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 valueof $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.
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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
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
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
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
The Genoa Township road proposal goes to voters
If the proposal is approved, a home with a market value
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.
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