Elector’s right of referendum
The right to vote, essential to a well-functioning democracy, is the most enshrined right in the Constitution and is protected by five separate amendments. This fundamental right to all Americans and push back against attacks that attempt to limit the people’s access to the ballot box.
Five members of the Chesterfield Township Board voted to approve the issue and sell $13.75 million in general obligation bonds pursuant to Act 34, Public Acts of Michigan 2001 as amended.
The source of the payment of the bonds the principal $13.75 million and with interest will total over $21 million. Payable from the funds available, including property taxes levied.
The intent to construct an east-west sewer on 26 Mile Road and the renovation of the DeMuynck pump station on Jefferson Avenue.
The current residents of Chesterfield will not benefit from the construction of the east-west sewer on 26 Mile Road, developers will. The current Chesterfield resident will see an increase in their water and sewer rates, the developers will not.
The DeMuynck pump station on Jefferson processes/pumps stormwater created by the runoff from impervious surfaces: roofs, driveways, roads. The stormwater runoff from Macomb County roads is pumped into the Meldrum Drain by the DeMuynck pump station and Macomb County is responsible for not only the condition of the roads, is also responsible to control the stormwater runoff. The county assumes no responsibility for any of the repairs. Residents check your tax bill for county operating; it is substantial. The burden of payment will be increased taxes.
Chesterfield Township elector’s right of referendum process: Posting/petition has been hindered by the lack of transparency and the inability of Chesterfield’s clerk’s department to define and approve petition format and language to start petition circulation for Chesterfield Township registered voter’s signature.
The clerk should have been prepared with a board approved administrative procedure order that defined the requirements for the “right of referendum” prior to the June 8, 2022, posting. Chesterfield electors are only given 45 days after publication to respond with a petition to stop the bond issue and put it on a ballot for the residents by their vote and not just five members of the board.
PAUL S. LAFATA
Chesterfield Township
It’s up to us to reform the Supreme Court
This is a scary moment. The Supreme Court just dismantled abortion rights across America. As a result, 26 states could outlaw abortion, including 13 that have passed “trigger” laws to take effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
This news should set off alarm bells for all Americans. Our fundamental freedoms are coming under attack by a hyper-partisan supermajority on the court. And this could just be the beginning. But there’s a way to fight back, which is why I’m urging Congress to pass the Judiciary Act of 2021.
The Judiciary Act would rebalance the Supreme Court by adding four new seats, giving us 13 justices in total. It’s just what we need to move away from extremely partisan rulings and restore the legitimacy of the court — and it’s been done before. In fact, Congress has changed the size of the Supreme Court seven times already in our nation’s history.
A recent poll showed that the majority of Americans support expanding the court again now.
It’s past time for Congress to get on board with this crucial bill.
KAREN HEWELT
Algonac
Roe v. Wade reversed
The disinformation started immediately.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that the Supreme Court was inconsistent when it knocked down New York’s gun law, while sending abortion decisions back to the states.
New York’s gun law violated a specific right granted in the Constitution — to keep and bear arms. Roe v. Wade invented a right to privacy. Reversing Roe reverted decision-making to the states, per the 10th Amendment. Thus, the court was being consistent — ruling on a federal issue as to gun rights while remanding to the states jurisdiction as to abortion.
Leaders like Pelosi stoke unrest when they spread lies that make citizens think that their rights have been violated.
Abortion has not been declared illegal by the Supreme Court. It may be so by each state. Or not.
Her body. Her choice.
Apparently, women are free of accountability.
She chooses to have sex. She gets pregnant. She can unilaterally choose an abortion?
What about the being inside her, that may be feeling sensations when it is sucked from the womb, that nevertheless should have the right to life once its parents have started the process.
What about the father, whose child is killed for the convenience of the mother, even though she knew going in the physical ramifications of pregnancy?
If a woman is raped, or her life is in jeopardy (not just “inconvenienced”) by a pregnancy, she should be able to end it. Otherwise, her body, her choice, and she has to live with the results. That’s what strong, independent, accountable, responsible adults do.
