OPEN SPACES FOR SALE
Charles V. Tines / The Detroit News Robert Phillips and Nicole Mortimer of the Save Our State (SOS) land committee are trying to save a 700-acre parcel in Commerce Township from more development. Residents are trying to save one of the last parcels of forest in Commerce Township.
Michigan owns about 700 acres that sit north and south of Wise between Union Lake and Carroll Lake roads, but finds the land occupies too much of its conservation officers' time. The Walled Lake School System sees the property as a potential solution to growing enrollment. Some officials think the land could be converted into a park or a historic site, but Commerce Township Supervisor Thomas Zoner said the township lacks the "pocket money" to purchase the land. "for the full article click on the link" http://www.detnews.com/2004/oakland/0410/28/d04-318182.htm
We think that the proposal for funds to acquire open spaces will fail this Tuesday given the comments overheard in various events we've attended over the past few weeks. You see the problem is not what Mr. Zoner has been quoted in the press an "the voters don't want it or will fund it" as it has been turned down in past elections. The problem is no one trusts the government with vague language, non-specific goals or strategies to spend it wisely. The acreage off Wise road would be a really good start (once this ballot proposal fails), to work with the state in a similar fashion to Dodge Park, and discuss potential future acquisition scenarios.
Heck, maybe we would not even need a ballot proposal if the township makes a bundle on the speculative $55 million golf course development. They could use some of the profit to acquire the land for the township residents. Sounds like a, pardon the pun, Winn/Winn situation. Or in thinking "way out of the box", lets further continue the northern expansion of the DDA's territory from the newly proposed Martin to Richardson Roads to Wise Road and let them do their magic.
7:41:42 AM 
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