The Record-Eagle has run an editorial that goes to the heart what's going on in Elmwood township today. Correctly describing the recall effort turned back by Elmwood voters last Tuesday as a "smear campaign" and a cynical effort by failed politicians and their cronies, the editorial lays out a constructive agenda for the community.

The editorial calls upon John Stanek and Noel Flohe, the involuntarily resigned politicians behind the campaign, to find something constructive to do with their time. And it cautions that voters should keep an eye on the four holdover members of Elmwood Township Board of Trustees: clerk Connie Preston, treasurer Debbie Street and trustees Terry Lautner and Jim O'Rourke. These four individuals have been relentless in their efforts to thwart Deri Smith's efforts to clean up Elmwood, and many of the problems that the recall campaign tried to blame on Smith can be laid at their collective doorstep.

The editorial missed only one trick. That is the role played in the recall campaign by pro-development forces in the recall campaign, a role that became clear only in the group's last mailing. We suspect we will be hearing more about those players once the recall group is forced to reveal the information about contributors it has apparently tried to conceal.

Finally, we also agree with Record-Eagle editorial that the real point now is to move ahead in Elmwood. There are challenges, to be sure, but it is an exciting time as well as the township finally gets it together with a new zoning ordinance and exciting plans for the waterfront and along the Leelanau Trail. Let's just hope those who have tried to undermine the progress can find a more constructive outlet for their energies.