Newly elected supervisor sues Hayes Township for changing planning commission terms

CHARLEVOIX COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A newly elected local supervisor is suing his Charlevoix County township and filed the lawsuit in public hearing.

He says it’s because of a decision made by the council after the election, but before he was installed.

William Conklin, the newly elected supervisor, said the Hayes Township board adjusted the terms of six planning commission members at a Nov. 11 meeting.

Three members’ terms would have expired in April 2025, but now they will stay longer, with Conklin unable to recommend replacements next year.

Conklin said he ran his campaign on planning and zoning issues.

“My campaign philosophy is contrary to (city council’s) philosophy. The voters, by a 2-to-1 margin, voted for my philosophy,” Conklin said. “Therefore, I should be able to represent the interests of the constituents in furthering the philosophy of the planning commission that I campaigned for.”

I spoke with outgoing supervisor Ron VanZee. He refused to go on camera but said:

I find it very interesting that the supervisor who will go to court would sue the locality, which means that he is practically suing every inhabitant of the commune. When really, the overseer’s role is to bring the community together.

VanZee is still the zoning administrator for the city of Hayes.

Conklin said he hopes the city council will reverse their decision before going to court.