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October 12, 2005Bid for state's assistance falls shortResolution sought to have Gee removedByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Frustrated East Bay Township board members must wait for a trial or recall to oust township clerk Janice Gee after a failed attempt to ask the governor to step in. The board split 3-3 on a motion to ask Gov. Jennifer Granholm to remove Gee from office. Treasurer Debora Watson and trustees Dale McAllister and Susan LaRose voted no. "It's truly a horrible situation, but there's not much we can do but let everything take its course," LaRose said. LaRose said she voted no because it would be a wasted effort. Township attorney Chuck Judson told the board that governors take no action on such requests unless the official is convicted of a felony. Supervisor Glen Lile agreed the governor wouldn't act but wanted the resolution to send a message that the law needs to be changed. Gee, 59, faces seven felony counts for allegedly embezzling more than $19,000 from the township through payroll manipulations. Gee has not attended a township board meeting since Aug. 16 or shown up at work since Aug. 9 other than to collect her paycheck, Lile said. The board had to hire a bookkeeper to do the township's accounting and payroll and a clerk to take minutes at board meetings. Meanwhile, Gee continued to receive her full $41,995 annual salary - at least until four weeks ago. Unknown to the board, Lile began deducting the cost of the accountant from Gee's last two checks. "I took it upon myself," Lile said. "I just figured the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay twice for the same thing." Judson said under state law the township isn't paying for the job being done but the position and an elected official's salary cannot be reduced after the term of office begins. The board then voted unanimously to restore the $1,920 Lile had withheld from Gee's last two checks and restore her to full pay. See Related Stories: East Bay recall petition drive thriving - October 11, 2005 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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