To the editor:
It’s time for the residents of this community (Brandon, Groveland, and the Village of Ortonville) to take action. The Village of Ortonville is the heart of this whole community. The potential that this downtown district has is unbelievable, and can still be a small, quaint, strong downtown.
The village council, the Ortonville DDA and the townships are becoming the laughingstock of all Oakland County.
The village council allowing violation of an ordinance? That’s okay if you’re a friend, if not, watch out? you have to abide by the law. Thousands of dollars and hours spent toward the development of updating this town for sewers, (septic systems have been outdated for the past 15 years), what happened to this? Did they just throw it aside? Maybe because they did not want it or their friends did not want it. Did they think of the community, and what the community needs, not for themselves?
Mary Kassuba is the only one that is standing up and being honest and trying to get the rest of them to make an honest decision. Go to a village meeting and get a laugh, but then stand up for what is right, and let them know we are not going to take this anymore.
The Downtown Development Authority is another joke to this community. The purpose of the DDA is to enhance the DDA district so entrepreneurs look to invest in this community, not elsewhere and also to form more workforces here, and still keep a small downtown. Did you know that we can still keep the downtown small and make a job force for another 250 people? During these times, wouldn’t that be great?
Downtowns of all shapes and sizes play a key role in fostering new business, and the entrepreneurs looking at investment want to see development that allows for a quality work life. Downtowns are important symbols for the economic health of a community. To enhance the housing district around it makes it a more desirable place to live.
This DDA only does for themselves (greed), and not for the community. They have more conflicts of interest than quality decisions. Vibrant downtowns are incubators for small business start-ups and independent business, especially during independent hard times. Go to a DDA meeting and get bored with nothing being accomplished in two hours.
Next the townships.
A group of 10-year-old kids fighting, who is the one in charge? Making the final decisions? They are all acting like some kind of god. While they are acting like fools, they are putting their eight years in to collect their full retirement that we pay for. Yes, only eight years; did you vote for this?
Then, the business owners that know what is going on is wrong, but don’t have the guts to stand up and speak, because they are scared they are going to have some of the small-minded good old boys and some groups stop shopping at their place. Well, the small- minded good old boys don’t run this town. If you want to stop shopping at my store, go ahead, because I am standing up for what is right for our community.
The people that pay taxes run this community. It is time for these people to stand up and take action. Go to the village, township, and DDA meetings, and let them know you are not happy with what is going on. Call the offices and write letters. We pay enough taxes in this community, and it is about time we make this community a quality place to live.
Let’s get rid of these small-minded people, and make it a big-minded community that we are proud of.
The rumor is that a couple of our so-called leaders are going to run for office in the county and state. Who is going to vote for someone that can not even run a small town community like this? Good leadership is having everyone work together and for the community, not for themselves. We need strong leadership, conservative values, and a strong community.
Let’s make a quality life in a quality community working together. Please take action now.
Do something for your community.
David Bonner
Ortonville