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October 11, 2005Petition drive thrivingOrganizers aim to get recall on February ballotByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Valerie and Dave Winans are halfway to having enough signatures to recall two East Bay Township officials and plan to finish their drive with a one-day push. "I've been blown away by the positive response," said Valerie Winans. "We have absolutely no concern that we'll have enough signatures to take this to a vote." The Winans need to collect 908 valid signatures from registered voters by Nov. 21 to place a recall of township clerk Janice Gee and township treasurer Debora Watson on the February ballot. Their goal is to collect 1,200 in case any signatures are disqualified. Gee faces seven felony counts for embezzling more than $19,000 from the township through payroll manipulations in 2003 and 2004. The county prosecutor said he expects to amend those charges after a second forensic audit put the total at more than $62,000, going back to 1995. Winans said they have just a few less signatures for Watson, who hasn't been charged with a crime. "You know she signed all those checks that Jan Gee wrote and then she said she didn't know what she was signing," Winans said. "I don't know which is worse." Watson couldn't be reached for comment. Gee has refused to respond to questions about her alleged crimes. Winans said they aren't accepting contributions and so far the operation is dependent on shoe leather more than anything else. Several friends - plus people they have never met - have also pitched in to help circulate petitions. The owners of Peegeo's restaurant at 525 High Lake Road have offered the use of their hall to gather signatures from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 22. The couple posted fliers around the community inviting people to come sign petitions that day. "We hope that will finish it off," Winans said. "If we have enough signatures by the end of the day, then we'll start preparing for the election in the February." See Related Stories: Gee trial delayed as prosecution continues to build case - October 1, 2005 Audit: East Bay Township clerk took $62K - September 28, 2005 Residents demand answers from East Bay board - September 16, 2005 Audit of East Bay finances may result in more charges - September 14, 2005 East Bay residents to circulate petitions - September 3, 2005 East Bay finances: 'Little stuff' totals thousands - August 28, 2005 Prosecutor says East Bay probe may widen - August 26, 2005 Former East Bay supervisor likely purchased personal items - August 21, 2005 East Bay Township clerk is back to work - August 21, 2005 More money may be missing in East Bay - August 16, 2005 Lile suggests shutting down East Bay government to fix mess - July 22, 2005 East Bay Township supervisor expects 'real ugly' meeting - July 22, 2005 East Bay assessor to be paid as fate is determined - July 12, 2005 Errors pile up in review of East Bay records - July 10, 2005 Public backs East Bay probe leading to arrest of clerk - June 28, 2005 East Bay Township clerk charged with embezzlement felonies - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
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