GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — The mayor of Grand Haven could be removed from office if a new citizen-initiated recall petition receives sufficient signatures.
Mayor Pro Tem Ryan Cummins confirmed the language for a recall petition had been approved by the county. It seeks to remove Mayor Catherine McNally, who was sworn into office in November 2021 after defeating the incumbent.
13 ON YOUR SIDE was shown a copy of the petition Thursday.
It reads 'Mayor McNally at the June 20, 2022 council meeting placed on the agenda to remove/vacate the seat of an elected council member and then fill the vacancy.'
The document references an event earlier this year, when McNally generated controversy after attempting to have a member of the council removed, claiming the councilwoman didn't live in Grand Haven.
She has also worked against bringing recreational marijuana to Grand Haven, despite a majority of voters supporting it.
"She ran on a platform that I agreed with," James Devries, the petitioner and a resident of Grand Haven related. Devries said he had supported McNally in the November mayoral race. "As months went on, those things she promised me she would do as mayor didn't come to fruition... expressed my frustration and she didn't change her ways, so I decided to file a petition to get her attention."
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to Mayor McNally for comment and was told she had nothing to say.
Petitioners must collect just over 1400 signatures within a six-month window to qualify for placement on the ballot.
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