Elections Commission Rejects Petition To Recall Highland Park Mayor
HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - The Mayor of Highland Park has avoided a recall effort for the time being.
The Wayne County Elections Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to reject the recall petition, which outlines five allegations against Mayor Deandre Windom.
The panel ruled the petition's wording was too broad and lacked hard facts.
The commission hinted, however, at how problem could be corrected.
"They wanted a little bit more detail and showed me an avenue where I can give them more detail," said Highland Park resident Khursheed Shafii, who is leading the charge.
He explained to WWJ's Vickie Thomas what prompted the recall effort.
"What got me started is when I was defrauded by the city on a piece of real estate sale," said Shafii. "But as I started to dig and as I started to wake up to see what was going on in the city, I realized that the picture is much bigger than just me and my problem."
Other residents have complained about what they say are outrageously high water bills.
"My bill alone is $8 shy of being $2,500. If I get another bill at that same amount, that's $5,000 dollars," said resident Shirley Turner. "Where am I gonna get that kinda money from?"
Windom, who said he pleased with the commission's decision on Wednesday, has called the problem with the city's water service "a work in progress."
Shafii said he planned to re-file a revamped petition later in the day.
"I am not wasting time," he said. "We cannot go another second, another minute, another hour with him at the helm."
