I have listened to the Great Consolidation Debate and done little more than soak up information from both sides. I have kept my opinion to myself believing the issue has become to many as toxic to discussion as politics, religion or who is responsible for the government shut-down.
Yet, after listening to a man at church on Sunday, (one who has been in support of consolidating Saugatuck and Douglas for many years) tell me he was opposed this time because it meant the 'abolition of Saugatuck' - that it would exist no more, and be completely absorbed by Douglas, I felt I could be silent no longer. Where, I asked him, did he hear this about consolidation? He replied to the affect, "Well everyone knows that's what those people on the committee want?" His problem wasn't consolidation, he still thought it was a good idea. His problem was with a rumor he saw as fact.
And that made my Irish and blood pressure go up. There are too many rumors being thrown, and unfortunately caught. I hate rumors that are spread as fact. It's malicious. It's mean. It's rampant in this lead-up to the November 5 consolidation vote.
This is what will appear on the ballot: "Shall the City of the Village of Douglas and the City of Saugatuck be consolidated as a single Home Rule City."
I am in support of these two cities consolidating because it just makes sense and, yes, cents. The savings of $500,000 a year, is nothing to sneeze at but it's not my primary reason for support.
We have already successfully consolidated our schools, our fire and police departments and water departments. Why should we expect less of consolidating our governments? As a reporter, I got the opportunity to see both governments in action and let me tell you they operate pretty much the same way; Robert's Rules of Order aren't different in Saugatuck or Douglas. And speaking of government - how many times have we heard of shortages of people willing to serve on the various boards? Finding qualified and dedicated volunteers could be less daunting if we only have one Zoning Board of Appeal or Planning Commission.
The wonderful and different characters of our towns will not be lost when we become one government because it is not our governing bodies that dictate that character. It is each town's people and businesses and those will not change or be consolidated. Saugatuck will still have the Fourth of July parade and Douglas will still have the adult Halloween parade. Saugatuck will still be the raucously busy hub in summer and Douglas will still have a quieter, steady stream of tourists and shoppers. Speaking of tourists, our lifeblood - I don't think it will affect them at all, though it may have a positive effect when our efforts to lure them to our area could be consolidated as well.
As for what my dear friend said on Sunday, Saugatuck will not disappear. What we are voting on is simply to consolidate the governments of Saugatuck and Douglas [see ballot verbiage above]. The many details of which will be worked out after consolidation is approved. Then individuals - volunteers dedicated to moving the cities forward -- will sit down and get it done. It likely won't be easy - but is anything of value ever achieved without a little blood, sweat and tears. (I hope we can get it done without the blood part!). And there will be costs involved but the State has grants to help defray those costs. And it will be a change, something that is difficult for all of us to handle but a reality of life. If we don't change, then we remain stagnate and nothing good comes of stagnation. It is also my hope that if consolidation is approved, that many of its opponents will be some of the volunteers that agree to work out the details.
Yet, after listening to a man at church on Sunday, (one who has been in support of consolidating Saugatuck and Douglas for many years) tell me he was opposed this time because it meant the 'abolition of Saugatuck' - that it would exist no more, and be completely absorbed by Douglas, I felt I could be silent no longer. Where, I asked him, did he hear this about consolidation? He replied to the affect, "Well everyone knows that's what those people on the committee want?" His problem wasn't consolidation, he still thought it was a good idea. His problem was with a rumor he saw as fact.
And that made my Irish and blood pressure go up. There are too many rumors being thrown, and unfortunately caught. I hate rumors that are spread as fact. It's malicious. It's mean. It's rampant in this lead-up to the November 5 consolidation vote.
This is what will appear on the ballot: "Shall the City of the Village of Douglas and the City of Saugatuck be consolidated as a single Home Rule City."
I am in support of these two cities consolidating because it just makes sense and, yes, cents. The savings of $500,000 a year, is nothing to sneeze at but it's not my primary reason for support.
We have already successfully consolidated our schools, our fire and police departments and water departments. Why should we expect less of consolidating our governments? As a reporter, I got the opportunity to see both governments in action and let me tell you they operate pretty much the same way; Robert's Rules of Order aren't different in Saugatuck or Douglas. And speaking of government - how many times have we heard of shortages of people willing to serve on the various boards? Finding qualified and dedicated volunteers could be less daunting if we only have one Zoning Board of Appeal or Planning Commission.
The wonderful and different characters of our towns will not be lost when we become one government because it is not our governing bodies that dictate that character. It is each town's people and businesses and those will not change or be consolidated. Saugatuck will still have the Fourth of July parade and Douglas will still have the adult Halloween parade. Saugatuck will still be the raucously busy hub in summer and Douglas will still have a quieter, steady stream of tourists and shoppers. Speaking of tourists, our lifeblood - I don't think it will affect them at all, though it may have a positive effect when our efforts to lure them to our area could be consolidated as well.
As for what my dear friend said on Sunday, Saugatuck will not disappear. What we are voting on is simply to consolidate the governments of Saugatuck and Douglas [see ballot verbiage above]. The many details of which will be worked out after consolidation is approved. Then individuals - volunteers dedicated to moving the cities forward -- will sit down and get it done. It likely won't be easy - but is anything of value ever achieved without a little blood, sweat and tears. (I hope we can get it done without the blood part!). And there will be costs involved but the State has grants to help defray those costs. And it will be a change, something that is difficult for all of us to handle but a reality of life. If we don't change, then we remain stagnate and nothing good comes of stagnation. It is also my hope that if consolidation is approved, that many of its opponents will be some of the volunteers that agree to work out the details.
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