Political assassins still taking aim at Bob Wagner

ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

The strange and perhaps personal war against Bob Wagner continues in Dorr Township.

Believed to be the longest serving planning commissioner in Michigan, since 1968, he still seems to command consistent contempt from a near majority on the Township Board, a development that reared its ugly head yet again Thursday night. It was the third straight time his three-year appointment was narrowly approved.

Wagner, who has been chairman of the commission since 1975 and a member since 1968, was chosen on a 4-2 vote Thursday evening. Clerk Debbie Sewers and Trustee Chandler Stanton voted against his appointment and Trustee John Tuinstra was absent, though he most definitely would joined Stanton and Sewers.

Wagner also was selected on a 4-3 vote of the Township Board in 2017 and again in 2020. Tuinstra and Sewers both have voted against him consistently.

The Township Board was deadlocked 3-3 at the regular June 29, 2017, meeting when his reappointment came up. Otto was absent from the regular board meeting, but later cast the deciding vote in a special meeting.

Tuinstra had said he wanted to give somebody else a chance to serve and Rios reported she doesn’t like the way Wagner runs Planning Commission meetings.

Tuinstra led the charge against Wagner again in 2020 with his argument for term limits, contending, “If a person is in a job for too long they have too much influence.”

But Tuinstra himself is nearing his 12th year on the Township Board, more than what term limits are for state legislators, the governor and senators.

The excuses for removing Wagner are nothing short of lame.

Former Township Treasurer Jim Martin asserted that Wagner is a highly respected an experienced public servant who even has conducted seminars on planning for other officials in Allegan County.

Tuinstra said Wagner could step down and stay on as a volunteer consultant and offer opinions on township planning matters.

Rios acknowledged Wagner’s expertise, but he “should impart his knowledge better (to commission members). I don’t feel like I’ve learned a ton of a lot (in three years as board representative on the commission).”

Miling said, “I can’t see taking him (Wagner) off the commission just because he’s been on it for a long time.”

The supervisor added Thursday night that Wagner indeed has served for a long time and, “I’m not going to be the one who removes him.” 

Former Planning Commission Vice Chairman Robert M. Traxler has opined on Townbroadcast.com that Tuinstra and Rios have been trying to remove himself, Wagner and Larry Dolegowski in order to eliminate political enemies rather than apply the principles of term limits.

Making matters even more puzzling is the announcement that Wagner will be honored for his longtime public service during the upcoming Fourth of July celebration.

It’s political hackery like this that has made Dorr Township politics the laughing stock of Allegan County and environs.