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How to Get Fired
September 29, 2004
Ever since Al Meshkin, Manager of Laketown Township, was abruptly fired two weeks ago, people have been asking me what happened and why. I myself was asking why. He was fired while attending a conference the Township had paid for him to attend. The Township Board had a closed door meeting and voted to fire him, invoking a clause that let them do so without giving any reason whatsoever. Since then, rumors have been flying about the reason; many suspected it was a personal problem that the Township Trustees did not like. However, I have now heard, from a few reliable sources, the real reason for his dismissal (and future reinstatement…) These reasons need to be shared and discussed by Township residents. This type of behavior is what recalls were created for.
Two of the 5 Township Trustees own large amounts of land in the Township. Al Meshkin, however, has been a stickler for keeping development at bay - because of personal views and because the Township cannot get more water from Holland BPW right now. The two land-owning Trustees wanted to develop their land, but Al was not keeping their path to development clear. Therefore, they decided, in their infinite selfish wisdom, decided it was time to get rid of him and hire a more development-friendly manager. So, they secretly fired Al with the help of another Trustee, voting 3-2 to fire him.
However, the third voter has since changed his mind, and the Board of Trustees is most likely going to reinstate Al tomorrow evening. That is the happy ending, but the underlying root of the story, the Trustee’s willingness to play politics to develop their land, is a sad story. Laketown Township is beautiful, full of open space and farmland. It does not need more ugly, monotonous condo projects or large single family homes. These Trustees need to be re-evaluated and recalled. They are not supposed to work for themselves, but all Township residents. I am disgusted and appalled, and something needs to be done.
Posted by paul at September 29, 2004 08:49 AM
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