The number of requests for audio files of particular Mullett Township Board Meetings has grown. To simplify providing this information, a new You Tube channel Mullett Township Board Meetings is now available. The December 2, 2013 meeting is the first entire meeting posted on You Tube. Due to meeting lengths and You Tube restrictions, meetings will typically be posted as Part 1, Part 2, etc. Requests for earlier audio files will be posted on You Tube as requested and a link will emailed to the requester. Complete audio files are typically available free of charge for all meetings starting September 6, 2011 that were openly advertised as "Public Meetings".
The 2nd year of this Mullett Township Board's term got off to a smooth start at the December 2, 2013 Board Meeting.
Sarcasm aside, this blog was started to promote and encourage "open" local government and there is nothing wrong with frank, open, even contentious public discussion within a legislative body. That is preferable to the continuing practice of the Mullett Board being directed by a "few" stakeholders behind the scenes who have decided their "vision" of Topinabee is the only path for your community. Reviewing these previous comments on blight by Tom O'Hare of the TDA might explain why a simple Board proposal to deal with trash, rubbish, and junk in September may still become an intrusion on your basic property rights.
The public hearing for the proposed Blight Ordinance gathered some thoughtful public input. Treasurer Kathy Flory recognized that a simple proposal to deal with trash, rubbish, and junk had now become a proposed ordinance dealing with many issues that are regulated by Cheboygan County Building Safety. Trustee John Brown then suggested that an all-encompassing ordinance affecting every township property owner could be placed on a ballot.
Supervisor MaryAnne Gale's arguments died without the big guns from the TDA in attendance to back her up. Had Tom "Chairman of the Board" O'Hare been in attendance, the Supervisor would surely have recognized the Chairman during what she always refers to as a "board business discussion" closed to public input. Would the elected Mullett Board members stand their ground and send the ordinance back for simplification? Or, would the TDA prevail and enact an ordinance dealing with vehicles, RV's, building safety and building maintenance? We'll await the final outcome as the Board is most assuredly already being lobbied to do the right thing for a TDA vision of "Topinabee Township".
It is worth mentioning that Supervisor MaryAnne Gale continues to receive failing grades for "plays well with others". Supervisor Gale expects the other Board members to cooperate with her wishes, but ignores, publicly denigrates opposite views, or simply refuses to make cooperation a two-way street.
Supervisor Gale ran for office and was elected to a township Board that had sat at 8PM the first Tuesday of each month for years, perhaps even decades. The other four Board members obviously ran with the understanding their commitment would require attendance on those Tuesday evenings. The first order of business last year was to change the day and time of the Board meetings to meet their new leader's convenience. I have heard this was required because MaryAnne Gale has had a long standing golf date on Tuesdays. Whatever the reason or need, it was poor practice by the Board to give in to those demands as Supervisor MaryAnne Gale has repeatedly refused to compromise on others needs.
The obstinate demands by Supervisor MaryAnne Gale to hold a budget workshop in December, more typically done in February, was another obvious scheduling change needed to fit the leader's personal schedule. A January compromise date was finally agreed upon.
This brings us to the new 2014 Board meeting schedule. Both Treasurer Flory and Clerk Osborn communicated their need to do last minute preparatory work for each monthly meeting. Those Monday meetings scheduled for the Supervisor's convenience required that prep work be done on a weekend.
Supervisor MaryAnne Gale was cold to the idea of returning to a Tuesday evening schedule, but did finally acquiesce to Tuesday meetings on months when she is not busy with her own activities. The other Board members regain a part of the weekends they lost. Some meetings Monday, some meetings Tuesday, some in Topinabee, some in east Mullett. November's meeting, due to election activity, is scheduled for November 11th, a Federal Holiday.
Supervisor Gale stated on December 2nd she was elected to represent the wishes of the township taxpayers. Really?
Good job MaryAnne. You have made one of the largest self-sacrifices ever made by an elected public servant. We commend you.
