Dear Editor:
It is time to look forward to the future of recreation programs in our community. The BGO is gone; there is no longer a ‘G? for Groveland or an ‘O? for Ortonville. (The Citizen, March 15, ‘Brandon Supervisor responds to Parks & Rec fee changes,? pages 24-25.)
I was a member of the BGO board when it turned-over operations to Brandon Township. Although Mr. Lapp gives Brandon Township credit for ?’circumvent[ing] a potential recreational void following the dissolution of the Brandon-Groveland-Ortonville Recreation Commission,? the fact is that the operations of the BGO were subsumed, without any threat of interruption in programs, by Brandon Township when it became clear that the inter-governmental arrangement of the BGO could not support the growing recreational needs of our community. Funding the development of facilities, such as the park soon to be opened by Brandon Township, was simply not going to happen under the old joint agreement.
In a political fumble quite similar to the situation we recently saw at the Brandon Township Library, Mr. Lapp belligerently proclaimed that Brandon Twp. cannot continue to ‘subsidize? Groveland residents? participation in recreational programs. While this statement had all the diplomatic tact of a car-bomb, it was and is true. On the other hand, many Groveland residents were surprised that they were still ‘subsidizing? the operations of Brandon Township Parks and Recreation to the tune of $15,000 per year, and Brandon was asking for more. In light of the clear demographic and philosophical differences between the two townships, it seems clear that neither should be ‘subsidizing? the other. Groveland residents should pay a non-resident premium, or seek recreational programs elsewhere.
Mr. Lapp correctly states that he and the Brandon trustees have a fiduciary duty to the residents of Brandon Township. Quite apart from squabbles with our good neighbors in Groveland, Mr. Lapp needs to take a hard look at the operation of our township as it relates to that fiduciary duty. As others have documented, many of Brandon’s recreational program prices are out of line with neighboring communities, even before the operational costs of the new park start hitting us. The Recreation Department, like the rest of Brandon Township government, appears to be grossly over-staffed. Providing unnecessary employment opportunities at the Township offices is not consistent with Mr. Lapp’s fiduciary duty to the taxpayers.
I sincerely hope that Brandon Recreation can continue to offer quality recreational opportunities to the residents of Brandon Township, as well as our neighboring communities. Quality programs at reasonable prices (including non-resident premiums) will ensure participation, and provide immeasurable value to our community.
Alex Martin
Ortonville