Thank You, Joe Paczkowski Editor, Kinross Daily News and President, Kinross Business Association

Dorothy Johnson. Associate Editor - Note: Dorothy Johnson will be temporarily taking over as Editor on May 13th while I run for Kinross Township Clerk - Joe Paczkowski

Kinross Township Board Minutes - 2000 to 2008  /  Kinross Township Active Ordinances

Questioning the candidates By Dorothy Johnson Although I didn’t get an overwhelming response to my first attempt at this for the primary election, I am not one to quit easily so I am going to try again. In an effort to assist in decisions facing the residents of Kinross Township in the November general election I will be compiling a questionnaire to submit to each of the listed candidates for them to answer.  This is something that is used on a regular basis by organizations at the state and national level in their quest to make recommendations and endorse candidates that are consistent with their opinions, values etc. In this case it is my hope that the questions will help the residents make an informed decision at the polls on Tuesday November 4, 2008. At this time I am asking for input for these questionnaires from the residents of the township.  You can e-mail them to me via this website.  There are several things I will require of anyone submitting questions: ·         Name, address and a contact phone number.  It must be something that is verifiable and be in the Kinross Charter Township voting district. ·         You may address questions to candidates specifically, general questions for each position, or for all candidates.  Please make sure you specify what type of question you are submitting. ·         Let’s be respectful also.  It is not my intention to have these questionnaires be viewed as anything but allowing the residents of the township make informed decisions in the races that affect us. These questions will be combined with questions I will formulate as well as questions submitted to me by the members of the Kinross Business Association and questions asked of but not answered during the primary election candidate forum. I will take questions from Friday August 29 to Friday September 12, 2008.  It is my hope to have these questions in the mail to the candidates no later than Wednesday September 17, 2008. The candidates will be given a time frame to answer and submit the questions to me.  I will then post them on this website for all residents to access. This is something new to Kinross Township, and it is my hope that it is something that will continue in elections in the years to come.  I want the residents of this township to feel that their issues and concerns are being addressed by candidates interested in running for office.  On a separate note I know that it wouldn’t be Kinross Township without the lingering question of write in candidates……. I hope that anyone thinking about that will give serious consideration to this thought ………..instead of heating up the proverbial “frying pan” how about we try a new approach……….. offer your support and expertise to a UNITED Kinross Charter Township so that we can move forward in a POSITIVE direction.  Work with those who will be the elected board – become involved in POSITIVE change and POSITIVE direction for the benefit of the township as a whole.  Have a safe, enjoyable and hopefully warm, sunny holiday weekend!  See you at the FAIR!

Are you registered to vote? Michigan Voter Information Center With this tool you can:    Determine if you are registered to vote Find your polling location Learn to use your voting equipment Find answers to frequently asked questions The last day to register for the November 4th election is October 6th. Out-of-area students: print out and send in your absentee application using this service.

Now that the Deputy Treasurer has been brought to justice for stealing over $40,000 from the Township, what about those on the Township Board who had oversight over the Deputy and taxpayers funds? (Clerk Besteman and Trustee DeWitt) Lets hold them accountable on November 4, 2008. The township treasurer and clerk are typically the two township board members most involved with the accounting function. Communication and coordination between the two offices is critical, and creates a system of financial “checks and balances.” For example, accounts approved by the township board must be filed and preserved by the township clerk. The clerk prepares and signs the warrant/order, and the original becomes a check after it is signed by the treasurer. "Township Board Members are Responsible for the Township’s Fiscal Health Board members, individually and collectively, have responsibility for the township’s finances, which the laws call a fiduciary responsibility. Officials are responsible for protecting the township’s assets. A strong accounting and financial reporting system must be in place." Michigan Township Association News Kinross Township Government at its worst Kinross Needs A Change  (Pat Haskell letter) Separating fact from fiction (Joe Paczkowski letter) Letter to the Editor John Gaines (John Gaines letter) Kinross Township Residents Question Township Board Actions (Jim and Susan Williams letter) A measure of effectiveness (Mark Gill Letter) In who do we trust?  (Mark Dobson letter)

Supervisor Oberle was absent for the 15th Board meeting in as many months Are we now paying for an empty seat?  If so, I call on Clerk Marvin Besteman to discontinue his pay and benefits immediately and declare his seat vacant and abandoned.  If he does not, we will end up paying another $10,000 for his pay and benefits from now until November 22 when Mr. Palma can take over.  In addition to the duties for a general law supervisor, a charter township supervisor has the duties listed in MCL 42.10. These duties required by law include specifically: (g) To attend all meetings of the township board As such Jason Oberle is acting contrary to Michigan Compiled Law and Clerk Besteman would have authority to take action. Even with this information, Besteman and Oberle remain aloof and elitist in response. There has been no action by Besteman and we hear all of a sudden, Oberle is back in town. We need to keep an eye on Oberle and Besteman as they conspire to rip off the Taxpayers.

UPDATE Construction date change: TOTAL CLOSURE - Map - Tue 9/2/08, 12 AM to Fri 9/19/08, 12 AM On I-75 northbound and southbound lanes at Hutton Creek in Chippewa County Details:   Emergency culvert replacement and resurfacing of I-75. During the project, I-75 will be closed. Northbound traffic will detour around the closure on M-80 and Gaines Highway, while southbound traffic will detour using M-80 and Mackinac Trail. Detour:   Northbound traffic - take M-80 off ramp to Gaines Hwy to I-75 on Ramp. Southbound - take M-80 off ramp to Mackinac Trail to I-75 on ramp. Contact:   Newberry TSC 906-293-5168