Tag: Dave Ritter

Though Kalkaska county prosecutor Brian Donnelly's efforts at recalling at least three county commissioners may not be over, it appears he has (his allies attempting the recall) failed initially to clarify the language to the satisfaction of the elections board.  In a turnaround however, the prosecutor himself appears to be the only one out of the process who may have to defend his job.

From a press release:

Kalkaska, Michigan
October 11th, 2011

Today the Kalkaska County Election Commission denied approval for clarity for recall petitions against three District Commissioners. Additionally, wording was approved for the petition to recall County Prosecuting Attorney Brian Donnelly. The Election Commission found the petitions for the recall of the Commissioners too lengthy, non-specific in facts, dates and locations; among other issues. The votes on all petitions were unanimous.

With the approval of the recall wording for Donnelly, the petitioners now have until the November 15th deadline to submit the required number of valid signatures, approximately 1600, to place the recall on the February ballot. According to Michigan law MCL-168, petitions will be made available after 10 days if no appeal is filed, leaving signature collectors only 25 days to gather the required number. It is not known if the petitions against the District Commissioners will be amended and refiled.

The last election has had its consequences not only of statewide or national significance, but also in local areas as well. In Northern Michigan's Kalkaska county, we could have up to 5 casualties, as a shoot out in the OK Corral begins.

Four newly elected county commissioners, Stuart McKinnon, Dave Ritter, Tony Martini and the Chair, Mike Cox (all Republican) are being recalled by the Kalkaska Democrat party efforts and with active assistance from the local prosecutor, Brian Donnelly, a [Democrat] as well.  The recall effort has apparently been spawned by the prosecutor's objections to the commission's refusal to reinstate funding to his department.  The funding cuts had been made by the prior county board's actions.  It is also presumed to be payback for an attempt to have an outside consultant look at the prosecutor's office as well as other county operations by the 'Axe Man':

The board voted to retain the services of attorney John Axe of Axe and Ecklund, PC, to provide consulting services to the county for a cost not to exceed $9,375.

Said services are intended to "permit the county to operate on a balanced budget in the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2012," as stated in the firm's contract with county.

"They've spent $10,000 on somebody they refer to as the `Axe Man,'" Donnelly said. "He is supposedly doing a study for them on how big the (county) departments should be."