WEXFORD COUNTY — Tensions in a Northern Michigan township reaching it’s breaking point, after the township supervisor called state police during a township meeting.
Wexford County’s Liberty Township supervisor said he was forced to call state police after some residents refused to leave the building during closed session.
Some of them accused the township of going too far, saying the township is singling out a long-standing local group of senior ladies who make quilts for people in need.
Mary Hallett, president of Liberty Ladies Aid said they did eventually comply but felt the township was being petty by making them leave. Hallett said they were not in the hall but in the foyer area.
“I’m not trying to cause a problem. We had left right after Amanda said, we’re calling the cops. We left. We didn’t fight it against it or anything,” said Hallett.
Township supervisor Bradley Swanson said it was when they went into closed session to discuss a FOIA request by the Liberty Ladies Aid that the group had asked them to reconsider. He said they just don’t have the room in the township hall
“We asked the people to go to the parking lot or go to their vehicles. We understand that it’s cold outside. It’s not an ideal situation, but that’s the only thing we really have available,” said Swanson. They were later invited back into the meeting when they were finished with that closed session.
He said there is no ill will. No one was arrested. They just wanted to hold the meeting unimpeded but Hallett said the group and their supporters are being singled out by the township clerk who also serves as the township manager.
“She wants us gone. She’s doing everything she can do to make it so that we can’t even afford to be there,” said Hallett.
She said last July she dissolved the contract they had with their group for use of the building in exchange for services, instead wanting to charge them $75 dollars every time they want to use the facilities.
Swanson said the laws have changed since that agreement was made with the township back in 2013 and they have to charge all parties or not charge at all. They can’t give special treatment but are hoping they can come up with a resolution.
“We’ve notified the Ladies Aid that we will have to charge rent for the use of the hall, which is something that they’ve not been charged for over decades or for even their entire existence,” said Swanson.
Hallett said the group has been around for 100 years and has been using the building for decades, if not longer.
Liberty Ladies Aid treasurer, Carol Gorman said they are looking at other options but with their limited funds it will impact their ability to do what they do if they have to pay rent,” said Gorman.
“It makes us feel good that we can provide for the community, make the community happy,” said Gorman.
Hallett said paperwork to start a recall for the township clerk was filed earlier in the afternoon on Thursday for alleged mistreatment.