St. James Township Special Meeting

[KAWhite]

I purchased a scanner for this office for that very purpose in anticipation of scanning existing photos. The time for that is past, however, as the State is now demanding a full reappraisal including visits to every property and all new infornmation added.

[Bob Robert]

A fact of modern politics is that the cover up is generally more dastardly than the original offense. Back when there was honor in politics, politicians had the integrity to own up to their actions, right or wrong. Unfortunately today, PR people and attorneys advise politicians to shut up and cover up until there is no possible means of escape. Once there is no way out they revert to Roman times by tossing an innocent person to the lions in hopes of appeasing the citizens.
It's expected that some will be confused while others write thanking Kevin White for his letter of clarification as to what happened but the bottom line is that come April, Kevin will be terminated for doing the right thing on behalf of the people a couple of years ago. He could have exposed the township supervisor and the problem back then but instead he acted under that person's counsel with assurance that he was acting in the best interest of the public. Today everyone understands that if a few dollars had been approved by the township back then it would have saved tens of thousands of tax dollars now required to fix the problem. It appears that Kevin is singled out and being punished for nothing more than his trust and loyalty to his former boss.
Kevin has served Beaver Island people for many years and now it's time for those same people to serve him by not allowing the township to serve him up to the lions for the board's inaction. While letters are good and confusion expected, if I were Kevin I would hope that reasonalbe and honorable people might come to his defense by pounding on the township hall doors and chanting: "This is not right, support Kevin White!"; demanding his termination be revoked thereby mustering former and current township officials to find the integrity to come forth with a public explanation and take responsibility for their actions. When that happens, everyone can move forward together with the Kevin's assistance.
My fear is that the township will hide behind those same PR people and attorneys I referred to at the beginning, but that can only be if the public allows it.

BR

[Trish Scott]

From an off-Island perspective, it doesn't all seem to add up. Not having been at all of the meetings, etc., certainly don't have all the facts. However, on the face of it, it doesn't appear that due process has been afforded this civil servant. Has this separation from employment met the threshold of sufficient cause? Is it prudent to put someone out of a job who has followed the direction provided by those in charge?

[Rose Gallagher]

I have some questions which may have already been resolved but thought it was worth listing them because others may have the same question.

Is my understanding correct that Mr. White is currently the assessor for all of Beaver Island, meaning both townships?

If St. James Township is firing him as the assessor will there then be two assessors on Beaver Island?

What is the replacement or hiring procedure for an assessor and what qualification would a candidate need to possess?

Will the assessor position for St. James Township be advertised or posted for all interested applicants?

Who will conduct interviews and make the final hiring decision?

Are there any candidates currently being consider for the position?

Assuming that there is required training involved in the position, will that be an additional cost to St. James tax payers who have already paid for Mr. White's training?
Rose

[jflanagan]

More Info needed:
I went to the Charlevoix website where they host the official St. James Government site to see who the Township officials are:

I assume this list is also out of date? If so who should update anf who are our officials??

Government Directory>St. James Township>Township Officials Directory
Township Officials

Supervisor
Name: Mr. Don Vyse
Title: Township Supervisor
Address 1: P.O. Box 181
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2834

Clerk
Name: Mrs. Jean Palmer
Title: Township Clerk
Address 1: P.O. Box 284
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2915

Treasurer
Name: Mr. James L. Wojan
Title: Township Treasurer
Address 1: P.O. Box 42
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2455

Trustee
Name: Richard Speck
Title: Township Trustee
Address 1: P.O. Box 42
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2393

Trustee
Name: Mr. Timothy J. McDonough
Title: Township Trustee
Address 1: P.O. Box 77
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2344

Zoning Administrator
Name: Mr. Kevin White
Title: Township Zoning Administrator
Address 1: P.O. Box 264
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2000

Assessor
Name: Mr. Kevin White
Title: Township Assessor
Address 1: P.O. Box 264
City: Beaver Island
State: MI
Zip Code: 49782
Phone: (231) 448-2000

[medic5740]

Rick Speck is now supervisor. Raymond Cole took Rick's place as trustee. That is the only change from the information provided. St. James meeting is this coming Wednesday night.

Joe

[Rose Gallagher]

Thank you for the information. Is the zoning administrator and assessor one positon or two? Is St. James Township, having fired Kevin White, now also looking for a new zoning administrator? If so, I believe this would mean that Beaver Island could have two assessors and two zoning administrators. This could mean 3 or 4 people replacing the job of one.
I would pose the same questions I had earlier about the assessor's replacement to also include the zoning administrator's positon. It will be interesting to see if any of these issues will be addressed at the next township meeting. I look forward to reading the minutes. Rose

[Dawn E. Marsh]

I find it very interesting how many "newcomers" to this forum, have so much to say, yet have probably never been to a township meeting. There are two sides to every story, and maybe people shouldn't rush to judge before hearing both sides. How about going to the meetings instead of trying to solve all of the islands ''problems" on here? Just a thought.

[Rose Gallagher]

I am trying to find an official e-mail address for the St. James Township Board of Directors. Rose

[Rose Gallagher]

Thank you for the information. It doesn't answer my question but may explain why St. James Township maintains an unlisted e-mail address. I will keep searching. Rose