SCPR "ELECTION 2009 SERIES" (VOL 23): NIMISHILLEN - SCPR RECOMMENDS DERRY & GOFFUS

Sitting trustees Lisa Shafer and Mike Lynch (up for re-election) have been the major reasons that Nimishillen local government is in a mess and therefore they ought to be replaced.

Shafer, Lynch and Gress (not up this election cycle) fight among themselves and get very little done constructively for the township.  They say this is "democracy-in-action" in the sense of being "due dliberation."

The SCPR says these trustees are working out ego problems at the Nimishillen public's expense.

Moreover, the trustees, led by Shafer and Lynch, have abrogated their duty to be in charge on the 9-1-1 consolidation issue and have allowed Fire Chief Rich Peterson to use township resources, in terms of keeping afloat a sinking ship of CenCom (the Nimishillen fire dispatching center - CenCom only dispatches for a "one-man" police department) in what appears Peterson's quest to look out for himself and his dispatching career.

When Peterson lost out on the 9-1-1 project manager job to former Canton services director Joseph Concatto (Creighton administration), he decided to become a part of problem (fragmented 9-1-1 services) rather than part of the solution.

From his perspective, Peterson's conduct is understandable.  But for the trustees to let "the tail wag the dog" is unexcusable and irresponsible.

The SCPR's top pick is St. Luke's (North Canton non-profit adult care facility) Chief Financial Officer Ron Derry.  As readers will see in the video (see below) that accompanies this blog, Derry is thoughtful and purposeful in identifying township problems and suggesting solutions.

As a second choice, the SCPR goes for former trustee Russ Goffus.

Goffus, though, is a wild card.

Goffus got into a "knock-down, drag-out" fight with former Nimishillen trustee Todd Bosley before the latter became county commissioner.  Many blame Bosley for the trouble.  And, they may well be correct.  But The Report's quarrel with Goffus is providing Bosley with the opportunity to be opportunistic.

The question:  Should township voters be wary of Goffus' judgment?

The SCPR chooses to take the tack that Goffus has learned from his prior "unwise" (in the opinion of The Report) behavior and that he can and will be a good relief (along with Derry) from the Shafer/Lynch era of discord and irresponsiblitiy.

He is the man that ought to be at township hall because of his thoroughgoing knowledge of the history, present operations and future viability of Nimishillen's dispatch facility (CenCom).  Goffus has a unique background knowledge on 9-1-1 and strength of personality to rein Peterson in.  And he needs to make this first priority, if he is elected.

James Anderson would also be an asset on the 9-1-1/CenCom/Peterson matter.  Again, the video presented below shows Anderson's knowledge and foresight on the matter.

Both Derry and Goffus are strong in working with Louisville for the betterment, in terms of local government efficiencies and quality of services, of both Nimishillen Township and Louisville.

Shafer, Lynch, Anderson and Jordan seem to the SCPR to be weak, if not oppositional, on this matter of local intergovernmental cooperation.

If Nimishillen seeS fit to elect Derry, Goffus or Anderson as trustees to replace Shafer and Lynch, then Nimishillen can make a quick recovery to once again become one of Stark County's most respected township governments.

See the following video synopsis of the candidates' (challenging and incumbent) presentation at the Nimshillen Grange on October 22nd.

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.