The Eagle

Township ‘hostile work environment’ prompts clerk’s resignation

Plymouth Township Clerk Jerry Vorva has submitted a letter of resignation to the members of the board of trustees.

Vorva, who submitted his resignation letter Feb. 18, cited both his health and a hostile work environment including a lawsuit against a board trustee as his motivation for leaving his 4-year term after only 16 months.

Vorva said he has been under treatment for cancer for nearly a decade and the disease has progressed to Stage 4, so “it’s probably time.”

He also cited the current tensions among board members and the conduct of Trustee John Stewart as motivation for his early departure. A recent incident, he said, when Stewart came to township hall “screaming and yelling” at Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz prompted his decision. Vorva and Stewart are also involved in a lawsuit further escalating tensions among officials.

Vorva filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court against Stewart following a closed session of the board members which took place last February. In his suit, filed in August, 2025, Vorva claims that Stewart  “stood up from his seat and, with fists clenched, lunged across two other trustees...toward (Vorva) in an aggressive and threatening manner.” Vorva claims that his repeated instructions to Stewart to stop interrupting a briefing by the township attorney to the board members prompted Stewart’s alleged outburst. The court filing also claims that Stewart was aware of Vorva’s health situation and that Stewart’s conduct made Vorva believe he was “in imminent danger.”  Vorva’s suit is requesting damages in excess of $25,000.

The incident was referred to the Michigan State Police and following an investigation and review, no charges were filed against Stewart by the office of the Wayne County Prosecutor.

Stewart, a practicing attorney, denied all Vorva’s claims in his response to the lawsuit and asked for an immediate dismissal of the claim as “frivolous.” He also requested he be awarded court costs and attorney fees in his response to Vorva’s allegations regarding his conduct. The suit is pending in the courts.

Members of the township board have 45 days to appoint a new township clerk and the term will then be on the ballot in November, as required by state law. The job currently pays an annual salary of $120,000 and a 15 percent contribution to a retirement plan.