By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
Pokagon Township Supervisor Linda Preston reported during the Pokagon Township board meeting Wednesday night that she received a memo that day from Lawrence Merrill, executive director of the Michigan Townships Association, about reforming local government.
The memo stated it was thought that small townships might be abolished with a population of under 5,000.
She said it was just rumored at this time as part of a plan being developed by legislators, mostly house Democrats, according to the MTA memo.
Preston said she didn't understand what would be gained from this possible elimination of townships.
She said the duties that townships do, if performed by the county, would cost more for people to run things.
"I don't think it was well thought through," she said of the idea. "The rumors are flying."
Of Cass County's 15 townships, 13 are under a population of 5,000.
Merrill stated in his memo there are 1,038 townships in the state under 5,000 population.
He said no one has explained what would replace the townships whether it be county government, regional government, special districts or annexation to cities.
"Some have suggested creating mega townships," he said.
Merrill said this was not explained if this would be done by legislative action or by local choice. "There clearly is no grand plan, just many legislators, including those in leadership, trying to respond to the demand for government reform as a prelude to raising taxes."
Preston urged citizens to contact their legislators about this and said she will e-mail state Rep. Rick Shaffer, R-Three Rivers, about it.
Preston said following the meeting that Pokagon Township, with a population of 2,199, is run efficiently and economically. She said to hire someone to run things would require paying benefits. "The numbers would exhilarate."
In a related matter, Clerk Carrie Sandberg said it is nearing census time in 2010. She said she is taking training about census taking. She also went to training for the May 8 election which will be held at the township hall for three schools in the district, Cassopolis, Niles and Dowagiac. She is also going to Lansing to take training on when and how long to keep old records and destroying them.
Both Sandberg and Treasurer Kevin Young were commended by Trustees Gary Mihills and Robert Shaffer for stepping in on the job and "picking it up rather well."
Young reported that his tax collection balanced with the county figures. There were only two delinquent properties, of which both have been paid, he said, and he will check on a building on leased land that is delinquent. It is a cottage in Crystal Springs Campground on Crystal Springs Road.
The township transfer (dump) station will be open May 5 with one-half price day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located on Pokagon Highway, it is open to all township residents and property owners.
Shaffer reported the cemeteries will be cleaned up starting May 5, and the water will be turned on in the cemeteries as soon as it gets nice. M-40 Hustlers 4-H club will help in the cleanup.