Former Jackson Township employee endorses Robyn Cook for Trustee

Dear Editor:

I am supporting Robyn Cook for Jackson Township Trustee. As a former employee of the current Trustee, I can offer an inside look as to why.

My firsthand experience began in 2013 when I accepted a position at the Jackson Township Trustee’s Office. In the three years that I worked in the Trustee’s office, I witnessed high employee turnover. There were two employees in the Township office, myself included. The other position turned over five different employees in the three years I was there. I witnessed the turnover of a fire chief, three deputy chiefs and a number of firefighters in the small department. The individuals who left were highly trained and had the ability to write grants and provide department training to Fire and EMS personnel. This high turnover was directly related to the leadership of the Trustee and very costly to the taxpayers.

A Township Trustee has a number of important job functions which have a huge impact on the community. Fire protection is one of these functions. The Jackson Fire Territory (JFT) was formed in 2012 as a way for the communities of Arcadia, Atlanta and unincorporated Jackson Township to fund first-rate fire and advanced life support services to their residents. In 2012 Trustee Miller championed the Fire Territory and spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a financial advisor and lawyer to create the JFT. Under Indiana law, it became a separate entity with its own tax rate, budget and governance. This governance was the Jackson Fire Territory Board with representation from Arcadia, Atlanta and Jackson Township. Jackson Township was designated as the Provider Unit, administratively carrying out the decisions made by the JFT Board.

In 2015, Trustee Miller informed the JFT Board and the towns of Atlanta and Arcadia that there was a “financial crisis” and the Territory would not survive without additional revenues from the towns. However, Arcadia and Atlanta had been told at the creation of the JFT that no additional revenue would be required from them. Trustee Miller was able to provide herself a $12,000 raise around the time of the “financial crisis.”

The JFT Board voted to conduct an in-depth financial study in order to make informed decisions. Robyn Cook, Clerk-Treasurer for the Town of Atlanta, was asked to assist. Her 15 years plus (at that time) experience and proven record in government finance and the budgeting process was welcomed and needed. The financial study was completed in May of 2015. Three separate, sustainable budgets were submitted and it was concluded that there was no financial crisis related to JFT and business as usual was resumed.

In December of 2015, Jackson Township Board Member Jeff Roberts offered praise to the JFT Chief for his fiscal responsibility and carrying monies over each year from the budget.

In January of 2016, the Jackson Fire Territory Board discussed goals for the future.

In February of 2016, Trustee Miller and the Jackson Township Board (Jeff Roberts, Glen Schwartz and Jerry Cook), again citing “financial reasons,” made the decision to withdraw Jackson Township from the Territory, thereby dissolving the JFT.

As a result of public backlash to this sudden decision, a meeting was set for Feb. 16, 2016, in order for residents to be heard and for Trustee Miller to explain this decision. Trustee Miller and Jeff Roberts were the only Township representation at this meeting. Mr. Roberts did not speak. When questions were asked regarding the documentation from which the Jackson Township Board drew their conclusion to withdraw, Trustee Miller informed those present that she did not bring it with her.

Robyn Cook was in attendance at this same meeting with a stack of data and facts which contradicted statements made by Trustee Miller regarding the Township’s “financial reasons.” Robyn Cook’s transparency and ability to provide documents and facts was consistent.

As Trustee Miller did not have any documentation with her at the Feb. 16 meeting, another meeting was set for March 23, 2016, in order for Trustee Miller to prepare for public questions.

Between this time and the next meeting, a complaint (Formal Complaint 16-FC-49) was filed with the Indiana Public Access Council (IPAC) against the Township. IPAC reprimanded the Township (Trustee Miller, Jeff Roberts, Jerry Cook and Glen Schwartz) for likely violating the Open Door Law by making the decision to withdraw from the Territory behind closed doors and for conspiring to delete emails pertaining to the withdrawal.

