OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — One Ottawa County commissioner is facing a recall amid the ongoing dispute between the Board of Commissioners and the health department.
A group of voters has been working to recall Lucy Ebel, who represents District 2 in Ottawa County. On Tuesday, a recall petition containing over 3,000 signatures will be filed by the Committee to Recall Lucy Ebel.
Larry Jackson, who sponsored the petition, said Ebel and conservative group Ottawa Impact are "too extreme" for the county. He said Ebel's actions, including turning down grants, cutting the health department budget and firing valued employees, are just some of the reasons behind the petition.
“The recall election will be a referendum on Ottawa Impact,” said Jackson. “The malicious actions of Lucy Ebel, Joe Moss, and the other Ottawa Impact commissioners continue to cause harm to the citizens of Ottawa County.”
Jackson said over the past two months, volunteers have been gathering signatures from voters in District 2 who would like to see Ebel recalled.
The petition was first introduced in July after a controversial move by the board that revised the hiring of Administrative Health Officer Adeline Hambley. Since then, Hambley has faced budget disputes with the Board of Commissioners and attempts to remove her from her position.
On Monday, a judge ruled a termination hearing for Hambley will move forward, and will begin Tuesday morning.
“(The board's) attacks on the health department will harm not only the Ottawa County residents who are most in need of their help and compassion, but everyone who swims at our beaches, eats in our restaurants, or enjoys our many parks and festivals,” Jackson said. “They are eroding trust with both county employees and the general public.”
The signatures will now be reviewed.
Ebel has said she is disappointed in this recall effort, but will respect the process.
If approved, the recall election would be placed on the May ballot.
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