You are right, Mark. After all, this is what I predicted.

I also predicted this would happen. The city of Troy is full of clowns. Shame shame.

I wonder how the recall vote would have turned out if the cost of a special election would have been made public before the election - as it should have been? Would you vote differently? Would enough of the voters?

I wonder if someone will try a legal manuever to vacate the recall results based on that information not being made public prior to the vote?

Could all of this have been avoided by everyone voting back in 2011, instead of putting Troy through all of this bad press: first Janice Daniels' election by a majority of voters, then the whole recall process, including alternate recall petitions, next the recall vote itself, and finally when we thought it was over, the battle with the state on a special election (at an extra cost)?

What we ended up with were multiple short-term Mayors and a new city council-person that the majority of voters in Troy have no input on selecting for these positions.

Voting is a right, and we shot ourselves in the foot big time over the past 13 months by not having more citizens exercise that right in November 2011!

Maybe if we made it a requirement to have voted in the original election to be eligible to vote in any subsequent recall elections, would we 'encourage' voters to come out in the first place!

Agree with A Concerned Citizen; on this next election in May, let's all make a concerted effort to get a high voter turnout, set a goal for the numbers that we had this past November. The majority should speak. And we should make all candidates accountable for truthfulness in their campaigning.

No not really, if it is, maybe you should pay it "mom".

Larry- Yours is a typical response from the TCU/CTC group. Always asking someone else to pay your fair share. Not sure why you guys always think you should have everything and contribute nothing. Why don't you ask those who begged for the lawsuit to be brought down on Troy - Bob G. Glenn C, Brake, Ross, Kempen? Without them, we would have moved on with the regularly scheduled election in November.

Control of what Jack? The council has worked together on a budget, transit center, mayoral appointment and now a council appointment. What are they controlling.

Jack,

Slater said no such thing. Mayor Slater did not even address the court.

I know because I was there. And you're lying.

Just goes to show what you don't know jack. The city charter mandated that Slater resign from council before being sworn in as interim mayor. Which he did. He did not speak to the court. Again, you don't know jack.

This was brought to us by Bob G, Glenn C., Ross, Brake, Kempen. Why aren't you asking them to pay. Without their calls and letters, the state would not have been drawn into this.

Mom, how can you blame anyone but the Troy legal team for this lawsuit. A few simple conversations before the Recall election would have made is clear that LEGALLY, Troy needed to hold a special election in February. If that was known ahead of time, the recall vote may have been different, but at least the voters would not have been duped into thinking that there were no financial penalties that went along with a successful recall.

And don't even get me started about a City Council that thinks that their opinion on election law trumps the state. That move just nixed any chance for a February election.

Zoltan, I don't know who this "Glenn Clark" is that you think I am (seriously, I don't), but you're wrong. I'm just a citizen of Troy, who's getting fed up with all the B.S. I'm seeing - on both sides of the issue. I don't vote Republican or Democrat, nor do I claim one party or the other. I vote for the individual who I believe best represents my interests and those of my community (in my humble opinion). That doesn't mean I voted for or against Janice Daniels nor does it mean I voted for or against her Recall.

What I'm speculating on: 1) Troy's Legal team dropping the ball - I'd say the Judge's ruling pretty much covers that - we WILL have a special election; 2) Troy citizens being duped into a 'free' Recall - see #1 above - special elections are not free; 3) City Council's actions - The Council's decision was reported right here, and the Judge ruled that we must have a special election in May because there is no time left to do it in February - though there would have been if we were all on the same page as the State AG from the get-go.

A Concerned Citizen, you are so right!!! But the recall people did not want the public to get confused over the facts.

Concerned Citizen- Easy, I have the ability to face reality.

She can pay for the election so we don't have to keep paying for her screwups. This is not the first crazy thing she has done that has to be corrected by the courts and ultimately cost the Troy taxpayers money. She has to go.

Please list what other "crazy things" Atty Bluhm has done that has had to been corrected by the courts. Im a fact kinda guy and dont put much credence in generalizations and talking points. Again please list your specific grievences against Atty Bluhm.

She did investigate, and ask for input from the County Clerk, who is in charge of elections in Oakland County. I can't believe you want to drive out more extremely capable city employees so that you can dilute the talent pool in our city. Talk about short sighted. My wish is for all of you who don't live in Troy to butt out of our business.

