Onekama Township and the Village of Onekama will begin a process to consider options for consolidating their township and village governments into one governmental entity.
The process will be facilitated by the non-profit Citizen's Research Council of Michigan. This is one of the few times in Michigan's history that a township and village have jointly decided to consider consolidation.
In announcing the project, Village President Robert Blackmore and Township Supervisor David Meister said that community interest in exploring consolidation stems from: a shared interest in looking at options for containing the costs of government and government services in Onekama, a common interest in unifying the community around sharing its visions, goals and objectives involving the economic well-being and quality of life and an interest in streamlining and simplifying public access to government.
Meister and Blackmore emphasized that no decision has been made to proceed with consolidation. The purpose of the project is to determine if a consolidation option is feasible and desirable. A decision to consolidate the two governmental entities would require a vote of the electorate. They said that every effort will be made to involve all interests in the process, including two community forums co-hosted by the Village and Township.
On February 10, 2011, the first community forum will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Onekama's Farr Center. The purpose of that forum will be to discuss the purpose of the project and to identify community questions, concerns and opportunities that the project should address.
On March 23, 2011, the second community forum will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Onekama's Farr Center where the Citizens Research Council will respond to questions, concerns and opportunities and talk in more detail about consolidation options and implications.
Questions or concerns about the consolidation project may be sent to: jami@allianceforeconomicsuccess.com; mail: AES, 1361 US 31 South, Manistee, MI 49660; fax: 231-723-3717.
The project will be completed in June or July 2011.
