Page 4 - eagle070722

PAGE 4 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN July 7, 2022

SUMPTER
SUMPTER

Trustee’s allegations of racism are denied by officials

Sumpter Township Philippines. She accused the ” refusal to opt into the MMFLA
Supervisor Tim Bowman officials of bias due to Po's and claimed that people in the
addressed his outrage at allega- Filipino history and said criti- The attempt by the developer to offer township wanted local marijua-
tions of racism and misconduct cism of the developers during blandishments for support of the project na facilities and that develop-
leveled at him by a trustee fol- the meeting was racially moti- ment would go to nearby com-
lowing a meeting June 23. vated. She was reportedly under was disclosed by Trustee Matt Oddy munities who allow the sub-
At the June 28 meeting, the erroneous impression that during the special meeting June 23. stance. She suggested the town-
Bowman stated that he felt he Po was present at the meeting ship fund a survey of residents
was verbally attacked by with the developers. on the question of marijuana
Trustee Peggy Morgan immedi- At the June 28 meeting, more needs to be said." He said he repeatedly told the sales and distribution in the
ately after a meeting the previ- Bowman demanded that Oddy explained that he was developers that the township township. She demanded the
ous week. He said she shouted Morgan explain just what she attempting to ensure that the board had not opted into the phone number of the develop-
and was “yelling at the top of was accusing him of doing. “Is entire board and the public Michigan Marijuana Facilities ers saying she would make an
her voice” at him following that this a payback to Mr. Po, is that were aware of the meeting with Licensing Act (MMFLA). effort to reach them.
earlier meeting and had, in fact, what this is all about?” He said the developers and curtail any Without the approval and appli- “You believe we should opt in
accused him of racist conduct. he was “very disappointed” in false information regarding the cation from the local governing (to MMFLA) and the only way
According to several witness Morgan's comments and false situation. Oddy asked to speak unit, licenses to distribute mari- that happens if it's brought
accounts, the confrontation took claims of racism. He said her during the public comment sec- juana from a dispensary or facil- before the entire board and the
place immediately following the allegations were “insulting” and tion of the agenda during the ity are denied by the state. entire board gets to hear the
special meeting June 23 when completely misplaced. June 23 meeting. He also asked Oddy said the developers told presentation,” Young told
Morgan accused Bowman, “That (Morgan's claim) is not that the 3-minute rule be sus- him they were looking for sup- Morgan. “There is a right way to
Deputy Supervisor/Trustee Tim true. It is just a crazy allega- pended so that he might fully port for the project and brought do this but what isn't the right
Rush and township attorney tion,” he said in a later inter- explain his concerns with the their attorney, a contractor, and way is to try to schedule a meet-
Rob Young of actions unfair to view. “My son-in-law is Filipino, recent meeting with the a professional ordinance writer ing with a few board members
Nelson Po, one of her campaign my granddaughter is half unnamed developer. with them in attempts to secure and try to present other carrots
and political supporters. Her Filipino.” Bowman said a criti- He explained to the board favor for the project. The devel- or inducements as to what
comments were apparently cism of him based on racism members that he had been opers also indicated the town- would be good for the town-
prompted by discussion during could not be farther from accu- asked to attend a meeting at ship could receive $250,000 in ship,” Young said.
the meeting of an effort by a rate in light of his deep regard township hall with a developer tax revenue should the project While the board members
developer to circumvent full- for his family. “I am not a racist planning a large industrial com- be approved but admitted that it took no action on the informa-
board consideration of a pro- and there is no basis whatsoever plex. Oddy said he recognized “does not work without the mar- tion presented during the June
posed industrial complex on for her claims,” he said. the project and knew from past ijuana,” Oddy said. 23 meeting, the issue was again
property owned by Po. Rush, too, denied any claim discussions that the plan was Oddy, Rush and Young said the topic of contentious discus-
The attempt by the developer of racism and was critical of the not financially viable without the meeting was immediately sion at the June 28 meeting
to offer blandishments for sup- developer's attempt to circum- the inclusion of a retail marijua- ended and the developers when Morgan insisted the board
port of the project was disclosed vent correct procedure in pre- na dispensary. He said he sent informed that this was a deci- was acting with prejudice
by Trustee Matt Oddy during the senting the project to the entire an email to the individuals pro- sion of the full board. Oddy and against Po, repeatedly claiming
special meeting June 23. board. posing the meeting explaining Rush reiterated that they invit- board members were only
Immediately following “We cut it (the meeting) off that if the plans to be discussed ed the developers to appear at “doing it” because Po was
adjournment of that meeting, and told them to appear before included the marijuana facility, the June 28 meeting to present involved. (See related story,
witnesses said Morgan angrily the whole board at the meeting it was “a waste of time.” the project plans. page 1.)
confronted her fellow board of the 28th,” Rush said, “and Assurances led him, Young Morgan, however, defended Oddy said in a later inter-
members and the township they did not take advantage of and Rush to attend the meeting the developers and suggested view, “Mr. Po was not at the
attorney claiming they were that opportunity. I believe they at Sumpter Township Hall that the board “reach out to meeting. We have been told
critical of the development were trying to hoodwink us and wherein it became very clear them” in an effort to have the numerous times by this develop-
because the owner of the land they were actually lying to us. immediately, Oddy said, that the project presented to the board. er that they are buying the prop-
on which the project is pro- But that they didn't take the project was still financially con- She also suggested the board erty from him but that he is not
posed is Po who grew up in the opportunity on the 28th, well no tingent on the marijuana facility. members reconsider their involved in the development.”
Board nod your head yes and no, as you are so To subscribe to The Eagle visit www.associatednewspapers.net.
good at, but he (Oddy) explained what
went on and invited them (the develop-
FROM PAGE 1 ers) to come on the 28th to explain to the
entire board,” Young said. He added
any wrongdoing. that the developers were adamant that
“I want the phone number, I don't care Po was not involved in the project other
who it is. I want the phone number so I than as the property seller. He said when
can straighten this out,” Morgan retort- it became apparent there were red flags
ed, as she repeatedly interrupted other at the meeting, it was halted, and the
board members attempting to speak. developer advised to appear before the
The continued contentious exchange entire board.
prompted Young to attempt to again “If there is something wrong with that
explain the situation to Morgan, reiterat- I'd like to understand it. Since you went
ing that the proposed development is off on everybody the other night, I don't
financially contingent on the township understand at all.”
opting into the Michigan Marijuana Young said not naming the developers
Facilities Licensing Act (MMFLA). was a level of caution exercised in
Morgan has been a vocal supporter of response to the sensitive nature of the
bringing marijuana facilities into the issue with accusations of misrepresenta-
township. tion, slander, defamations of character
“The truth is something you don't and libel having been leveled in the past.
want to hear,” Young said. “We're not Oddy again demanded Morgan define
going to support any development that what she was accusing the board mem-
includes marijuana that has not been bers of. “Is it revenge, what is it? You
before the entire board. Would you accused three people, what is it you're
rather have us have meetings in the dark accusing us of? If you accuse a board
which you seem to accuse us of doing all member of anything, bring it to the board
the time or would you rather we have table where they have a chance to
meetings and come here and report defend themselves,” Oddy said. “So,
what has been said in the meeting,” what is it?”
Young asked over Morgan's continued “I'm not saying nothing,” Morgan
interruptions and remarks. angrily retorted. “In my opinion, I'm not
“You can smirk, wrinkle your face and saying nothing.”

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