One of four Bertrand Township board members facing a May recall election resigned from her post last week.
Linda Layher, board treasurer, announced her sudden resignation at the board meeting last Thursday, according to Township Clerk Jane Lano. Lano said Layher left her a one-sentence letter after the meeting confirming her resignation.
Her last day will be March 31.
Township Supervisor John Mefford and Trustees Dick Haigh and David Zelmer will face the recall election May 3.
The recall effort began in January when Bertrand Township resident Therese Niemier filed a petition to the county.
Niemier targeted the four board members for their votes in December to allow the county to collect summer taxes, rather than the township treasurer — a practice the township has allowed for several years.
Supporters of the recall argue residents lose out because the county charges a 1 percent administration fee.
Clerk Jane Lano, who opposed the measure, was not targeted.
Mefford said he voted for the county to collect the taxes, because the county is changing its database system and Layer wasn’t prepared to use the new system yet.
Both Mefford and Haigh have said they believe the recall is not just about the tax issue but also their opposition of the sale of the Southeast Berrien County Landfill, a facility owned by the cities of Niles and Buchanan and the townships of Niles, Buchanan and Bertrand.
All four board members’ terms are set to expire in November 2012.