Concerns with Carneiro Township

Kelly Cikanek, Carneiro Township Trustee, said in the commissioners meeting July 10, “There are two sides to every story.”

I’m curious as to how many of his supporters have listened to the other side of the story before making an assessment and reaching a definitive conclusion or judgement.

As a newcomer to this area, though born and raised in Kansas, my philosophy has always been one of seeking the truth. In these last months, I’ve witnessed additional transgressions by the Carneiro Township Trustee that (are) contrary to Kansas rule of law and ethics.

In our township meetings, I’ve been surprised at the lack of consideration given to those who have recently moved to Ellsworth County. How can we grow and encompass the views of all our citizens when opinions of only a few select individuals are given consideration? I purchased land with a vision of retiring here and returning my acreage back to native prairie. I felt I would be able to engage in the local activities and add value to the community.

On the agenda, replacement treasurer. Kelly stated in this meeting that no one liked me or I would have gotten votes in the last two elections. Considering I was not on the ballot, I find this statement misleading and unjustified character assassination.

In other situations, Kelly has stated that the votes taken in board meetings prior to 2021 were illegal as the people in attendance at the meetings also voted, a quorum of the board was present at all the meetings from November 2019 to October 2020; this made the vote legal. This reference regards the vote taken at the June 2020 meeting to cap the Carneiro Cemetery and use the southwest section of the new part for parking until the northwest side was filled.

Given his stance, then the new mower was illegally purchased. It also was voted on by all present at the meeting in December 2019. I don’t feel that one can have it acceptable for one situation but not another.

In the latest meeting, called on Aug. 4 to certify the budget, I raised questions regarding the budget line items. There had been a line item for the cemetery in 2019 and 2020, yet it disappeared in subsequent years. I raised concerns regarding legitimate expenditures that should be considered. I spoke to Shelly Vopat on Aug. 8 requesting clarification for who has control of line items. Though she inputs the figures, it is the trustee who has ultimate say in what they contain. Also addressed was the fact that the budget did not get approved; she was quite concerned.

Kelly advised of another budget meeting Aug. 21 to be held Aug. 23 at 7 p.m. The meeting was held outside Webster Hall during a weather alert for high heat.

I was born and raised in Kansas during a time where neighbors helped neighbors without thought to garnering favor, it was the Christian thing to do.

These days, unfortunately, help now seems to come with a price tag.

In my opinion, good leaders take responsibility for their actions. This does not appear to be the case with the Carneiro trustee. I believed that in the local government, voices of the people being served would be heard and considered. The current climate in our nation now appears to be at the local level where people are pitted against each other, truth is irrelevant — inuendo becomes fact.

There’s an old quote that goes something like this: “The only way for evil to prevail is that good men do nothing.”

My hope springs eternal and change will come.

Gretchen Griffith Carneiro