In attempt to steer the township board in the right direction together, Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen gave each of the board members a copy of the Michigan Townships Association’s ‘Principles of Governance,? and asked them sign their names committing to the principles stated in the document.
‘I know that we have gotten off to a poor start,? she said at the June 02 meeting. ‘We are not well received by the public, we are seen as dysfunctional along other adjectives, but I would like for us to start working towards these standards.?
Out of the 10 principles, the one that stuck out to VanderVeen the most was to ‘bring credit, honor, and dignity to our public offices through collegial board deliberations and diligent, appropriate responses to constituent concerns.?
VanderVeen said she would be signing the document.
‘Either you feel this way and you’re going to work towards these goals or you’re not,? she said.
Trustee Neil Wallace expressed his concerns that the document will just become ‘hallow and merely symbolic.? He suggested posting the principles on the township website to solicit public comment.
Treasurer Curt Carson said the document not only points out that they should listen to each others opinions, but respect those opinions as well.
‘This is more than the oath of office that we took back on Nov. 20, I think that this provides more meaning it provides us some direction and it provides us some challenges, so that we all work for the better good of our community,? Carson said. ‘I will sign this as well.?
Trustee David Lohmeier said there was not one principle that he disagreed with.
‘I look at this and I see everything on here we should be doing,? he said. ‘I particularly am fond of ‘practice openness and transparency in our decisions and actions.??
‘Understanding the obligations and responsibilities of American Citizenship, democratic government, and freedom,? was Trustee Mark Petterson’s favorite principle.
‘I know this very well serving as a United States Marine and I will defend that with my life,? said Petterson. ‘I have already given that oath to defend this country both foreign and domestic.?
Trustee Larry Rosso said they have a responsibility as public officials ‘to adhere to every one of those principles.?
‘The nice thing about bringing them forward to our attention is we can internalize them,? he said. ‘And I don’t this brings it more right in your face, that is what I like about it.?
Though he did not disagree with the principles, Wallace said he would not sign because he believed some of the principles would be ‘violated the moment that some people sign it.?
‘That is not personal to any one person in particular, but for me to sign it when I have had to go through what I have had to go through as my time as a trustee would be like signing a one-sided contract or disarming myself and I won’t do it,? he said.
‘If I thought that all would abide by this, I’d sign it in a heartbeat, but I know that’s not what’s going to happen because there are motivations, which are inconsistent with these principles.?
Supervisor Dave Wagner, who was absent also agreed to sign the document.