By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said he likely would vote against the government reorganization bill because it contained no provisions for transferring the duties of the townships to the county.
“The key for me is there are a couple of important functions that township governments do perform,” he said. “(Poor relief is) sort of a unique system to Indiana. It’s something we can be proud of.”
Union Township Trustee Michael Phillips previously told The Herald Bulletin that those in need of poor relief called for township officials’ help at all hours of the day and night, and the service couldn’t be replicated at the county level.
“We know our areas, we know our needs,” he said. “I don’t want someone in downtown Anderson telling us what we need.”
Lanane said he would advocate for consolidation of some township governments, but not total elimination of them. “What I’d like to see us do is study the issue. ... I think you do have areas of the state where township government does provide a very valuable service.”
