A petition filed against Jim Chapman, Green Twp. Supervisor, has received 600 signatures in favor of removing him from his seat.
Community members have been outspoken about their opposition to Gotion coming to the Big Rapids area.
They argued that building the electric vehicle battery plant in the area poses environmental concerns and are voiced concern about Gotion Inc.’s parent company, Gotion High Tech’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Chapman said that the petition to recall him, if it succeeds, will not delay the project to bring the company to the township.
“That project is a go, period. This vote has absolutely no effect one way or the other on Gotion,” Chapman said.
Earlier this week Gotion announced they had purchased 270 acres of land in the township for the project.
The Mecosta County Clerk Marcee Purcell said that if the petition is approved, she would have a special election ready for November.
However, Chapman has appealed the petition arguing there is false language on the petition.
“They’re already wasting a significant amount of township money with the election process that I don’t feel is necessary,” Chapman said. “Given that it has already done, the fact that my name would now be on it, doesn’t change the cost to my residents.”
If the 49th Circuit Court decides sides with Chapman, a new petition would have to be filed and the process would have to start over.