign on Saturday.
‘It allows them a couple days to look at it and hopefully we’ll find most of the people at home,? he said.
Powell said they’re getting ‘positive results? in signatures, but they’re trying to get the volunteers motivated.
‘We’re plugging ahead,? he said. ‘It’s a tough time this time of the year.?
Wagner understands the group has the right to petition, but he is still dismayed by the effort.
‘The most disheartening thing after reading the latest brochure of their’s is it’s so untruthful, it’s unreal,? he said. ‘On top of that, what really needs to be emphasized is it takes a vote of the board to do anything.?
Wagner believes he is being ‘singled out,? so a township manager can be brought in and the form of government can be changed.
‘The electorate’s already spoken out on this subject and they reelected me by a substantial margin,? he said. ‘I’m very disappointed in those individuals. It’s quite obvious what their agenda is and it’s a sad day for the township.?
Recall volunteer Rae LeAllen said she was also disappointed.
‘As a registered voter and taxpayer in Independence Township, I was very disappointed in the behavior of the elected officials and employees of the township, because what we were doing was 100 percent legal. My feeling is whether you agree with us or disagree, as long as you work for the township, you are my employee. The look and sneers we were getting were totally uncalled for,? she said. ‘However, the feedback and the comments from people (residents) were a lot of strong disappointment in the dealings of the elected officials of the township and the school board.?
Those interested in signing or picking up petitions may visit the office of Henry Woloson at 7608 Dixie Hwy, Suite 100 or call 248-625-6736. For further information see www.recallwagner.com.