Dear editor:
I just read with utter disbelief the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ( DEQ ) has granted a permit to B.L.L. Commercial Property Company to fill in Wetlands on M-15 just north of Seymour Lake Road at the Long Lake subdivision (‘DEQ: Developer approved to fill wetlands,? The Citizen, April 12, page 4). Especially after a public hearing on the matter last January, where every one of the 30 or so residents who attended vehemently opposed the filling of the wetlands.
What is it about ‘no? that some people don’t understand? Our country is a republic, not a democracy. A democracy is the worst kind of government. It is nothing more than mob rule with no regards to individual rights. In a republic, all inherent power and rights are retained by the people. All final decisions, whether right or wrong, belong to the people. We elect representatives, starting at the local level, and continuing up to the national level with the congress. At all levels, the elected officials sole purpose is to represent the wishes of the people. Despite every person’s objection to the filling if the wetlands, the DEQ stated that day in January that they would base their decision on what the ‘law? said. Here is where I start to have problems.
What law? No law was shown to us at the public hearing. And if there is such a law, what kind of law would be totally opposite to the wishes of the citizens? The Brandon Township Ordinances are clear concerning the protection of wetlands and woodlands. There are buffer protections. When developers buy township property, they should do so with the understanding that whatever they build, must fit within the property footprint, period. Just take a look at some of the cleared out properties along M-15. The Township Planning Commission granted variances on all of those properties, allowing infringement on the wetlands and woodlands. The developers promised value-added projects would fill those properties. Instead, all of them have ‘for lease? signs in front of them. And the same thing will happen at Long Lake. This DEQ decision will ultimately go to a public hearing before the Township Planning Commission in the near future. They will make a decision whether to agree or disagree with the DEQ decision. Everyone needs to be aware of that hearing and be there to make your voice heard. And hopefully, the Planning Commission will base their decision on the wishes of the people that they represent.
The rural character of our township is at stake. Think of it this way. The DEQ doesn’t live in Brandon Township. The developer doesn’t live in Brandon Township, and nothing personal, but the Director of Planning and Building doesn’t even live in Brandon Township. And all of these people are the ones deciding what kind of community we will live in and what it will look like. The only people who seem to not have a voice or say are the township residents. Is there anyone besides me that sees a problem with that picture?
Please come to the public hearing when it is scheduled and help us take our community back.
Joe Mento
Ortonville