Sieting suffers defeat at court hearing, recall effort moves forward

KALKASKA – The embattled village president of Kalkaska, Jeff Sieting, knew he had little chance going in, but was hoping to block a recall effort by getting a favorable ruling at an appeal hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Instead, 47th Circuit Court Judge George Mertz ruled against Sieting’s request for an appeal that would have blocked a recall petition filed against him. Sieting had previously said he believes the recall effort possibly violates his First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of expression.

Members and supporters of Kalkaska For Peace, as well as its political arm, Kalkaska Citizens For Responsible Government, are seeking to recall Sieting, who is currently serving his third two-year term as village president, after getting approval for the petition at a Dec. 1 clarity hearing of the Kalkaska County Election Commission.

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