FeedsTrustee admits mistake...or not
To the editor and residents of Van Buren Township:
I was elected to serve on the board of trustees of this township, by you, the residents I serve. You put your trust in me to do what’s best for the township. I have failed you. Miserably.
I don’t have a problem admitting a mistake was made on my part. I cannot and will not speak for other members of the board. Those who know me best know that I am a better man than what I showed at the board meeting regarding the termination of Gerald Champagne. This letter serves as an apology to those who put me in office and to Mr. Champagne, who I feel, was unjustly terminated.
I feel a mistake was made and I would like a chance to correct that mistake. From the day I decided to run for office, I’ve said that I never was and I could never be a politician, because believe it or not, I have integrity. And that is the reason for writing this letter.
It is my hope that others reading this letter will also do the right thing. Stop back for a moment and look at yourself and think what you have done. I did and I didn’t like what I saw. I have a conscience and I believe in doing the right thing.
It is my belief that this issue will be corrected by the next regular board meeting. It’s not too late to admit a mistake was made, move forward and bring this township back together again.
I am willing to do whatever it takes to regain the trust of our residents and do what’s best for this township. I hope some of the other board members feel the same way as I do and do the right thing.
As the saying goes, “The truth will set you free.” I can live with that.
Trustee Albert H. Ostrowski
…or did he?
To the editor:
I recently voted along with six other Board members with information provided at the time regarding the termination of Public Safety Director Gerald Champagne. I talked with several individuals after the vote which gave me second thoughts on my decision and I wrote a letter regarding such, which was made public.
However, after further discussion, I received clarity on the issues I had concerns with and I am now comfortable with the original decision I made regarding the termination of Mr. Champagne.
I want to apologize to the community for writing the letter. I will have no further comment regarding this issue.
Trustee Albert H. Ostrowski
_Editor’s note: the above email was received Wednesday morning, two days after the first letter and one day after the accompanying column was written. _
