LETTERS: Township officer responds to mayor

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BILL NOVAK, BOARD OF LOST SPRINGS TOWNSHIP
Mr. Lost Springs Mayor:

You are confused as usual (“Letters,” April 17). The township of Lost Springs entered into an agreement with the City of Lost Springs to build a new fire station. The agreement was that the township would pay half, and the city would pay half. We would not have a new fire station if not for the efforts of the township.

Now that the fire station is built, you come running to the township to pay your bills. As an “educator” in the Centre school system, we thought you would have been farsighted enough to realize the city would have a difficult time financing a new fire station and a new sewer system.

The mayor decided to borrow the city’s money needed for the fire station at an 8 percent interest rate; the township, meanwhile, shopped around and borrowed the money they needed for their contribution at a rate a little over 4 percent.

Which set a better example of stewardship?

We, members of the township board, are elected by the people, and it is our duty to answer to the taxpayers for their monies spent. Your insinuations that we have not properly accounted for the money we have received is a slap in the face. The books are available for examination to anyone who may wish to see for themselves the accounting of the township money.

It was stated by you, Mr. Mayor, at our last meeting that the township mill levy may go up by 2 mills. This of course is nonsense! The tax levy will probably increase at least 5 mills.

An agreement at the last meeting stated that a meeting with the Marion County commissioners to determine estimated increase would be necessary. And after that meeting, we together would make further decisions.

So have you called the county commissioners to set up an appointment for the meeting?

Mr. Mayor, wake up and smell the roses! We, of the township, will try to work with you, but don’t dictate to us. It was stated at the last meeting that the city is the one having the trouble paying their bills, not the township.

We welcome the public. In fact, we ask them to come to the next meeting at 7:30 p.m., May 8, at the Centre Elementary School and learn for themselves the real facts!

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