A newly formed organization hopes to give a voice to those across Leelanau communities regarding local issues and concerns.
Known as “Leelanau Together,” the group is focused on practical local solutions “that protect what makes Leelanau special while making sure working families, small businesses, teachers, firefighters, retirees, and the next generation can continue to call this community home.”
Described as a new community initiative created to celebrate, preserve, and strengthen the qualities that have made Leelanau county one of Michigan’s most treasured places to live, work, raise a family, and visit, the group’s efforts aim to provide a forum for community members to engage in thoughtful conversations and to work together on finding solutions that support the county’s long-term vitality.
The group’s priorities can be found on its website where people will also find a list of subjects important to residents. Housing and cost of living; preservation and community identity; local control; small business and tourism; taxes and county government; schools and public trust; and practical leadership are all shared priorities that Leelanau Together wants to discuss through respectful dialogue.
The creation of Leelanau Together was led by Cleveland Township resident David Rozanski, who explained how he hopes to engage and reach those interested in getting involved to make a difference. Rozanski worked previously in the corporate technology industry and now does consulting in mid-market and small market companies focused on sales and marketing.
“I think at the end of the day, most people agree on those things on that website which are the key issues, we just got to figure out how to do it, that’s the main thing, that’s why I’m trying to drive this dialogue here,” Rozanski said. “I want peoples voices to be heard, whether you’re a farmer, you’re a resident here, or you got a business. I’m trying to capture some of that so that people say, ‘people are real, let’s just have a good open conversation here.’” According to a recent Leelanau Together press release, recent housing needs assessments indicate the county will need approximately 2,335 additional homes by 2027, while the median home price has risen to roughly $627,000. These trends are noted as affecting teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, hospitality workers, tradespeople, seniors, and young families seeking to remain in the communities they serve in. Through “informed civic participation, local collaboration, and responsible stewardship,” the group believes these challenges can be addressed while also preserving the county’s unique character.
Leelanau Together states that residents who care about Leelanau’s future can help shape what comes next through a number of actions including by: volunteering in your community; attending township and village events; supporting local businesses; making your voice heard; and hosting a neighborhood conversation. “My big thing is transparent, accountable local government because the taxes are going up, how’re we spending our money? Let’s be smart about it, and those are some of the things that every tier point can agree on,” he said.
Rozanski said he thinks there needs to be more local voices talking during a time when there is so much animosity between political parties and outside perspectives, and having a forum where people can safely and openly discuss matters is an opportunity that can bring solutions to the table.
“I can’t fix nation problems, so I just want to work on our own backyard,” he said. “Local concerns for sure is the focus and is all this is… let’s protect our own backyard here and move forward together.”
A section for “Leelanau County voices” on the website is intended to highlight stories from around the county via videos pertaining to residents and their views on issues, topics that matter most, and specific town perspectives. These stories will be shared through educational resources, public forums, business round tables, volunteer opportunities, and the short videos featuring community members.
In addition to creating a platform online for community members to voice themselves, upcoming monthly events are listed for those who would like to gather in-person. The next event, a township leadership forum, the group has scheduled is set for Aug. 20 in Elmwood Township. To learn more about the group, go to https://leelanautogether. com/#home.
