And the beat goes on (at Grafton Township)

Grafton Township held its July monthly meeting this evening, and it was (to me) surprisingly lightly attended. Only about half a dozen residents were present. FirstElectricNewspaper publisher Pete Gonigam was there, along with a reporter from the Patch.com (Huntley) and two videographers.

Loretta Wuich read a letter to the Trustees and Supervisor about a freezer she had donated to Linda Moore for Township use, and she asked that her remarks be entered into the Minutes of the meeting. She said that the freezer can be used as Linda Moore as Linda wishes and that, whenever in the future Linda leaves the office of Supervisor, the freezer is hers and she can do with it as she pleases, including taking it with her.

Another resident, Al Jordey (spelling?), asked why there are two food banks in Grafton Township. He didn't get an answer.

For tonight's meeting there were two agendas. One was prepared by the Supervisor, and one was prepared by the Trustees and published by the Township Clerk. According to Judge Caldwell's orders, the first order of business must be to vote which agenda is to be used in the meeting. Apparently, it must be one or the other.

After the Supervisor's agenda was rejected, Linda Moore asked the Trustees to include one item from her agenda on their agenda: "Item 5. Discussion and action to enter a Senior Services Grant application." She explained to the Trustees that, if they did not act, then the Township could not apply for a Senior Services Grant. After some bickering, the Trustees did not include that item in their agenda.

Friction continues high between the Trustees and the Supervisor. It would really be in the best interest of the Township (and the best interest and health of the Trustees and Supervisor) for all to do some intensive healing work on their relationships. The animosity, bitterness and disrespect are evident.

How long would it take for the five to be able to work together in a more harmonious way? About 5-6 months. It could be the hardest work they've ever done in their lives, and their lives would be so much richer for it.

Years ago I met John Marks, the Founder and President of Search for Common Ground (http://www.sfcg.org/). I remember his words from 1983-84. He said that you can always get two people to agree on something, even if it is only that they disagree. This principle would work in Grafton Township. I wonder if the Trustees and the Supervisor would be willing to at least try to work together. With training and intensive coaching, I believe they could.