Question of the Week: Should Mahaska County Supervisor Willie VanWeelden Step Down?

Willie VanWheelden presided over the Mahaska County Supervisor meeting on April 4th, 2011 in his role as Chairman

Last week we asked you if the City of Oskaloosa should allow golf carts on the recreation trail. Of those that took advantage of the poll, 102 (or 65%) of the poll takers voted No, while 50 votes (or 32%) said Yes. 4 voters were unsure of how they felt on the subject. The Question of the Week poll is unscientific and doesn’t reflect the view of Osky News.

This week, we turn to a Mahaska County issue. Supervisor Willie VanWeelden has been accused of a Fraudulent Insurance Submission, in connection with the counties insurance plan. The charge is a Class D Felony in Iowa and carries a maximum prison term not to exceed 5 years and a fine of at least $750.00 and not to exceed $7,500.00.

Those that support Willie say to be patient and all of the facts in the case will be brought to light. They say that Willie is a good person, a good Supervisor, and deserves the benefit of the doubt; and a criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt.

The other side states that he is only harming the County, at this point, by staying in office. They say that his ability to lead as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors casts doubt upon the remaining board and their decisions until this matter is settled in court.

Now it’s your turn to decide. Vote in our online poll. The poll will be open until next Sunday, when we will close the poll and release the final voting numbers. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at info@oskynews.org or visit us on our Facebook page.