Comments on: Reality Checks and Balances

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:46:28 +0000

In every conceivable way, billions of dollars in ways, a Constitutionally disinterested, Indiana GA, has completely ignored the Reality Checks & Balances of debt limits as established in Article 13; from public corporations which slalom this existing Constitutional cap (our law since March, 1881), to Hallmark quality, special interest drafts called referenda…

Along with the distraction of township spending problems (yes, Wayne Township sounds like yet another problem), there are gimmicks like 1 / 2 / 3 tax caps; stomping mice while ignoring an oncoming stampede of elephants.

Packaged or bracketed divisiveness, 1 / 2 / 3, is a product of hate-crime-styled “logic,” the grotesque profits of abuse excused, via trumped up class envy.

By: malercous

malercous — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:06:01 +0000

I'm not sure what townships govern in Indiana, but in Illinois they cover township parks, water (and sometimes sewer) in unincorporated areas, fire protection and road maintainance (again in unincorporated areas), LIHEAP and other general assistance programs, property tax assessment and the relevant property tax exemptions/reductions.
So they actually do have a purpose, albeit one that has grown more attenuated as urbanization increases. In rural areas they are still an important form of government.
By-the-by, did you notice that that old bastard Vince Immel finally died? Pure spite and the ability to intimidate, discourage & fail law students must have kept him alive for at least 2 decades. (No, he didn't fail me)
I know that if one can't say something good about the dead, one should not say anything at all, so let me just say this; Vince Immel is dead, and that is good.
Reason's Grettings.

By: Think Again

Think Again — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:39:39 +0000

Or better yet, Jon, do away with townships and their testosterone-driven FDs altogether.

Without proper oversight, township government buys buildings they don't need. And leases space for long terms. And raises tax moneys they don't need to raise.

A larger county-wide entity can do the same thing. At least the oversight body, the City-County Council, has other duties to justify their salaries.

By: Taxpayer 834512

Taxpayer 834512 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:49:26 +0000

Agreed

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:46:28 +0000

Packaged or bracketed divisiveness, 1 / 2 / 3, is a product of hate-crime-styled “logic,” the grotesque profits of abuse excused, via trumped up class envy.

By: malercous

malercous — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:06:01 +0000

By: Think Again

Think Again — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:39:39 +0000

By: Taxpayer 834512

Taxpayer 834512 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:49:26 +0000

Agreed

By: joneaster

joneaster — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:12:12 +0000

Ummm…..this discussion started about the township board.

I have friends on that board, but I must say that if I were on it, I would reject the pay raise and benefits and vote no on this proposal. The Township Board should not be a salaried job anyway, IMO. It should operate like the Decatur Township Fire Merit Commission does…on a per meeting payment. If you meet 10 times, then you get paid for meeting 10 times.

Township Advisory Board positions don't strike me as the types of positions that need an 8.5K salary or benefits. Let's reserve that dough for firefighters.

By: melyssa

melyssa — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:33:37 +0000

TA…you've got way more power than you know. We all do. One person can change the world. Just look at Dr. King, Ghandi, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, and Princess Diana for starters.