Just two weeks after deciding against authorizing an investigation into the Orion Township’s recent investments issue, the Township Board of Trustees changed its tune, and approved an independent forensic audit at their April 3 meeting.
The motion was made by Trustee John Steimel, who said ‘We’ve come to an impasse, and no one is going to trust us anymore.?
After reflecting on the comments made at the previous Board meeting, which was March 20, Steimel said he felt an investigation from an outside source was the only way to end any speculation.
‘None of us are immune,? he said, noting that the independent investigator should look at ‘everything.?
Steimel noted that a ‘lack of trust? seemed to be affecting the work of the Township’s three main offices.
Those offices are that of the clerk, supervisor and treasurer, represented on the Township Board by Jill Bastian, Jerry Dywasuk and Alice Young, respectively.
‘I want this thing to come to a closure,? Steimel added.
Young, who seconded the original motion from Steimel, said she hopes the issue can be resolved quickly for the sake of the Board.
She said her only problem was the use of taxpayer dollars being used to resolve the issue.
After unanimously approving Steimel’s motion, the board appointed Trustees John Garlicki, Matthew Gibb and Mike Gingell to serve on a committee to find an auditor that is in no way connected to the Orion Township.
This auditor will also receive Young’s response to a list of questions from Board members.
That list, received by Young on March 31, was part of a motion made at the March 20 meeting.
‘It caught me by surprise what they were doing,’said Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, of the Board’s April 3 action.
Dywasuk said he was hoping for this action to happen back in Dec.
‘I think this should solve everything,? he added.