V Clinton News ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN 48879 April 11,1974 119th year Vol. 50 28 Pages Angell responds from Houston Township Board lists reasons for firing chief By Linda Heyboer He added he had maintained He said the false receipt school board business on 3 the "nuts and bolts" operations charge involved dealings with occasions: once when another County News Writer of the department should be his insurance company and was officer dropped him off for a DEWITT TWP - Before the handled by the police chief, not not a board concern. board meeting, once when he largest board meeting crowd "in the board. / The board's third charge attended a noon meeting in recent memory-but one that accused Angell of "un­ Lansing and once when he had didn't include Bruce Angell II- The second reason given by professional conduct," main­ an officer pick up school hoard DeWitt townshiR trustees the board was falsification of taining that "on at least 1 oc­ nominating petitions for him. disclosed Monday their reasons records. According to the casion (Angell) was found to statement, Angell had: . "In fairness to me," he for firing the former police have his personal vehicle continued, "there were many chief. -falsified police department bearing a license plate purchases other times when I borrowed a Angell was in Houston on registered to someone other car so I wouldn't have to use a -asked another officer to than himself." Lansing School Board business, make out a false receipt for police vehicle." but responded to board charges Emerson said later the plate He also maintained (but Tuesday in a telephone in­ board reimbursement • on Angell's motorcycle was -lied to the board about his Emerson denied) that, the terview. reported missing to the delivering of subpoenas was an activities as police chief. Secretary of State's office. Gov and Mrs William Mllliken talk with William Gnodtke (left), Clinton County Republican Party finance chairman and Mr and Mrs The board statement listed 4 established department policy main reasons for Angell's "Error i'n judgment" This charge, Angell said, was which other boards had directed Brandon White Jr. White is chairman of the County GOP. The exchange between the GOP officials took place before the Lincoln Day September dismissal. Angell, who was chief for 8 news to him. and approved. Dinner in St Johns last week, addressed by Gov Milliken. During his remarks to the over 300 Republicans present, Milliken commented years, denied he-had ever "At no time was this ever "To my knowledge," Angell on the political campaign trend this year, saying, "Among the worst of the games that political play is that old and very dishonest game "Insubordination" was the falsified records. But he ad­ discussed with me," he said, stated, "the policy never of guilt by association. And that, I'm afraid to say, seems to be shaping up as the political game of the year." first one; the statement accused mitted he made "an error in adding he had no knowledge he changed." Angell of "constantly resisting judgment" during an incident in had driven his motorcycle with Trustee William Purves read Says pariy was hurt, but still strong and arguing over directions 1973 involving purchase of high- plates registered to someone the board statement, after given him by the township intensity flashlights. else, * stressing to about 60 residents board." Supervisor Dale Emerson The final board reason given that the board lemained Citing a basic antagonism said the purchase was listed as was that Angell used township justified in not giving previous between himself and the board, being for uniforms, not vehicles and personnel for reasons for Angell's dismissal. Gov Milliken addresses over flashlights. private use. The statement said He said the disclosure had Angell said he felt this charge this involved 'using cars and become a necessity because it is had probably carried the most Angell admitted this was done officers on Lansing School an issue cited* on recently weight with trustees. because he thought he would Board business and to deliver submitted recall petitions 300 county Republicans "There was a disagreement have a hard time justifying subpoenas and summons for a against 4 board members between me and the board on purchase of the inexpensive private attprney. (Emerson, clerk Donna who ran the police depart­ flashlights^ to "the narrow- * ^Angell said he used depart­ v Syverson, and trustees Jack , ST JOHNS ~ Over 300 persons heard Gov Predicts surprise Ndfji ment," he said. minded board." ment cars or personnel for Kzesk'i and Eileen Corr). William Milliken say Thursday that the "In fact, I believe that any candidate who ' "It takes honesty and courage to face Angell and the board agree GOP is stronger than many believe and that attempts to make Watergate the key issue in these facts. But there is no need or that most df the charges were the coming Campaign is in foe a surprise on justification for despair. candidates who make Watergate ah issue in • discussed -in a t ^series, of jMichigaiUsOfMpr a, .surprise,',' ^ . „ -, November $.; ""- *•**». VIn .this ejection, there w^H be tho.se who • " meetings before ' the*" former "Just as there are today a lot of surprised * will say that everything is terrible, but they Meeting time change * l Milliken made the remarks during the chief's dismissal, Clinton County Lincoln Day pinner held in people among those who have been saying suffer their own form of illusion. They differ, however, on the St Johns last Week. that Watergate will wash out Republican "What is this election all about? tone and substance of those Following are excerpts of the remarks by fund-raising efforts. Some political prophets Separating illusions from -reality. The meetings. the governor that evening: had predicted, for example, that my own illusion that the election is about Watergate, brings objections Claim Angell defied board "I know that it's popular these days- birthday fund-raising dinners last week against (he reality that the election is about Emerson said Angell was told among some people anyway-to go around would flop because people would not suppbrt the candidates and the issues, The illusion specifically at the meetings talking about the approaching death of the any Republican.„The fact is that we had that everything is terrible, against the Commr John Hannah asked if'it was not "what to do and what not to do." Republican Party. But if this dinner and record attendance. reality that many things are good. By Jim Edwards true that a Feb 19 meeting had to be can­ He added Angell had con­ similar events is any indication, I would say "It is also a fact that Michigan voters ^ "There is a clear distinction between County News Editor ' celled because of,no quorum, tinually defied the board's that those who are planning a funeral need havea well-established tradition of deciding-^ these illusions and these realities, and I'm Pierce saida lack of a quorum had caused orders and requests. to do some more pulse-taking. -ejections on the basis of the candidates and firmly convinced that the people of STJOHNS-Amovehasbeenmadebythe the meeting to be cancelled, but, at that St Johns City Commission to change Zoning But Angell says the meetings "We're here tonight to praise the the state issues. And this year, I'm confident Michigan will be able to make that distinc­ time, there were only 4 members on the 4 ' were congenial and productive, Republican Party, not to bury it. Sure, they're going to continue that tradition. tion on November 5." i Board of Appeals meetings from 12:30 pm to board and all had to be present to constitute evening-but, if they do it, there might not be ' with no hints that the board we've been hurt, but we've been hurt only by "The party of Lincoln has too much a 'quorum. wanted him to resign or was the excesses and stupidity of a few men. , strength, too much wisdom, too much a board to meet, at least not consisting of Since that time action has been taken to New maps existing members. considering firing him. And he "If the Republican Party is in trouble - tradition, too many sound principles, and enlarge the board-to alleviate that problem. says he has tape recordings to today, it is not because people have sud­ too many good Americans in its ranks to be That was the tone set by Wally Pierce, of Commr Roy Ebert asked Pierce about the the Board of Appeals who said present prove it. denly rejected its principles. If the destroyed by one dark night in American available possibility of trying evening meetings on a 6- While complaints about tax Republican Party is in trouble today, it is history. members had told him they would resign if month basis. meetings were changed to the evening hour. assessments and sewer not because people have suddenly decided "I certainly don't intend to minimize how ST J6HNS - New Michigan highway Pierce answered, "If you go to evening problems dominated the ex­ against is'practical progressivism in favor deplorable -Watergate and its surrounding -maps have arrived at the County News The situation arose at an earlier meeting meetings, you'll lose your whole board." tended public comments of some costly bold new approach. If the events are-or how important it is to get the office from the State Highway Commission. when-Commr John Arehart recommended Later Ebert questioned the judgement of segment of Monday's meeting, Republican Party is in trouble today, it is truth and punish the guilty.