Recall targeting Flint councilman rejected but new language proposed

FLINT, MI - The Genesee County Election Commission has rejected petition language aimed at recalling Flint 8th Ward Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer.

The commission declined to authorize a petition drive against Pfeiffer from 8th Ward resident Lisa M. Pasbjerg on Thursday, Nov. 7, Genesee County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons said

After Thursday's meeting, Clemons said, Pasbjerg submitted new recall language against Pfeiffer that will be considered by the commission at a future meeting.

The date of that meeting has not yet been scheduled.

The commission - comprised of Clemons, county Probate Judge Jennie Barkey, and county Treasurer Deb Cherry - must determine recall language is clear and factual before authorizing a petition drive to begin.

Pasbjerg's rejected language said Pfeiffer should be removed from office for having been censured by fellow council members after allegedly telling one colleague to shut up, calling another a "fake-a** Republican" and saying another was the "biggest piece of s***."

The new language submitted Thursday says he should be removed because he "was censured for conduct unbecoming a city council member" and lists the censure resolution number.

Pasbjerg also sponsored an approved recall attempt against Pfeiffer in April but didn't collect the signatures required to force a special recall election.

Michigan election law provides for a single recall election if the commission approves recall language and if a sponsor collects the minimum number of valid signatures required - 25% of the number of votes cast in the ward for all candidates in the most recent gubernatorial election.

That signature threshold was set at 883 during the previous recall effort in the 8th Ward.