A tale of two millage proposals.

Hamburg Township is strongly considering putting a road millage on the ballot. That got my attention because half of Cunningham Lake road is in Hamburg Township. Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods will be keeping an eye out to see what the plans are regarding the road list.

I am cautiously optimistic however that we won't see the same mistakes made by Hamburg Township as we had in Genoa. Smart officials learn from the past. Hamburg has had its share of drama over the years, but things have been much quieter there the past couple of years. That's a very good thing. They also saw what happened in Genoa Township just recently. I don't think they want a "Protect Hamburg Township Neighborhoods" committee to be formed there.

I'm not going to argue here whether Townships should jump in and fix county roads here in their area. That's up to the voters. Whether taxes in Hamburg should be increased for roads in Hamburg to be fixed is also up to the voters there. Whether about 1/2 of the people in Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods gets involved with a highly organized campaign will be based on the road list. What I am going to do here is compare the process that I've seen so far.

Three differences I've seen are timing, community involvement, and road list.

Timing - This is being discussed now in different focus groups. If Hamburg is going to go through with the millage, it will be in November 2014 according to their Supervisor Pat Hohl. This isn't a rush job, or something pushed under the radar by Gary McCririe. There's been three meetings already, and there's more meetings scheduled. This is one year before the election, and it's not going to be in a (usually) low turnout off year. Hamburg's so far doing this right.

Community Involvement. -  In Genoa, all involvement I saw was after the road list was picked. There were three meetings after the fact, with at least one (probably two)  of them well after the absentee voters were out. The attitude from Genoa Township was "all or nothing" regarding the road list. They got their wish. Nothing. I attended the last meeting (3rd) in Hamburg. Hamburg is prepared for a Genoa situation (as something to avoid). County Road Commissioner Mike Craine was there. That got my attention as he wasn't at any of the Genoa meetings I attended. Craine gave his presentation and it was informative. He didn't try and steer anyone in a direction, although his presentation focused on repairing paved roads instead of new projects on gravel roads. There was also a packet to inform the attendees with estimated costs of repairs of each segment and traffic counts on most roads. There were ideas for a road list that varied but all were fixing currently paved roads. There was a little talk about gravel roads, but only maintenance and not paving.

Road List - The three most important factors in a road millage are in reverse order, how long, how much, and the road list (where is the money going). In the Genoa Township plan, there were several questions to the manager in how the road list was picked. The manager said he picked the list. We can't unelect a manager, but his boss can be fired. Most thought that list didn't make any sense and the results showed election time. Hamburg doesn't have a road list yet. That will be largely picked by people at the meetings. The preliminary ideas there tend to be towards main roads you would expect. While Genoa strongly implied that Hamburg would pave Bauer road if Genoa paved their side, that turned out to be wishful thinking at best, and lying at worst. The road list in Genoa sealed the fate of the millage proposal. Hamburg is being careful in the road list, and it's a smart move learning from the bad decisions from the powers that be in Genoa.

I don't know whether a Hamburg millage will pass, but based on the process I'm seeing, it has a better chance than Genoa's did. There's certainly plenty of arguments on tax issues length of the millage, but I haven't seen the gamesmanship there so far that I saw with Genoa. Granted, I've been at one meeting there (compared to 3 with Genoa) but the process seems much better in Hamburg.

Gary McCririe says the township won't ask for more money

Some good news in the Argus:

Genoa Township residents won’t be asked anytime soon to fund county roadwork after the “significant trouncing” the township’s road millage proposal took last week, Supervisor Gary McCririe said.
McCririe said the nearly 3-to-1 failure of the 15-year, 1.5-mill tax levy proposal will also make other Livingston County townships think twice before pursuing millages to fix roads the Road Commission is responsible for.
“I think that the results of the millage should give us pause, and we should think long and hard before we go back and try that again. I think the voters spoke pretty clearly and decisively that they’re not interested in additional tax dollars to fund Road Commission roads,” he said.
“I don’t see a path where we would put the issue before the voters anytime soon,” McCririe added.

...

McCririe said the scope of last week’s defeat suggests a rework of the project list or changing the size or length of the tax levy would not make a difference in voters’ minds.

At this point, I doubt it will make a difference, because there's no trust.  Gary McCririe blew it because the original plan was that unacceptable. The road list was the biggest problem because it assaulted rural character and property rights. In addition taxpayers in subdivisions was the plan as wasting money for projects residents did not want to see happen. Road Commissioner Mike Crane said this, which gives me confidence that county doesn't have nefarious plans for some of these rural country roads (at taxpayer expense). We still have to stay vigilante.

Green Oak likely took more exhaustive measures than Genoa to get resident input on road project selection for its millage proposal, Road Commission Managing Director Mike Craine said. Most of Green Oak’s projects improved existing paved and gravel roads rather than reconstructing them, he added.

“I think that the selection and maybe the amount of time before it went on the ballot may have influenced the outcome. I think people felt they had to mobilize really quickly because it was coming on so fast,” Craine said.

“I don’t think it was about millages, per se,” he added.

