To the editor:
For anyone who’s ever attended a BOC meeting, particular attention should be paid to the ‘Approval of Financials’ section. Each Commissioner, on a rotating basis, makes a motion for disbursement of county funds towards specific items. These are bi-partisan majority and usually 6-1 or 7-0 votes. For one political party to complain about a 26% spending increase as if they were blameless, is duplicitous indeed.
Yes, money has been spent on the county government reorganization originally initiated by the former board majority. Yes, much support has been given to the Sheriff’s Department, including a new Detective, upgrading 2 new Sergeants, additional vehicles and the new patrol boat with machine gun mount (machine gun not included - yet) to name a few.
Our judicial system has seen numerous upgrades for the Prosecuting Attorney Office and the District/Circuit/ Probate/Family Court systems. Government Center maintenance/ service of additional servers and software upgrades across multiple departments. The re-alignment to accommodate new offices of the IT Department, Health Department and Veterans Affairs. Increased wages for department heads and inflation payout for employees. Additional monies have been provided for the 911 emergency system, Leland Dam infrastructure and the Soldiers & Sailors Relief Fund.
Exactly where would those who placed the political ad in question recommend fiscal cuts? Follow up question is exactly how much money would be returned to your pocket? Lastly, how could any of their proposed rollbacks ever serve Leelanau County’s overall best interest?
The only honest statement in that advertisement is Commissioners will be serving 4 years.
John Hunter Bingham Township
