There is a township of Oshtemo with an angry, animated citizenry and an important primary election looms. It’s an old township, like most in Michigan formed soon after the land was surveyed. 2010 Census gave the population as 21,000, currently 23,000 (but not if you refer to one of the glossy, slick development publications in which a hired consultant, ESRI, places the population at 31,000.) Ten years for 2,000 population! Township gained 3,000 more in the previous decade.
Two-thirds of the township is designated rural and supposedly policies aim to protect that. That other one third contains upscale homes with large lots. Commercial structures not to exceed 2 stories, but the Planning Commission makes an exception when the building ‘looks nice’. It is located in an area close to the Big Lake and plenty of trails, lakes, preserves; a good area with a population legacy that benefitted from Upjohn headquarters (long gone), related spin off industries and universities.
So the spearhead issue this election year is mandatory sewer connection. Got to get rid of those terrible polluting septic systems! So when your subdivision has its turn, you get a mandatory letter demanding you pay upwards of $11,000 “connection fee” and then on top of that $4,000-20,000 to take care of the line to your home. So there is one contingent that wants no sewer, one that wants it optional, and one that wants the sewer. The no group is the loudest, most active.
As with many places it is a single issue that will galvanize the community. Then they look closer at other activities. You’ll find that they will fault everything you do, scream corruption, liar, etc. And the internet is ablaze with accusations, truths and half truths, heated arguments. Sometimes they are right; this is a very ingrained board with a Supervisor who over the course of 11 years and populated the township offices and board with allies, friends, etc. One board Trustee is also Assistant to the Supervisor and her husband is Maintenance Director. And right before an election this is deadly.
I’ve experienced all officials ousted, new put in. But we are so polarized that the old guard howls, disrupts, rummages through the half truths and soon this new board is ousted. And everything runs their course, nothing effectively changed. New animosities and grudges in the community seem the only real outcome. Oh and that initial galvanizing issue, probably got done in spite of everything.
How do you govern with a volatile population? And all the communities I’ve lived in are one party, so primary is the only election for local level. Buzzwords are transparency, honesty and change. Boards complain no one shows up for the meetings, but they are truly extremely dry unless there is an issue. Also public comment is limited and questions are not answered as a matter of policy. Currently in Oshtemo board minutes record merely the bare minimum required by law – essentially nothing – a recent development. So how do you hold elected officials accountable? So why bother to attend.
At least they should be happy it is not a true revolution and no one is yelling ‘off with their heads’, the only way to effect lasting change.
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