‘Unplugged’ - Embattled village president to host town hall Saturday

KALKASKA – While he holds the gavel and oversees meetings for the Kalkaska Village Council, village president Jeff Sieting doesn’t always have the time he’d like for long explanations or to give his full opinion on a given topic.

After all, a council meeting is for conducting village business, first and foremost.

That’s why the embattled public official, who is facing a recall election May 8, is hosting his own “Kalkaska Town Hall with Jeff Sieting” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the Up North Grill in Kalkaska.

Sieting, now in his third two-year term as village president, has been the target of a recall effort headed by Kalkaska For Peace and its political arm, Kalkaska Citizens For Responsible Government. The fight seemingly began last summer over Sieting’s refusal to take down a sign at his business supporting President Donald Trump, as well as Facebook posts some considered offensive, racist and anti-Islamic.

More recently, Sieting has also become a center figure in a feud with Jennifer Standerfer, the appointed village treasurer, and trustee Penny Dupuie. Sieting suspended Standerfer for more than six weeks beginning Dec. 22, citing insubordination for her role in clashes with village manager Scott Yost.

However, while hoping to dispel rumors and to set the record straight, Sieting said he isn’t going to use the town hall – which he is paying for – necessarily as a campaign event. Instead, he’s hoping for an open give-and-take between himself and local residents, with the event being open to the public.

“I’m calling it ‘Jeff Unplugged,’” Sieting said. “I’ll make a short opening statement and then take questions.

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