MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel announced during a news conference Tuesday that he believes Kathy Brower should fill in as temporary county clerk until the end of the year.
Since a judge ruled Karen Spranger lied about residency in Macomb County when she filed to run for office, she has been removed from the clerk position. Longtime county employee Brower was named acting clerk until the county finds a new temporary clerk.
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Hackel announced Tuesday that he and other elected officials want Brower to stay in that clerk position until the end of the year to provide "stability" to the office as voters decide who fills the seat next.
He said Brower has expressed she has no intention of running for the position.
Hackel was joined by Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and Prosecutor Eric Smith.
READ: Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger removed from office immediately, judge says
Regardless of the elected officials' wishes, the Macomb County Circuit Court will be meeting this month to appoint a new temporary clerk who will be in place for the rest of the year.
Politicos from both parties have been jockeying to be named temporary clerk. After a discussion with Mark Hackel, he made it clear he would prefer to have a temporary clerk who is not political and who had no intention of running for the job.
The staff of the clerk’s office has been in a state of civil war with Karen Spranger and consequently there have been serious workflow problems. Hackel wants to restore competency and calm to the office.
As far as Spranger goes, her former deputy insists she’s going to appeal the judge’s ruling forcing her from office.
Full coverage of Karen Spranger
Jan. 19, 2017: Spranger barred from using county computers after violating security protocols
March 13, 2017: Spranger seeks lawyer for court battle with Hackel
April 11, 2017: Spranger hides in bathroom to avoid questions about dispute with county board
April 20, 2017: Macomb County clerk fined for ethics violation amid dispute with county board
April 20, 2017: Macomb County clerk crashes county car after being fined for ethics violation
April 24, 2017: Neighbor says home listed as Spranger's primary residence overrun with raccoons
May 3, 2017: Emails reveal another battle between Spranger and Macomb County officials
May 4, 2017: Spranger caught hiding moving boxes to block move to new building
May 9, 2017: Legal battle troubles intensify for Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger
May 10, 2017: Judge orders Spranger to cooperate with move to new building
May 17, 2017: Spranger answers claims that her office is 'hostile work environment'
June 19, 2017: Simple report turns heated between Spranger and county officials
June 22, 2017: Macomb County clerk files suit to allow firearms inside government buildings
June 28, 2017: Spranger's employees working in fear after security removed
July 20, 2017: Spranger accused of perjury over 'uninhabitable' home in Warren
Aug. 1, 2017: Lawsuit announced against Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger
Aug. 14, 2017: Employee calls 911 after Spranger asks to look through her purse
Sept. 22, 2017: Spranger accused of moving, hiding computers overnight
Sept. 28, 2017: Judge rules against Spranger in 'toxic work environment' case
Oct. 21, 2017: Spranger's totaled car among items up for bids at Macomb County auction
Oct. 25, 2017: Spranger caught on video covering up court order
Oct. 27, 2017: Union files restraining order against Spranger over 'hostile workplace'
Oct. 27, 2017: Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger sues Google amid residency battle
Nov. 1, 2017: Employee blames Spranger for huge online backlog at office
Nov. 7, 2017: Spranger requests $100K to pay for her ongoing legal battles
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger's office given Thursday deadline to clear e-filing backlog
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger fails to meet judges' backlog deadline
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger solves long wait times by bringing in benches for customers
Nov. 21, 2017: Union files motion to hold Spranger in contempt of court
Nov. 29, 2017: Contempt of court hearing held for Spranger
Nov. 30, 2017: Spranger appears before Board of Commissioners
Nov. 30, 2017: Spranger grilled over massive backlog in her office
Dec. 11, 2017: Judge hears arguments on Spranger's firing of employees
Dec. 15, 2017: Video shows feces, clutter in house Spranger listed as residence
Jan. 2, 2018: Spranger files lawsuit against Macomb County alleging conspiracy against her
Jan. 8, 2018: Spranger puts Macomb County hiring on hold
Jan. 23, 2018: Employee says Spranger pressured her to illegally alter record
Jan. 31, 2018: Attorney for Spranger says register of deeds threatened him
Feb. 27, 2018: Spranger takes conspiracy allegations to federal court
March 13, 2018: Officials claim glitch at courts caused by Spranger maxing out credit card
March 19, 2018: Motions heard in Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger residency hearing
March 26, 2018: Spranger allegedly kicks employee; 2 criminal investigations opened
March 27, 2018: Spranger to be removed from office immediately, judge says
March 28, 2018: Macomb County Deputy Clerk removed from office after refusing to leave
April 3, 2018: Spranger requests investigation into her removal in letter to Macomb County officials, Trump