This past May 8, the Greenwood Board of Appeal was set to meet at Greenwood Township.  Notice of the meeting was published and posted in our local newspaper as required by law.  The St. Louis County assessor arrived with two staff people in order to fulfill their role in the Board of Appeal, the only thing missing was our Board of Supervisors (which serves as the Board of Appeal) and the township clerk.  According to the Department of Revenue the clerk’s duties include the posting of the meeting and to ensure that a quorum of supervisors be present.

The purpose of the Board of Appeal is to provide a fair and objective forum for property owners to appeal their valuation or classification.  One of the most important duties placed by law upon the governing body of a township is to serve as the Board of Appeal.  When the township board does not meet because a majority or zero of the members are not present, it sends a message to property owners that the board does not value their time and does not take the responsibility of serving as the Local Board of Appeal seriously.

 The power and duty to serve as the Local Board of Appeal for next year has been relinquished to St. Louis County and we must ask to get it back.  Where is the concern of those who want local control when our town board gives it away so easily?

John Bassing

Lake Vermilion, Minn.