The year 2003 was an interesting one for Independence Township and their board of trustees.
It was a year of highs and lows. The board made great progress on the plan to improve Sashabaw Road, yet had to abandon the community garden staffed by nonviolent offenders after citizens showcased their anger.
According to Supervisor Dale Stuart, it was a productive 2003 for the Independence Township Board of Trustees.
‘In 2003 we made a lot more progress on the Maybee Road paving situation and the Sashabaw Road improvements which will hopefully start to take effect in 2004,? Stuart said. ‘Those were a couple of projects that were long overdue.?
Stuart also mentions significant improvements to the water system, along with discussing the idea of subdivision road paving and gravel road ditching as items that have helped the community in this last calendar year.
However, the biggest accomplishment of the board is the Sashabaw Road project. After years of discussion and planning, construction on the hopefully soon-to-be four lane boulevard is planned to begin in 2004.
‘It looks like it is getting through all the obstacles and will become a reality,? Stuart said.
While Stuart is excited about the beginning of construction, he is quick to point out that it will be a difficult inconvenience when the construction is taking place.
‘That is important for the township, but it will also be a very difficult time for the township because it is a major artery,? Stuart said. ‘At least for most of 2004 and probably some of 2005 it will be a difficult area to get through. I hope that the businesses along that area are preparing themselves appropriately for the impact.?
That being said, Stuart said once the construction is done, the property value will make a vast improvement with there being a remarkable change to the appearance as well as a traffic improvement.
While the Supervisor said the board could not get to all projects, he is pleased with the progress made last year.
‘We’re in the midst of so many projects all the time. I am sure there were things that we would have liked to seen done that didn’t get done. Sometimes the expectations of when things can get done and when they actually can get done are not tied together realistically,? Stuart said. ‘I don’t think there are any major projects that we were hoping to get accomplished that didn’t get done.?
As the Supervisor looks towards 2004, he is hoping for progress on the subdivision paving and gravel road ditching improvements that he is promoting to the board.
‘I think those are important improvements,? Stuart said.
Topics such as the Bay Court Lodge and senior facilities will continue to be discussed in 2004. In addition, 2004 is an election year in Independence Township with the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and board members all up for election. Stuart has yet to announce whether he will seek reelection.
No doubt, Independence Township will still need to get by while being squeezed out of some state-shared revenue by Lansing. While Stuart says the township is fine, he is still not pleased about the situation.
‘We’re fine. We have always budgeted very conservatively since the time I have been here,? Stuart said. ‘I resent very strongly, on behalf of the people of the township, that the state is trying to solve its financial problems by cutting our funds. I think it is inappropriate. There are many other things they should have done first. We have no choice but to balance our budget, yet the state and federal governments spend themselves into deficit. It doesn’t make any sense.?
Stuart is proud to say that he believes Independence Township is a great place to live.
‘I don’t think there is any better place to live than Independence Township. Whether you look at the school system, the road system, recreational opportunities available, you can’t beat it. The beauty and accessibility of the area is great. It is a compliment to years and years and years, well beyond me, of careful planning, excellent dedicated township employees who have looked out for the community,? Stuart said.