Last night (1/7/13), the Avon Township Board held a special meeting to announce the resignation of the current township supervisor, Sam Yingling and to appoint a new Supervisor.

We are in the midst of campaign season and there are numerous people running for Avon Township positions.  For Supervisor, there are (alphabetical order) Judy Armstrong current Round Lake Beach Trustee, Lisa Rusch current Avon Township Clerk and Doug Williams current Avon Township Trustee.

Lisa Rusch was nominated to succeed Yingling and the vote ended up in a tie.  Bill McNeill who is running for re-election as Trustee opted to join the Armstrong Team voted no.  Williams who himself is running for township Supervisor voted no.  Marc Feldstein who is running for re-election as Trustee and is on the Rusch Team voted yes and Randy Evangelides who is running for re-election on the Rusch Team voted yes.  Yingling was not present.  In the case of a tie, the Clerk does have a tie-breaking vote.

Did Rusch's vote serve a short-term need that could be a detriment to a long term goal, primarily her true election as Township Supervisor.  The author believes Rusch faced an ethical dilemma last night.  Does she vote to give herself an immediate 100% plus pay raise, or does she take the high road and let the position go vacant until the people of Avon Township make the decision in early April? The state statute does allow for the position to remain vacant.  Drum roll please, Rusch votes to appoint herself as Township Supervisor.  

The instant gratification of casting a vote to benefit her wallet will have the long-term impact.  This shortsighted action results in a question of ethics and integrity and that will play out at the polls come April 9th.