When the date for the second meeting arrived, imagine the shock and disappointment the residents felt when they were informed by Trustee Miller and Jackson Township Board members Jeff Roberts, Jerry Cook and Glen Schwartz that they would have a period of time to speak but no questions would be answered during the meeting. Members of the community did speak at this meeting and any questions that were asked went unanswered.

The meeting was adjourned and Trustee Miller left the building without speaking a word.

What followed was a bizarre time of residents asking questions of the Board members in small groups. Many of these conversations were recorded and posted for the public. When asked questions by Hamilton County Reporter publisher Jeff Jellison, Glen Schwartz admitted that he suggested that emails be deleted and that the Township withdrew from the Territory because they “couldn’t get along.” Jeff Roberts, who is also a paid Noblesville firefighter, admitted to calling Arcadia and Atlanta residents “retards” and said it was a poor choice of words.

With the dissolution of the JFT, I witnessed tens of thousands more taxpayer dollars being spent on lawyers and financial advisors to tear it apart.

With no Territory, the Trustee became the only person involved in the decisions made for fire protection and EMS services to the Township. There is no Fire Board or accountability. The Trustee makes all of the hiring, firing and spending decisions.

With no other options, the towns of Atlanta and Arcadia are now forced to contract with Jackson Township for emergency services and have no voice in the negotiation of fees, which are now paid from their already strapped General Funds. As feared, Trustee Miller arbitrarily increased the contract amounts from the first year to the second and has the ability to do the same annually.

Most importantly, Jackson Township residents are left less safe than when there was a Territory. When JFT was alive, there was full-time personnel on station in Arcadia and part-time in Atlanta, giving the Township better coverage and faster response times when minutes really count.

The Jackson Township fire budget has now been increased by hundreds of thousands of dollars with the tax levy being increased by only a couple of thousand. What happened to the financial crisis? All residents of Jackson Township should be concerned about this. A budget in excess of the tax levy, dependent on funds that are not guaranteed, is indicative of an entity living above its sustainable means.

Robyn Cook fought to keep the JFT together on her own time because she knew it was in the best interest of all Township residents financially and, most importantly, for their safety. Robyn Cook consistently works together with her colleagues and community to make hard decisions, always with the community’s best interest as her priority. She does not have a personal agenda.

As a graduate of Hamilton Heights, she loves Jackson Township and has a proven track record of public service to its residents. I have no doubt that she will put the community first and whole heartedly support the firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics as they ensure the safety and well-being of Jackson Township.

Another important duty of a Township Trustee is the administration of public assistance to Township residents. A Trustee needs to have compassion and the ability to listen to and show good judgement when assisting individuals who are struggling to pay for living expenses such as utilities, rent, funeral expenses and groceries. I know Robyn Cook personally and professionally; she truly possesses these qualities. She realizes there are some who are falling between the cracks in Jackson Township and has the heart to find solutions to improve the quality of life for these individuals and families.

Creating sustainable budgets and the reporting and administration of Township funds are also important Trustee duties. Many of these duties are currently being outsourced by Trustee Miller, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars annually. Robyn Cook has 18 years of experience in this and can offer an immediate savings by performing these Trustee duties herself.

My experiences in working at a political office have taught me that it is not how many signs a person has posted around the community that matters. Sometimes the signs are paid for by people who have an agenda that is not in the best interest of the taxpayers or voters. Sometimes the signs are paid from a campaign fund that is in debt. Is this indicative of how taxpayer money is handled? I have also learned that sometimes an endorsement from a person or group that seem influential may have more to do with that person or groups own motives or gain.

Voter turnout for local primary elections is historically fairly low. On May 8, Jackson Township residents now have the opportunity to make positive, lasting changes for the good of the entire community.

Robyn Cook stands out in this race not only by her qualifications and professional ability, but in how she speaks to others, how she serves others, and how she conducts herself with truth, honesty and integrity. She has the character and ethics needed for the Jackson Township Trustee position.

When you cast your vote for Robyn Cook you are voting for fiscal responsibility, transparency in government and quality services at a savings to the taxpayers.

Audra Shock

Noblesville