By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Losing control over assessment for taxes and local elections does not sit well with Niles Township.
Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Trustee Kevin Tonkin said," the best government is that closest to the people."
House bills 4780 through 4788 seek to move assessment and elections administration to the county level.
"I want to go on the record with Berrien County as opposing this legislation. Moving these to the county level could not only be more expensive, but far less expedient. There are some counties that are actually supporting this. The likelihood as it stands, is that it could be passed," James Ringler, trustee, said.
Ronald Goodwin, also a township trustee, agreed.
"The township is closest to the people. We are here two nights a month right after work. We need to be very vigilant of this legislation," he said.
If passed, those who prefer to deal with the local township when it comes to issues over taxes and elections would not be forced to make the drive to Saint Joseph and back.
"Anyone who prefers to pay their local taxes here would now have to drive to north county. When someone comes in here it is typically for something else," Ringler said.
The local office gets lots of questions over assessments. Ringler stated just looking at how many drawers it would take to store the records for every township suggests the county would have to build a new building.
Goodwin asked if the township might not want to design a resolution, like the one passed by the county last week, against such a move. It was decided that issue would be placed on the agenda for the June 18 meeting.
In other business, Fire Chief Gary Bravold presented four new volunteer firefighters for the approval of the township board.
"Three have already completed their Firefighter one and two certification through the Berrien County Intermediate School Districts Career Pathways program. The other comes to us with nine years experience from Edwardsburg. We are very fortunate to have these volunteers," Bravold said.
The new recruits bring the department to 25 active volunteers to complement the nine paid staff. Bravold says the department's numbers are where they need to be.
New recruit, Michael Conrad was unable to come to Monday night's meeting, however, Michael Tharp, Aaron Floor and Jim VanderWerf were all in attendance.
"Both my grandfathers, Stanton Tharp and Jim Loux were firefighters," Tharp said." My uncle and aunt, Bill and Denise Kasperzak, are both with this fire department," said Floor.
As for VanderWerf, after moving his family into the township he was sought out by Bravold.
"I would have eventually joined anyway. I began nine years ago when there was a call for volunteers in Jefferson Township when they started the north station in 1997. It stays in your blood," he said.
The ability to take on new volunteers was augmented by the purchase of new turnout gear, made possible by the receipt of a grant.
Bravold said the feel for duty which brings out the best in his men was just as important as the training.