Town Board Meetings Should Focus On Challenges And Positive Strategies Rather Than Personal Sensitivities!

I find it is becoming increasingly difficult and a waste
of my time, and perhaps I can speak for others,
to attend Town Board meetings in Eureka.
A couple of Supervisors appear to focus on their
sensitive feelings and engage in bad meeting etiquette such as
displaying disruptive behavior and being extremely rude
to fellow Supervisors. the attorney and audience citizens.
Below are issues addressed at the August Town Board
meeting which are a reflection of the above.

                        
Commercial/Industrial Work Group:
Mark Ceminsky, Al Novacek and Butch Hansen
presented the findings of the Commercial/Industrial
Work Group following the Open House. This was
addressed in a previous blog, Did You know??
You Bad, You Bad!!!!!

A Board discussion regarding the continuance of
the Work Group took place. Supervisors Murphy
and Palmquist presented valid reasons stating lack of finances
and infrastructure necessary to support this effort.
They felt at some point in time, C/I in Eureka might be feasible.
They thanked the Work Group and expressed their appreciation
of the time and effort that was put into Phase I.  The Township is
not financially solvent and the fiscal studies etc.
that need to be done are not affordable at this time.

Supervisor Barfknecht suggested adding the
Commercial/Industrial to next year's Annual 
Meeting ballot as a referendum.

Supervisor Ceminsky stated "He was making a
motion to KILL any commercial work by the group
on commercial zoning within Eureka Township.
Stop completely."

Supervisors Barfknecht, Murphy and Palmquist
voted in favor of Mark's motion. Ceminsky
and Hansen abstained. (Why abstain on one's
own motion)?  Supervisor Hansen commented
"I don't think you guys get anything." An absurd
comment from Mr. Hansen.

"The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias
in which people mistakenly assess their cognitive
ability as greater than it is. Cognitive bias of
illusory superiority and comes from the inability
of people to recognize their lack of ability."

Missing Award Certificate:
During the July Town Board meeting, Supervisor
Ceminsky stated his framed leadership certificate from
Dakota Electric a few years back is mysteriously
missing from the Town Hall wall. The missing certificate
was on the agenda again at the August Board meeting.
Mark expressed his feelings are quite hurt. He felt
the Township should be proud of any citizen, no matter
who it is, who has served on the Board and received such
an award. He stated "If his award could not be displayed,
then all plaques with names should be removed."
(I, as well as other past Supervisors have wood plaques
honoring our service and they are not on display. In my
opinion, perhaps certificates and other awards should
be displayed at home to insure their safety).

Another certificate was ordered from Dakota Electric and
framed with tax payer dollars and is now hanging prominently
on the Town Hall wall. RIP!

                               
Road Supervisor Liaison:
Supervisor Ceminsky presented another agenda item.
He felt he was being accused by another Supervisor of 
wrong doing regarding roads. The accused Supervisor
stated there is obviously a misunderstanding of what
was stated. There was no nefarious accusations,
criticism or personal attack. He was taking a business 
approach regarding the road budget, the money that
has been spent and how, as there are serious budget issues.
The issues need to be addressed in a constructive manner.

Mark expressed that his feelings were hurt and words need
to be chosen more carefully. He stated "The comments
cut deep." "People compliment him and then stab him in the
back."

Supervisor Ceminsky then stated that he was resigning as
Road liaison. Butch Hansen stated "If he steps down, so am I."
"It is a thankless job." Mark stated he would not take 
responsibility for a new Supervisor liaison position.
This will now leave nearly ALL the liaison positions the
responsibility of the Chair, Supervisor Murphy and Supervisor
Barfknecht. Hansen will be without a liaison responsibility.

Perhaps this is the time to rethink the responsibilities
of a road liaison and perhaps consider a road
committee or other alternatives. Road liaisons are liaisons
between the citizens and the Board.  The Board makes decisions
on spending money, acting on the issues and directing the
road contractors.  It is not the responsibility of the road liaisons
to clean out culverts. In fact, it seems this could be a liability
to the Township. The Township has a road contract with
the Ottes.

The above lengthly discussions which are not always necessary
or can be addressed in a civil manner are why meetings
last for 5 to 6 hours.  The Township attorney is paid additionally
for time after 2 hours. 

Let's get back to adhering to the fundamentals of a meeting,
setting priorities and conducting Township business efficiently.   
If necessary, pomposity and personal feelings can be addressed 
at the end of the meeting or perhaps in a special meeting if deemed 
necessary.