Memorable Quotes, shall we say right from the horse's mouth...

"Since I'm going to be recalled, I think we need to go through with this (speaking of the building project). That's one of my reasons."-Frances Arquette
"The tools to complete a successful building project are not in place."-John Fairbanks
"We've talked about getting bids, and that hasn't been done...I'm not in favor of doing anything without having a lawyer look at this contract."-Carol Draper
"I would feel more comfortable having an attorney look at this (contract)."-Marilyn VanVleet

and last, but not least Jackie McKellar addressing Linda VanDolsen,
"You are not looking out for the best interests of the people."

At this meeting there was a motion made, and seconded, to stop this building project and to pay Steve Riggs what is owed to him at this time. The motion passed by roll call vote:
Frances Arquette-No
Carol Draper-Yes
John Fairbanks-Yes
Linda VanDolsen-Yes
Marilyn VanVleet-Yes
Therefore, the building project is stalled for now.

Whatsup with this?

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MONDAY 8am @ TOWNSHIP HALL TO DISCUSS THE BUILDING PROJECT

Cease and Desist Clearing the Land

This is looking from the corner of the Elk Township Hall to the south-east

Land has obviously been cleared of woods, and the trees have already been hauled away

You can see posts marking the corners of a proposed building site

At the latest board meeting, a motion was made and seconded and voted in the affirmative by a majority of the board, to cease and desist in building a new township hall until documents may be reviewed and looked at by a lawyer. The complete board did not have time to review contracts and plans before land was being cleared.

Controversy & Clash

May 10, 2011 meeting continued the controversy over a large, stand-alone building to be built without any bids, even after a discussion ensued concerning bids for lawn maintenance at the same facility but with a much lesser overall amount in question.  This month's controversy included questions asked between board members:

"Do we have a contract?"
"You did not ask for bids?"
"Who did you ask to review the project?"
"I see Steve Riggs was given $1,000, what was that for?"
"Did you ask for a signed waiver of lien?"
"Did an attorney review this contract? (implied understanding that the board has not seen this contract)"
"Is there a copy of the contract?"


Most questions were either not answered, or not answered satisfactorily. Most answers were "NO", or "I will not get anything else out for this meeting." If this township board has a contract, most board members have not seen it, and definitely have not signed it. The Supervisor maintained throughout the meeting that there was a legitimate contract on site within the town hall, but nothing was produced for review. Instead onlookers heard things like, "This smacks of hypocrisy...let's move on," and "I'm going to sit here and listen to you, and let me know when you're finished."

The end result of this board controversy was a motion made by Carol Draper, Treasurer, and seconded by John Fairbanks, Trustee:
"I would like to make a motion that any work on a new building be stopped until such time as we can review the contracts and make sure that a lawyer reviews them as well."
This motion passed with Frances Arquette, John Fairbanks, and Carol Draper voting in affirmative, and Marilyn VanVleet, and Linda VanDolsen voting against.

At the end of public comment, Linda VanDolsen was heard speaking over everyone else, "Sign the recall, recall me, whatever." 

And that is how the meeting ended...stay tuned...this clash is not over!