SPRING LAKE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The president of the village of Spring Lake may soon be out of a job.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Ottawa County Election Committee approved language for a petition to recall Village President Joyce Verplank-Hatton. The recall is due toher efforts to disincorporate the village and for comments she made in April likening a parking ordinance to Nazi Germany.
Verplank-Hatton may appeal the committee’s decision approving the petition within the next ten days. Two-hundred-eighty-two people must sign the petition by August 4th for the recall measure to be put on this year’s ballot.
Michelle Hanks’ petition language to recall the president was approved last night, and she says part of the reason is Verplank-Hatton comparing a village parking ordinance to the Holocaust.
“It upsets me. Because there is no way a piece of paper could somehow be compared to what happened there and to the terrible things and atrocities that happened there.”
The village president has apologized for the Holocaust comment, but also says it was meant to educate people about Jews losing their property rights in Germany in 1935 under the Nazis.
Verplank-Hatton says she is not concerned about the recall effort being launched against her.
“No. I think it’s up to the people. If they want me to lost my position, I think I should.”
Another reason for the recall is Verplank-Hatton supporting disincorporation of the village despite the village council opposing that move.
