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Bruce Twp. hosts first
county executive meeting

by CHERYL CISKE
Observer Special Writer

      Bob and Sandy Hann of Romeo were among the many residents who turned out at the Bruce Township Hall March 7 for the first of three public forums to debate and discuss the county executive proposal on the May 6 ballot.
       Sponsored by the Macomb County Farm Bureau, the session featured a debate between Peter Lund of Shelby Township, a pro-executive county commissioner, and Paul Gieleghem of Clinton Township, an anti-executive commissioner. The debate was moderated by a representative from the Michigan State University Extension Service.
       "This issue needed to be discussed," said Mark Faulker, co-chairman of the Farm Bureau's County Issues Committee and Bruce Township trustee.
       In addition, Bettie Buss, of the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council, offered basic information about how a county government led by an elected executive would differ from the current system, run by the 26-member Board of Commissioners.
       The question on the May 6 school elections ballot will let residents choose whether to begin the process of electing a county executive as a leader, and potentially reduce the size and power of the Board of Commissioners. An estimated 400 volunteers garnered 34,000 signatures in a ballot initiative to place this question before voters.
       "This is a non-partisan issue," said Gieleghem. "It has support from both sides. We as voters should have the right to decide. With a county executive form of government, we decide every step of the way, starting in May."
       A similar effort to form an executive-style government in Macomb was launched in 1986, but public resistance prevented it from coming to fruition.
       Much of the debate has centered on exchanging local control of government for an efficient central government, as well as economic concerns.
       Gieleghem is a proponent of Macomb County having a county executive because he believes the county needs someone directly accountable, who has been elected by all citizens, to implement the vision of Macomb County.
       "We don't have someone elected by all of us," said Gieleghem. "Macomb County has 26 commissioners who represent their own little pocket of the county; and, they do a good job representing localized concerns. What Macomb needs, however, is someone to focus on the big picture."
       He also believes having a county executive at the helm would help attract jobs and businesses to Macomb County.
       Lund believes Macomb County government works best under its present system. He does, however, think the Board of Commissioners should be reduced from 26 to between 17 and 19 members.
       "It's not the system; it's the people. Our current system is the best for us. It has to be a balancing act," said Lund. "I'm in favor of streamlining government, not in adding another level of bureaucracy."
       Lund said the plan wouldn't necessarily reduce the number of commissioners, and could therefore raise taxes.
       Lund lauded the county's current Board of Commissioners stating that the group provided citizens with a "winning combination," a low millage rate of 4.2 mills along with innovative and creative programs and services, and doesn't want to see it tampered with by adding the county executive post.
       The forum also offered a question-and-answer session with the audience.
       Questions raised included whether, under a county executive, if departments such as the Road Commission could be eliminated. Buss said, according to Michigan's Charter Act, counties whose population is under 1.5 million must have a road commission of three to five members.
       In addition, those in attendance submitted questions ranging from why propose a county executive at this time to how having a county executive will affect Macomb County's relationship with lawmakers in Lansing
       Both Sandy Hann, a Macomb County employee, and Bob Hann are in favor of the public debate over the county executive proposal, stating the information provided at the forum confirmed their opinion.
       "I am concerned that under a county executive there won't be a taxing limitation, that whoever is in office at the county level can levy higher taxes without a vote of the people," said Bob Hann. "That would be an issue."
       Also in attendance at the March 7 forum were members of Protect Our Future Macomb, a grassroots coalition opposed to the concept of electing a county executive. The 15-member group consists of concerned citizens, political activists and local politicians.
       "Having a county executive form of government would lead to greater inefficiency, a decrease in services and an increase in taxes," said coalition member Nathan Hlavin of Macomb Township. "We are in dire need of leadership, just not this kind of leadership."
       Buss indicated that should a county executive form of government take effect in Macomb County, property taxes would remain at the same rate as they were a year before the charter was signed.
       "That's part of the state law," said Buss.
       If the May 6 proposal passes, a panel will be elected to write a "home rule" charter<a county constitution<which would create an executive office, reduce the number of commissioners and make other changes to the bureaucracy. Macomb's first executive would likely be elected in 2010.
       A subsequent forum has been set for March 27 in Ray Township. The session will be held at the Ray Township Hall and begin at 7 p.m. County Commissioner Keith Rengert of Richmond Township, who is opposed to having a county executive, will debate Brian Brdak of New Baltimore, a proponent of the ballot proposal.