We acknowledge the value of the decision to eliminate individual septic systems around the area lakes and in Ontwa Township in favor of a community collection system in partnership with the Elkhart Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The results of that decision have been reflected over the years in increased property values, a bigger tax base, growth of full time resident homes and particularity, the improved environment and quality of life in our lakes based community.

The difference with this, the proposed new wastewater treatment plant project, is the Ontwa Township community already has a working sewer collection system, and does not need a WWTP in our backyards for the benefit of the Granger, Indiana community.

Cass County and Ontwa Township would be taking on all the risk and liability, while St Joe County and Granger would get all the economic rewards with no investment.

In fact, we will be “selling the rope to our own hanging,” promoting the growth and economic development of Granger, at the expense of Edwardsburg and Ontwa Township. Many tax dollars streams will flow to Indiana from our Michigan community. Sales taxes, property values and property taxes will decline as Granger grows because businesses will want to be located where the action is. This is economic development war and we are supplying Granger with the weapon to ensure success.

The Ontwa-Granger WWTP project will not be for the greater good of stakeholders in Cass County or Ontwa Township, or the Edwardsburg Village; it will be for the greater good of St. Joe County and Granger. A community of over 30,000 in population; five times the size of Ontwa Township and Edwardsburg combined and twice the median household income.

I urge the Ontwa Township community to get involved and stop development of proposed Granger-Ontwa wastewater treatment plant. There are too many legal, financial, economic and environmental questions unanswered or suppressed from the public.

There is a lot going on in Cass County and Ontwa Township that the public is not happy with and I think you are going to witness many changes as past cronyism and fiefdoms are turned over at the voting booth.

“We deserve what we tolerate.”

 

Mike Mroczek

Ontwa Township