October 11th Meeting a real boon...

With over 100  people showing up for a township meeting, I wondered if I was in the right precinct.
The meeting was mostly casual & relaxed, but John Fairbanks did a great job of moderating the proceedings because the Supervisor, Douglas Mann, was out of town with a previous family commitment.

Highlights of the meeting:

Election workers approved for November 8th election:

Sharyn McGreehan, Republican

Pat Bishop-Democrat

Sharon Puff-No party affiliation

ORV Informational meeting turned over to Dave Kott-speakers included Mike Newmann, Staff Sergeant & Rec Enforcement of Lake County Sheriff Dept; Larry Collier, Lake County Board of Commissioners Chair; Bill Gillard, Sauble twp supervisor; and Charlie Young, Lake County Road Commission

Most of those in attendance were for the opening up of the roads in Elk Township, therefore...

J. Fairbanks-motion to insert a questionnaire in the outgoing winter tax statements to all taxpayers of Elk twp, simple & clear:

“Do you want to open county maintained roads in Elk Township…Yes, or No”

V. Gates seconded, all in favor, so a letter will be included in the winter tax statements going out the end of November

Next regularly scheduled meeting will be November 16th, so as not to coincide with the election or opening day of rifle season...

Happy Hunting & don't forget to Vote!

More UpComing News

About 30 neighbors came out for the September meeting, and a lot of ground was covered. October's meeting may very well be even better attended as the ORV policy for Elk Township will be on the agenda again. Come on out and air your views.
Other news:

• October 11th is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming Nov 8th election

• Office hours remain Thursdays between 9-1

• November 8^th meeting date changed due to the election- J. Fairbanks-motion to move meeting date to November 16^th

More Community Goodwill...

 Under sheriff Perrin presenting Lou Fitz with a plaque thanking him for his community watch service in helping to stop a "breaking & entering" and helping to apprehend the suspect involved

 Supervisor, Douglas Mann presenting Lou Fitz with a certificate from the township thanking him for his vigilance in the community

Elk vs. Sauble Ball Game

After the game between Elk Twp and Sauble Twp there is still good will

The team of Elk Twp

The Trophy given by Bill Gillard to Douglas Mann

August 17, 2011

Elk Township has a full board and finally was able to conduct business as usual. Well, almost usual...

A BIG THANK YOU TO ROGER BUCKINGHAM FOR SAVING A HUMMINGBIRD WHO HAD COME IN TO SEE ALL THE GOODWILL FLYING ABOUT THE TOWN HALL. ROGER CAUGHT HIM IN HIS HANDS WHEN THE LITTLE CREATURE WAS UNABLE TO FIND HIS WAY OUT OF THE HALL.

The public seemed very receptive of the new board's style of balancing citizen's input with board business.

Another noteworthy piece of information dealt with the engineering analysis of the existing township hall. Nordlund & Associates gave the almost 100-yr old building a clean bill of health and actually suggested removing the siding and showing the concrete blocks which were reportedly made "on site." All foundations, flooring, and existing roof were found to be sound. The report was well received, but no plans are in the works to do anything with the existing building.

Meeting of New Board

The New Township Board will consist of three newly appointed members and two former members. As you know, the recall of Super, Clerk, and Trustee was successful, so the three posts had to be appointed, and those three members will serve until the next regular election date, November 8, 2011. Then we do all the campaign signs again in Nov of 2012 when the entire board runs anew. So, the new super called a special meeting for Wednesday eve at 7pm to get acquainted with the electors and do the business of the township. Come on out...

WANTED...SUPERVISOR, CLERK, TRUSTEE

The Elk Township Board, or what is left of them, will be accepting resumes for the positions of Supervisor, Clerk, and Trustee until Thursday @ 1pm. Regular office hours for the township are Thursdays 9-1, so drop off a resume today.
The "Board" has called a special meeting to fill those positions for Saturday, August 13 @ 9am. This is an open meeting, so come on out and let your township board know YOU KNOW!

The Next Step...

Now that the recall is finally over, signs have been taken down, and tempers are cooling, we wonder what is the next step?
It is my understanding that a committee of the election commission, consisting of the Judge, Clerk, and Treasurer of the county, will meet to appoint one member of the Elk Township Board, then with this quorum, the board can meet on Tues, our regularly scheduled board meeting, to appoint the rest of the board.  This new board will serve until the next scheduled election, November 2011, or 2012 depending on the interpretation of election laws.
Anyway, that is only my interpretation, so come on out Tuesday to see for yourself. Hope to see you there!

PIGS CAN FLY!

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS:

In a stunning turnout, voters have overwhelmingly spoken for recall...

Supervisor-Linda VanDolsen recalled 256 votes to 78
Clerk-Marilyn VanVleet recalled 244 to 85
Trustee-Frances "Cookie" Arquette recalled 245 to 84


What do you think?

Recall August 2, 2011

Many of you may have received a letter dated, well not dated, but signed by Linda Van Dolsen, Marilyn VanVleet, and Cookie Arquette. My entire voting family received their own individual copies in the mail today. I just couldn't pass up some very flagrant & inflammatory statements in said letter. For instance:
"Several years ago the previous township board formed a committee that studied the issue of a new township hall. That committee and the previous board pushed a dangerous, financially irresponsible $300,000.00 proposal. In 2006, the public forced the board to place a measure on the ballot to see if there was support for this project. The $300,000.00 proposal would have required the township to borrow at least half the money and may have required the township to increase property taxes to pay off that debt. That's right, they wanted to increase our taxes."
Wow, this paragraph is fraught with fallacies; where to begin?
Well, there was no "pushing", in fact the public in numerous meetings requested certain things be added to our current structure, such as, but not limited to, a basement, and a larger auditorium for hosting banquets and family gatherings.
Neither did the public force the board to place the measure on the ballot, that was a completely voluntary decision by a seated board, and the result of the vote was respected by that same board, hence the building project was dropped.
Now a new board, with some current members who were VERY VOCAL in their campaign against a larger township hall, has decided that they alone hold the powers to spend the very monies that the township requested not to be spent on a larger facility, and to do so with NO BIDS, and LITTLE INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC WHICH PUT THEM IN OFFICE. This is not beneficial leadership.
Another fallacy, which I believe this board understands to be misleading, is that a seated board can raise your property taxes. This is just not true. Remember, we are not the federal government, and a township government has NO AUTHORITY TO RAISE TAXES. Any raise in taxes past the Headley Amendment Rollback, must be voted on by the taxpayers. This is plain 'ole fear mongering. 
Finally, this letter references people who want a seat on the board, but who is to say this is true. Who has said anyone wants a seat on this board? Who would voluntarily beat themselves up with their own severed arm.



Enjoy your week, and remember to vote your conscience on August 2nd.