Trustees Discuss Bryn Du Sports And Abraham's Garage

At their meeting on Wednesday, March 26, the Granville Township Trustees decided to immediately follow the legal opinion and ban sports events on the Bryn Du front lawn, but haven't yet followed the legal opinion concerning Fred Abraham and his contract with the Township.

Bob Rutherford pointed out this inconsistency and asked when they were going to comply with the Attorney General's ruling. Rutherford observed that you received a decision and immediately stopped the girls' field hockey, but are not moving as quickly with the situation concerning Abraham.

Rutherford said, "We're in the process of using a field for girl's hockey, but suddenly we decided to stop because of a legal opinion. We're going to stop dead!"

"In the case of the decision concerning Fred Abraham, we're going to postpone doing anything, which is alright with me because I think Fred's a good guy. But, are you going to obey the law or not?" Rutherford asked.

Norm Kennedy answered that "We are going to obey the law. We are looking to shift our operation to a temporary site."

Kitty Consolo asked Abraham, "Do we really need a new garage or are we doing this to fix your situation?"

Abraham said, "I've known for the past four or five years that they are going to build a new garage. That's not anything new. We're not doing anything illegal here. Not anything at all. There's all kinds of possibilities here."

Consolo then asked, "Is this what's best for the taxpayers - to build a new garage?"

Concerning a joint garage with the Village of Granville, Abraham told the group, "We've talked to the Village several times about doing a garage and they don't want to even talk about it."

Abraham went on to say, "Wes talked to them last year. We talked to them in January. Terry Hopkins, the street manager doesn't like the idea at all."

Consolo asked Abraham again, "Would the township be doing this if you didn't have this legal problem?"

Abraham answered, "Ah, that's a good question. I can't answer that question a hundred percent because I wasn't here last year, but I know this has been brought up the last three to five years."

The legal standing of the Trustees with Abraham sitting was not settled and no time was set for a solution. The Trustees planned to discuss it again at their next meeting.

Nevertheless, the meeting of the Trustees continued with Fred Abraham sitting as a trustee, although in conflict. Trustee, Wes Sargent was not present for the meeting leaving only Abraham and Bill Habig, both of whom are new to the Trustees. Without Abraham, no business could have been conducted.

The Fiscal Officer, Norman Kennedy, an old hand at the job, appeared to be in charge of the meeting.