FeedsOstrowski: 'I made a mistake.'
Gerry Champagne may get another chance in Van Buren Township.
The township board of trustees may schedule another special meeting this week to again revisit the reinstatement of Champagne, the former director of public safety who was fired at the end of May.
The board of trustees voted 4-3 last week to reject an attempted reversal of that decision, with Supervisor Paul White, Clerk Leon Wright and trustees Denise Partridge and Al Ostrowski voting to uphold the decision of White to terminate Champagne on May 27.
This week, Ostrowski said he made the wrong decision.
“I made a mistake,” he said. “I hope we can fix that mistake.”
Ostrowski penned a letter to township residents about the issue and shared it with White Monday morning. In the letter, he said he didn’t think his vote to reject the reinstatement of Champagne was in the best interests of the township. He said he shared it with White to give him the opportunity to fix the issue, too.
“I wanted to give him the opportunity, first,” said Ostrowski.
The decision last week came after more than six hours of testimony in support of Champagne against the charges leveled at him by White. White said at the hearing that Champagne had been fired for cause after Champagne refused to accept an enhanced severance package. Reasons included a failure to produce a plan to reduce overtime, allegedly botched purchase and repair orders and an inability to resolve grievances with the fire department.
Residents have lashed out at township officials for the decision. Shouts of ‘recall’ were heard from the audience. Residents have picketed township hall. Signs proclaiming: ‘Recall White’ have sprouted next to the ones emblazoned with: ‘Reinstate Champagne.’
Champagne said he’s accepted Ostrowski’s apology and he saluted him for the courage it took to admit he was wrong and pledge to try to solve the issue. He was guardedly optimistic that a meeting would be scheduled and that the board would reverse its decision.
“I’m looking forward to—hopefully—a healing process for the township,” Champagne said.
