Macon Township incumbents ousted in recall election

MACON TWP. — Challengers to both Macon Township Board incumbents won in a recall election spurred by the incumbents' support for a large-scale solar energy project.

Independent candidate Dean Montrief defeated Republican incumbent Lee Wagner in the supervisor race, 399-329. Also, independent Joe Rine beat Republican incumbent Ed Clark in the trustee race, 404-324.

Wagner was recalled for his support in May of a special land-use permit to construct a large solar farm known as the Mustang Mile. Clark also was recalled.

A petition also was circulated to recall township trustee Beth Loesch, but she resigned. The township board was not able to come to an agreement on an appointment to fill the vacancy left by Loesch. The Lenawee County Election Commission had a special meeting, but agreed it did not have adequate time to interview and make the appointment. The election law requires that a special election be held not less than 70 days after the deadline for submitting nominees if the next election date is the even year general November election. The May 2023 election is the next election that a recall election can be held because of the timeline required.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Macon Township incumbents ousted in recall election