Green Oak didn't reconstruct roads. This was different. Would a Green Oak style plan pass? Maybe, maybe not. Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods would not have been formed against a Green Oak Township type of plan. That type of plan would likely just have people voting yes or people voting no for tax or use reasons without an organized opposition.That's much different than threatening the rural character of these neighborhoods by widening these roads 10+ feet.

Gary McCririe still doesn't get it. He needs to get it, soon, if he wants another term as supervisor.

Sometimes you can fight township hall

Results are in. 73.79% NO, 26.21% Yes

This committee formed October 1st. Everything was done in essentially one month. While we were aware of the millage, it took a chance look at the township website and the master plan that spurred a group of residents into action. This millage was a 1.5 mill tax increase over 15 years. That had its critics. The master plan showed the list of projects. That was a game changer. It's now more than taxes. It's about wasting money, widening and paving roads, and destroying rural character.

That was unacceptable. That's why Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods was formed. That's why it was named Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods instead of "no new taxes." The word got out, and the voters saw what this was about. This failed township wide, even in the Latson area. This was absolutely massacred in the Eastern portion of the township.

	Turnout	Yes	No	Total	Yes%	No%
Genoa 1 & 9	17.71%	186	378	564	32.98%	67.02%
Genoa 2 & 10	16.82%	117	249	366	31.97%	68.03%
Genoa 3 & 11	19.58%	92	374	466	19.74%	80.26%
Genoa 4 & 8	33.91%	181	698	879	20.59%	79.41%
Genoa 5 & 12	31.62%	161	417	578	27.85%	72.15%
Genoa 6 & 7	36.14%	291	778	1069	27.22%	72.78%
Total	25.93%	1028	2894	3922	26.21%	73.79%

You don't get 30% on an off year one issue ballot until people are fired up. 33% is more than an August primary. The highest turnouts were in these areas:
Genoa 4/8 - Most of Cunningham Lake, Pine Creek, part of Prarie View, Walnut Hills, Mt Brighton, Rolling Meadows.
Genoa 6/7 - Part of Cunningham Lake, Mountain, Mystic Lake, Oak Pointe.
Genoa 5/12 - Southwestern part of the township. 

Obviously, more than just the folks on the Genoa side of Cunningham Lake showed up to vote. This wasn't just them. By vote numbers, they aren't enough to matter. They had to have others help. From a percentage standpoint, precincts 3 and 11 had more no votes than precinct 8, which has most of the Cunningham Lake area.

Some township officials said that Mountain or Prairie View wanted this paved. That was a misconception that was misread by the powers that be. If Mountain wanted this, the numbers in precincts 7 (most of Mountain) and 8 (Most of Prairie View) would be closer. The no's would not be 70%+ I bet precinct 8 on its own was about 85%+ no.Prairie View can outvote Cunningham Lake if they want.

People don't want their money wasted over 15 years, their rural roads widened, their gravel roads paved, or new projects taken up when the main roads are not being taken care of at this time.

While today was a win, this is not over. This could come back at some point at a future date. We need long memories to make sure projects like this are buried and we don't see their ghost as a future date. Hopefully with results like this, it will be a long time. There's still a couple of preventative measures in the works, but for now. Let's enjoy this big win.

Tomorrow is Election Day - What you can do

Election Day is tomorrow. All of us at Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods need all of our supporters to do the following.

1. Vote, if you haven't already. That's the obvious part.

2. Get your friends and family and other supporters to vote.

3. If you have time, bring a sign and go out to the polling locations and campaign (over 100 ft from the polling location building's entrance to stay legal). Bring some maps and cost estimates in case some voters have questions. Some people always vote as a sense of duty that don't have all the facts on the issue. We need to reach these swing voters.

The Polling Locations are:

Genoa Twp 1 and 9 - Cleary University, 3750 Cleary Dr, Howell MI
Genoa Twp 2 and 10 - Three Fires Elementary School, 4125 W Crooked Lake, Howell MI Genoa Twp 3 and 11 - Community Bible School, 7372 W Grand River, Brighton MI 
Genoa Twp 4 and 8 - Brighton Church of the Nazarene, 7679 Brighton Rd, Brighton
Genoa Twp 5 and 12 - Chilson Hills Baptist Church, 4440 Brighton Rd, Howell 
Genoa Twp 6 and 7 - Hornung Elementary School, 4640 Bauer Rd, Brighton


Based on what I have heard, if we have a high turnout, we win. However, this is a three way election. Yes. No. Staying home. Unfortunately Staying home will have the most votes, although only yes or no will win. If we turn enough Staying Home votes into no votes, then we win.

Lastly, win or lose this isn't over. If we all win tomorrow, the same proposals can come back later. The Master Plan doesn't need to be just defeated, but buried and gone. If we lose, there's other options as our disposal we can and will use if necessary. Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods is not going away. It may lie dormant as a ballot question committee, but it is not going away. We'll cross those bridges after this election.

Argus endorses a "NO" vote on Genoa Millage

Today's Argus has an editorial on the millage.  It endorses a NO vote for many of the same reasons this group was formed. Many of the supporters of Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods are supposedly the "beneficiaries" of these projects. It isn't viewed much of a benefit, and everybody in the township is going to pay for it.

