“There were 961 township assessors who were folded into county assessor offices on July 1. Did you notice?”

This is the question Brian Howey asked in his recent article printed in the Kendalville News-Sun. He went on to say, “Defenders of township government keep making the argument that it is government ‘closest to the people.’

The problem with this is the fact that for the past 130 years, people have been moving closer and closer to the government. In 1851, a human could move no faster than a horse or a primitive locomotive. We had the telegraph. Today, we have cars, phones and computers. Government is now a simple phone call, computer click or a 15-minute drive away.”

There are so many things wrong with that last statement: Has the writer tried to call a state government agency lately? Probably not. If so, I doubt it was “simple”. “Cars”, “computers”…hmmm. No, many of our clients do not have those amenities. “15-minute drive away?” Again, the ability to drive being an assumption.

Over and over again, it seems apparent that members of the press that have no comprehension of what we do at the township level of government. Nor have most of them cared to take the time to educate themselves. They should be thankful they haven’t been educated since that would probably mean they had had an emergency need like falling sick and unable to pay for utilities or medicine. Or perhaps having to call the fire department. So, I guess it’s a good thing for them that they don’t understand.

Now, let’s talk about being “close to the people”. What exactly does that mean? Mr. Howey thinks only in the realm of how long it takes to “get there” – rather than what happens once you arrive. Even before you arrive, we answer the phone and a live person answers your questions! A person talks to you who knows where you are and what you are talking about. Centralized government is unable to be staffed to offer this service. There is no way at a county level that everyone in the office can understand the surroundings of anyone that calls.

“Close to the people” or “grassroots” implies access to power and accountability for use of that power. Power? Yes, power to find an answer to the problem in front of you and power to use common sense and creativity to find a solution.

Interestingly, the article goes on to state that only 14% of those polled in an August Howey-Gauge Poll, favored the elimination of township government. It sounds like although the uneducated media don’t get it, the people do.