CARMAN CONFORTI
Chesterfield Township
Put SMART millage on the ballot
Cindy Berry, clerk of Chesterfield Township: The voting error by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners that may keep the SMART millage off the ballot for Macomb County voters is not our fault. Put the SMART millage on the November ballot for the Chesterfield voters to decide. It’s a yes or no question.
The Anchor Bay School District will also have a millage issue on the ballot in November. That’s a yes or no question also.
Forty-year high inflation taxpayers are watching their wallets and purses.
JOHN SHIBBISH
Chesterfield Township
Be a part of history
On July 24, 2021, an EF-1 tornado touched down early Saturday evening, leaving a line of destruction across Armada. Historical buildings were damaged or destroyed, picturesque trees were toppled or wholly uprooted and life in Armada came to a standstill. In its aftermath Armada, along with our neighboring communities, came together to clean up the devastation in its wake and begin the process of rebuilding.
As part of our community’s observance of the EF-1 tornado which devastated Armada one year ago, the Armada Area Historical Society is seeking to collect pictures from residents in order to document this heartbreaking chapter in our history.
Gather your photos, print them off your phone, get them from your neighbors or you mother and bring them to us, so that we may catalogue and save them for posterity on the first anniversary of this tragic event.
This collection will be taking place on Sunday, July 24, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at We the People, located at 23010 E. Main St. in Armada.
If there are any questions related to this event, please feel free to contact Pat Gakstatter from the AAHS at 586-255-2264 or via email at ArmadaHistorical@yahoo.com.
ARMADA AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Aspiring firefighter relates to story
This letter to the editor is in response to the article titled “Firefighter looks back on family’s 100 years of service,” that was published in the June 15, 2022, edition of The Voice.
My name is Wesley Bennatts. I am a Life Scout with Troop 245. I am working on my communication merit badge. One of the requirements for this merit badge is to email an editor of a local newspaper and share information on a subject of my choice.
Recently, there was an article about a Memphis firefighter, Bill Sawyer. I have a lot in common with Bill because my dad is also on the Memphis Fire Department. He has been on the department for 17 years.
When I’m 18, I want to become a full-time firefighter.
Thank you for your time.
WESLEY BENNATTS
Memphis
Bill would protect rights of American people
When Donald Trump was in office, he and Mitch McConnell made three lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. McConnell went so far as to defy Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish — that the next president appoint her replacement — by packing the court with Amy Coney Barrett just eight days before the 2020 election.
The result? Today’s Supreme Court has been taken over by a hyper-partisan supermajority that just dismantled abortion care in America.
But there’s something we can do. The Judiciary Act of 2021 would add four seats to the Supreme Court bench — restoring balance to the court. It’s the solution we need to move away from the extremely partisan rulings that now threaten our fundamental freedoms. Recent polling showed that the majority of voters support expanding the court.
Congress has changed the size of the Supreme Court seven times already in our nation’s history. It’s time to do it again. I’m urging our representatives to back this important bill now so we know they want to protect the rights of the American people. The stakes are too high to stay quiet on this important issue.
CINDY TOBOLSKI
Chesterfield Township
Active shooter training for students also needed
This letter to the editor is in response to the story titled “School district starts summer of security upgrades” that was published in the June 22, 2022, edition of The Voice.
My name is Zach, a ninth-grader from Memphis High School.
I, for one, am happy that the school got the security grant. I also like that they will do a new buzzer system and reinforce the doors (considering the old one broke with daily use).
I am glad they did an active shooter training for the teachers.
I think that they should do an active shooter course for the kids to experience and learn how to stop and slow the intruder till the police get there, and mentally prepare us for the scenario. But only if they are willing, while some might not want to endure such a traumatic training.
ZACHARY CHISHOLM
Memphis
Editor’s note: The deadline to submit letters to the editor related to the Aug. 2, 2022, primary election is 3 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022. No election-related letters will be published in the July 27, 2022, edition of The Voice. To submit a letter to the editor or for more information, email editor@voicenews.com.