A resignation reversal has caused a stir in the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.
Former Chairman David Woodward resigned on August 7 in the hopes of being appointed Oakland County executive. State law mandated he resign from the board before seeking the position of executive, which opened up after the death of L. Brooks Patterson, who died August 3.
Woodward’s original resignation left the board split between 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Woodward is a Democrat.
Board Chairwoman Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township) cancelled the meeting where Woodward would have been appointed to the position, instead opting to open up the applications to the public. Woodward then attempted to rescind his resignation.
The GOP fought the recantation in Oakland County Circuit court on Friday afternoon, but lost. The Democratic caucus said that Woodward’s resignation was not considered official since the board had not voted on it, despite Oakland County Human Resources processing his resignation and shutting down his county email.
The board met on Friday to choose from the five candidates who applied for the executive position. Woodward regained his position on the board, returning it to a Democratic majority.
Oakland County Republican Chair Andrew Raczkowski criticized the board in the chamber, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.
“If you flagrantly disregard the rules so that you can have an executive from your party, shame on you,” he said. “Bring back some dignity to this process for the county employees who are sitting here. I would be saying the same thing if the Republicans did this to the Democrats.”
The board voted that Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter will serve as the Oakland County executive, finishing out Patterson’s term. Coulter must first resign from his position as mayor and is expected to be sworn in on Monday, according to The Oakland Press.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Oakland County Courthouse” by Oakland County.
