Deputies called on a resident speaking at a meeting. Complaint materials say Davis interrupted Kara Okonewski and called deputies after she went seven seconds over her allotted public-comment time.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Springfield Township · Oakland County
Recall Ric Davis.
Restore trust.
Springfield Township deserves leadership that respects residents, serves the whole community, and puts the public interest first. Read why neighbors are calling for a recall—and how to help.
Ric 'quits' during August '26 Township Board Meeting.
Why Springfield Township needs new leadership
Residents demand accountability. Recall Ric.
From public meetings and transparency to township spending and environmental stewardship, these are the reasons neighbors are organizing for change. Read the complaints and supporting documents.
Nearly 200 days without a fact-finding update. Residents say the silence left the public without answers.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
An immediate leave of absence—and questions about access. The Supervisor’s absence raised concerns about leadership, availability, and township operations.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Promised town halls never materialized. Residents say a commitment to public forums and a citizen coalition went unfulfilled.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Residents repeatedly interrupted during public comment. Complaint materials cite several meetings where speakers say they were cut off.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
“FBI informant” remark caught on a hot mic. Residents say the comment about Tim Mauro-Vitter was intimidating.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Independent review undercut; expert quits. Complaint materials say Davis influenced Mike Wilczynski’s review and used profane language toward him.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
“No deliverables”—despite reported work products. Residents say public statements about the review contradicted what Levy Mining received.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
“Die a slow death”: remarks about local environmental group STEP. Complaint materials cite a fact-finding committee recording.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Levy Mining associate removed from a meeting list. Residents question why the name was removed and not restored after requests.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
$81,000 review and $150,000 in escrow funds. Complaint materials question the cost and whether the review was necessary.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Natural-resource position targeted for removal. Residents say the role is critical to protecting the township from large business interests.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Trustee Bill Whitley publicly berated. Complaint materials point to a January 2026 meeting and describe coordinated conduct by Davis and a staff member.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Library staff mistreated. Residents raise concerns about Davis’s conduct toward Springfield Township library personnel.
Organizer’s complaint-language PDF →
Read the receipts. Each complaint links to its supporting document. The concerns summarized here are the reasons residents are organizing for a recall.
How we got here
A timeline of the recall effort.
Key events behind the growing call to recall Ric Davis.
February 12, 2026
Public comment and meeting conduct
At a February 12 meeting, Davis called deputies during resident Kara Okonewski’s public comment after she went seven seconds over her allotted time, according to the complaint and meeting materials. The incident became a flashpoint over how residents are treated when they speak.
April 9, 2026
Levy Mine review costs
Davis voted to approve a Ramboll review proposal at a cost organizers say was significantly above an existing Agate Harbor Advisors contract for the same service.
May 11, 2026
Leave of absence
Davis notified the Board he was taking an immediate leave of absence, raising questions about leadership, availability, and township operations.
August 13, 2026
“I quit” at a board meeting
The nine statements approved for petition use describe Davis saying “I’m done” and “I quit” and leaving the board table while a salary motion was pending.
August 28, 2026
Recall wording submitted
A receipt for the clarity-hearing request and other early filing materials is included here. for a clarity-hearing request and other early filing materials.
October 19, 2026
Petition statements approved
The County Election Commission’s meeting summary includes nine approved versions of the August 13 statement. They are alternative formulations of one event.
October 27–29, 2026
Election staffing email and special meeting
Davis’s October 27 email to Clerk Sean Miller discusses employee and facility requests ahead of the November 3 election. The Board called a special meeting to discuss the email.
November 3, 2026
Election day
The election staffing dispute became another test of trust in township leadership and respect for the Clerk’s role.
The recall petition
Nine statements approved. Help put the recall before voters.
The October 19 Oakland County Election Commission meeting summary reproduces nine approved statements about the August 13, 2026 meeting. The variants differ in wording and detail, but all describe the same underlying incident.
“...while a motion to increase the Planning and Ordinance Administrator’s salary was pending, Township Supervisor Davis stated, ‘I’m done’ and ‘I quit,’ and walked away from the board table.”Excerpt from one approved formulation. The commission approved the wording for clarity and factuality; it did not decide the merits. Read the complete petition language.
Approval is about clarity and factuality.The document expressly says approval does not determine the merits of the allegations.
One event, multiple formulations.The nine approved statements concern the August 13 meeting—not nine separate findings.
The petition identifies a specific event.The approved statements concern Davis leaving the board table during the August 13, 2026 salary discussion.
Help make the recall happen.Talk with neighbors, share the approved petition language, and contact the organizers to learn what action is needed now.
Election interference concerns
Threatening to withhold township staff during an active election.
On October 27, with early voting underway and Election Day days away, Davis told Clerk Sean Miller that requests for employees and township resources must be coordinated through his office. He warned he would object to using resources under his supervision without the requested information and prior coordination.
The timing and the threat to withhold staff alarmed residents. Read the email and decide for yourself.
Read the October 27 emailPrimary source
What the email asks for
The message requests a detailed outline of employee needs, tasks, dates and hours, overtime or compensatory-time effects, supervisors, equipment, facilities, and funding. It frames advance coordination as a matter of supervision and compliance.
The Township had followed the same election-support process for decades, according to the organizers’ account.
Documents & evidence
Read the emails, filings, and records.
See the petition language and supporting documents for yourself.
Approved petition language
County Election Commission meeting summary, October 19, 2026. Contains all nine approved formulations and the caveat about what approval means.
Open DOCX →Recall flyer
Flyer explaining the recall effort and how residents can get involved.
Open PDF →Filing receipt
Receipt for a request for a clarity hearing, dated August 28, 2026.
Open PDF →Recall reasons draft
Organizer draft describing the April 9 vote and May 11 leave of absence.
Open DOCX →October 27 email
Ric Davis’s October 27 email to Township Clerk Sean Miller about employee and facility resources.
Open PDF →Organizer’s October 27 commentary
Organizers’ questions about the Supervisor’s election-staffing email.
Open DOCX →Public-comment complaint
Organizer’s written complaint-language and cited township ethics provisions.
Open PDF →Transparency complaint
Organizer’s complaint-language about an update on the fact-finding committee.
Open PDF →Public-comment video
Watch the February 12 meeting and hear the exchange that sparked Complaint 1.
Video coming soonTake action now
Help recall Ric Davis.
Talk to your neighbors. Share the approved petition language. Sign up for updates and find out how to support the recall effort in Springfield Township.
Every conversation helps build the community support needed for change.