For starters, the survey supposedly showing the township that it had a green light to ask for road money had fewer than 500 respondents. Genoa has more than 8,000 households.
Just weighing those numbers against each other, we cannot agree with those who would suggest that a few hundred survey responses from about 20,000 residents constitutes a clarion call to raise $23 million in property taxes for roads.
Indeed, we are swayed more by the ongoing, turbocharged negative response from community residents who have voiced concerns about the road millage. Some have said they are concerned about speeding on paved roads instead of gravel roads. Others have said they are worried about widening roads and taking out natural features in their community.
Surely, nobody wants to pay extra taxes. Frankly, the tax tab isn’t really even the issue with this proposal. When a proposal like this is going to sock everybody in the township with a tax increase for a perceived public gain such as better roads, and the people along those roads — who are in line for what is perceived to be a $23 million public benefit — are crying foul, there needs to be a reassessment of the plan itself. The road projects very well may not be a benefit, in light of their concerns.

Most people don't like tax increases, but if these fixed main roads instead, this group probably would have not been formed. At the very least, it would not be nearly as organized and have a broad coalition of multipartisan supporters. It would be more ideological based. These plans however fundamentally change our neighborhoods. The pavings are bad, but the widenings are worse.

We can’t endorse a proposal that has generated such a swirl of controversy. Voters should say NO to the road millage proposal on the ballot Tuesday.
Genoa Township officials should then head back to the drawing board, seeking citizen input on a new road plan.
The Legislature is not going to come up with the money to fix local roads anytime soon. If residents want good roads to drive on, they’ll have to take care of it themselves.
But citizen input should be the guide as to how much, for how long, what roads get addressed and how they be repaired.
The vocal opponents of Tuesday’s proposal should be participants in the process.

They will, or already have.  Hopefully the rest of those who don't like this will show up. We've done and are doing our best to get the word out to likely voters. If we have a high turnout, we probably win.

Coverage from yesterday's township open house

There was another Genoa Township meeting over the road millage. It was the same stuff covered at the first two meetings I was at. WHMI and the Argus were there.


From WHMI

10/30/13 - A final informational meeting to explain an upcoming road millage ballot issue was held at the Genoa Township Hall last night. The township is offering a 15-year, 1.5 mill property tax on Tuesday's ballot to help make repairs and improvements to roads that the county and state are unable to fix due to budget constraints. Township officials have released a list of proposed projects to be accomplished through the millage, and of those the paving of Cunningham Lake Road in particular has elicited strong responses from residents. A group from the area has formed a committee to oppose the millage, saying the planned paving will destroy the natural setting of Cunningham Lake Road, encourage increased traffic at faster speeds, and make it dangerous for recreational activities like biking and jogging. During the meeting township officials and engineers fielded questions about that project and others being proposed as part of the millage. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI that removing any particular project from the proposal is highly unlikely, so voters will have to approach the ballot issue on an all-or-nothing basis. He says residents should vote their conscience, so if they are opposed to the project list they should simply vote against the millage. The township could offer a more limited road millage proposal if the current one is rejected on Tuesday, but McCririe says the township board will have to carefully consider how to move forward if that happens. (TD) 

The part in bold is key and is the same thing the township manager has said on multiple occasions. This is an all or nothing millage. If you don't want one particular road widened and paved, you have to vote against the whole thing to prevent it unless you want to go to longer shots of Plans B, C, D, and E (which we have if necessary). 

The Argus has an article and another letter. Here's the article:

A proposed tax levy intended to raise $23 million for nine county road projects across Genoa Township saw little support from a group of about 20 residents who attended an open-house forum Tuesday.
.........

Some of those who spoke at the open house were concerned with plans to pave and widen certain roads, especially portions of Cunningham Lake and Crooked Lake roads.
“They’re going to cut all of our trees down. We’ve lived there 35 years; we like the way it looks now,” said Ann Wholihan, who lives on Cunningham Lake Road and doesn’t want her home to lose its rural appeal.
“Everybody I’ve talked to doesn’t want it,” she added.
Wholihan and her husband, Paul, have been active members of a group called Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods, which opposes the millage. They wore T-shirts to Tuesday’s open house that read “Stop the Genoa Township road millage; vote no Nov. 5; no new taxes.”
Residents also were concerned that paving additional roads would increase traffic and the dangers of speeding in the rural areas.
“The kids go down here so fast now,” said Sherry Korbie, another longtime Cunningham Lake Road resident. “You give them a paved road ...”

Township officials argue the millage is necessary because the Legislature has not come up with a way to draw more revenue to fix roads. Roadwork is generally paid for through statewide gasoline taxes and vehicle-registration fees.
“Our township’s general fund tax dollars are about $1 million a year,” Archinal said. “When you look at Crooked Lake Road, that project alone is like $2.8 million. There’s just no way the general fund can support a project like that without some additional revenue sources.”

Then why widen and pave Crooked Lake Road? Why is that needed? I know for a fact that the residents of Cunningham Lake and Conrad don't want their roads widened and paved (The widening is what makes it real bad), and I'm fairly certain about Bauer as well.  I'm less familiar with Herbst and Beck. On that same note, a lot of people in other neighborhoods don't see the reason to widen and pave those roads, and don't want to pay more taxes for a waste of money. For those who don't want their own roads widened and paved, the taxes are an expensive insult to neighborhood and property rights' injuries.

