I don’t know where to start. I’m rarely at a loss for words. But I’m close to that point after experiencing the travesty that now passes for government in Washington Township.

Last night the township board’s Democratic majority rammed through a 60% pay raise for board members. They did so without speaking one word at the public meeting to justify it. They then refused to answer questions from the media or the public after the meeting. And to cap things off, one of the board members, Joe Simpson, engaged in a post-meeting tirade against a 6News photographer that ended with Simpson, who is African-American, dropping the N-bomb.

It all started Wednesday when I attempted to call board members to ask them about the pay raise. Two of them, Board President Ray Baker and Simpson, hung up on me, with Simpson demanding angrily to know how I’d gotten his number before slamming down the phone. It then continued at the meeting when my photographer, Eldon Wheeler, attempted to place a microphone on the table. Simpson angrily told him he couldn’t do it, because there wouldn’t be enough room for his papers. Actually, there was plenty of room, to say nothing of Simpson’s apparent ignorance of things like Open Meetings laws and the media’s right to record the board’s sessions. But Eldon complied peaceably and moved the mike away from Simpson.

When the meeting was over Eldon went up to pick up his equipment and asked Simpson what his problem was with having a microphone at the table. Simpson then started yelling at him, saying, among other things, “You can’t talk to me that way!” It finally escalated to the point where Simpson screamed, “You might as well just called me a n*****!” At that point, Simpson started moving forward threateningly. Fortunately, the table was between them and two board members grabbed Simpson to restrain him. Trustee Frank Short came over to separate everyone and things somewhat calmed down.

But the problem extended beyond Simpson. When I tried to ask Baker on camera why the raise was justified, he replied, “No comment.” (watch the exchange below) He later castigated me for calling him at work the day before. Imagine! A reporter calling a public official for comment on an issue before his body! He asked how I got his work number and said I should have called him at home. Well, guess what, Mr. Baker. The fact I got you at work shows you wouldn’t have been home to answer my call. So your obvious intent was simply to avoid talking to me. But beyond that, I’m astounded by the man’s gall. I have spent decades calling far more important public officials at their day jobs. People like Pat Bauer, Brian Bosma, Luke Kenley, and Bob Garton. No one has ever objected or challenged the propriety of doing so. But some two-bit township board member thinks he’s too good to answer questions. And it isn’t even like he works in the private sector and has an employer who would object. For crying out loud, he works in the Washington Township Assessor’s office.

Maybe Baker is sensitive that residents in Washington Township voted to eliminate the assessor’s office, which does away with one of his jobs, and the legislature will consider consolidating local government, which will put his greatly expanded paycheck number two in jeopardy. I don’t know. What I do know is that when this issue comes up at the Statehouse, Baker and Simpson should be the poster children for getting rid of township government.