Call it nepotism, call it having connections, call it having friends in high places, call it what you want.
But I'm calling it tiresome and way past due for a true change. We have too many shared names in elected positions.
We have Terry Kreher, Trustee on the Pontoon Beach village board.
Terry Kreher also manager of Pontoon Beach Water district.
Terry Kreher also Pontoon Beach Fire Chief.
Now we have Terry Kreher's father running for township supervisor. I am not comfortable with that. From previous posts on this board it appears that we already have an employee related to this name working in the township office.
Also running the current township supervisor Randy Viessman. I have no idea if he is related to anyone holding an elected position, or in a hired position. I'm also not very comfortable with giving him my vote if all I am hearing is true about how he runs the township. No audits of how this general assistance fund is being spent. If he really is allowing the person in charge of this huge sum of money not be held accountable to the board of trustees and himself on when and where every single penny goes.
This has my choice narrowed down through process of elimination to Randy Presswood. Elections are still a month away, so my vote is not locked in.
Highway Commissioner position. I have no problem with the job the current commissioner has done. I gave him my vote in the last election with no regret. I have been impressed with him having a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week emergency availability policy to the voters. He has never been reluctant about putting his contact information out to the public. Commissioner Moore also has 25 years or more of experience under his belt of heavy equipment and road construction.
Janine Luehmann, another relation to a current Nameoki trustee wanting to get elected to the clerk's position.
Charley Leuhman retired Police Chief. I have nothing to say against this man. It is my understanding he did a fine job on the force. The only thing I find questionable is, he sits on the board of trustees for the Nameoki township that has not required an audit of the general assistance fund. If he is in agreement that this fund with a large amount of the taxpayers money does not need to be carefully watched and audited, will he feel the same way about the township roads and highway funds.
I also have questions about his experience. Does he have any experience with building roads or flooding issues. Can he operate heavy equipment? There is much to be said about experience.
Nepotism? Connected? Trustees-paid employees-elected offices. All of these relatives within one township is unbelievable and I refuse to elect in even more. Just as there is much to say about experience, there is also much to say about conflict of interest!