8/20/13 - It wasnât unanimous but the Genoa Township Board is moving ahead with putting a road millage on the November ballot, saying everyone has valid views and it's only fair to give voters a choice. The board met Monday night and approved a resolution with ballot language for improvements on some specific projects that were determined based on accidents, complaints, safety, traffic counts and the anticipated traffic increase the Latson Road interchange will bring once complete. The 1.5 mill proposal would span 15 years, which members say is tied to the life expectancy of roads. Board members Jean Ledford and Jim Mortenson voted against it. He commented that the road fund in Lansing needs an emergency manager based on how itâs handled and said he would do everything he can to see the road millage defeated in November. Only a handful of people attended Monday nightâs meeting and public hearing, including some who were pretty vocal and repeatedly interrupted board members, alleging they had to be making money under the table somewhere or had been made promises by the Road Commission. Dorothy Zayan-Coppola has lived off Hughes Road for 40 years and questioned the reasoning behind work on some roads based on their close proximity to certain subdivisions and larger homes. With improvements few and far between on Hughes Road, she also questioned maintenance. Others commented about the state road funding formula, how that money is dispersed and feel the county should fix county roads. Legislators have also been talking about increasing the state sales tax to raise new revenue for roads, which is just another unnecessary tax to resident Robert Egan, who felt some of the proposed projects were needed but not all. Board members in favor of putting the issue before voters expressed that now is the time to do the work considering favorable interest rates, the number of accidents, future traffic, demands from those with school children and overall safety. Supervisor Gary McCririe tells WHMI thereâs strong feelings on both sides and theyâve heard for many years from residents who want something done about the roads so this will let them decide. The road millage will appear before voters on Tuesday, November 5th. If approved, it would generate an estimated $1.4 (m) million the first year levied. More information can be found through the link below. (JM)
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