LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Overpayment

Dear Editor,

Although I am not a resident of Elk Rapids, I read about the overpayment of a significant amount of taxpayer monies to Elk Rapids City Leaders and employees.  After reading the 96-page report which I assume the city paid a legal firm to submit, I find it difficult to determine “who is in charge?” I understand that mistakes can happen. What is difficult to understand is when the mistaken overpayment was made, why did “the person in charge” not immediately meet or communicate with the recipients to inform them of the overpayment and a plan for the city to recover the funds. This could be done by employees paying back overpayment or city reducing future payroll checks until overpayment is completed. This whole issue points out a lack of leadership. Elk Rapids is a great small town and has great people. I wonder why this issue was not immediately taken care of. A mistake was made and needed to be corrected. The recipients should have paid the overpayment back. The leaders failed to lead. The taxpayers should not have to bear the burden of a mistake, which could have been resolved by good leadership and timely communication.

Mike Hamilton
Milton Township

Letters to the Editor: 
erneditor@sbcglobal.net
mail to: P.O. Box 176, Elk Rapids, MI 49629

•    Please limit length to 200 words per letter and two submissions per topic. Letters addressing national politics or political endorsements will no longer be accepted. 

•    Be kind. Letters containing personal attacks will be discarded. 

•    Letters are subject to editing for content and clarity, must be signed and include address and phone number for verification purposes – only your name and community in which you live will be printed. 

•    Deadline is Monday 12 p.m. to be considered for that week’s edition. 

As your only locally owned and operated local news source, we strive to be your local newspaper of choice and welcome your comments, suggestions. – Editor

Reminder to our readers that Letters to the Editor containing political endorsements will no longer be accepted. Instead, readers may pay for a political ad.