05/03/2006

Council members retain seats

Opponents of sewer project pushed for recall

By Vanessa McCray

vmccray@record-eagle.com

NORTHPORT — Seven members of the Northport village council retained their seats by comfortable margins in a recall election in this small northern Leelanau County community.

Village residents voted Tuesday to keep president Michael Rogers Sr. and trustees William Brendel, Richard Burmeister, Steven Mattson, Fredrick Thomas, Stephen Wetherbee and Barbara VonVoigtlander.

The recall was spearheaded by residents who oppose a sewer project that would require parcel connections in the village and in parts of Leelanau Township. The project is supported by the village council.

"I believe it is a mandate for the sewer and for the council," said Rogers. "We are going to forge ahead just like we have been."

But John Kutilek, who filed the recall petitions, pledged that opponents of the sewer project "will keep fighting."

Kutilek also is a plaintiff in a lawsuit aimed at stopping the sewer project. The lack of a public vote on the sewer project and its cost were among reasons listed by recall supporters for the election. Council members responded that they acted "responsibly" and "with the best interest of the community in mind."

Kutilek called the recall election "just the first battle" and said critics of the proposed project also will approach the state tax tribunal. He did not rule out another recall attempt in the future.

Kutilek said the vote totals show that a "large number" of residents don't think the council handled the sewer project correctly. Kutilek said the council hasn't been open about the issue or the "true cost" of the project.

"If it had been just a vote on the sewer itself, I think, it would have gone the other way," he said.

Unofficial totals were: Rogers 137 yes to 227 no, Brendel 132-234, Burmeister 143-221, Mattson 146-218, Thomas 132-231, VonVoigtlander 140-223 and Wetherbee 125-238.