ESCANABA — Official efforts have begun to recall three members of the Delta County Board of Commissioners. Recall petition language was submitted to the Delta County Clerk’s office Monday, July 3 seeking the recall of Commissioners Robert Petersen, Dave Moyle and Robert Barron.

The move is the latest development in a months long dispute over the firing of former County Administrator Emily DeSalvo earlier this year. Residents upset over the firing and other board actions have regularly attended county board meetings since — many which have lasted up to four hours and become heated.

Separate petition language was submitted for each one of the commissioners targeted in the recall effort.

The petition language involving Dave Moyle was submitted by Escanaba resident Christiana Reynolds. It states “On February 7, 2023 Commissioner David J. Moyle voted to terminate Administrator Emily DeSalvo’s employment contract.”

The petition language for Robert Petersen was submitted by Stephen Benoit of Escanaba. It states “On February 7, 2023 Commissioner Robert Petersen voted to terminate Administrator Emily DeSalvo’s employment contract.”

The petition for Robert Barron was submitted by Claudia Bradfield of Gladstone. As with the other petition language, it states “On February 7, 2023 Commissioner Robert W. Barron voted to terminate Administrator Emily DeSalvo’s employment contract.”

Moyle represents District 4, while Petersen represents District 5, and Barron District 3.

A clarity hearing to determine if the recall language is acceptable has been scheduled for Monday, July 17 at 4 p.m. If the petition language is approved at the hearing, petitions to place the recall on the ballot can begin to be circulated in the districts each commissioner represents. To be valid, the signatures must be from a registered voter residing within the district.

The petition to recall Moyle will need 666 signatures to have it placed on the ballot. The petition to recall Barron requires 1,001 signatures. The petition to recall Petersen requires 775 signatures.

The signatures must be collected and submitted by August 4 for the recalls to appear on the ballot in the November general election.