"STIFLE YAHSELF, EE-DIT' ! STIFLE YAHSELF!"

DOES ARCHIE BUNKER LIVE IN EUREKA???  One might think so of late!

I refer to what I consider to be a blatant attempt (once again!) to shut down this blog and silence its voices. Evidently, what is written here can be annoying or irritating to certain individuals. (Sometimes, the truth can be like that!) The latest incident involves attorney question(s) asked by now-former Commissioner Cleminson. I addressed the Board on this issue at its October meeting.

I say blatant attempt "once again" as it is my understanding that a now-former Board Supervisor also tried twice, two months in a row, not very long ago to put the item, "Shut Down The Blog," on the Board's regular meeting agenda, but was advised that this was not appropriate or even doable. Seems there is a little thing called The First Amendment! For that person who did not "get" this, that means that, generally, government cannot shut down speech. At least not in these United States of America! The Township is a Local Government Unit and cannot constitutionally tell us we can or cannot post on this blog or whether we can or cannot even HAVE a blog. What part of Free Speech don't you understand, I wonder?!

Since those attempts on the Board level were fruitless, I believe that the possible citizens behind these efforts decided to give it one more try after a recent posting that perhaps made them "uncomfortable." Hence, Mr. Cleminson's inquiry, in my opinion.

His question apparently had to do with "quoting draft minutes" on this blog-- was this permissible, and, evidently, were any laws being broken since one blogger is a Planning Commissioner and another is a Board Supervisor. I have to say "apparently" and "evidently" as the questions asked and how they may have been framed or even slanted were never revealed.



Interestingly, Cleminson was one of three Commissioners on an earlier Commission who seemed to insist that no feedback would be willingly accepted by them from any professional or outside source--for example, from Brian Watson of the SWCD or Travis Thiel of the VRWJPO--unless accompanied by the precise questions which were asked resulting in that information. This was directed mainly in my opinion at then-Commissioner Jennings who had this "nasty habit" of asking professionals for input to assist the Township. Now, I agree that the framing of a question CAN certainly affect an answer to it, but this "outside" input did not seem welcomed by those three Commissioners, as it appeared to me. I saw it as a lack of trust, even at a low threshold.

So the courtesy that he asked for from others in the past was not afforded by Cleminson in the present to the Board or the Commission who were copied on the response.

At least Cleminson did receive an okay as required from Attorney Contact Kenny Miller to speak to the attorney, ostensibly about a fence ordinance Cleminson was to be working on. (You may recall three phone calls then-Supervisor Ceminsky made to the attorney all on his own. See earlier blog.) By his own admission, Supervisor Miller said he may not have been too clear on exactly what Cleminson was cleared to talk to the attorney about. Hmmmmm...

In response, I stated to the Board that I do not "quote draft minutes" on the blog. Mainly, I work from memory. But even more to the point, it wouldn't matter if I had. Apparently, it was alleged that this looks like some are getting "preferential treatment" just by having the draft minutes. But, at the June 8, 2015, Board meeting, I brought up the posting of draft minutes on the website as a service to the citizens so that they could keep up with Township happenings in a more timely fashion. Some in our government, past and present, have been reluctant to do this, but it just so happens that draft minutes--in fact, even the Clerk's notes taken at a meeting--are public information. Supervisor Behrendt moved and Supervisor Jennings seconded that the Clerk post the draft minutes on the website as soon as they are complete. This passed unanimously. So, if posted and available to all once complete, how is anyone being given" preferential treatment" regarding these minutes? If Cleminson had attended that meeting or at least read the minutes, he would have been aware of this development.

Regarding the recording discs, those are available to the public from the time of the specific meeting recorded up until such time as those minutes are approved, when the disc is then destroyed under Eureka's retention schedule filed with the State. No "preferential treatment" there either, it would seem.





Further, the Open Meeting Law was amended, effective January 2015, specifically to say that persons on a public body using social media for exchanges with the general public are not in violation of this law. In other words, this blog is exempt from the Open Meeting Law!

                                 Remember him?

EUREKA NEWS!

POSTING NOTICE                                                              

     

       
EUREKA TOWNSHIP
PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is Hereby Given: The Planning Commission of Eureka Township will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 19 2015, in the Eureka Town Hall located at 25043 Cedar Ave., beginning at 7:00 pm. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider an application by Karla Schrader and Merlin Leine for a Conditional Use Permit to install a residential solar energy system at 24698 Cedar Avenue.

