Separating the boons from the boondoggles
By Pam Taylor
Environmental disasters can happen in an instant (floods, spills) or slowly over time (climate change, accumulated toxins in soil, water, and air). While we want to prevent or repair damage in the best possible way, this often means choosing between boons and boondoggles. Who benefits? Who pays?
My first foray into grassroots environmentalism happened in the late 1980s, when Riga Township was picked to be the dump for low-level radioactive waste from multiple states. Many local people lived this story, so I ll boil it down - not only was the planned facility based on a prototype, the chosen site was dangerously unsuitable. This proposal was plunked onto Riga residents, accompanied by many sales presentations. The pitch included promises and drawings with spiffy landscaping to appease the locals.
Tecumseh Public Schools board approves election agreement with county
The Daily Telegram
TECUMSEH The Tecumseh Public Schools board unanimously passed an election coordinating agreement with Lenawee County Monday that will see its elections, including a special election in May, be administered by the city of Tecumseh.
According to Lenawee County Clerk Roxann Holloway, the agreement consolidates special elections which are held on non-election years into designated precinct.
The agreement is especially important for school districts which have to contract with a municipality to conduct elections.
The state mandates that a contract be renewed every four years, with local clerks having the opportunity to either opt in or opt out of holding special school elections.