LTE | Bruce Township Police Millage

Dec 12, 2011 by A Romeo Times Staff Collaboration

Kudos to the Ray Township Board of Trustees for putting the Police Millage on the August 2012 Primary rather than on the February 2012 ballot.  The Ray Township Treasurer stated that he does not think there is enough voter turnout in February with an estimated 20 percent turn out.  I applaud the Ray Township Board of Trustees for putting this matter before a larger percentage of residents.

Then, there’s the Bruce Township Board of Trustees’ discussion regarding the same issue.  Although the Bruce Township Treasurer brought up the same concern with regard to a much larger voter turn out for a Primary (Aug. 2012), the Board voted to put it on the February 2012 ballot.  Four Board members voted in favor of the motion with the Treasurer casting the only dissenting vote.  I would be curious to know the basis on which those voting for this motion made his/her decision. It’s baffling to me why they would not want to put this issue on a ballot that would draw a much greater percentage of voters.  It was also mentioned that the millage would be up to 2 mills.  What does that mean?  Will it be 1 mill; will it be 1.5 mills?  Will it be 2 mills?

I now ask each Bruce Township Board of Trustees who voted for putting the Police Millage on the February 2012 – ballot to share his/her reasoning behind said vote.  According to a recent article in the Romeo Observer explaining additional reasoning for putting the matter before the voters in August 2012, Ray Township’s position was, “Even if the millage was put on the February 2012 ballot, it won’t take effect until March 1, 2013, and the township would still have to wait for the other townships interested in pooling their resources if they could.”  So, Bruce Township…..what’s the hurry?  Why not consider a larger percentage of Bruce Twp. taxpayers for this vote by putting it on the August 2012 ballot?  What’s your rationale for not wanting to reach a much greater percentage of taxpayers, your constituents?

Geri Renaldi
Bruce Township