Court Backs Plymouth Township on Wording of Proposed Fire Millage
Three-judge panel rules that Citizens Action Group of Plymouth Township cannot set parameters of ballot question.
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The Michigan Court of Appeals last week sided with Plymouth Township in a debate over the wording of a proposed millage aimed at preventing job cuts in the Plymouth Community Fire Department, the Plymouth Observer reported.
According to the report, a three-judge appeals panel on Dec. 13 rejected a request by the Citizens Action Group of Plymouth Township to order township officials to put a 1-mill, five-year tax through a special assessment district (SAD) before voters to fund the department.
The ruling comes one year after the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees put on the ballot a proposal allowing up to 10 mills for the department's capital expenses, plus an unlimited millage for maintenance and operations with the figure decided annually by the board, the report said.
In a petition circulated to township residents, the CAG sought the 1-mill, five-year tax.
Voters swiftly voted down the millage question on Feb. 28. On March 1, the township laid off six firefighters.
- See a timeline of the fire millage debate.
EHM
1:01 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
It's disappointing that the Township can legally rewrite what was in the petition to make sure it gets voted down. It may be legal, but it's not the least bit ethical.
Linda Johnson
4:22 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
This is great news. Especially in light of last Sunday's fire at a home in Plymouth Township. Seems Plymouth Township called for extra manpower and when the City of Northville showed up first, who aren't union, they told them to go stand in a corner. Of course when the other cities showed up, who are union, they had no problem using their manpower. Seems the Plymouth Township firefighters would rather try to make a point than to save a person's house. Another shining example of how they care so much about protecting the community.
Hawaiikev1
5:57 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
The only reason the Township Board did what it did is because the Fire Department doesn't bring in revenue to the Township. On the other hand the Township Police bring in revenue for the Township so they get what they want. Let's bring back our Firefighters whom save lives and lay off our Police.
I'm sure Wayne County Sheriffs could do the same job but at a cost savings to the Township.
j. Allen
7:12 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Plymouth twsp. Fire are total a*******. Not called to serve only serving themselves.