The chairman of the Oakland County commission is fighting back against a recall effort sparked by approval of a drone services contract last month.
A group called “I Am Oakland” filed recall petition language with the Oakland County Election Commission last month focusing on Dave Woodward.
Commission members Probate Judge Jennifer Callaghan, County Clerk Lisa Brown and County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, voted unanimously to approve two of three petitions submitted by the group.
On Wednesday Woodward filed an appeal to both petitions claiming the “language was not factual and clear.” The case will be heard by a circuit court judge.
Justine Galbraith, one of the leaders of the I Am Oakland group, said they will choose which draft to use when the appeals process ends.
Petition language #1: “On April 8, 2026, at the Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting held in Pontiac, MI, Commissioner David T. Woodward (District 1) voted yes on Miscellaneous Resolution #2026-6416 titled Project Prove It with Flock Group for unmanned air support. “
Petition language #2: “On April 8, 2026, at the Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting held in Pontiac, MI, Commissioner David T. Woodward (District 1) voted yes on Miscellaneous Resolution #2026-6416 titled Project Prove It with Flock Group for unmanned air support, before the public comment agenda item.”
If Woodward’s appeal is rejected, the group will have 60 days to collect voter signatures representing 25% of votes cast in Woodward’s district for all gubernatorial candidates in 2022. He would face a recall election in November if the signatures are verified and the recall placed on the ballot.
Galbraith said they will need around 8,700 signatures to reach the 25% threshold and plan on collecting over 11,000 signatures to cover any voter verification issues.
She said the group has received interest from over 180 people to help the cause and over 75 have committed to going out and collecting signatures.
Galbraith, a Troy resident, said it was frustration stemming from an April 8 meeting that led her to back a recall.
The board voted 13-4 to approve a contract for a free nine-month pilot drone program with Flock Group Inc., that could be extended to a three-year contract for $2.5 million.
The April meeting where the board of commissioners votes to approve a pilot program with Flock Group Inc. for a pilot program with the Sheriff’s Department was what sparked the recall effort.
(Courtesy, Flock Safety)
Galbraith and dozens of other people at the meeting wanted to voice their opposition on the proposal but were not allowed to address the board until after the vote was taken. A motion by Commissioner Angela Powell to move public comments to the end of the meeting was approved by a voice vote and accepted by Woodward.
“We were very concerned about the Flock contract and what we read in the contract about Flock owning the data and reserving the right to market it and we were ready to express that and then public comment was moved to the end of the meeting after the vote,” she said. “It was outrageous. I have never seen anything like it. It was so offensive to the people there.”
Woodward, a Democrat representing Royal Oak, was elected to the board in 2004 and had been chairman since 2019. He addressed the recall effort and those behind it.
“Voters will see this stunt for what it is, led mostly by outsiders, people who don’t live in my district and people who don’t live in our community,” he said. “The people behind this recall are more interested in stirring up chaos and, frankly, helping Republicans win.”
Galbraith disagrees.
“At least two Oakland County communities (Rochester Hills and Ferndale) have rejected this (drone program) and essentially the county commission has said that doesn’t matter, we are going to do it anyway and they will be in your community even though you don’t want them and that is unacceptable,” said Galbraith.
Woodward defended the drone program used by the Oakland County County Sheriff’s department, which has had a drone unit since 2012.
“It has been a successful program in saving lives, helping in search and rescue and a host of other things,” he said. “The vote speaks for itself.”
Galbraith said people were not listened to during the meeting so the group formed to explore a recall and see if people would join.
“A lot of people … feel strongly about this and we have reached a tipping point,” said Galbraith. “A lot of people are upset and we feel this is worth going forward with.”
For more information on the group, they have opened an I Am Oakland County Facebook page.