FAQ's regarding Genoa Millage and Committee

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 persuations, 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 and buy signs for our supporters to spread the word. Donations can be sent 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.