This November a recall election will decide the political fate of three Board of Trustees members in Jackson County's Leoni Township.
Disagreements over the township's medical marijuana applications is at the center of it all.
Township Supervisor Howard Linnabary, Clerk Michele Manke and Treasurer Lori Stack will have to compete to keep their positions on the board.
Earlier this month, the Jackson County Clerk verified thousands of signatures submitted by the group Reform Leoni.
According to Reform Leoni, the recall was put in motion after it was revealed that Linnabary, Manke and Stack pocketed thousands-of-dollars for filing medical marihuana applications.
“Howard returned the money and claims that he didn't do anything wrong because he returned the money”, said Pat Gallagher from Reform Leoni.
“But in my mind that just shows that he does think that it was wrong for Michele and Lori to keep the money.”
Back in April, Linnabary told FOX 47 during a phone interview that it took his staff hours to file the paper work and that the compensation was justified.
Some residents agree and say the recall is unnecessary.
Former Leoni Township Supervisor Kipp Ballast says supporters of the recall have a flawed understanding of the trustees' workload and responsibilities.
“Michele was on the board when I was supervisor in 2007, 2008, as was Lori”, said Ballast.
“They are what holds this township together. I’m a big supporter of all three of them. People don't realize how much time it really takes to do the township's work.”
Wednesday FOX 47’s Cryss Walker spoke with both Linnabary and Stack in person.
They said although they’re eager to keep their positions, they were not prepared to speak about the issue on camera and would rather schedule a time to meet at a later date.
We’re waiting to hear back from Michelle Manke.
According to the Michgan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, municipalities are allowed to use marijuana application fees for administrative costs.
