Editorial: Sumpter Township Board gives SOS the cold shoulder

SOS Community Services, a proven help to young families in Washtenaw County for almost 50 years, wants to come to Sumpter Township to help pregnant mothers and those with children up to five years of age — without charge.
At Tuesday’s work/study meeting of the township board, Rana Smith of Van Buren Township, the SOS Children’s Services Program Coordinator, asked for free space in the community center for an office to offer free in-home services to Sumpter residents. She was brought to the board by Trustee Sheena Barnes and Treasurer Peggy Morgan. Smith said she was buying BBQ for her daughter at Barnes’ BBQ stand, when they began talking about the needs in Sumpter.
Smith was encouraged to bring her proposal to the Sumpter Township board and met twice with Supervisor John Morgan and his deputy. She left information for the board members. Supervisor Morgan told her they could probably find space for her. But, board members were delayed in getting the information.
Smith was writing a grant to get help for Sumpter, but the grant deadline had passed by the time the board was allowed to meet with her on June 12. That’s when Supervisor Morgan said there was no room at the inn, unless she wanted to share space with WIC and she should ask them. No room in that sprawling community center for a desk? So sad.