Mar. 17, 2011 - Onekama Government Project is Focus of March 23 Forum
Contact: Tim Ervin or Cyndy Fuller
231-723-4325
tervin26@charter.net
For Immediate Release
ONEKAMA GOVERNMENT PROJECT IS FOCUS OF MARCH 23 FORUM
Onekama, Michigan – Eric Lupher from the Citizens Research Council (CRC) of Michigan will discuss preliminary findings of a study to identify options and the potential implications for forming one governmental entity for the Onekama community on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Onekama’s Farr Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
All interests are invited to participate in the community forum that will be facilitated by the Alliance for Economic Success on behalf of the Village of Onekama and Onekama Township.
The CRC is conducting the study for the Village of Onekama and Onekama Township that are interested in determining if one governmental entity could be advantageous to the community. Township Supervisor David Meister and Village President Robert Blackmore said that a catalyst for the project was the shared interest of the Township and Village in exploring ways to reduce government costs, improve efficiency and simplify government. They said that there is also an interest in seeing if one governmental unit might result in even greater focus on achieving shared community priorities such as watershed management, implementation of the Onekama Community Master Plan and attracting private and public investment.
On February 10, 2011, village and township residents, business owners, and local officials, joined in a Community Forum to identify potential benefits and opportunities as well as potential problems and concerns about uniting the Village and Township into one governmental unit.
Lupher will discuss alternatives for forming one governmental entity and define the associated potential impacts. He will also provide responses based upon his research to the questions that have been raised by community members. Following his presentation, there will be a facilitated question and answer session to gather additional input from the community.
Another community forum will be held in May 2011 to provide an update on the project and to gather additional community input. One purpose of the May forum will be to help ensure that seasonal residents participate in the process.