By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Though the time frame to cause a referendum and public vote on the issue of whether the Village of Cassopolis clerk and treasurer should be elected or appointed,was made within the required time period, the positions will from now on be appointed.
The referendum petition has been invalidated by Clerk Paula Beauchamp, on instructions from the village council.
Had Beauchamp not done so, as the motion requested, which was made by William Curry and seconded by Maxine Snipes, "appropriate action" would have been filed in the courts against the clerk.
The council felt there were defects in the petition, and the majority therefore voted for the invalidation, according to the clerk's records.
Since the 45 day window to circulate a petition, get signatures and call for a referendum has passed, it is now too late, Sciorra added. Now the change has become law, according to the statutes.
The positions of village clerk and treasurer will be appointed when the terms expire March 1, 2007, for Beauchamp and Treasurer Cynthia Ash.