Michels Drops Out of Race for Oswego Village President

Oswego Village Trustee Terry Michels on Monday announced that he is no longer a candidate for village president.

Michels, who has served on the board for eight years, cited recent controversy over the correct filing period for the April 7 election and subsequent petition challenges.

Last week, a judge ruled that all candidates for village president and trustee positions would remain on the ballot.

”With the recent election controversy, it’s important that I am not a distraction from the truth and real issues that this campaign should be about,” Michels said in a statement released Monday afternoon. “If I stayed on the ballot, I am extremely concerned certain candidates will use the election controversy as a smoke screen for their own political gain. Residents deserve to know the objectives and goals of the next village president.

Michels’ withdrawal leaves fellow trustees Gail Johnson and Tony Giles on the ballot as candidates for village president.

Current Village President Brian LeClerq has chosen not to seek re-election.

Much of the controversy surrounding the election stemmed from questions over the filing period after the Oswego Village board passed a non-partisan election resolution over the summer. The non-partisan election filing deadline was Nov. 24, but information contained in candidates’ election packets and on the village website listed the deadline as Dec. 22.

Only Michels and trustee candidate Diane Selmer filed by the earlier deadline.

“When I entered this race in November, I submitted my election petitions based upon the resolution that was passed by all board members confirming the election format of the Village of Oswego as ‘Non-Partisan’ and as specifically confirmed by Trustee (Pam) Parr, business partner to Candidate Gail Johnson and by Johnson herself,” Michels said in a statement.

“An objection to my petitions was filed by Trustee candidate, Joe West, husband of former trustee Lori West, through his attorney David Silverman, the former Oswego Village Attorney. Coincidentally, Silverman also represented Village President candidate Gail Johnson and Trustee candidates (Ryan) Kaufman and (Karin) McCarthy- Lange. As a result of West’s objection filing, Oswego taxpayers started to incur wasteful legal fees that resulted in tens of thousands of dollars due to an election hearing board that was convened and legal briefs and filings that were required as part of the hearing,” Michels went on, adding that he had “no choice but to file a similar objection” against West and other candidates.

Michels alleged that the other candidates hoped to get him and Selmer off the ballot because they adhered to the November filing deadline.

“Democracy doesn’t work that way for those who followed state election law,” Michels said.

While he lashed out at Johnson, Michels applauded Giles.

“When questioned by legal counsel whether the candidates read the election information provided to them stating that the Village was a non-partisan election format, Candidate Tony Giles stated that he voted Yes on the Resolution understanding that he was confirming the Village to be Non-Partisan and took responsibility in admitting that he did not read the State election guide provided to him,” Michels said. “He also took responsibility for accepting the consequences of his actions that might preclude him from being permitted on the ballot.”

Michels went on:

“I have had the great privilege of serving the residents of Oswego for the past eight years. I am so proud of my family for their unending support and sacrifice of family time to allow me to serve the residents of Oswego. I am so thankful to the residents for giving me the opportunity to serve them responsibly, honorably and with integrity. For those that know me, I have never been a politician but rather a public servant. Being a public servant is not meant to be a career. They also know that I have conviction in my beliefs. I do not back away from antagonism, intimidation or fear of retribution. No one ever has had to doubt where I stand on a position and I have been forthright in conveying my position. My honesty and integrity is paramount to my self- character. I have never taken a position for the purpose of securing votes from future voters. My votes have always been with a clear conscience of what is best for our community.”

Also read:

• All Candidates Will Stay on Oswego Election Ballot: Electoral Board
• More Objections Filed in Oswego Election; Candidate Wants Panel Member Removed
• Who’s Running: A Roundup of Candidates for Village, School Board, Park District