An Editorial...Be Careful on Trust Appointments
The Grove City Council this week, in appointing trustees to GMSA and GIDA, focused attention on how quickly things can change in city government.
It wasn't long ago that trustees on these boards were individuals who were unreachable by voters, appointed to lengthy terms and in some cases establishing their own fiefdoms, answering to no one.
These trusts exist in order to borrow money, since the city is legally prohibited from doing so.
Now, in just a few months, we have newly elected council serving on multiple boards. The pendulum has swung the other way with no stopping in between.
For example, former councilman David Adzigian now serves on both the Airport Authority board and GIDA. New councilman Terry Ryan now serves on both GMSA and GIDA, in addition to work on the council. Some wonder how he will even have time to serve up the Spatzle at his German restaurant.
GIDA is served by Mayor Carolyn Nuckolls and Councilmen Helms and Ryan, with former councilman Adzigian. One position is still vacant as Bob Henkle was not reappointed this week, which is a story in itself. We think Council clearly made a mistake in not reappointing Henkle, who has a wealth of experience on GIDA matters, including the civic center issue.
On the GMSA, Nuckolls, Helms and Ryan serve, in addition to Craig Criger and Pete Churchwell. Churchwell is representative of an outsider with specific knowledge that is helpful to GMSA.
There are those who say this is all standard operating procedure; in fact in some cities councilmen make up the entire board with no other representation. The sole criteria for being appointed as a trustee should not be holding a seat on Council.
Threats of lawsuits, violations of complicated laws, harassment, and looking over one's shoulder at the DA's office may well keep many non-political types from applying. However, there are people in Grove who do have expertise to offer. They should not be overlooked
We say, care should be taken in appointing the same people to multiple boards.
It wasn't long ago that trustees on these boards were individuals who were unreachable by voters, appointed to lengthy terms and in some cases establishing their own fiefdoms, answering to no one.
These trusts exist in order to borrow money, since the city is legally prohibited from doing so.
Now, in just a few months, we have newly elected council serving on multiple boards. The pendulum has swung the other way with no stopping in between.
For example, former councilman David Adzigian now serves on both the Airport Authority board and GIDA. New councilman Terry Ryan now serves on both GMSA and GIDA, in addition to work on the council. Some wonder how he will even have time to serve up the Spatzle at his German restaurant.
GIDA is served by Mayor Carolyn Nuckolls and Councilmen Helms and Ryan, with former councilman Adzigian. One position is still vacant as Bob Henkle was not reappointed this week, which is a story in itself. We think Council clearly made a mistake in not reappointing Henkle, who has a wealth of experience on GIDA matters, including the civic center issue.
On the GMSA, Nuckolls, Helms and Ryan serve, in addition to Craig Criger and Pete Churchwell. Churchwell is representative of an outsider with specific knowledge that is helpful to GMSA.
There are those who say this is all standard operating procedure; in fact in some cities councilmen make up the entire board with no other representation. The sole criteria for being appointed as a trustee should not be holding a seat on Council.
Threats of lawsuits, violations of complicated laws, harassment, and looking over one's shoulder at the DA's office may well keep many non-political types from applying. However, there are people in Grove who do have expertise to offer. They should not be overlooked
We say, care should be taken in appointing the same people to multiple boards.
posted by Editor | 2:00 AM
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