So what’s in store for Orion Township residents in 2007?
While it’s fun to prognosticate, we thought it best to ask the question of some of our township officials.
Their forecast, including anticipated growth and proposed tax proposals for the new year, follows:
Township Board member Mathew Gibb is generally optimistic, suggesting that decisions made in the upcoming year could have long-term consequences.
Gibb believes that the issue of traffic flow and safety along the M-24 and Baldwin Road corridors continue to be of primary concern and interest.
‘We’re standing at a precipice where the decisions we make regarding growth and new development will be very important,? he said. ‘They will likely affect the direction of the township for years to come.?
Gibb noted that the influx of some proposed large-scale developments will have to be managed carefully, through vigilance and Township oversight.
‘The development along M-24, like the one on Scripps Road, will set the course for the future,? said Gibb. ‘We don’t want to discourage new growth. We want to work with it so it benefits residents.?
Other important items on the township’s 2007 menu, said Gibb, are the proposed millage requests for library expansion and funding for safety paths and trails.
‘The library is bursting at the seams,? said Gibb. ‘But as much as I would support it, the issue will be up to the voters.?
Changes Gibb would like to see in the new year include cultural improvements such as the proposed amphitheater adjacent to the township offices. He also supports the moving of the Historic Howarth Schoolhouse to Friendship Park.
‘I think it’s going to be an exciting year,? he said. ‘I hope the year also brings a more cooperative spirit from the township board members.?
Fellow Board Member John Steimel shares Gibb’s enthusiasm for the future, adding that he, too, believes the board can work better together in 2007.
‘Hopefully, we can all take a deep breath now that the elections are over,? said Steimel. ‘There are a lot of things we need to get done this year.?
Steimel thinks that the recent election of former township board bember Mike Gingell to the County Commission, and the appointment of former County Commissioner Eric Wilson to a position on the Oakland County Road Commission, will bode well for Orion Township’s representation in local and county government.
‘We have people in the right places to help us,? said Steimel. ‘I hope we can make some progress this year on widening Baldwin Road. That really needs to be addressed. Even if we can jonly get the planning and engineering started would be good.?
Steimel also favors township-wide aesthetic and cultural improvements.
‘It would be nice to make progress on the parks and the safety paths,? he said, alluding to the proposed ballot proposal. ‘And I’d like to see the amphitheater. These are the kinds of things that citizens can enjoy directly.?
Township Supervisor Gerald Dywasuk also envisions a bright future for the township, but not without making provisions for growth.
‘We have to build equity into the community,? said Dywasuk, “and that means in our facilities and infrastructure.?
Dywasuk said one issue that will need to be addressed are the cramped conditions at the township hall.
He suggests proceeding with a plan to create a public safety complex, a new DPW garage and central headquarters for the fire department in the relative near future.
‘We probably could do that without any bond issues,? said Dywasuk. ‘We have fund balance money that could be utilized.?
He pointed out that the depressed local economy presents an opportunity to begin such projects at a minimum of labor costs.
‘You can’t pick a better time,? he said. ‘To do these things at the right time could bring substantial savings.?
While Dywasuk also likes the idea of an amphitheater, but he thinks the construction of a skate park on township property will come first.
‘We’ve received a $50,000 donation from Pulte Homes and another $10,000 from LaSalle Bank for the amphitheater, but it may be awhile for that,? he said.
‘The skate park could probably go in this year,? he continued. ‘We’ve got bids going out on that in the spring. I’m hopeful that will get done.?
Whatever is accomplished in 2007, Dywaskuk believes the township is financially prepared for the future.
‘The township doesn’t have any debt,? he said. ‘We have a master plan and we want to maintain the rural flavor, while still welcoming new development. The big thing is to prepare now for the future.?