02/28/2007

Voters decide to keep board despite Meijer dispute

By Brian Mcgillivary

bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com

Kurtz

TRAVERSE CITY — Voters in Acme strongly backed the current township board in a bitter recall election that featured a standoff between the board and backers of a proposed Meijer store.

Close to 60 percent of voters in the Grand Traverse County community rejected an effort to recall the township board Tuesday over allegations of conflict of interest, loss of insurance, and conditions the board imposed on a proposed Meijer shopping complex on M-72 and Lautner Road.

"This was a waste of time and a waste of money,” said Cindy McMellen after she cast her vote at the Acme Township Hall. "I'm very happy with the board and the job they are doing.”

It was a strong turnout for a February election, with more than half the township's registered voters casting ballots, said Grand Traverse County Clerk Linda Coburn.

Township trustee Wayne Kladder, who was retained on a vote of 986 to 702, said he wasn't surprised by the vote but acknowledged he had been a little anxious.

"I'm pleased for Acme Township,” Kladder said. "We have been working hard and this has been a great vote to keep us moving forward.”

Clerk Dorothy Dunville had the most support with 1,063 votes against recall, compared to 628 votes to recall. Supervisor Bill Kurtz won 957 to 734, while Treasurer Bill Boltres had the most votes to recall at 748, compared to 942 votes to keep him in office.

The other three trustees also cruised to victory. Paul Scott won 977 to 680, Erick Takayama finished 960 to 703, and Frank Zarafonitis was retained 982 to 679.

Voters on both sides of the issue said it all came down to Meijer.

"I voted to recall because I would like a Meijer out here,” said Erin Demmon. "It's a good place to shop, it provides jobs and it would bring more traffic through here.”

The Grand Rapids-based retail giant wants to build a 232,000-square-foot store with a 2,400-square-foot gas station and 110,000 square feet of additional retail but has refused to agree to a board request to build two raised sidewalks through the parking lot and move the gas station off the corner of M-72.

Jack Miller said it was clear to him the recall was about whether Meijer would get its way.

"They won't be recalled,” he said after voting against the recall.

Scott called Meijer a major force behind the recall effort, along with a few "disgruntled” people who were voted out of office in 2004.

"This vote means the township still has a say in what happens in our community,” he said.

Primary backers of the recall either refused comment or did not return phone calls.

Kurtz said he was hopeful the election results will prompt Meijer to return to the negotiating table so the sides can work to iron out their differences.

Tuesday afternoon, and prior to the election result, Meijer spokeswoman Stacie Behler said the retailer would continue to work toward building a store in Acme, but she did not say they would return to the bargaining table.

Instead, Meijer filed another appeal in an attempt to overturn one of its more recent circuit court defeats.