Let’s be perfectly clear here.

We absolutely hate the idea of government entities repeatedly badgering taxpayers at the ballot box until they get their millage and/or bond proposals approved.

No means no.

It doesn’t mean keep pestering people until you wear them down and they vote yes. Using the democratic process to bully people is not acceptable.

That being said, we believe the situation concerning the North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA) and the future of its services in Addison Township involves a unique set of circumstances that merits an exception. The stakes are simply too high for the community’s most vulnerable citizens.

True, Addison voters failed the NOTA millage back in the August primary election.

But back then, it was understood that if the millage failed in Addison, Oxford and Orion townships, NOTA would reduce its service level across the board, but it would continue to be available in all three communities.

Since then, Oxford and Orion voters have approved the millage and now, NOTA is prepared to move forward without Addison unless the township contributes its fair share, which equals $70,000 annually.

Rather than going against the wishes of its voters and simply taking $70,000 from the township’s general fund, Addison officials decided to place the same NOTA millage question on the Nov. 4 ballot to find out what their residents truly want.

Although the ballot language and the numbers on it remain the same, the consequences of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote are radically different this time.

If voters approve the millage, Addison remains part of NOTA and the authority continues to provide much-needed rides to the township’s senior citizens, disabled individuals and low-income folks.

If voters reject the millage, NOTA vehicles will no longer transport Addison’s most vulnerable residents to doctor appointments, grocery stores, workplaces, senior centers, food pantries and dialysis treatments.

It’s that simple. This isn’t just another vote on a tax proposal, it’s a referendum on NOTA’s future in Addison.

We believe NOTA does far too much good and helps too many folks to simply let it disappear from a community where it’s so desperately needed.

Last year, the authority gave 2,189 rides to Addison residents. Between January and September of this year, NOTA’s provided 1,566 rides to Addison folks.

That’s too many rides to ignore. That’s too many people in need to ignore.

To those who can’t or don’t drive due to age, health, disabilities or a lack of financial means, NOTA is an integral part of their daily lives. It keeps them from being trapped in their homes. It gives them access to necessities. It allows them to be an active part of the world. It maintains their dignity and gives them hope.

NOTA is so much more than just another bus service.

The five-year, 0.25-mill property tax being sought to help fund NOTA is by no means excessive or unwarranted.

In fact, considering how valuable this service is to the people who truly need it, we’d say it’s a real bargain. We can’t say no to a bargain and neither should you.

We strongly urge Addison residents to vote YES on the NOTA millage. This one is just too important to fail. ? CJC