The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Letters to the Editor
PUBLISHED: July 17, 2008
To the Editor: The Washtenaw Deputy Sheriff's Association is the labor organization representing the 220 non-supervisory employees of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department. We recently learned of a ruling in a law suit filed by Sheriff Dan Minzey against the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. The lawsuit was filed to prevent the elimination of over 40 deputy positions, and protect the constitutional integrity of the elected Office of the Sheriff.
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The court in dismissing the suit held the Sheriff personally accountable for legal fees in excess of $100,000. The economic and political risks Sheriff Minzey took on behalf of his employees was commendable. His opposition to political leaders who desire to control the Office of the Sheriff was appreciated and supported by the Washtenaw Deputy Sheriff's Association and the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
Over the years selected members of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners have continually sought to diminish the constitutional authority of the Office of the Sheriff. Efforts to eliminate positions, creation of politically charged committees and boards, and support for elected political candidates favorable to their point of view while threatening to remove those in opposition have all been or continue to be the standard manner of operation.
The Office of the Sheriff is an elected office created by our state constitution. The Sheriff is accountable to the public that elects him, not political leaders who seek control over the office. The Sheriff's stand not only helped to save the jobs of over 40 deputy sheriff's, it was a contributing factor in the restoration of 12 county-funded road patrol positions which were among 28 county funded positions the Board of Commissioners eliminated in June 2000.
The Washtenaw Deputy Sheriff's Association has made a personal donation of appreciation to Sheriff Minzey to help defray personal costs he incurred in the personal law suit filed on behalf of all who depend on the sheriff's department services.
Harry ValentinePresident WDSA
To the Editor: I am writing to support John Francis as the supervisor of Lyndon Township in the upcoming primary. Though I do not reside in Lyndon Township, I have known and worked with John for many years on regionally based governance issues. He is an excellent candidate due to his selfless approach to managing the township. In all the years I have known him, he has promoted an agenda that he believes is the best for the citizens, and he has supported the community as a whole.
John was one of the founding members of the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority when he was Lyndon Township Supervisor in the early 90's. He traveled all over the western side of the county promoting the formation of what was at that time a strange and new concept. He had the foresight to see how such a radical new idea would work for both Lyndon Township and all other the citizens in this area.
John has broad vision, and also does the hard work of seeing things through. He has no personal agenda; his goals are all associated with the betterment of the township and the community. He is articulate and readily available for conversation and discussion with all constituents. And last but not least, he has been, in all interactions I have had with him, honest and forthright about public issues. These are all qualities that make for outstanding public leadership.
John Francis represents the best choice for Lyndon Township, now and into the future.
Frank Hammer
Chelsea
To the Editor: The voters of Lyndon Township have the opportunity on Aug. 5 to elect John Francis as supervisor. John was our supervisor from 1986 to 1996 and he has decided to run again to bring responsible and respectful government back to the people of Lyndon Township.
I have lived in Lyndon Township all of my life, and I have known John as a sincere and hardworking individual who will fight the good fight for all of us to keep property taxes low and the environment safe.
It is vitally important to families, seniors, students, wage earners and those who enjoy the outdoors that we elect John Francis as supervisor so that our interests are represented to the fullest. John Francis has the experience and leadership qualities to give us that voice.
Frank Grohnert
Lyndon Township
To the Editor: Recently, I saw that Rep. Tim Walberg referred to the Webb GI bill as a "garbage provision" in The Detroit News. I feel that the families and friends of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces, as well as the general public, should find this very insulting.
Our government sent them to war and the least we can do is to offer to put our troops through school when they get home. I am a new voter in his district and so far, I don't like what I see.
Mary Andersson
Editor's note: A tax increase provision on small businesses in a large domestic spending bill that passed the House in May is what the congressman was referring to as "garbage." Congressman Walberg is a cosponsor of H.R. 5740, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which is the House version of the Webb GI Bill. When the tax increase on small businesses was taken out of the legislation, Congressman Walberg voted to support the bill.
To the Editor: It is interesting how Public Safety is every politicians first concern around election time. Four years ago a whole slate of candidates were voted into office with a promise of improving Public Safety. Since that time both the number of Sheriff deputies on duty and the Fire Budget have been reduced in Scio Township.
Now with another impending election every candidate is again promising improved public safety, some even promise to do it by using "existing funds". Shame on you and me if we are fooled again.
The only good thing that took place in regards to this subject in the last four years is that a volunteer bipartisan committe was formed to look into the subject. After 35 meetings and an exhaustive examination of the issues†they made their recommendations to the Board of Trustees in†April of this year. Those recommendations were mailed to every Scio resident's household in June in a special Scio Info. If you misplaced it, please take the time to go online and read it (go to the Township's web site and click on special Public Safety Report link). The committee reported the bottom line was this: It will cost each household in Scio Township 50 cents a day to have 2 firefighters on duty at all times and to go from 5 deputies to 8.
Please ask the candidates to stop making this a political football. Don't let them drop the ball on Public Safety again.††Read the Public Safety committee's report carefully and then attend the Special Meeting at the Township Hall on July 23, 7 P.M.††I still believe Lincoln was right, "...†you can't fool†all of the people†all of the time".
†I don't mind politicians making promises, apparantly that is a part of their genetic make up.†But when someone dials 911 they are not interested in†a politician's†promise.
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