By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Howard Township Trustee Craig Bradfield was approved Tuesday night to conduct the meeting of the Howard Township Board, at which 60 to 70 people attended to see what was going on following a recall election on Monday that ousted the township supervisor and treasurer.
No discussions were held, however, as the board approved a motion not to discuss the recall election until results are certified by the county board of canvassers.
That group is expected to canvas the results of the election on Thursday.
Trustees Bradfield, Mike Gordon, George Johnson and Mike Richmond were also targets for recall but maintained their seats.
In the recall election, ousted Supervisor Harold Davis lost his seat by 577 yes to 493 no votes. Treasurer Eileen Glick lost her seat by 548 yes to 520 no votes.
Bradfield received 520 yes to 542 no votes; Gordon, 514 yes to 530 no; Johnson, 480 yes to 566 no and Richmond, 472 yes to 577 no.
The board's next action will be to wait for the re-election certification and then publish a deadline to accept applications to fill the two vacant seats.
After applications are received, an Interview Committee will schedule interviews and then a special meeting will be held to appoint two people to fill the vacant seats.
That interview committee will be made up of the Cass County Election Commission, which includes Ann Simmons, county clerk, Linda Irwin, county treasurer, and Judge Susan Dobrich.
With the forthcoming holidays, Interim Clerk Shirley Tuttle said probably it will be the first of January before interviews and a special meeting date will be scheduled.
Also appointed to an interview committee were Richmond, Gordon and Tuttle.
Bradfield read letters from both Davis and Glick who sent their regrets from losing in the recall election.
Davis said he was disappointed with the results and said he thinks he always represented the best interest of the community.
He reflected on positive happenings of the past 13 years such improvements to the fire department, development of the Master Plan, revision of township ordinances, revision of the zoning ordinances, installation of the Barron Lake sewer system, improvements and expansion to three parks, continuous road improvements, modernization of technology in the office, annual road improvements and a harmonious agreement and relations with the Cass County Sheriff's Department.
Glick said in her response that she decided not to attend the township board meeting but will instead assist in coaching basketball for her daughter and 13 other girls.
The board made an appointment for Tuttle to be a representative on the Niles Area Transportation Board to fill the spot previously held by former Clerk Linda Leet who resigned in September.
A motion was also approved for Glick to become reaffirmed in her position as zoning administrator particularly because of a forthcoming Zoning Board of Appeals hearing to be held Dec. 30.
The board also approved holiday office closing on Christmas eve, Dec. 24; Christmas day, Dec. 25; and New Year's day, Jan. 1.[ok]
Holiday closings for 2004 were approved by the Howard Township Board Tuesday night to include Memorial Day, May 31; Independence Day, July 5; Labor Day, Sept. 6; Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25 and 26; Christmas eve, Dec. 24, Christmas day, Dec. 25 and New Year's Day, Dec. 31.
It was also announced that property tax collection dates are for taxes to be paid by Feb. 17, 2004, without a penalty; Feb. 18, 2004, through March 1, 2004, taxes paid will be assessed with a 3 percent penalty; and after March 1, 2004, taxes are payable only at the Cass County treasurer's office with an additional 4 percent. A 1 percent will be added for every month delinquent thereafter.
The board also heard from Cass County Under Sheriff Richard Behnke who reported there were four burglaries held during the month of November in the township.
He also reported there will be a snowmobile safety class held Dec. 23 at the new 911 Central Dispatch Center on North Broadway Street in Cassopolis. For more information on the hours and class content, call 269-445-1225.[ok]