​

​

The EXPECT BETTER Coalition supports transparency and inclusiveness in Makanda Township governance. We will openly report how tax dollars are allocated and spent. We will invite input from residents at Township meetings. We will publish comprehensive minutes promptly. We will assist qualifying residents in need from our General Assistance Fund. We will welcome your participation. We will work TOGETHER for an even better Makanda Township!

 

1) EXPECT BETTER - MANAGEMENT OF ROAD PROJECTS

 

As Road Commissioner, Ed Hoke pledges to keep our roads safe and in good repair and to communicate openly with Township residents. Ed proposes and pledges to: 

 

• Hold quarterly public meetings in order to:

         - Create a fair and equitable plan for road repair and maintenance 

         - Respond to residents' concerns

         - Transparently show how funds are allocated.

​​

• Seek competitive bids for roadwork. This will allow the Township to accept the lowest fair bids from a wider range of interested and competent contractors.

​​

These practices will be in contrast to the current approach in which lack of transparency has led to costly litigation and deprived the Township of funds that could and should have been spent on our roads and roadsides.

 

2) EXPECT BETTER AND MORE SECURE RECORD-KEEPING

 

As Township Clerk, Regina Einig will make complete and secure records her priority. She promises detailed minutes of monthly meetings to be published on the town website within 3 days. In addition, Regina will strongly advocate for a single, secure location for record storage and making records available for public inspection.  

 

This is in contrast to the current record keeping system, in which the minutes are lacking in detail.  

 

3) EXPECT BETTER INTERNET

 

Our Expect Better Coalition has already formed a committee of Township constituents whose goal is to improve our internet services. The need is dire!  There are many grants and funding opportunities that neighboring communities are utilizing. In contrast to the current administration, we are proactively exploring these options.

 

4) EXPECT BETTER USE OF GENERAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS

 

Did you know that Makanda Township has $72,000 in a fund earmarked to help township members who are facing hardship?  Nothing has been spent on Home Relief according to the Annual Financial Reports since FY13, as can be seen on the Public Records page on this website. Currently, the Supervisor has the sole authority for disbursement of the General Assistance fund.  The Expect Better Coalition supports:

   - Creating a three member subcommittee to administer the General assistance funds

   - Establishing criteria for putting this money to good, charitable use, especially during a 

      pandemic! After all, this is the purpose for the General Assistance funding. 

   

 

5) EXPECT BETTER MAKANDA TOWNSHIP WEBSITE

 

The current website,  www.toi.org/township/jackson-county-makanda-township/ was the result of the advocacy of the Democratic trustees that are currently serving on the board. However, the website should and deserves to be improved.  The Expect Better Coalition promises to expand on the effort to give Makanda Township a website that all residents can use to find updated and complete information on the Township news and issues. We will add Township records and use the website more efficiently to promote our community! 

 

6) EXPECT BETTER TOWNSHIP PARTICIPATION

 

The Expect Better coalition wants to engage EVERY resident in Makanda Township. We will recruit constituents for the committees that will make informed decisions FOR THE GOOD OF US ALL. 

 

We need your vote so that TOGETHER, we citizens of Makanda Township can all

EXPECT BETTER!

 

VOTE for us and our platform on April 6th !