Such persons desiring to speak in regard to this matter will be heard at this hearing.

Mira Broyles
Clerk
Eureka Township
Posting Date 10-6-15


     Phil Cleminson, Planning Commission member, turned in his resignation to the Planning Commission at the Monday, October 5, 2015, Planning Commission meeting. The resignation will be addressed at the Tuesday, October 13, 2015, Town Board meeting.

     The Eureka Town Board Ordinance 2, Chapter 3, Section 2 and 3 states the following:

    " Notification of all upcoming openings on the Planning Commission shall be made 

public. Commission members shall be appointed from among persons in a 

position to represent the general public interest. Geographic dispersion should be 

considered as part of the appointment process. No person shall be appointed 

with private or personal interests likely to conflict with the general public interest. 

If any Member shall find that the Member’s private or personal interests are 

involved in any manner coming before the Commission, the Member shall    

disqualify himself from taking part in action from the matter, or the Member may 

be disqualified by the Chairperson of the Commission. 

The term of Commission Members shall be three (3) years beginning on May 1 

and ending on April 30 three (3) years after."

     "The Town Board shall fill such vacancies within 60 days for the unexpired term of the original appointment."


   
                                                                   

"CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?"

     A few weeks ago I was enjoying coffee and lunch in a downtown Lakeville coffee shop.

I was approached by a citizen from Eureka and asked if I would mind if he joined me for a few minutes.  Of course, I always look forward to chatting with citizens in my community and asked him to do so. 

     His conversation begin with a statement "why can't we all just get along in Eureka?"

I suggested that it might not be that complicated if citizens were willing to respect their neighbors, follow our ordinances and support the positive and legitimate activities that will

enhance our community; perhaps a sense of harmony would follow.

   My table guest suggested that the local leaders, "since they have their own agendas anyway, could turn their heads for others and not follow the letter of the law as strictly as they might believe is required." I remembered the behavior of this fellow when he attended a Town Board meeting which involved neighbor's concerns and possible questionable activities on the property.  After a discussion engaged in by all parties, the property owner sat down behind the neighbors, leaned forward and said something along the lines of "it's a good thing that you are both old because you will die before me and I can then enjoy my property." TRUST ME, this type of behavior will NOT create harmony in this community.

 

     I have attended most Town Board and Planing Commission meetings. In my opinion, there seems to be a handful of citizens in this community who attend meetings with the intent to

harass/insult local officials, at times bright and strong women with exceptional leadership qualities. This community has strong leadership in both men and women; their willingness to sacrifice and dedicate their time and expertise should be applauded and appreciated. The pay scale is not what attracts candidates.  In my opinion, there should be a belief that with hard work and a commitment to do what is best for the majority of the citizens in this community, we will emerge as a Township that is prosperous, offers a sense of peaceful living and a beautiful and safe environment to raise children.

     Engaging Eureka In Government is a blog that was developed with the intention of informing citizens of issues and activities within the Township. The majority of citizens, with their busy lives, are not able to attend Planing Commission and Town Board meetings, nor are they able to listen to a CD copy of the minutes for details. Minutes of the meetings are posted on the Eureka Township website after they are discussed, approved, etc.

by the Town Board and Planning Commission at the next month's meeting. The blog might include information regarding issues discussed, approved etc. at Town Board and Planning Commission meetings. Also, the blog offers opinions submitted by the writer which might include personal opinions or details that are not elaborated on in the Township meeting minutes.

     It has been brought to my attention that a few citizens in this Township

have tried, on more than one occasion, to "shut down" the blog.  The citizens trying to shut down the blog (in the last couple years) were in leadership positions when they allegedly/reportedly did so. They have gone as far as to try to involve the Township attorney. I would like to remind the obstructionists and those who might feel threatened by the content of the blog, that Freedom of Speech, the right to communicate one's opinions and ideas without the fear of government retaliation or censorship, IS PROTECTED by the First Amendment.

     Yes, I believe the citizens in Eureka can come together to promote community harmony.
The spirit of the community can be enhanced by welcoming new neighbors, introducing them to the Town Hall facility and staff, the website and community leaders and engaging them in the process of resolving community issues. Citizens need to have reasons to be excited about living in Eureka. Respecting the local ordinances, local government officials and neighbors can go a long way to promote community spirit and the health and well- being of its citizens.