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December 2, 2005Group joins effort to recall township supervisor SmithSpearheaded by wife of fired harbormasterTRAVERSE CITY - The wife of Elmwood Township's former harbormaster is spearheading a group attempting to recall the township's supervisor.Ellie Lessard said Elmwood Citizens for Honest Officials was formed shortly after township resident John Stanek filed a petition Nov. 1 seeking a recall of supervisor Derith Smith. "That is our only agenda," Lessard said about ousting Smith, who she contends unjustly fired her husband, Chuck Lessard, from his harbormaster post in April. Smith's termination of Lessard and deputy harbormaster Dick Eldred is among the reasons Stanek listed on a recall petition that the Leelanau County election commission on Wednesday said contained language clear enough to be circulated for signatures. Lessard said other residents contacted her after the petition was filed. The group's roughly 25 members have met informally several times since then. "There are quite a few people who are concerned because of what she has done or not done," she said. A statement of organization filed Nov. 15 with the Leelanau County clerk lists Ellie Lessard as the committee's contact person and treasurer. The group also requested a campaign finance reporting waiver, stating it does not expect to receive or spend more than $1,000 within the year. If the group does exceed that threshold, it will be required to file financial reports. Lessard said she doesn't anticipate any fundraising efforts but members will help circulate recall petitions. Signatures from 511 registered township voters would be necessary to force a recall election. Circulators have 180 days to submit petitions, but signatures are only valid for 90 days. See Related Stories:
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