Thanks for the info. I had heard something on the radio about this and was
wondering at what extent the bill might reach. I, for one,am getting sick
and tired of our politicians messing with my daily life. They can't even
keep their own back yard clean, let alone messing in ours. We have a great
township trustee. He has been so helpful with the cemetery that I have been
working on. I know for a fact that the county people would not be as
helpful. When I had to go to the courthouse to check on some deeds for the
cemetery. They looked at me like I was someone from outer space and said
that I would have to come back because they were busy at that time!
Progress - I believe not!
Is there anyone that we can voice our objection to doing away with the
Township legislation? Our rights will be lost to the "BIG BOYS" of politics
if the township goes away.
Marge
----- Original Message -----
From: <KidClerk(a)aol.com>
To: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 10:32 AM
Subject: [INPCRP] Township legislation
I don't know how many of you here in Indiana watch politics very
closely,
but
there are some issues that have arisen in the last few months that
seem to
be
getting more and more attention in the Indiana General Assembly that
would
have a direct affect on our activities. I'm not sure if it will be good
or
bad
to tell you the truth when it comes to cemeteries, but it is
something to
start keeping on our radar screen. Maybe our township trustees and
township
association reps here on the list can let us know what they're
hearing. I
personally think it will affect me as a volunteer firefighter and fire
chief more
than
my interests in cemetery preservation.
There is proposed legislation this session in SB0187 which would require
the
merger of townships and in HB1155 to eliminate townships totally.
While
there
have been efforts to do this in the past that were not successful, it
appears
that gubernatorial candidates from both parties are at least saying
that
this
should be looked at. And with the recent re-assessment debacle still
going
on, our legislators seem to want to blame everyone but themselves for
screwing
things up...and are going to take it our on the township, and
possibly
county,
forms of government. Without getting on my soapbox about government
closer
to the people being the most effective (I guess I just did :) I will
say
that
the legislation that eliminates townships transfers most if not all
services
previously administered by the townships over to the county. Now
let's
think
about this...if you have a problematic township trustee that lives a
mile
from
a neglected pioneer cemetery and can't get any cooperation, what
about
trying
to convince two out of three county commissioners, none of whom live
anywhere
near the cemetery, let alone in that township.
I should add that HB 1155 appears to form a study commission that will
propose legislation in 2005, so it won't happen for over a year, but it is
something
we here in Indiana should watch closely.
Having gotten my start in government as a township board member and then
county clerk, I can assure you the county is in no position to take on the
responsibilities of the townships..and therefore they will be considered,
pardon
my
language, the "adopted bastard stepchildren" of county
services...and we
will
all lose in the process.
OK...so I lied..I did get on my soapbox....
Thanks for your time.
Kyle D. Conrad
Brook, IN
==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
Scott Satterthwaite < ssattert(a)localnet.com > is the INPCRP State
Coordinator. Feel free to contact him directly regarding questions or
comments you may have about the INPCRP.