TO THE EDITOR:
I would like to set the record straight.
At no time has the Washington Township Board of Trustees ever discussed or decided to terminate our relationship with the Romeo Washington Bruce (RWB) Parks and Recreation.
Here’s some history.
The subject of parks and recreation has been discussed over the last several years. The topic came to light in 2018, when the Washington Township Board of Trustees proposed the purchase of Total Sports. The intent was to convert the facility into a community center. At no time was it ever suggested to break away from the RWB agreement. The millage language asked for a .25 mil increase over the already existing .75 mil levy. The approval was overwhelming rejected due to the misinformation being suggested that this was an attempt to shut down RWB Parks and Recreation. It never was.
The board of trustees learned that the parks and recreation organization was not a legal entity as it is organized and it was operating without any bylaws. The Washington Township Board of Trustees took it upon itself to hire a lawyer, as did Bruce Township. The purpose was to agree on a legal set of bylaws. Bruce Township then dismissed their lawyer and Washington Township continued to pursue the bylaws. More than 16 months have passed and both the Washington Township and Bruce Township Board of Trustees are trying to agree on the drafted bylaws. All the board of trustee has ever wanted for parks and recreation was a legitimate organization that had a legal set of rules to operate under. With the recent publishing of the “break up” document by the parks and recreation director, the community has been significantly divided. Many things were written and spread that were/are simply not true.
The current organization has no operating bylaws.
The current P&R organization has been operating without an approved budget since September 2021.
The director of parks and recreation does not have a contract with the organization.
The parks and recreation director, unilaterally, decided to hire and pay for a lawyer, paid for with RWB Parks and Recreation millage funds.
The 1986 bylaws referred to by the parks and recreation lawyer refer to “Washington-Bruce Parks and Recreation Commission.” This entity does not exist as recognized by Michigan State Law.
The Washington Township residents voted to pay up to .75 mills for parks and recreation. The 2020 vote to approve the parks and recreation millage was 58 percent for it and 42 percent against it.
Everyone in Bruce and Washington townships pay the same rate but not the same amount. The amount is based on your home value. All get the same opportunities, just some pay more or less than others. Washington Township in total pays three times more than Bruce Township — $1.2 million compared to $400,000. So, for any non-program event, such as administration, maintenance, etc., Washington Township, as a whole, pays three times more than Bruce Township.
At the March 16 Washington Township Board of Trustee meeting, the 2021-2022 budget was extended to July 6. This will keep the organization functioning and give the board time to finalize the bylaws.
Personally, all I have ever wanted was a legally functioning organization that provided programs to our residents that they want and can afford. This means no change in the current programs but administered by a legal organization.
Gary E. Kopp
Washington Township Trustee