Who has been driven out so far?
The only one I see is former Mayor Daniels.

There is no personal attacks here. Just expressing the facts only. The City Attorney should have let the voters know that they would have to have a "special election" paid for by the City of Troy IF AND WHEN she investigated it and found out it was needed. Perhaps if she would have contacted the Attorney Generals Office we would have found out and not voted Janice out of office due to the $90,000 loss on a special election. Please do not be so shallow and narrow minded to think this is all roses and there was nothing done wrong here. If the citizens would have known, this would have never come to this point, Janice could have stayed for her term, the citizens would have saved $90,000-$100,000 that is currently being wasted on legal fees and special election coming. I hope you get "it" now!

Good question. Hopefully that will be part of the discussion when (from the article) "Morris has ordered the Secretary of State's office and the City of Troy to meet to prepare a new election timeline and report back to the court within five business days". I'm good either way...I like the 6 applicants that the council members have narrowed it down to, and if we don't vote for a council member in May, we will get a chance to in November, along with two other open council seats.

The State Statute dealt with a vacancy created by a recall. A vacancy resulting from a resignation follows the city charter. 6.2 and I believe 6.7. That would be a November 2013 election and since his term expires in November 2013 there would be no election to fill his position. The person they appoint in the next two weeks will fill out Slater's term.

Victor, I'd pass it by the SoS and the judge anyway since the resignation was indirectly caused by the recall. Don't want another "surprise after the fact" coming from the State because we're following our Charter.

It's not a vacancy created by recall, that was the mayor only. The council person was a resignation and regardless of why he quit, it is not a vacancy created by recall.

Ann, as I recall, you don't live in Troy or Michigan. Is that right? If so, butt out.

Cathy Fucinari, your continued irresponsible personal attacks contribute nothing to the topic, other than your clear intent to disrupt and sabotage the valid worthwhile conversations of others.

It was previously determined that Ann Galen lives in Florida. She has little knowledge of this community and has no vested interest in our community. I repeat, she should butt out.

Cathy Fucinari only posts personal attacks, and all of her efforts are to silence those who disagree with the liberals such as herself. Cathy should butt out if she can not think of a single thing to say which has any substance . Instead of making personal attacks against those who want respect and order, why dont you try , just try, to think of at least 1 thing that contributes to this discussion. If you continute to be unable to contribute to the discussion, then quit making a fool of yourself.

Ann Galen: everyone who disagrees with the nonsense you post is a "liberal". That sweeping generalization is illogical and lends nothing to the conversation, like most of things you post which poorly informed and have little to do with facts.

Daffy Noodnicks, did you have anything to actually contribute to this topic?

Or are you only in the business of making personal attacks and trying to hijack this topic?

Anne Galen: I have made a number of contributions on this thread. These included actual facts. I have also noted your unbalanced hypocrisy, name calling, and personal attacks.

Daffy, another pointless, meaningless,post which contributes nothing to the subject matter. Why dont you try to say something about "this" topic?

If you only want to talk about me, then of course, it is flattering, but why dont you start a new topic just about me so you can write on and on....

I suspect that Ann is Janice's mother. I can't be sure because I would have to trace back 3 married names to get to her maiden name. I don't get why saying someone lives in Florida is a "personal attack". It is very odd that someone who lives so far away would care so much about little, old Troy, hence my suspicion about the relationship.

Ann Galen: Since you aren't good with facts, let me try to help you out (although I'm sure it probably won't work): if you scroll down you will see that I ahve made a number of comments that deal with this subject (as I have already said and you have ignored). These statements included funny little things like facts, and had to do with actual reality.

I noted that you called everyone you don't like a liberal, which was an illogical comment (association fallacy)-a true statement. And noted you were accusing someone of making a personal attack-by making a personal attack (that's called hypocrisy Ann) also a true staement. All you really do is make personal attacks and they really aren't supported facts or reality. what else have you lended to this topic?

I just find you adorable and really pretty funny, thats all.

Daffy Noodnicks, again! you make yet another comment just about me. So flattering. You are such a big fan of mine! I know you think I am adorable, but you really need to start a new topic just about me if you want to continue to talk only about me. Please reserve this space for comments about this topic.

