KEENE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After months of petitioning and a second recall effort of the Keene Township Supervisor and Board Treasurer, Keene Township is hosting a special election for a township wide vote Tuesday. 

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The targets of the latest recall responded to the question asking why they believe that the townspeople are attempting another recall effort in a statement.

“We as the board asked that question to the recall group and the answer I got was they felt that it was their only option, replace the board and put people in office who didn’t want solar by changing the township’s ordinance to exclude all commercial solar in Keene,” Keene Township Supervisor Robert Simpson and Treasurer Kara Albert said in an email to Michigan News Source. “They also told us that it wasn’t personal, I suppose from their point of view it’s not, but as a locally elected official who has lived in Keene my whole life, it bothers me  that people don’t think we care.  We want what’s best for our residents too, but as elected officials we have 1600+ residents to consider.”

Other Keene Township residents expressed their hopes for new candidates to be voted in to listen to the desires of the community. 

“My hope in this second recall attempt, is obviously, to win the election with two new board members who will make it a priority to listen to ALL of our township members, put our community as a priority over Invenergy, take seriously the many questions and concerns surrounding commercial wind & solar, and ultimately, respect and follow our master plan to keep Keene Township as the agricultural community that it is,” Kim Newell, 37-year resident of Keene Township said in an email to Michigan News Source. 

On Tuesday, members of the community will have the opportunity to participate in the special election process and consider voting possibly for a new Township Supervisor and Township Treasurer. 

“As an introduction, I’d like everyone first and foremost to understand that although Taylor Lewis and I are running as individual candidates for the offices of Township Treasurer and Township Supervisor respectively, we are both committed to work as a team for the betterment of our Township,” Bob Schafer said in an email to Michigan News Source. 

One of the areas that is a priority for the 42-year resident of Kenne Township, is adherence to the township master plan, which has been an area of contention for some residents. 

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“Why have a master plan if you don’t follow it?,” he said in an email, “Our master plan requires us to  keep our township rural and to keep our agricultural land actively farmed.”

He also shared his hopes for the future if elected. 

“I’ve been a resident of this beautiful, unspoiled, rural township since 1981,” he said in an email. “This township is my ‘forever’ home and I am committed to protecting it for today’s residents, for our children, and for those to come.”

Life long Michigander, Taylor Lewis, hopes that if elected Treasurer she can help respect the desires of the people of Keene. 

“My top priority would be re-aligning the township board’s vision for Keene to reflect the actual wants and needs of its residents,” Lewis said in an email to Michigan News Source, “I have seen a substantial divide between the board’s current push for industrial development and the residents who have expressed serious concerns about protecting their quality of life.”

Adhering to the township Master Plan is also an important element for the future of the township according to Lewis. 

The Master Plan should be the main role in determining the future of our township,” she said in an email, “As our world is constantly developing and changing, it should absolutely be the guiding factor for all decisions we make. If we don’t follow it and use it as our constitution, then why have it?” 

Lewis also shared her gratitude for the community for taking the time “to listen and those that have spent hours upon hours to support us.” 

“I hope for positivity moving forward, that we can move past this as a stronger community,” she said in an email, “I plan to make this my home, and I hope for a bright future for Keene.”

At a previous Township Board meeting, another member of the board, Trustee Brett Hulliberger shared a letter in which he pleaded with the attendees for unity and trust. 

“There are fresh perspectives on the board that I think we need to discover, a renewed sense of community and clarity and work together as a community and a team which starts with dropping the recall.  We need to regroup and get back to business,” Hulliberger said. 

In-person votes may be cast at the Keene Township hall located at 8505 Potters Rd, Saranac, until 8 pm tonight.  Ionia County also has a running total of the votes which will be periodically updated throughout the day that can be found here.