The political 
te
mpest that was so rampant in Dorr Township a few year ago appears to have been reignited this week by one its protaganists.
Trustee John Tuinstra has been circulating by mail not only a pamphlet promoting his Nov. 8 general election candidacy, but also assertions attacking fellow Trustees Josh Otto and Dan Weber. He also has recommended voters instead elect Christina Schwartz and Barbara Herbert, who will appear on the ballot on the U.S. Taxpayers Party ticket and “No Party Affiliation” (NPA), respectively.
Things seemed to settle down in Dorr after a recall effort was turned back in 2011 and new Township Board members had been chosen shortly afterward. The Republican primary election in August was quiet except for Supervisor Jeff Miling’s convincing victory over outgoing Trustee Patty Senneker, who was retired to the sidelines as a result.
But, as Yogi Berra told us, it’s not over ‘til it’s over.
Four Republicans, Tuinstra, Otto, Weber and newcomer Terri Rios, ran unopposed in the primary, but since then others have been coming out of the woodwork to challenge in the Nov. 8 general. Besides Schwartz and Herbert, there is former Planning Commission member Gordon Leiffers, another with NPA. And Arienne Taylor, NPA, is challenging incumbent Republican Treasurer Jim Martin.
The situation has gotten so serious that Library Director Natalie Bazan and Hopkins Police Chief Rachael Sadowski have been persuaded to do another candidates forum at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at the Township Hall.
Tuinstra seems to have led the charge in making things in Dorr interesting again. He’s been a controversial figure in his four years on the board, joining Senneker in blocking legislation and policy. Tuinstra almost singlehandedly halted the demolition of the silo, house and barn on the Graczyk property that now is part of the expanded park west of downtown on 142nd Avenue. The Township Board had agreed to have the buildings razed, but he put a stop to it by halting demolition and insisting the property be used instead as a historical farm.
Tuinstra wrote in his circular, “As one of several options, we could have sold two acres of the property for $135,000 or more. Instead we spent $15,710 to demolish the buildings and do the excavating. We would have been $150,000 ahead by selling the property. This means that these two acres of park land cost taxpayers $75,000 per acre. Otto and Weber voted for demolition.”
Omitted from the contention is the fact five of the seven board members voted for demolition in order to use the property for park expansion.
Tuinstra also opined, “A
t the township hall, there were two broken floor tiles in the back hallway and a few loose plastic mopboards. Repairs could have been done for $50. A usually reliable source reports that even one of the bidders said the job was unnecessary. Yes it looks nice, but the money ($9,180) could have bought 92 truck-loads of gravel for our bumpy roads.”
Not long afterward, township voters approved a three-mill annual levy for road improvements.
Tuinsta further said, “Otto and Weber voted for the purchase of the large sign in the front yard for $16,580. Knowing the issue was coming up for a vote, I picked 100 names at random from the township voter list, looked up the phone numbers that were published, and called. Those that answered were asked whether they would rather have the $16,500 spent on a new digital yard sign or on the roads. 100% said “Roads.” I pointed out that $16,500 would buy 165 truck-loads of gravel or put a “chip-and-seal” coating on a half-mile of paved road. I also proposed cleaning and ‘rubbing out’ the paint on the existing sign, but (Clerk Brian) Boot moved and voted to remove that from the agenda. Otto and Weber supported Boot’s motion.”
Once again, five of the seven board members voted to have the sign installed in front of Township Hall.
Tuinstra also asserted, “In 2014, the Board was presented with a surprise — an invoice for a new computer server for $7190. Oops – No competing bids either. Later, I found one that met the specifications for $3,000 less. The following month the Board got another surprise — an invoice for $5979 for installing the server and software and transferring the data. These were ordered by Boot without preauthorization, violating Michigan Law. Otto and Weber, without comment or question.”
Supervisor Jeff Miling, when asked about Tuinstra’s circular and criticisms of Otto and Weber, replied that some of what he wrote were “lies.”
There has been a lot of friction between Tuinstra and Senneker and the remainder of the board members, with 5-2 votes common occurances.
I suspect the forum Monday evening will feature vitriol, wild accusations and maybe even a few tense moments. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have nothing on Dorr Township.
PHOTOS: John Tuinstra Christina Schwartz
