We revisit Al Hornaday, a Morgan County township trustee trying to inject some common sense into local government. In today’s brief video, Hornaday explains there are some major discrepancies between the small amount of poor relief provided in some townships and the high costs of simply running the township office. Visit www.MySmartGov.org for more.
In the ongoing "we’ll do anything to save our jobs" crusade, the Ross Township trustee in Lake County testified at length Wednesday before the Senate Local Government Committee. He was opposing the insertion of real reform language (no township boards and county councils having binding budget authority) into the township-by-township referendum proposal passed by the House.
The trustee, who also serves as the head of the United Township Association, explained that the township is important. He said his office receives donations for 170 children to enjoy Christmas. Based on his 2008 annual financial report, people young and old also must get the opportunity to enjoy the Fourth of July. Among the expenses listed: $24,000 to Mad Bomber Fireworks Prod., Inc.
That’s your taxpayer money — at least those in Lake County. Can we really let it go up in smoke like that?
Over the past couple of weeks, the Evansville Courier Press has run several articles on township government. Last weekend, they reported on the Boon Township Trustee in Warrick County who allegedly stole almost $70,000 from township funds (or the taxpayers) over the past two years. If they claim that township government is closest to the people, then familiarity breeds contempt.
Here is an earlier in-depth article on townships.
And here is an editorial.
The services townships provide can easily be more efficiently and effectively offered at the county level.