"Mom",, welcome to my fan club!!! I have so many admirers who completely ignore the subject ,matter, and instead just want to talk about me. Unfortunately, I think your, and others, fascination with me is going to far, and you might need help. Flattery, flattery! I hope in the future you might think of something relevant to this topic to make a legitimate topic. In the meantime, why dont all of you get together and make a fan club topic just about me?

Ann- Wow your track record with facts remains perfect. I am anything but a fan. You did perfectly relay your narcissism, which is another indicator you are related to Janice. I notice you avoided my questions, are you Janice's mom or a relative and why do you care about a city over 1,000 miles from where you live? It's just odd.

I hope she does and watch the heads roll, lol!

Ha Ha!! That would be so funny if Janis got re-elected in this special election!

That's funny, Jack. Tax and spend. Are you not aware that taxes can't be raised in Troy without the people voting for them? Council can't tax anyone. They can ask for millages, certainly, but they can't mandate them.

You don't know Dane Slater. As for your prediction about the transit center, what do you know? Absolutely nothing more than anyone else. I do know, however, that my federal tax dollars are being used to actually improve the city I live in. All Fleming did was pull out money that would have been spent here making the center less expensive to maintain down the road. At least he did something to get it passed. Bet that goes over well with the TCU people who were so against it...imagine that, Wade got the deal done for it...how do you swallow it, TCUers?

"- he talks to the citizens like they are his DUI busts from his police days. "

Well said, his preachy know-it-all comments are like nails on a chalkboard. The recall election-which got rid of Slater, is the best thing to happen out of all this.

Because of all the (bad) press we've had in the last year due to the Recall election efforts, it would be hard for the SoS to be unaware of what's going on. They may not "follow city elections", but it's hard to miss stories making statewide (and farther) news.

Mom, it's not what you believe that matters. It's that all the $$$ facts were not presented prior to the election.

Seriously, you are worried about the money? $50 which equates to less than $1 per citizen. If you are that hung up on it, I can buy you a damn cup of coffee to make up for it...oh wait, not even a cup of coffee is that inexpensive.

I would question the logic of anybody who based their vote on whether or not a special election would be necessary. The decision should have been on whether Daniels was suitable to represent our city or not...and the citizens made their choice. Get over it.

If she was so wonderful and the citizens were fooled into recalling her, then she should run again in May. I would love for her to be the Tea Party representative on the ballot because that would assure an easy victory for whoever was running against her.

CC, it's not the money that's the issue, it's the fact that it was important enough for someone NOT to make it public prior to the recall vote.

And unless you want to foot the bill for the entire special election, stop spending everyone else's money!

There are a lot of people who are watching their wallets right now, and even the whiff of a special election, at an additional cost to them, might have been enough to change their vote.

We'll never know how it might have impacted the Recall. Do you think the City Attorney or anyone else was trying to sneak this past anyone? The intended process was broadcast long before the election. If the State or anyone else had any issue with it, they had plenty of time to react to it. And if it was so blatantly wrong, then why did NO ONE say anything about it until weeks after the election already took place. Everyone is so wise when it comes to hindsight.

ZZ, Janice was lying when she ran for office? I guess she is (was) a politician, after all! Did anyone check to see if she was born in the US? Apparently she let the only skeleton she had out of the closet when she opened her Facebook account after the election. I guess no one saw her as a threat, or the PIs would have figured that one out in time to prevent this whole mess. It wouldn't have taken much effort, I'm guessing. I would LOVE to see everyone run clean campaigns with nothing hidden. That would be fair to American people.

Where is the lying during her campaign mentioned the Recall ballot wording? I only see references to a "whimsical" document, a quote taken out of context, opinions she expressed as mayor (admittedly not in the best way) and Janice sticking with the position she ran on - which was in opposition to the Transit Center (image that, a politician sticking to a position they used during their campaign).

ZZ, What's your hang-up with this Glen Clark person, anyway? OK, I googled him. I can see why you'd have issues with him. His tag is "citizen activist". Mine isn't. Get over yourself!

JD ran as an independent and political new comer. She was anything but. Nothing she mailed to my house disclosed her close association with the Troy tea party and obscured her rabid opposition to the library millage. I don't think she would have been elected if she was forthcoming on these points.

Recalls are required to be for political reasons while in office. You are greatly glossing over the reasons for the recall.

