By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Howard Township Treasurer Shaune Timm castigated the Cass County Board of Commissioners Thursday for its 9-4 vote Nov. 1 for a $9,190 services contract with the Sheriff's Office.
"I'm here today to express my dislike for the comments made to the Niles Daily Star regarding police coverage in Howard Township," said Timm, also a member of the township public safety board.
"I was appalled, not only by the comments, but also that four of you would vote no for an additional officer in the county," she said.
"Whether it is 20 hours or 100 hours a week is not the issue," Timm said. "The issue is, the township is paying for additional coverage in the county at our expense."
"Do you realize when a 911 call comes in to Edwardsburg or Dowagiac that an officer we are paying for will leave our township and respond to your call in your township, free of charge to you?" Timm asked.
"To vote no for something that could possibly benefit the entire county in an emergency situation free of charge is a slap in the face to the taxpayers who voted for you."
Republicans John Cureton of Dowagiac and Vice Chairman Ron Francis of Cassopolis and Democrats Bill Steele of Vandalia and David Taylor of Edwardsburg had voted against the contract.
"I don't think it's worth passing," commented Cureton, who said Howard Township was "jerking around" the Board of Commissioners with the $9,190 services contract.
Timm praised commissioners who voted to eliminate insurance for road commissioners.
"Not only is this an undeserved perk," she said, "but it is also financial burden to the taxpayers of this county. Many people today work 40 hours a week and they do not have health insurance, whether it is not offered or they can't afford the premium. Commissioners who continue to take this perk should be reviewed when their term is up."