Savings eyed

Archinal pointed out that better roads could save taxpayers money in other areas.
“One of the things that’s kind of a hidden savings is the emergency vehicle response times, the wear and tear on fire trucks, police cars, school buses,” he said. “That’s in addition to the private costs that we all incur with driving on dirt roads — ball-joint repairs, even car washes.”
The length of the tax levy — 15 years — was questioned by a couple of residents worried that they would by paying a long time for roads that might only have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.
“They’ll have to rebuild it by the time they get it paid for almost,” said Terry Croft, who lives on Hacker Road and attended the open house with his wife, Rita.
McCririe said many roads can last much longer than that if properly constructed.
“It should last well over 20 years with proper maintenance,” McCririe said, pointing out that roadways such as Dorr and Chilson roads are in good condition after many years of use. “There’s not a lot of maintenance on paved roads; it costs more to maintain gravel roads.”

Mike, in my nearly 20 years of driving on dirt roads, I've never had to replace my ball joints from that (paved pothole is another story). I don't fly down them at 90 MPH either. That's a good way to hit a deer - or in the case of Cunningham Lake, a deer, turkey, crane, dog, cat, hunter, jogger, walker, someone's grandkid, or another pedestrian.  As far as 20 years life on a paved project, I'll believe it when I see it.

Lastly there's another letter from a resident on this.

The Genoa Township road millage proposal touts the failing and deteriorating condition of 97 percent of township roads. However, nearly 75 percent ($16.5 million) of the proposed funds are targeted to reconstruct and pave gravel roads with very little of the tax revenue targeted to repair existing paved roads, and reduce the ongoing deterioration.
Most of the plan will not benefit the majority of township residents. With the exception of the Crooked Lake Road upgrade, Hughes Road repair and roundabout construction at the Challis Road/Bauer Road intersection, these are questionable projects. Hughes Road ($2.5 million) could be repaired using the same fix just completed on Coon Lake Road for a quarter of the cost, saving nearly $2 million. Reconstructing and paving Beck Road at $3 million is dumbfounding, and likely to grow to nearly $4 million for required work, and who will benefit? Herbst Road at $4 million tears up good pavement to make a heavy-load capable shortcut for what purpose? Similar commentary applies to other high-cost, low-benefit projects, while the failing Challis Road east of Bauer Road is not in the plan. This repair must be completed to make the roundabout functional. Brighton Road, one of the most heavily used roads in the township, is in poor condition and is not in the plan.
The millage language does not include any listing of road projects, thereby giving unlimited authority to the board to redirect the tax revenue for roadwork as it desires. This lack of accountability is a concern. By using an expensive bond, the tax revenue will all be spent within three years on low-value gravel road projects, while the residents will be paying this high tax rate for the next 15 years. Why not eliminate the costly bond and use a phased strategy to fund repairs over the life of the millage as road repair needs surface over time?
A recent township newsletter states that $250,000 per year will be pulled from the general fund to support the millage proposal. This is coming from the $500,000 included in the township budget for annual roadwork, cutting in half the repair and maintenance work that can be done in years 12-15. Interestingly, the millage language states the millage fund itself will be paying the service debt on bonds; something doesn’t make sense.
The millage request should be defeated until a lower cost and more effective plan can be put together; one that actually repairs failing roads, reduces deterioration and benefits large numbers of township residents.
Let your voice be heard by voting NO on this costly and poorly thought-out road millage proposal.
Norman Ball
Genoa Township

Another letter in opposition

Mr and Mrs Davis sent this to the Argus and it was printed today.

Please vote no on the Genoa Township road millage proposal Nov. 5. The projects for this millage have already been decided upon and include the paving of Cunningham Lake Road.
Those of us living on this road are strongly opposed to the paving of it, and we have not asked for it to be paved, nor do we want it paved, $3.6 million to pave a road we do not want paved.
This will benefit two subdivisions off Cunningham Lake, both of which are in Hamburg Township. Those residents will pay nothing toward the millage. We have been told the millage proposal is “all or nothing,” so the township Board of Trustees will not remove this road from its list. So the only option is to vote no. If you have already voted absentee and did not realize the projects had been decided, it is not too late to request your ballot back.
Cunningham Lake Road is a beautiful country road, home to a lot of wildlife, and many people use the road for walking, jogging, cycling, walking their dogs. Many of our neighbors built their homes and have lived here for 30-plus years. We chose to live on an unpaved road. If paved, it will need to be widened at least 10 to 15 feet more than its present width. This will totally destroy its beauty. It is not wanted nor needed. The road commission does an outstanding job of grading it at least four times a year, and removes the snowfall withing 24 to 48 hours. We are very satisfied with that.
We like our unpaved road; it presents no problems for our using it, and we are happy to live in such an idyllic area. We do not want it paved. Please vote “no” on this millage.
Richard and Shelagh Davis
Genoa Township

Coverage in today's Argus

There's plenty of coverage on the millage in today's Argus. Two guest editorials/letters and one article.