Daffy, I agree, I glossed over the points, because the words don't justify the recall effort, IMHO. As I recall, they don't even have to be accurate to be acceptable as recall language. I mean, how can you recall someone for sticking with a position she used in the campaign (Transit Center)?

Was she our greatest mayor, clearly not. Is she better than what we have now (someone NOT elected by the people) - perhaps - it remains to be seen.

Did she deserve to be recalled for her performance in office - I really don't see it, but that's what the recall election was supposed to be all about. She clearly did some things that didn't agree with enough people to start the recall process and spend untold time and $$$ to make it successful.

Will our next elected mayor do better or worse - I can only hope that we'll elect someone that can work with both (all) parties - for the good of the city!

Different people thought the recall was justified or not for different reasons. For myself, the antigay nonsense that she kept saying over and over more than justified the recall. You are entitled to your own opinion of course. In any case that issue is settled. It was not easy to get on the ballot, let alone pass; but it is over and done.

I agree with your sentiments for the next elected mayor. I hope whoever it is will act in the best interest of the whole city.

Really, Daniels was elected by a margin of 52% to 48%. She was recalled by the same margin. All that matters is that the margin was essentially the same. There were nearly three times as many voters both for and against the recall as there were for the election. The election was close, as was the recall vote. But, the election was a stunning upset, yet the recall was a clear mandate? I think the voters were fairly split on both topics.

Cookie, have you ever tried the balance beam? Or tightrope walking? I suspect that you would be good at both of them ;-) Almost like the scales of justice...except not a good vs. evil, if you will but a left vs. right.

No question that the McCotter was a waste of money.

On the McCotter special election, I was no fan of McCotter but that whole mess was brought to you by the Tea Party also. There were signature gathers, one of them a Troy troublemaker, who caused problems with the signatures so they could get one of their own on the ballot and elected - Kerry B. As I see it, the Tea Party is the only group after my money. They want everything and they want others to pay for it.

A Concerned Citizen, I'm glad we agree at least on something (McCotter primary election).

One thing I don't like to see is placing the sole blame for the extra election on our City Attorney and City Clerk. I've been watching our council meetings for a couple years now and at times they seem to be the only ones acting in a professional, neutral, fact-based manner, and they are the knowlegdable ones who the council consults on following the meeting rules. Maybe that is why we were shocked at the challenge of the November 2013 election, because they are so super competent. As had been mentioned before there are other entites involved whose role could be questioned albeit in a passive way...Oakland County Clerk and Secretary of State, for not being pro-active and saying your Charter plan contradicts this particular State statute...this before the election. Maybe Janice Daniels's team should have contacted the Secretary of State's office before the election and gotten some factual back-up for refuting the claim that there would be no need for an extra election.

Even if the February election date would have been the correct thing to do according to the judicial ruling, I am glad that the judge used common sense as far as the advance timing needed, and allowed us to have it in May.
cont.

As far as the cost of the election, if the City where to set up a fund for citizens who wish to donate to offset the cost, I'd be willing to donate. Set up jars at City Hall, the Library, the Community Center, local businesses to collect. My money's gone to more questionable pursuits than what would be this very specific cause.

One other idea from another commenter was the possibility of cutting the cost of the election down by consolidating voting locations. If you could cut in half the number of poll workers and machines that could be substantial savings. Of course it'd have to still pass by SoS for being a fair election..

Taxes will not go up because of that and it only being spent because the partisan SoS forced it. It was not the choice of anyone on council to spend for the election.

Do you even care about getting your facts straight, or do the just like to call people names? Is relying upon facts and the truth being brainwashed? No, it is using your brain.

Maybe there will be a draft Janice Daniels movement. It sounds like an easy win for Janice.

I think I was mistaken, thankfully. I re-read the Free Press, Detroit News and Oakland Press articles and nowhere did I see mention that the May election would be for a six month term, that is until the Novermber 2013 election, and additionally the State statute description that I've found says the election would be for the remainder of the recalled official's term.

ann galen, I think Messrs. Brake and Kempen will well represent Janice Daniels's views and I'm sure Ms. Daniels has better things to do as well than to enter the political maelstrom again. But of course she is free to do so, but IMO, it would be a waste of her money, public tastes are fickle.