Proposed consolidation of the townships of Roscommon, Denton, Markey and Lake.
The Houghton Lake Resorter
A local paper, The Houghton Lake Resorter, reports on the proposed consolidation of four townships in Roscommon County, Michigan.
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The first link connects to coverage of a forum where both sides - proponents and opponents - presented the pros and cons of consolidation. (Note the reference to Onekama's expected consolidation costs of $93,000.)
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The second link connects to a subsequent article that reviewed the many unanswered questions that would be left to a coordinating committee.
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Voters in these townships faced many of the same questions to be considered by the Island's voters. Ultimately, the consolidation effort failed in these four townships. .
The Costs, Benefits, and Alternatives for Consolidating the Onekama Governments
Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Shared by Nancy Levant, who writes . . . a thorough, unbiased, and requested study.
I read the report, and two items that immediately caught my eye: 1) costs are not lowered following consolidation and 2) the importance of such a report prior to placing the measure on the ballot.
The report and the organization itself demonstrate what should have been taken place before consolidation was placed on the ballot.
