Ishpeming Recall Language Approved

The effort to recall three members of the Ishpeming City council is moving forward. The Marquette County Elections Commission has approved the language submitted on recall petitions by the “Ishpeming Citizens for Chief Bjorne Justice.” The group aims to recall council members Claudia Demarest, Elaine Racine and Michael Tall.

Ishpeming Citizens for Chief Bjorne Justice is a grass-roots ad hoc committee of Ishpeming taxpayers and other concerned citizens who are opposed to the recent firing of Police Chief Jim Bjorne. The group says council members Racine, Demarest and Tall voted against Chief Bjorne’s transfer request of retirement credits for time served with the Marquette County Sheriff Department, denying him a full and sufficient pension.

The group also claims the same three council members voted against a settlement agreement negotiated by the Ishpeming City Manager and City Attorney with Chief Bjorne after the City Council had authorized the negotiations.

The approved language on the petitions is “Failure to vote for the transfer of retirement credits for Police Chief Jim Bjorne”. The petition circulation is to begin soon, with a goal of at least 600 signatures. A May recall election is anticipated.