"What really appalled me was when reformers were challenged twice for violating the rule about disparaging elected officials when they recited some of the misdeeds of township officials. I always thought that rule applied only to disparaging other senators during floor debate. But it apparently applies to anyone criticizing anybody who’s managed to elevate himself about the rest of us mere mortals by winning a public office.
Well, I’m sorry. But when somebody steals hundreds of thousands of dollars by illegally padding his salary and diverting public money for vacations and home improvements, as a township trustee in Southwest Indiana did, WHY CAN’T YOU CALL THAT PERSON A CROOK?
A reform-minded township trustee from Porter County was also chastised for referring to her predecessors as “good old boys” who filled the office with their relatives. If they did that, what’s wrong with saying it? There’s a reason private business doesn’t let you hire your relatives, but government leaders have never gotten that.
My own experience with township offices has made me sympathetic with reformers’ complaints that township offices are rife with nepotism and incompetence and that the people they’re supposed to serve often can’t even find these officials or call them on the telephone. But, please, let’s not talk about that."
See Township elimination divided opinionsShould Indiana elminate township government?
What Should We Do With Township Gov’t?
