By Tom Gilchrist
Staff Writer
DAYTON TWP. — A Dayton Township resident hopes to recall township Trustee James Satchel, alleging he has abused his position as a trustee.
Dr. Richard Horsch on Monday submitted language proposed for recall petitions Horsch hopes to circulate in the township in an effort to force a recall election.
According to the proposed language, Horsch wants Satchel recalled because: “The Dayton Twp. Board unanimously voted to censure trustee James Satchel. Satchel has repeatedly abused his board position by assuming zoning enforcement authority which a trustee does not have and by attempting to bully and intimidate residents, including a helpless 97 year old World War II veteran and his family, and a single woman.”
The Advertiser could not reach Satchel for comment.
The Tuscola County Election Commission has set a hearing for Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. in Tuscola County Probate Court for the Commission to review the clarity and factual nature of the recall language. Commission members include county Clerk Jodi Fetting, county Treasurer Pat Donovan-Gray and Probate Judge Nancy L. Thane.
According to state law, the County Election Commission must determine “whether each reason for the recall stated in the petition is factual and of sufficient clarity to enable the officer whose recall is sought and the electors to identify the course of conduct that is the basis for the recall.”
Satchel may appear at the meeting to present arguments on the clarity and factual nature of the petition language.
As the sponsor of the recall petition, Horsch also may appear at the hearing to present arguments on those issues.
State law states that “if any reason for the recall is not factual or of sufficient clarity,” the County Election Commission shall reject the entire recall petition.
In order to force a recall election, proponents would have to collect at least 165 valid signatures of registered voters in Dayton Township. About 1,439 voters live in the township.
During a January meeting — with Satchel absent — the townhip board voted 4 to 0 to censure Satchel, accusing him of failing to uphold “six universal values” of trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, loyalty, compassion and fairness.
Satchel said he couldn’t attend the meeting because he wife was sick, and said he hadn’t missed a township board meeting prior to that one. Satchel alleges the board’s censure of him violates the U.S. Constitution. He has stressed that the board hadn’t approved a code of ethics prior to censuring him.