Have you ever been to an Elmwood Township Board Meeting? The Board meetings in Elmwood traditionally begin with a Pledge of Allegiance. A more appropriate start might be a gong, with the cry: "No one is watching (not enough people, anyway). Let the games begin."

Although minutes from an earlier personnel sub-committee meeting indicate unanimous approval to recommend the rehiring of the 2005 Harbormaster Fred Leddy and Deputy Harbormaster John Ferdinand, in what has become a typical manuever in the Board game called Elmwood, 2 of the 4 personnel committee members (Clerk and Treasurer) rescinded their decision and blocked the timely hiring of these positions. Clerk Connie Preston "remembered that Jim O'Rourke wanted to be a part of this decision." Trustee O'Rourke had sent a note that he was unable to attend the meeting, but "could be reached at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas." Treasurer Debbie Street wanted to "slow the process down and take a closer look."

Traditionally the help of the Harbormaster and Deputy Harbormaster has been required prior to the mailing of the seasonal permits, but it's not clear that will happen this year. While boaters are eager to finalize their plans for the highly sought seasonal slip contracts, the Elmwood Board seems intent on other priorities.