First, the article which has some information and quotes from two of our supporters. One added point. It's not just paving the roads that's a problem. It's WIDENING and paving the roads. The widening of the roads is worse.

Genoa Township voters will decide next week whether to tax themselves to fix local county roadways their gas taxes and registration fees normally pay for.
Township voters Nov. 5 will have their say on a proposed 15-year, 1.5-mill levy intended to raise $23 million for nine county road projects across the township.
If approved, the owner of a Genoa home with market value of $200,000 would pay $150 annually toward road projects. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value, which is roughly half of a home’s market value.
 ...
 A group called Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods created a blog opposing the millage. Other residents have come out in opposition either to a new tax or the list of planned projects.
Much of the opposition has come from residents on Cunningham Lake Road, a dirt road that nearby residents said they don’t want paved.
Some also argue that a portion of Cunningham Lake Road that runs into the Hamburg Township border would benefit motorists in that community at no cost to Hamburg residents.
Roxane Collins, who lives in a subdivision off Cunningham Lake Road, called the road “a little piece of heaven” lined by canopies and a serene environment for outdoor activity, such as walking or jogging.
“We moved here for a reason. We love the natural beauty of the road,” Collins said.
Shelagh Davis, who also lives off Cunningham Lake Road, said she moved to the area for a rural environment, and that she enjoys wildlife on the road, such as sandhill cranes and deer.
“We have never asked for the road to be paved, nor do we want the road to be paved,” Davis said.
Collins and Davis both were told they would have to vote “no” on the proposal if they didn’t want Cunningham Lake Road on the list.
Archinal said that’s because several voters have already voted absentee based on a road list publicized by the township.
He said the Cunningham Lake Road project was proposed based on complaints of cut-through traffic in adjacent subdivisions. Archinal said paving Cunningham Lake Road could reduce subdivision cut-through traffic by attracting motorists who avoid dirt roads.
He said complaints about the condition of Crooked Lake, Bauer, Challis and Latson roads date back at least 15 years.
“In a democracy, you try to make as many people happy as possible and as few people unhappy as possible,” he said.
Trustees Jim Mortensen and Jean Ledford voted against putting the millage question to voters.
Mortensen early on pledged to campaign against the proposal, arguing the Road Commission and the state need to find funding solution for county road improvements.
“The millage proposal, while well-intentioned by dedicated township officials is not, in my opinion, well-conceived. In short, don’t let others put a tax on your house and mine for someone else’s roads. Don’t,” he said in a recent statement.

What Mike Archinal doesn't say is that the cut through traffic - if any, comes from Stonegate or Pine Lake in Hamburg Township which doesn't pay a dime if this passes. (who know if they even want it paved either). This plan would also increase cut through through Pine Creek, which already has a problem with cut through traffic going 45MPH on Wyndam on their way to/from Costco, US-23, and the Green Oak Mall. (Wyndham to Brighton Lake to Northern Ridge to Peppergrove to Lee Rd - it isn't Maltby Rd like Archinal said at the meeting). Since the Bauer Rd/Brighton Rd traffic light is a clustermuck as designed for North/South traffic, Hidden Pines and Lake Forest will probably be another Wyndham. If Archinal wants to reduce cut through traffic, fix the timing of the traffic light at Bauer/Brighton Rd.

Trustee Jim Mortensen has a letter as well.

Don't let them tax your house for someone else's roads

On Nov. 5, Genoa Township residents will vote on a 15-year, 1.5 mill tax increase for local road improvements. I am opposed to this tax increase and urge a no vote.
Genoa Township does not own a road and does not receive funding for them. They are county roads. The county receives the funding for them. These roads transcend municipalities and/or benefit others as well as Genoa Township residents. The condition of these roads begs for a county and state solution. It just does.
Livingston County will tell you that they do not have enough funding. They also will tell you that we are the lowest county in receiving state funding on a per capita basis. Next year is an election year for many county and state offices. My recommendation to voters is to elect those who will do something about road funding. Elect those who will explain clearly and concisely why Michigan, which has the fifth highest gasoline taxes in the nation, cannot or will not fund the roads. Elect those who will eliminate ultra liberal state truckload weight restrictions, or convince us that they make sense. Elect those who will do something about the roads while, at the same time, being sensitive to those who wish to preserve the rural characteristics of the township.
The millage proposal while well intentioned by dedicated township officials is not, in my opinion, well conceived. In short, don’t let others put a tax on your house and mine for someone else’s roads. Don’t.
Jim Mortensen
Trustee
Genoa Charter Township

And Township Manager Mike Archinal has a guest column. Needless to say, we all disagree with it.

