PLYMOUTH TWP. — A contentious township board meeting on April 21 ended in a 3-3 deadlock as a deeply divided board failed to appoint a new township clerk.
The Plymouth Township Board of Trustees split evenly in a choice between Trustees Sandy Groth and Jen Buckley, both Republicans, leaving the position unfilled in the absence of Republican Jerry Vorva, who resigned effective March 13, although the board has not yet accepted his resignation.
The deadlock followed a discussion filled with interruptions, accusations and bickering between board members, at times spilling into exchanges with the audience, many who attended to support Groth.
Frustration from residents came through during public comment.
“I think tonight is a masterclass in what’s wrong with the board,” resident Mary Tavarozzi said. “The toxicity, the frequent bouts of incivility, lack of cooperation. It’s almost a tie as to what’s the most shameful moment tonight because there are so many.
“I really plead that you please get your act together, be more collaborative, be more transparent, and be more non-partisan for the good of the township.”
The board discussed a possible May 5 special meeting to revisit the appointment, but no plan was finalized during the meeting.
Debate over experience, staffing
The debate over whether to choose Groth or Buckley quickly narrowed to one question: whether to retain current Deputy Clerk Paula Jefferson.
Trustee Mark Clinton said the decision about Jefferson would determine his vote, calling her role “the most important thing” as the clerk’s office transitions to new leadership.
After asking each candidate whether they would keep Jefferson – receiving a yes from Buckley and a no from Groth – Clinton said, “I’ve made my decision.’
Groth, who has administered elections for clerk’s offices in Plymouth, Plymouth Township and Livonia, said choosing a candidate for the position should be based on experience.
“I can do it because I know the job,” she said.
She also rejected the focus on staffing, saying the clerk has authority to choose their own deputy.
“It is not anyone else’s business or job,” she said, noting she does not have anything personal against Jefferson. “I’m going to choose the person I believe to be in the best interest of this township.”
Buckley, who does not have clerk’s office experience, said she would keep Jefferson in her current role, and notedhshe has a working relationship with current staff and would not be stepping into the role alone.
“One of the biggest things… is the rapport and the special connection that I already have with the clerk staff right now,” she said. “I’m not out there just trying to wing it and figure it out. I have someone that will be walking with me.”
Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz, who nominated Buckley, said he supported selecting a candidate from the board but declined to compare the two trustees.
“I’m not going to publicly run somebody down because they’re my colleagues on the board,” he said, noting his decision was based on personal conversations.
Trustee John Stewart supported Groth, said the board should focus on experience and suggested the deadlock could be resolved, and potentially Clinton’s vote reversed, if Groth and Jefferson worked out their differences.
“There’s only one consideration… what is in the best interest of the people,” he said.
During the discussion, Stewart also frequently veered into personal anecdotes and sparred with other board members, prompting repeated warnings from Supervisor Chuck Curmi, who told him to “sit down,” “don’t create another incident I have to deal with,” and “stop creating problems.”
Stewart is facing a lawsuit from Vorva, who says Stewart lunged at him during a closed session meeting in 2025.
Residents weigh in
More than a dozen residents spoke during public comment, many urging the board to prioritize experience and warning the township could not afford a learning curve with elections approaching in August and November.
Most speakers supported Groth outright or called for appointing someone with experience. Groth noted she’s worked in clerk’s offices for about 25 years.
Plymouth Township will administer the Aug. 4 state primary and the Nov. 3 general election this year, with absentee ballots available starting 40 days before each election.
“The board has a responsibility…to choose a candidate who has the best experience and credentials to meet the legal requirements and the scrutiny that faces every election in any location,” resident Stacy Romine said. “Respectfully, we have a qualified candidate on hand who is ready to serve.”
Not all comments focused on the two candidates. A few residents questioned the process itself and urged the board to consider a broader pool of applicants.
“My recommendation is to interview as many people as you can for the job,” Richard Beers said. “I would highly encourage people from outside the board to apply for the job if you’re interested.”
What’s next
Supervisor Chuck Curmi said the board could revisit the appointment at a possible May 5 special meeting and may consider opening the process to additional candidates, but said the board won’t accept Vorva’s resignation without first having a replacement in place.
Once the resignation is accepted, the deputy clerk’s appointment ends at the same time, leaving no one to authorize payment on township bills or payroll.
Curmi also inferred the timing was influenced by election deadlines.
Had Vorva’s resignation been accepted before the August primary filing deadline, a newly appointed clerk would have been required to run for election in both August and November. Because that deadline has passed, whoever is appointed will serve the remainder of Vorva’s term through 2028.
“If we had done it in the way some people wanted, where we would have gone to an election, the person would have had to campaign and spend their own money in two elections and run two elections when they’ve never done that before,” he said. “That’s too high risk. So we’re in a box and right now there’s no quick answer.”
Curmi also said he would not support appointing a Democrat to replace Vorva, who was elected as a Republican.
Groth was backed by Curmi and Trustee John Stewart, while Buckley was supported by Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz and Trustee Mark Clinton. Both candidates also voted for themselves.
A video recording of the meeting can be viewed online.
Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Plymouth Township trustees deadlock on clerk vote in contentious meeting
Reporting by Laura Colvin, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
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