It was an idea that felt so right, so appropriate and so on target, that it was hard for me to believe it wasn’t shared, at least in part, by all sides in the ongoing dispute over police services.

When Chair of the Board of Commissioners Jeff Irwin approached me after discussions with corporate counsel Curtis Hedger, I had hopes that offering a “facilitated mediation” of our differences with the Ypsilanti, Salem and Augusta Townships might bring an end to the financial and emotional costs of continuing litigation. After meeting in Executive Session with the entire Board at last week’s Board meeting, Commissioner Irwin announced the County’s willingness to enter into such mediation.

In the past nine months, the townships have filed suit against the County, the Board and me concerning changes to the way police services are provided, and the costs for those services. Ten of thirteen claims made by the townships have been dismissed, with the Judge’s decision pending in the final three. Recent documentation sought out by the Ann Arbor News revealed that a combined $1,000,000-plus has been spent on this litigation.

‘Facilitated mediation’ would allow both parties to sit down with an agreed upon mediator, a professional skilled in mediation, to discuss the issues at hand, and look for a way toward reconciling differences.

We all know of law suits among parties that never have to deal with one another again once the final gavel drops. But litigation among government entities can strike at the heart of good government: good relationships. For the sake of decisions deferred, or even productive conversations suspended we have to do our best to resolve these matters - the sooner is absolutely better in this case.

There has been a lot of bitterness over these issues and, I am certain, misunderstanding and miscommunication from all parties, including me. I am hoping that we will take this chance to come together, face to face, with new, important decisions and opportunities awaiting all of us.

Make it a great week.

Oh, and I look forward to seeing you at this Wednesday’s meeting on our OCS results at Washtenaw Community College.

Bob