Eagle Harbor Township board opposing initiative
Eagle Harbor Township board opposing initiative
By KURT HAUGLIE, EDMG Writer
EAGLE HARBOR — Although there is an initiative aimed at reducing government spending on the Nov. 7 general election ballot, many local governments, including the Eagle Harbor Township Board of Trustees, are opposing it.
At the Monday meeting of the board, trustees voted unanimously to support a resolution written by the Michigan Township Association opposing the Stop Over Spending ballot initiative.
Eagle Harbor Township Supervisor Ed Kisiel said, if approved by voters, the initiative would require that most spending issues that are now approved or disapproved by state and local governments would require approval by voters.
As an example, Kisiel said, instead of granting special assessments for projects such as short sections of road work, under the initiative that would not be able to be done.
“This would be the type of thing that would require a (popular) vote,” he said.
Kisiel said although keeping control of government spending is a good idea, that’s the job of elected officials.
“There are means to stop runaway spending,” Kisiel said. “Overall, local government is controlled very effectively.”
If residents don’t like the way their elected officials are running their government, Kisiel said voters can use the recall and referendum to make changes.
The board voted also to request an appraisal for the 580-acre Long Lake Refuge 2 in order to apply for a federal grant.
Kisiel said the “Yellow Book” appraisal is more stringent than other appraisals and is required for federal grants.
Although the township will have to pay for the appraisal, Kisiel said that cost would be refunded in the grant.
The $2 million grant would require a $1 million match, which would be split 50/50 between the township and the North Woods Conservancy.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a plan to set up a bookcase in the township hall where residents could drop off and take away books. The number of books allowed will be limited to what the bookcase can hold.
• Approved allowing Kisiel to seek an alternate attorney for the township to use when the regular township attorney isn’t available.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com
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