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Local News

Barry Commissioners should think twice about requiring training, former commissioner says

Former Barry County Commissioner who also served as chairman, Craig Stolsonburg, is offering the commission advice on a proposed agreement to provide Leadership Barry County training to elected officials and volunteers appointed to serve on various county boards and committees.

In a letter to the commission, Stolsonburg asked commissioners to think again before they vote July 24 to approve a plan that will ultimately “blow up in your faces.”

 

“Please do your due diligence before passing another political nightmare that will, ultimately, blow up in your faces. Think Mute Swans, ORV ordinances, animal shelter or elimination of MSU extension funding before voting ‘yes’ on this poorly planned idea,” Stolsonburg said in his letter.


The committee of the whole recommended the training at the July 17 meeting 5-2, with commissioners Vivian Conner and Jon Smelker voting no. The issue in on the July 24 agenda for action. Smelker said he voted no because he didn’t want the training to be mandatory.

“I don’t believe it will be, after discussing it with Ben,” he said Friday.

 

Conner said the agreement language calls for it to be mandatory, which she opposes. She contacted the Michigan Association of Counties and they sent her power point demonstrations, a catalogue of different talking points and other materials that cover several areas for new board members.

The Michigan State University Extension also has similar materials on the topic they can use, if needed, at little or no cost, Conner said.

 

She thinks a once a year, one day “nuts and bolts” training session is a good idea.

 

 “As you consider this proposal,” Stolsonburg said, “keep in mind that you were elected to serve at the pleasure of the citizens who voted you into office, not the other way around.  The people of this county are not your subjects, who you should dictate duties to make your lives easier.”

Asked for comment, Commission Chair Ben Geiger said he would wait until Tuesday to address it.

 

Stolsonburg suggested the individual board/committee can train each new appointee as they see fit. Most of them, Charlton Park, 911, COA, Board of Health, Planning and Zoning, have paid personnel who can train volunteers on the ins and outs of each committee function and organization.Those without paid staff can ask the county for assistance or offer a class at that time.

“When I was on the board, we had a very difficult time finding people to serve on these committees.  Most of the time, we had to re-appoint people who we didn't agree with just because they were the only ones who applied. 

 

“Now you are considering adding additional burden to volunteers.  This action will further thin the pool of willing/able volunteers to serve at the pleasure of the county board of commissioners… not to mention, you are spending valuable county resources to do so. “A lot of the people who serve on these boards work full time jobs.  You are asking people to take an unpaid day off work or vacation day so they can serve you and your committees.

 

Stolsonburg apologized for not attending the commission meeting; he said he is at football camp working with 50 kids on football fundamentals.

 

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