Genesee County election officials have signed off on recall language targeting Gaines Township Supervisor Daniel Jenkins, while tossing out a separate attempt to recall Treasurer Robert Henderson. The move pushes one of the township’s most heated fights, a fire department hiring decision that helped trigger a major staffing loss, into full‑blown petition mode.
The recall petition, filed by resident Constance Greene, will need roughly 900 valid signatures to force a recall election, according to MLive. Greene’s filing centers on the board’s June 9, 3–2 vote to appoint Dan Stevens as fire chief instead of the interim chief, a decision that preceded a mass walkout of on‑call firefighters, as reported by Firehouse Digest.
What sparked the recall
The clash exploded after township trustees bypassed interim Chief Scott Mangrum and tapped Stevens for the permanent role. Fire department leadership says every officer had signed a letter backing Mangrum, and that the board’s move prompted 17 firefighters and officers to walk out in protest, according to Firehouse Digest. Those exits now sit at the heart of recall supporters’ allegations about favoritism and a lack of transparency in the hiring process.
County election commission splits the difference
At a hearing on Monday, the Genesee County Election Commission approved the recall language aimed at Supervisor Jenkins but rejected the language directed at Treasurer Henderson, MLive reports. The filing argues that the June appointment and subsequent staffing losses undercut public safety. The same report notes that township officials are leaning on mutual‑aid partners to keep emergency coverage intact while they scramble to plug the staffing gap. The commission itself is made up of Probate Judge Jennie Barkey, Clerk‑Register Domonique Clemons and Treasurer Sam Muma.
Township scramble and local reaction
The exodus from the fire department, combined with the commission’s ruling, has township leaders juggling both emergency response coverage and political fallout. Department officers and their supporters have lined up firmly behind Mangrum, and the thinning ranks have residents openly worrying about response times, as first reported by FireRescue1. Officials say they are reviewing options, but so far there is no long‑term plan on the table to rebuild staffing.
How a recall moves forward in Michigan
With the language now approved, recall supporters can start collecting signatures. Under Michigan law, petitioners must gather valid signatures equal to at least 25% of the votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election in that officer’s district, which is where the roughly 900‑signature estimate comes from. State recall guidance also lays out strict timing and verification rules, including how long approved language stays valid, according to the Michigan Secretary of State.
