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Residents urge review of planning‑department conduct; other speakers defend board
Summary
During public comment, a resident alleged planning director misconduct and asked trustees to review decisions and record department interactions; other residents urged respectful process and called for an apology to staff if accusations were unfounded.
Several residents used the public comment period to raise concerns about planning‑department conduct and the tone of recent meetings.
Marlena Hoogerwerp identified herself as a Cascade resident and said she and her husband were treated similarly to another citizen who complained at a prior meeting. She asked trustees to clarify whether the planning director is required to follow township ordinances, requested the board review decisions by the planning director since 2024 and urged that all interactions between planning staff and property owners be recorded and logged. Hoogerwerp said taxpayers pay staff salaries and that trustees oversee township employees on taxpayers’ behalf.
Another resident, Robert Cribbs, said allegations made during the February 11 meeting were unfounded and inappropriate for the public record. Cribbs described the zoning vote context, said he had observed board members’ diligence and suggested the commenter who raised accusations should issue a public apology.
Manager Smith and several trustees responded in the meeting’s closing remarks: staff and legal counsel advised the board that past actions had been reviewed by counsel and that staff enforces ordinances as written. The supervisor and trustees thanked residents for participating and encouraged anyone with concerns about employees to bring them to management so they can be investigated.
The board did not take further action at the meeting beyond receiving the comments and reminding the public of processes for raising staff concerns.
