Dear Editor:
I was present at the Aug. 11 Township Board Meeting, when opponents of Dave Ax were invited to express their opinions about his candidacy for treasurer. Supervisor Robert Depalma orchestrated the meeting. Comments by township officials and their constituency in the audience were sanctimonious, berating and acrimonious. Pam Mazich suggested a write-in campaign. Bob DePalma even invited the township attorney, who did not comment, but did leave smiling. I assume he enjoyed the entertainment. Dave Ax’s opponents seemed to be experts on the Hatch Act, and making a mountain out of a molehill. Details of the Aug.11 board meeting and reporting of Dave Ax’s compliance with the Hatch Act were accurately reported in subsequent issues of The Citizen.
Dave Ax was elected candidate for treasurer in the primary by the majority of township citizens. He resigned his federal job within the 14-day time limit, and on Aug. 12, the Washington Office of Special Counsel informed Dave that he was in compliance with the Hatch Act. In all fairness, this timely response was the result of the Aug. 6 compliance follow-up by Bob DePalma and Pam Mazich. Dave did not knowingly violate the Hatch Act running for office. As a matter of information, knowing and willful failure to comply with the Hatch Act could result in the forfeiture of the federal job. What is the problem?
Dave is a person of integrity. He has been a resident of Groveland Township for the past 26 years, and elected as your township trustee for the past 16 years. I regularly attend township meetings, and have observed Dave in action. He is questioning, studies the issues, and makes decisions based on the best interests of the citizens.
Dave is taking a pay cut from the federal position he held. The reason he resigned his federal position was to dedicate his time for the betterment of the community. He will be a trustworthy, proactive treasurer, and bring new positive thinking for the citizens.
Why are the township officials pushing their candidates? Do they distrust the voters? choice? Did the Aug. 11 board meeting violate any open meeting laws? The honorable thing for the three township officials to do, is to publicly apologize to Dave Ax and the voters at the Sept. 8 board meeting.
George Graunke
Groveland Township