“Maintaining two public time sessions is important”

Dear Editor,

In response to the article “Goodland Twp. hopes to have orderly meetings” published May 20, 2026, I would like to address the accusations regarding improper meetings.

The example that Julie Dockham references was a special meeting for the schoolhouse held April 13, 2026.

Julie alleges that the public spoke too frequently and this was inappropriately allowed by Supervisor Mike Eckardt.

Let me set the record straight, as I did at public time at last week’s board meeting after Julie Dockham discussed her disappointment over the schoolhouse meeting while presenting a procedural change for future meetings.

As a result of Julie’s disappointment over public involvement at the schoolhouse meeting, she presented a procedural change to reduce public time at all future Goodland Township Board meetings.

In addition, Julie desires to limit all future board meetings to 45 minutes.

Taxpayers should be outraged. Board business cannot be rushed to be completed within 45 minutes with no taxpayer input on decisions.

We, the taxpayers, elected the board to conduct business on our behalf and pay their salaries.

The schoolhouse special meeting was passionate. Our previous Supervisor and schoolhouse board member, Ron Ciske, invited many residents to the meeting that have a history with the schoolhouse.

Many of the residents attended the schoolhouse and a report card was even passed around to look at.

It was actually heartwarming to see so many residents in attendance. Ron asked for each person to stand up and tell a story about their history and many did.

It was also mentioned many times that completion of the schoolhouse was Mavis Roy’s dream and we all know that the schoolhouse was special to Mavis.

This meeting was long and many people spoke. Stories were told and people were passionate about the planning for completion of the schoolhouse and how it will be used in the future.

The people were allowed to speak and this was not wrong. It was a special meeting for the schoolhouse. Supervisor Mike Eckardt did not inappropriately mange the schoolhouse meeting.

He was compassionate to let the public speak and should have been interviewed before the May 20 article was written.

To use the schoolhouse meeting as a basis to reduce public time at future meetings is simply outrageous.

The people elected this board and pay their salaries. To take away public time is a disgrace. Currently, there are two public time spots, one at the beginning of the meeting to talk about agenda items and one at the end of the meeting.

To take away public time does not give the taxpayers an opportunity to provide input to agenda items before a board decision is made.

Public time at the end of the meeting is important as well to enable the public to not only comment on agenda items but offer information about other areas the taxpayer would like the board to consider for future meetings.

Maintaining two public time sessions is important and should not be changed nor should meetings be limited to 45 minutes.

Supervisor Mike Eckardt was elected by the people and he wants to hear from the people he represents. I encourage more residents to come to the meetings and let your voices be heard.

Sincerely,
—Susan Jones