Bertrand Township Supervisor John Mefford and Trustee Dick Haigh were both recalled from office after Tuesday’s election.

Mefford, an 11-year board member, was recalled by a vote of 343 to 179. Haigh, with 15 years of experience on the board, was ousted 295-233.

Trustee David Zelmer escaped recall with 291 residents voting no to removing him from office and 236 voting yes.

Had Treasurer Linda Layher not resigned from office in March, she would have been recalled. Residents voted 260-226 in favor of her being removed from office.

Mefford, Haigh, Zelmer and Layher faced the recall election for voting yes to a resolution to have the county collect summer taxes rather than having Layher collect them. Recall organizers argue that the township could have saved the taxpayers a 1 percent fee charged by the county for the service. Township Clerk Jane Lano was the only official to vote no on the issue.

Both Mefford and Haigh have told the Star that they believe they were targeted for recall not just for that decision but for not supporting the sale of the Southeast Berrien County Landfill. The potential sale of the landfill, owned by five area municipalities, has been the subject of heated debate among public officials and residents.

Lano is also facing a potential recall election. Recall organizers are collecting signatures for a petition to potentially get the item on a future ballot.

Another election will take place in August to replace Mefford and Haigh. The Republican and Democratic Parties will select candidates for the election.

Since May 1981, 26 public officials, including Mefford and Haigh, have been recalled in Berrien County, according to the county clerk’s office. More than 340 recall wordings have been filed in that time period.

Mefford and Haigh could not be reached for comment by press time.