Dear Editor,
My response ‘Grass Roots Government? was in response to the letter written to the editor by Maureen Shoemaker as published by The Citizen newspaper May 10, 2008, and had nothing to do with the activities of the May 13 township board meeting.
In response to the ‘Rural way of life being at stake in Hadley Township? statement provided by Maureen Shoemaker, dated June 21, 2008, I provide the following information:
The information I provided to the board and the residents that were present regarding the attempt to establish construction costs of hard surfacing gravel roads was accurate and not misleading. All information I presented was acquired from Rick Pearson, the Lapeer County Road Commission Manager Director. His presence at the meeting was valuable in that he was able to respond to additional questions and he also confirmed that the information I provided was accurate. Our previous meetings only lacked the contractual costs for this season, which he had just received. This info was also provided to a Hadley resident who had met with Rick.
As to the survey which was presented to the Board by Mrs. Shoemaker at the April 15 meeting’when one creates a survey, one attempts to contact all parties who are affected by the issue.
– There are 76 parcels affected if Brigham and Gregory are considered for hard surfacing. Each parcel is represented normally by two owners. That is 152 signatures.
If one of the owners of a parcel has a different choice, that parcel becomes neutral in the final count.
A survey also provides all pertinent info that will help an individual make an informed decision. Information, such as the financial impact to the owner regarding this type of project.
– There will be no additional costs to any owners on a road to be hard surfaced. – – The assessments will not increase due to the hard surfacing of the roads. I have just described a fair, accountable, equitable, democratic process for creating a survey; a process that any unit of government is required by law to follow. Mrs. Shoemaker claims to have an overwhelming majority that rejects considering Brigham and Gregory for hard surfacing.
Bill Dutko, Hadley Township Supervisor