On Nov. 5, Genoa Township residents will have a choice to make about the condition of roads in their community. They can vote yes on the Genoa Township road proposal to fund a 15-year, 1.5-mill increase to fund projects throughout the township or they can vote no. It’s that simple.
Anyone who drives in Livingston County — or in Michigan, for that matter — knows the condition of our roads is poor. That’s a hard fact to argue. Livingston County residents have been negatively impacted by a system that is tied to lane miles and vehicle-registration fees, making our county roads the lowest-funded in the state on a per-capita basis.
Without additional revenue, much-needed improvements will not occur. We, as Genoa Township residents, can fix our roads. We have control over what happens here.
That is why our Board of Trustees has decided to give residents a chance Nov. 5 to vote on a proposal to improve roads in our township.
The Genoa Township road proposal goes to voters Nov. 5. They will decide the fate of a 15-year, 1.5-mill increase to fund a number of road improvements throughout the township.
If the proposal is approved, a home with a market value of $200,000 and a state-equalized value (SEV) of $100,000 would pay $150 per year. The first bill would appear on the 2013 winter tax.
The proposed road projects affect all areas of the township and would be completed over the next three years beginning in 2014:

It's a $3000 tax for a $200,000 home as this is a 15 year millage. For many homes in the township, it would be closer to $6000 and in some cases like Pine Creek, $10000. Most I know would consider a millage, if it actually fixed the roads. As our postcard says - "Does not fix Brighton Rd, Grand River, and Chilson." It also doesn't fix other main roads like Hacker, most of Challis (the heavily traveled part), Coon Lake, Dorr, or the paved portion of Bauer.  Those are the main roads people expect to be fixed. If the millage passes, improvements on those roads will not occcur. This is wasting $22 million dollars if we trust the township's numbers regarding costs. In addition, how much will it cost to maintain these paved roads, as the paved roads right now aren't well maintained to begin with.

Some board members mention that Brighton Rd among others will receive federal funds for improvements. If so, why have the millage in the first place.

Archinal then describes the projects.

2014

• Crooked Lake Road would be paved from Chilson Road to the end of the pavement near Spring Hill Road. The paved roadway west of Lakewood Shores Drive will be crushed and shaped to provide a uniform, consistent cross-section.
• Latson Road from Aster Boulevard north past Conover Court will have a consistent three-lane cross-section with a center left-turn lane. Acceleration and deceleration lanes will be provided for all of the residential developments within the project limits. This project will also include a traffic signal at the intersection of Latson and Hampton Ridge Boulevard.

Latson I understand, but widening and paving this?

2015

• The intersection of Challis and Bauer roads will be improved with the installation of a roundabout. Other road-alignment changes will include the abandonment of Bauer Road between the staggered legs of Challis and the connection to existing Challis to the west. Challis Road will be paved east toward the railroad tracks.
• Beck Road would be paved from Chilson to Nixon Road. (Nixon Road will become Latson Road after the interchange is opened).
• Conrad and Challis roads will be repaved from Dorr Road to Clifford. This project involves significant grade and right-of-way issues.

Beck Rd. Interestingly, Laurex Real Estate just had a development sale for condo's off Beck Rd. What's Laurex? It's a company run by two of Genoa Township's board members including the supervisor. 

Why Conrad? That's not a repave, but widen and paving. Challis is dirt from Dorr to Conrad. That's not the part of Challis traveled heavily. As far as the roundabout goes, people love them or hate them. We don't like the $2 million price tag for the roundabout.

 

2016

• Herbst Road will be improved along its entire length. On the western end, from Dorr Road to Acre Hill Street, the existing roadway will be crushed, shaped and repaved. On the eastern end, Acre Hill to Grand River Avenue, the gravel portion of the Herbst will be paved.
• Cunningham Lake and Bauer roads will be paved. Cunningham Lake will be improved from Sundance Trail to Bauer Road then north on Bauer Road from Cunningham Lake to the end of the pavement south of River Ridge. The existing paved portion of Bauer, from River Ridge to Brighton Road, will be crushed, shaped and repaved. Finally, the gravel portion of Bauer will be paved to the Township limit.
• Hughes Road will be repaved. The southern section from Grand River to Cherokee Bend will be milled and overlaid. The area north of Cherokee Bend to Golf Club Drive will be crushed shaped and paved.

For reference.

Hughes I support.  Herbst doesn't need to be widened and paved. Cunningham Lake residents made their opinions well known. Bauer doesn't need to be paved to the township line. There's only two homes on the Hamburg side. Do you think Hamburg's going to pave in the Brighton Recreational area along Ore Creek? I doubt it. 

 He closes to say:

If you have questions regarding the road projects, please attend our third Road Information Open House from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday at Township Hall, 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton.
I have given you the facts surrounding the Nov. 5 Genoa Township Road Proposal. It is now up to you — the residents — to decide. If you agree, vote yes. If you do not agree, vote no.
Whatever is decided, we will continue working to make Genoa Township the best place it can be for our residents.

I encourage all residents to attend the meeting. We at Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods don't need to spin anything. We believe that if our residents know the facts, the results will be in our favor.  That said, this is an all or nothing proposal. That was made clear by the manager.  Some of us support Hughes and Latson (near Grand River), but the other projects make this unworthy of support from a fiscal responsibility standpoint, as well as one from a protecting our rural character standpoint.

That's why we all encourage a no vote, so the township can come back with something reasonable.

More letters supporting a "No" Vote

Two more letters were in the Argus. One was from former Supervisor Bob Murray. If he wants to come out of retirement, we know a lot of folks who would be happy to support him.

We were mailed a third. If we get permission, we'll post it, but we want to err on the side of caution since the Internet is public.

