By Mark Bashore, WKAR
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EATON COUNTY, MI –
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Next month, Eaton county voters again will consider a property tax increase to add fixed routes and more connections to Eatran, the county-wide public transportation service. WKAR's Mark Bashore reports that the head of the Eaton County Board of Commissioners says if services are not expanded, the system should be dissolved.
AUDIO:
Voters turned thumbs down on the half-mill increase just two and a half months ago. At the stormy meeting that followed, commissioners rejected a move to separate the expansion from a simple extension of the current dial-a-ride service. As a result, voters will face the very same measure on November 2. Board President Joe Brehler says if it goes down again, Eatran should be terminated.
"My father taught me when I was a small boy if you're going to do
something, do it right," he says. "To continue something that is not meeting the
needs of the population is a foolish waste of our money."
Brehler and other supporters of expansion say Eaton county has outgrown the service and is overdue for fixed routes connecting Grand Ledge, Charlotte and other communities with busy Delta Township. But the measure lost soundly in August---55% to 45%. Ten weeks later, Victoria Wells of Grand Ledge still isn't persuaded.
"There's not enough people out here to have a fixed route for us to all pay for it," she says. "I can understand Lansing---you got a lot of houses, a lot more main streets. Grand Ledge, Eaton county area---it's mostly rural. If you need a ride, call 'em. We don't need a fixed route 'cause I think it's just gonna waste money."
The expansion would mean property taxes for the owner of a $150,000 house would jump from $18 to $56 a year.
Melissa Ingells: And Mark joins me now for more on this story. Hi, Mark.
Mark Bashore: Good morning, Melissa.
MI: Given the many accusations of unresponsive government these days, are Eaton county voters upset that the same measure is back on the ballot?
MB: I pressed Commissioner Brehler on that and he did say that he is hearing from voters who considered the matter resolved on August 3. Here's how he put it:
"It's become an emotional issue for some people. It's caught up in all of the other politics that are swirling around it in terms of--as you mentioned--this idea that somehow we're unresponsive or we ignore people, when we're going to them to make the decision. So that seems to be the biggest complaint I get is that 'you're ignoring us.' I don't know how I can be ignoring you when I'm going straight to you, saying 'I'd like you to take a second look and tell me what you think.' "
MB: And that's what he stresses in this. He says anyone would have a right to be upset if an expansion were being imposed. Brehler---and other commissioners---view this as a simple request to take another look at an important issue for the county. He also says it's not uncommon for some measures, especially millages, to be revoted on. But some voters who considered this matter resolved appear to be upset that it's back.
MI: But it's also interesting that a supporter of a bigger EATRAN like Brehler would prefer to END it altogether if it can't be grown? What's he saying?
MB: That's harder to explain. I talked to voters and several of Brehler's fellow commissioners, and quite a few are okay with the existing service. It wouldn't surprise anyone, I think, that a vote to extend current funding would pass. If this November measure is also defeated, it seems budget hawks would be aggravated that CONSECUTIVE measures to expand EATRAN were defeated, and now the only way to fund even the existing level of service may be to spend an extra 60 or 80-thousand dollars on a special election.
MI: Right. Having to spend more money then. Do you see the second vote being much different?
MB: Well, Commissioner Brehler says there's an improved effort at rounding up yes votes, but supporters have to add five-percentage points to their August vote just to make it a dead heat. He expects a close vote on November 2. I think the really interesting thing is whether this repeat vote might generate more no-votes from people who considered the issue resolved in August.
MI: Right, a potential bit of irriation there.
MB: Right.
MI: OK, well thank you very much, Mark.
MB: Sure Melissa.
Election 2010 - WKAR
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