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05/23/2006Campaign finance reports inCurrent, former officials donated in recall effortTRAVERSE CITY — Current and former Elmwood Township officials contributed to groups that either campaigned for and against this month's failed effort to oust supervisor Derith Smith. Pro-recall committee Elmwood Citizens for Honest Officials and the Committee to Support Derith Smith filed respective campaign finance documents required for groups that received or spent more than $1,000. Another pro-recall group, Elmwood Township Alliance, claimed a campaign finance reporting waiver, stating it did not exceed $1,000 raised or spent. Ellie Lessard is listed as treasurer for ECHO and her husband, former harbormaster Charles Lessard, is listed as the treasurer for the ETA. Nancy Doughty is treasurer of the pro-Smith group. ECHO spent $1,149 between Nov. 2 and May 22, including costs for yard signs and printing and postage for several pre-election mailings, according to its filing with the Leelanau County clerk. The group's largest contribution was $210 from former township supervisor Stanley Kouchnerkavich. Former trustee John Stanek and his wife gave $110, former supervisor Noel Flohe donated $20, and township treasurer Debbie Street contributed $95. Ellie Lessard gave $54.43, and her husband chipped in another $40. The Committee to Support Derith Smith reported expenditures totaling $2,442 between March 10 and May 4. The largest expense was $1,144 for a campaign ad in the Record-Eagle, with the remainder paying for printing and postage for mailings to township residents. Trustee Jeff Howell contributed $100 to the pro-Smith group, and its largest donation was $500 from James and Pat Ganter. James Ganter helped lead a 2003 recall effort targeting the township board that included Stanek and Flohe. Doughty provided $155. Several Smith supporters also provided in-kind contributions. Elmwood Citizens for Sensible Growth member Pei-Shan Van Zoeren donated $125.95 — $65 in cash and the rest as in-kind contributions for copies and Web site domain name registration. The Michigan Secretary of State's office is reviewing a complaint filed on May 1 by Doughty on behalf of the Committee to Support Derith Smith. It alleges the multiple pro-recall committees were formed to circumvent state election financial reporting laws. See related stories:
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