Residents like to be treated with respect

Dear Editor,

I, like most residents (emphasis on RESIDENT) of this township, like to be treated with respect. If one treats me with respect, it is given back freely, without question.

However, there are some in this township that feel differently. Some feel that IF, one didn’t grow up here in Goodland Twp./Imlay City, we don’t belong.

The phrase that was put out and used a lot during 2022/23 was the “5 Acres City Folk”. Residents who did not grow up here. Those were residents from other communities who wanted a country feel in the thumb, and call it home.

Yes, a new home to raise a family, and make new friends. Some of the residents from other areas outside of Goodland married into the community, and raised a family, whose children went to Imlay City Schools. Others just moved here – longing for peace and quite.

Then two (2) things happened fast, quick and in a hurry. One, the solar issue and the election on the heels of solar. The solar issue proved how big business wanted to steal farm land at what-ever cost, paid for by TAXPAYER dollars, sanctioned by politicians, regardless who suffered. Which is still ongoing.

And 2, the election of a new township supervisor and board members. Now, say what you want. It had the APPEARANCE of favoritism for a long period of time. Just ask the residents who lived here.

Prior to the summer election of 2024, there was tons of talk for change in the township counsel. I know – I sat in on many a conversation, from people who were residents, and yes, the old counsel members.

Which brings me to the next below statements. Families have paid thousands of their dollars and taxpayer dollars for speaking up and speaking out for damage to private property (or ecological damage) caused by members of this community.

And NO ONE wants to speak up. Shameful. Because certain residents DID NOT keep their mouths shut.

The residents of this township ARE not guests as the previous article mentions. If you want to be a guest, go to a restaurant, some ones house or a party. If you want to be a audience attendee, go to a sporting event, movie or a concert.

The AUDIENCE word is used frequently by members on the board. Has been since I have been attending the meetings. That being said, attendance of the meetings, it has been heard that there are too many residents in attendance.

Why do the residents need to be there? ANSWER: for retrieving/gathering of information and transparency of the counsel process. Yes, residents should attend. Some do, some don’t.
Our community as a whole cannot make it, due to its business of farming, and other personal family issues and work schedules.

So the comment like: “Residents don’t need to know what the township does” or “Its none of their business”. Well, I say, the residents pay your salary. So it is our business.

Also if the board wants to let the residents talk for two sets of 3 minutes, and a board member doesn’t like it, maybe that board member should find another part time job.

Why do certain members of the board go off on other board members and or residents speaking It’s about respect and transparency.

Board members DO NOT RESPECT the residents, let alone fellow members.

And speaking of part-time jobs. WHY WHY WHY, does the appearance of the entire township counsel and some spouses have to go to the MTA, on the taxpayer dime. If the spouses, did pay for their share, then fine.

But how much did this trip cost for the entire crew to go? Now it has been reported. at the last township meeting, that the township is in a deficit in excess of $85,000 dollars. We are broke, as a township. WHAT ?

At what point in time were we in debt, before or after the 2024 election.

And let’s briefly talk about the process. Why do board members have to go behind the backs of other board members, call or hold a quoram of 3, then vote in favor of what was talked about at the meeting? Bring those things in public – let the residents have a say-so, before a select few think it’s good for THEIR friends and family.

Also, the enforcement of blight in the township. Since when is it not enforceable, to enforce an Ordinance on a person(s) one grew up with. One would refer to that as favoritism/nepotism.

Don’t we as a township have enough of that in Wash., DC? Have some of our board members become what they despise so much?

The business of our township is to be run in the township, by the elected members, overseen by the residents, for TRANSPARENCY. Not at a store or a gas station.

Not on a part time basis. If our board members THINK they need a pay raise because they THINK they are doing a lot. Well – open their office at 2374 Van Dyke MI.

And NO, none of you all NEED a pay raise, like you think. We, the township, are broke. Remember, you all reminded us of that this last township meeting.

Maybe – when it comes to the budget, we (the RESIDENTS) should start with taking some of your pay back. It is amazing to me that the previous administration(s), hours of operation were: Mon – Thur, 9-1.

But now since the 2024 newly elected spend less time there for the public access. Oh wait; APPOINTMENT only, or go to a gas station. And then have those same people complain that they are doing township work at their place of regular employment.

Do your job – you work for the PEOPLE of Goodland Township. Quit being self servers. If your position in the township is too much for you, then maybe you should find another path to travel.

—JCS
Goodland Township Resident
(full name withheld)