A somewhat controversial action taken about two and a half years ago by Dorr Township Trustee John Tuinstra may have come back to bite him Tuesday night.
Tuinstra introduced an idea to the Township Board to turn over control of management of the new recreation park to the Parks Commission, but his resolution failed on a 3-3 deadlock. Trustee Josh Otto was absent, but if he would have been present, it’s not likely he would have supported the motion, either.
Tuinstra in the winter of 2013, not long after he was elected and seated on the Township Board, took it upon himself to halt the demolition of a house, barn and silo at the property formerly owned by Joanne Graczyk, but sold to the township several months earlier. Plans already were in motion to have the demolition done to make way for expansion of the park for more ballfields and recreational opportunities.
Tuinstra actually told workers doing the demolition to stop the process and explained he wanted the board instead to explore the possibility of turning the site and buildings into a petting zoo and farm museum. His idea was not only rejected, but then-Supervisor Tammy VanHaitsma excoriated him publicly for acting unilaterally on behalf of the board as a lone renegade. Yet Tuinstra was unrepentant.
His actions delayed the demolition by several months and the work on putting together plans for expanded recreation was temporarily ground to a halt.
Fast forward to Tuesday night with a proposal to turn over management of the park to the Parks Commission, except for an “irregularly-shaped parcel” to be used for farming. Perennial ally Patty Senneker supported Tuinstra, as did Treasurer Jim Martin, but Supervisor Jeff Miling, Clerk Brian Boot and Trustee Dan Weber opposed.
“This is just to clarify who has the authority,” explained Tuinstra.
Weber then stuck the needle in, recalling, without mentioning his name, one individual who single-handedly halted the bringing down of the silo, without really having the authority.
Boot wasted no time in adding that Tuinstra’s resolution was flawed and there was some history in someone abusing authority in connection with management of the park. But he didn’t mention any names. He didn’t have to.
Miling said he was reluctant to support the idea because it’s possible the commission could object to the farmer using the agricultural plot to drive farm equipment across park land to get to the field.
Though Martin voted “yes,” he indicated he asked the Parks Commission members and “They didn’t care one way or the other, it doesn’t make any difference.”
Miling suggested the idea may come up again next year for consideration.