Letter From Jim McConnell to each Commission prior to the Wednesday January 19 Meeting 

Address to Each Commissioner:

Since we didn’t get an opportunity to speak yesterday, I hope you have a chance to read this email prior to the Commissioner’s meeting today.

First, I want to assure you that the action taken by the LCTA was in no way intended to be a political statement. I was involved to some degree in exploring who could fill the role of NOACA representative for the association since Frank was no longer eligible. A number of capable individuals were contacted but it isn’t easy to find someone who is both willing to contribute and able to attend daytime meetings. Personally, like many other township officials, I’ve had a longtime interest in NOACA but it isn’t possible to make the necessary commitment to fulfill such an appointment.

At the November LCTA meeting, we knew there was a responsibility to choose our NOACA appointment just as has been necessary at various times in the past. Rita was concluding her term as President of the association and was, reluctantly, willing to accept the position of NOACA representative. There was never any conversation or comment regarding this being a political statement or a way to send some sort of message to either you or Ted. To tell you the truth, it never even crossed my mind that it would matter. I expected, as I think everyone else in the room that evening did, that you and the other commissioners would respect our choice. In fact, none of us even imagined you would interpret the NOACA Code of Regulations as giving you the right to veto our choice. By now you have probably reviewed section 4.2 or have had it brought to your attention that it only requires the Board of Commissioners be “… responsible for assuring appropriate representation according to this section…”. It seems a real reach to be able to interpret that section of the code to give the Board of Commissioners the right to reject an appropriately named representative.

You may consider our appointment as some sort of personal affront but again, I can say with confidence it was not intended that way. I can say with certainty that your snub of our appointment and subsequent appointment of one of your employees to that position, without even so much as a phone call to Rob Scheithauer, President of the LCTA to express your concerns, will without question be viewed as an arrogant slap in the face to all of the township officials in this county. Lorain County townships may not carry the political muscle of the municipal areas in the county but they are not insignificant in assisting in finding solutions to the economical problems we all are facing. It appears very obvious to us that you as Commissioners would not have taken a similar action regarding any of the three NOACA municipal appointments from Lorain County. So once again, it is easy to believe that the townships of Lorain County are perceived to be second class citizens by our elected commissioners. Your action sends the clear message that you can ignore the township’s wishes because politically there is little consequence but you wouldn’t think of treating the county municipalities in a like manner because you do need their cooperation.

At the January 11th Commissioner’s meeting, Rob Scheithauer extended an invitation to the commissioners and a commitment from the LCTA to work more closely together. In no way was the appointment of our representative to NOACA intended or expected to undermine our willingness to work together. The Board of Commissioner’s action and the curt, impersonal, take-it-or-leave-it way in which it was handled will, without question effectively slam the door in the face of the townships. It will take a VERY long time to repair such a perceived affront. On the other hand, a movement by the Commissioner’s to try to resolve this issue will be a clear indication that the townships do matter and you do respect our rights as political entities within the framework of governance in Lorain County. Don’t pass up a golden opportunity to improve relationships here rather than make a bad situation worse.

Please reconsider your rejection of the LCTA’s right to appoint their own representative to the NOACA Board. If there needs to be some discussion and reconsideration from both parties, I’ll be happy to try to help in any way I can. I believe there is still an opportunity to salvage this situation but not if you hold fast to your present position. Please recognize that these are my personal comments and that I in no way speak for the LCTA. I’m trying to simply offer my perspective regarding this situation and present my concerns as to the precedent this sets and the long term problems I believe will be the probable result if no solution is reached.

Sincerely,

Jim McConnell