Genoa road millage is 'a recipe for disaster'

The responsibility for repair and maintenance of township roads is with Livingston County, not Genoa Township taxpayers. Handing the township a $22 million check for 15 years is a recipe for disaster.
If we have learned anything in the past five years it is that giving government more tax dollars results in more spending, more government and higher debt. There is no assurance that the projects listed would be done since four board members can vote to decide what is done.
Do we really need a $2 million roundabout at Bauer and Challis where Mt. Brighton happens to be located? Home values are increasing, so each year as your taxable value goes up this 1.5 mills will increase your taxes. Also remember that a significant portion of your tax dollars will go to pay interest on the bonds for 15 years, not for road work. Don’t be fooled by this proposal. Protect your money. Vote “no” on the Genoa road millage Nov. 5.
Bob Murray
Genoa Township

Road millage too long

Having been a Genoa Township resident for more than 40 years, I have seen and traveled good and bad roads locally. The vast majority of roads that local residents travel are state- or county-maintained. The roads that are presently proposed to be fixed in Genoa Township are lightly traveled and appear to serve a limited number of residents.
The annual cost to an average homeowner in Genoa Township would not be trivial, and raising over $1 million per year would undoubtedly add a whole new layer of bureaucracy (township road administrator and staff) and most disturbing, would last for 15 years.
The proposed extra millage could have been tried for five or even 10 years, and if township residents saw the benefits vs. the cost, the millage could be renewed. Fifteen years is simply too long and would certainly adversely affect property values in Genoa Township. However, our township board has chosen to put this sole item on the November ballot — at what cost? As one pundit has previously observed, rarely has government met a tax it did not like.
Mike Merritt
Genoa Township

Genoa Township Meeting on the millage October 29th

From the Genoa Township website

Road Information Open House

There will be a Road Information Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 3-5 p.m. at the Genoa Township Hall, 2911 Dorr Road. Township officials will be available to answer questions regarding the Nov. 5 Genoa Township Road Millage.
This map indicates where these improvements would take place. This proposed Road Improvement Master Plan includes project descriptions and cost estimates for the proposed work.
If you have questions regarding this proposal, please stop by the Open House to talk with Township officials for more information.

We won't back down

Campaign Update:

Our first mailings have been out. We've received good support from many residents, including those who aren't tied to Cunningham Lake Road. This is a major tax increase as well, and the money is not going to fix the roads.

• A $200,000 valued home will pay $3000 in taxes with this 15 year millage.
• $16 Million of the 22-23 Million goes to widening and paving rural country roads instead of fixing new roads. 
• Most of the main roads aren't going to be fixed from this millage. Brighton Rd, Grand River, Chilson, Door, most of Challis (outside of roundabout and the dirt area), the main portion of Bauer towards the ski area, Coon Lake. Those roads aren't covered by this millage.

We are gaining momentum, but we are not done yet. We still need donations as campaigns are not cheap. Every little bit helps. Our biggest cost is postage for direct mail as there are no salaries or consulting fees (pro bono). $100 covers three rolls of postcard stamps. That contacts 300 households and hopefully helps get them to the polls. A high turnout helps us.

Thank you all and please Vote No on November 5th, 2013 (or by absentee)

Please send donations and make checks payable to:
"Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods"
PO Box 1182
Brighton, MI 48116

Welcome new viewers

This blog was linked in today's Argus. To all our new viewers here, welcome to the opposition site.

On the November 5, 2013 ballot, there will be a millage for residents of Genoa Township, MI in Livingston County. This millage, if passed, will raise property taxes 1.5 mills over a period of at least 15 years. The projects this will fund will be at the discretion of the Genoa Township Board of Trustees, however there is a master plan regarding road projects and a map covering the projects.

The master plan describing the project is here. 

Here's a map of all the projects planned. The map can be clicked on for a better view.

Here's a reprint of the FAQ's.

Q. How much will taxes increase if this is passed?

1.5 Mills over 15 years. A house valued at $200,000 will pay $150 a year for 15 years. Assessments will probably increase as well on newly paved roads.


Q. Do the roads need to be fixed?

Generally, this is the jurisdiction of Lansing or the Livingston County Road Commission. Even so, the proposed master plan only covers two major roads. Latson Road and Hughes Road. Most of the other roads affected are rural country roads that are not in bad shape. Many residents do not want the rural country roads paved. This does not affect Brighton Rd, Coon Lake, Chilson, or Dorr Road.

Q. What projects are likely if this passes?

The expected projects and their estimated costs are as follows.

• Crooked Lake - 2.8 Million (2014) - New Paving from Chilson to Door
• Latson - 1.85 Million (2014) - Widening - That is a project I agree with
• Beck Road - 2.95 Million (2015) - New widening and paving from the new Latson Interchange to Chilson
• Conrad/Challis - 1.925 Million (2014) - New widening and paving from Clifford to Dorr
• Challis/Bauer Intersection - 2.1 Million (2015) - Roundabout
• Herbst Road - 3.9 Million (2016) - New widening and paving from Grand River to Sylvan Glen
• Cunningham Lake and Bauer 3.65 Million (2016) - New widening and paving from Stonegate Subdivision to Bauer, and on Bauer from Cunningham Lake to first Pine Creek Entrance.
• Bauer Rd - 1.25 Million (2016) - From Cunningham Lake to Hamburg Township Line (around Murray Lake)
• Hughes Road - 2.55 Million (2016) - Repaving. That is another project I agree with.

