ONEKAMA -- A Manistee County community is making national headlines in a Wall Street Journal article.
The Onekama community is discussing a possible merger between the Village of Onekama and Onekama Township. The issue isn't taking place in this community alone - Governor Snyder is pushing the discussions to take place statewide.
The governor is taking steps to bring about the consolidation of municipal services, even whole municipalities, in order to cut budgets. His blueprint, which relies on legal changes and financial incentives, calls for a "metropolitan model" of government that would combine resources across cities and their suburbs.
The Citizens Research Council (CRC) is helping the Manistee County community analyze options and implications of shifting to one government unit instead of two. Eric Lupher, Director of Local Affairs for CRC will present a business case for single government along with the apparent advantages and disadvantages. The Alliance for Economic Success will then facilitate an open discussion among the public about the concept.
Township Supervisor David Meister and Village President Robert Blackmore stressed the importance of having all community interests participate and get their voices heard.
Ultimately, the Onekama Township Board and the Village of Onekama Council will need to determine if they want to move the issue forward.
"The discussion alone is forging new ground for Onekama as well as Michigan," said Lupher. "It's wise that the communities are proceeding at a deliberate pace and inviting everyone to weigh in. If the communities do decide to move this to a referendum, it will be important that the electorate understand the advantages and disadvantages of both options. The fact that the community is having this open discussion about its future governance is commendable."
On February 10, 2011, a community forum was held in Onekama to identify questions and concerns from the public about the possibility of forming one government. You can view the questions and concerns by CLICKING HERE. On March 23, 2011, another open community meeting was held where officials from the Alliance of Economic Success responded to the questions raised.
We would like to know - would you support government consolidation in your community if it meant lower taxes? Tell us "Your Point of View" by voting in the poll below and leaving your comments on the debate.
