DISCUSSION: ANOTHER STARK CO TOWNSHIP IN A TUSSLE WITH EMPLOYEE, IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE TOWNSHIP WATER? TUSCARAWAS, LAKE, MARLBORO & NIMISHILLEN

Things are not going well with Stark County Boards of Trustees over the space of the last several years.

Not long ago Tuscarawas Township trustees fired a couple of Road Department employees for fighting on the job and the township is now in a litigation mode vis-a-vis those employees (so far, losing).

A few years ago Lake Township Trustee Ellis Erb stirred up a hornet's nest with guess who? Yes, Road Department employees with allegations of abusive language but more so with administrative types with Township Administrator Carolyn Casey accusing Erb with employee harassment.

In early January (the 6th), we had the Marlboro Township trustees (at least Trustees Wise and Wolf) going off the deep end. They decided to put highly respected Police Chief Ron Devies on "paid administrative leave." Here it is nearly two months later and no results from the investigation. Investigation into what. Nobody seems to know.

Last week, Plain Township trustees got into fuss (but not with employees; rather each other) over the refusal (up until that meeting) of Trustee Pam Bossart since the beginning of 2009 to make motions or second motions.

Now it's Nimishillen Township's turn.

The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) recently obtained a copy of a State Relations Employment Board (SERB) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) decision on an "unfair labor practice" charge filed by former Road Department Superintendent Chris Peterson against Nimishillen Township.

The finding, if affirmed by the SERB board and appellate courts (assuming the Township will file appeals), could cost the township taxpayers in excess of $100,000.

And who is responsible for

The following except from the ALJ decision summarizes the case, to wit:


Chris Peterson, (brother of Nimishillen Twp Fire Chief Rich Peterson) according to the judge's decision has been employed in various fire department capacities for 27 years as well as Road Department Superintendent from January 27, 2006 through November 9, 2006 - when he was fired by the votes of Lynch and Lisa Shafer with then Trustee Todd Bosley voting no. Bosley is now a Stark County commissioner.

Judge Jewell singled out Trustee Michael Lynch as the culpable trustee in generating the "unfair labor practice."

Here is language from the ALJ decision focusing on Lynch:

In the end here is what it will cost Nimishellin Township, if they cannot turn around this decision. Again, from the ALJ decision:
A reliable public official, who is close to the Nimishillen Township political situation, says that this fuax-pas together with others, make Lynch (a Republican) and Shafer (a Democrat) unelectable come November. But the source did indicate that Lynch probably will not run again.

Some readers may remember Shafer for her "Boycott Louisville" move a couple of years ago. Couldn't be thought out very well, since a number of Nimshillen Township residents work - guess where? Yes!, Louisville.

So far, former township trustee Russ Goffus has taken out a petition as has Brenda M. Jorday.

DISCUSSION: REPUBLICANS EYEING AT LEAST ONE TRUSTEE SEAT IN PLAIN TOWNSHIP?

UPDATE MARCH 3, 2009

The latest list of Plain Township citizens who have either taken out or filed petitions to run for trustee. The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) has been lead to believe that incumbent Pam Bossart will not be running to retain office.

With all the wrangling that has broken out in Plain Township among the trustees, is it merely coincidental that Republican Scott Haws has chosen this time (yesterday) to announce that he is running to replace either Democrat Louis Giavasis or Pam Bossart.

Republicans only control one of Stark County's major (population wise) townships (Lake). Perhaps there is an opening in Plain. Fighting broke out at this week's township trustee meeting because Trustee Al Leno exploded on fellow Democrat Pam Bossart for not participating in township meeting; other than to be there physically and to vote. From Bossart: no seconding; no nothing, that is, up until this past meeting.

Apparently, Bossart has been giving Leno and Bossart the cold shoulder, as suggested in The Repository article which reported on the meeting) because she was not elected president in last month's organizational meeting.

The Plain Township trustees race (which officially is non-partisan) could be very interesting Haws entry. The STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) believes it could be more interesting if Stark County Republicans come up with another candidate. Two trustees are to be elected this time around.

Here is Haws' bio and statement of why he is running for trustee:

The high tax burden faced by Plain Township retirees and working families has prompted Scott Haws to declare his candidacy for Township Trustee.

Haws, a Diebold Product Specialist, believes the township must better prioritize spending, seek economies and secure regional partners to cut costs.

"I am deeply concerned that the cost of local government is beyond the means of taxpayers." We must find better ways to stretch our dollars out. I favor a State Auditor's performance audit to identify wasted money."

Haws has been employed by Diebold Inc. since 2000. He is a graduate of
Kent State University and holds an MBA from Walsh University. Haws is a graduate of Leadership Stark County Signature Program and Government Academy. Haws was also an inaugural recipient of the Chamber of Commerce’s YStark! Twenty under 40 Leadership recognition. Scott is a life long resident of Stark County.

Scott has regularly attended the Plain Township Trustee meetings over the last year and half. As well Scott Haws is involved with various organizations in the community including but not limited to:

• YStark! Events Committee
• Diebold Federal Credit Union Board of Directors Officer
• North Canton Jaycees

As Trustee, Scott Haws will look to work with local and state organizations to improve the business climate, making Plain Township appealing for employers to remain in and for investors to bring new opportunities. It is vital that our next Trustee understand how economic development, regional collaboration and annexation will impact Plain Township. Haws’ goal is to make Plain Township a thriving place of business opportunity in Stark County.

Scott’s strong educational background, community involvement, integrity and vision for Plain Township will allow him to be an influential member of the Plain Township Board of Trustees should the voters of Plain Township elect him on November 3rd, 2009 to the position.

GRAPHIC EDITORIAL: PLAIN TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES ACTING LIKE CHILDREN?