Total estimated costs - $22.975 Million

Q. Is there a Roundabout planned?

Yes, at the Challis and Bauer Road intersection. It is expected to cost $2.1 million.


Q. Why is there such strong opposition from the Cunningham Lake Road neighborhood? 

It raises their taxes to widen and pave a road the residents do not want paved. It is a rural country road with a large number of local pedestrians, dog walkers, hunters, deer, and cranes. This road measures across about 19 1/2 ft. The project calls for two 11 ft lanes plus shoulders as they see fit. (Bauer is two 3ft shoulders on each side - 12 ft)  With hills, curves, and storm sewers, Expect at least 10-15ft wider road, with all the trees clear-cut and property loss at taxpayer expense.

In addition, two subdivisions affected (Cunningham Lake is a township border) are in Hamburg Township so they don't have to pay a dime if this passes.


Q. Are other roads scheduled to be paved rural country roads?

Don't take my word for it. Drive by there yourself. 

Q. How is this millage fiscally irresponsible?

• It spends over 2 Million on a roundabout instead of a traffic light. 
• It spends $16 million widening and paving rural country roads instead of fixing main roads.
• It only spends 4.4 million fixing main roads (Hughes and Latson). 
• It creates further maintenance costs on the newly paved roads. 
• It costs owners of $200,000 homes $3000 over 15 years. 
• Affected subdivisions in Hamburg do not pay anything. 

Q. Why is a Green Oak Resident and Chair of the local Republican Party fighting this millage?

I grew up and lived in Genoa Township for the first 23 years of my life outside my time at Michigan State before moving to Howell and now Green Oak Township. I grew up in one of the neighborhoods due to be paved and am not happy about it. This neighborhood and its character has changed little in the past 35 years.

My parent still live there and strongly oppose this millage because of what it will do to their neighborhood. I have many friends still in that neighborhood of all political persuasions, most of whom I have known for at least 20+ if not 30+ years. This is a stable neighborhood with rare turnover and they all want to protect their neighborhood. I still have a lot of ties there and am lending my support.

As far as the Republican Party is concerned, I'm not doing this as Chair of the Livingston County Republican Party. This is something I'm supporting on my own. The LCRP has taken no official position (and I have not asked them to do so) and each member makes their own decision on this issue. That aside, this is a bipartisan effort. There are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents all opposed to this. 

Q. Is the committee opposing this filed with proper authorities?

Yes, "Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods" is a ballot question committee filed with and regulated by the Livingston County Clerk's office.

Q. I want this millage defeated. How can I help? 

The most important thing is to vote November 5th if you are a Genoa Township resident. The other thing is to get the word out to potential voters. This will be a low turnout election. With enough donations, our committee can engage in direct mailing to likely voters to spread the word. Please make checks payable to "Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods" PO Box 1182. Brighton MI 48116.

Q. How much money raised will go towards defeating this millage?

All donations will go directly to the effort. Nobody is getting salaries or contracts as administrative costs. I'm working on this pro bono as this affects family and friends directly.

Today's Argus

There was an article in today's Argus:

Genoa Township officials say they believe most residents understand the need for a road millage.
But some residents are forming groups opposed to the millage.
Township voters will decide the fate of the proposed 15-year, 1.5-mill levy Nov. 5.
“It’s something we hear every year,” Supervisor Gary McCririe said of residents’ demands for road improvements.
“You can accept things as they are or you can choose to do something about it.”
The millage would raise $150 a year from those living in homes with a market value of $200,000.
But some residents say the millage goes too far, especially when it comes to Cunningham Lake Road, a winding road in the township’s southeastern quarter.
Widening would ruin its scenic beauty, residents say; paving would increase speeds and danger.
Based on those concerns, some Cunningham Lake residents have formed a group opposing the millage.
While not part of that group, nor even registered to vote locally, new resident Beth DeBeliso said she was sympathetic.
“If that was part of it, I’d definitely be opposed,” she said.
Others have expressed different opinions on why they oppose the millage.
A group that calls itself Protect Genoa Township Neighborhoods has created a blog listing its reasons.
 It alleges the township would spend too much on low-use local roads, as opposed to more widely traveled thoroughfares, and that a proposed traffic roundabout at Challis and Bauer roads would be more effectively replaced by a traffic light.

There's more at the site. As far as Mr. McCririe's comments go, what does this do to improve the roads? I don't see Chilson, Brighton, or Grand River on the master plan. You point to some generic survey that had less than 500 responses from a population of almost 20,000. When residents said they would be willing to pay more taxes to fix roads, they probably mean roads like Chilson, Brighton, Grand River, and Dorr, not Cunningham Lake, Conrad, and Herbst. This was a generic survey with less than 10% returned.

If this was on my other blog, I'd have a certain term for those comments. It describes what often comes from the mouths of politicians.