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January 18, 2006Township appoints new clerkTRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township's whistleblower turned down an offer to succeed ex-clerk and convicted felon Janice Gee, prompting officials to appoint a woman whom Gee defeated in the November 2004 election.Susanne Courtade - who lost that election to Gee 2,982 to 2,131 - was the board's unanimous choice at a Monday meeting to replace Gee. She will be sworn into office today. The board did not consider other candidates, nor did it post the opening, though the township's draft personnel policy calls for advertising all positions. "She was a qualified candidate who came pretty stinking close in November's election. She's qualified for the job, and I don't have a problem appointing her for the next six months," trustee Beth Friend said. "If the appointment was for the next two years, then I would have wanted to post it." Courtade said she will run as a Republican in the August primary and November election to fill the remaining two years of Gee's term. Gee, township clerk since 1992, was forced to vacate the office upon her conviction last week on nine felony embezzlement counts. Prosecutors said she stole $62,000 from the township since 1995. Gee's former deputy, Vivian Olson, reported Gee's questionable financial transactions to state auditors in 2002 and to auditors hired by the township board in 2005. Gee fired Olson for alleged disloyalty after the 2004 general election. More than a dozen residents who attended the meeting urged the board to appoint Olson to replace Gee. The lone objection came from her husband, Bob Olson. "Do I want Viv to be clerk? No, definitely not," Bob Olson said. "She has lived with unbelievable stress for the last five years." Vivian Olson asked for her old job as deputy clerk. Courtade, a branch manager for the joint East Traverse Catholic-TBA Federal Credit Union, assured the audience that she'd name Olson as her deputy. See Related Stories: Ex-supervisor sentenced - January 18, 2006 No more paychecks for felon Janice Gee - January 13, 2006 Jury finds Gee guilty - January 12, 2006 Forensic accountant testifies against Gee - January 11, 2006 Gee trial set for Tuesday - January 9, 2006 East Bay treasurer faces court hearing - January 6, 2006 Embattled clerk removes desk, triggers burglar alarm - January 4, 2006 Gee paid $23,000 for doing little work - December 22, 2005 Township might not recoup its losses - December 15, 2005 Residents are not as forgiving of Bartko as officials - December 15, 2005 Bartko pleads guilty - December 14, 2005 Audit reveals special assessment district mess - December 11, 2005 Gee will stand trial next month - December 10, 2005 Accountants missed many red flags - December 4, 2005 Other townships pondering changes - December 4, 2005 Bartko hears felony counts - November 29, 2005 Two more face charges in financial scandal - November 23, 2005 News Break: Ex-supervisor, current treasurer charged - November 22, 2005 Records show township paid planner from U.P. - November 13, 2005 Signature goal reached for recalls - November 9, 2005 East Bay Township probe widens - October 27, 2005 Bid for state's assistance in removing Gee falls short - October 12, 2005 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 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 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 - 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 - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
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