Friday, June 01, 2007

Why do they pay her extra to do her job?

Fire her now!
- mlive.com: "Quirky clerk case better off in court
Fruitland Township politics can be as interesting as any local government in our area. The quirky case involving its clerk's pay issue is a case in point. It's also a case that is probably best decided in a courtroom.
This is not the first time township Clerk Janell Beard has been embroiled in controversy. Earlier this year, Trustee Mary Eley raised questions about the propriety of Beard's mileage reimbursement requests -- one of a number of township issues Eley addresses in her web site. The complaint was investigated and dismissed by Muskegon Prosecutor Tony Tague.
Now Beard's request for reinstatement of a $1,500 payment she was earlier denied to conduct 'nontraditional elections' -- those conducted in off years in addition to general and primary elections -- is the focus of more controversy. Beard contends the $1,500 was illegally stripped from her, since she considers it part of her $31,314 base salary. Just recently, a divided board, on its attorney's advice, reinstated the clerk's pay, but the issue still remains before Circuit Court Judge James M. Graves Jr.
Several townships in Muskegon and Ottawa counties -- notably Muskegon, Spring Lake and Fruitport -- have experienced acrimonious and rocky times as officials and board members go their different ways.
We hope when the dust clears, Fruitland's troubles will simmer down to a slow boil again. "

No comments: