EDITOR:

The current attempt by certain elected members of the Delta County Board of Commissioners to reduce the size of Escanaba Township by approximately 50% (19,000 plus acres) by circulating a petition to alter the boundary lines of Escanaba and Cornell Townships is nothing more than a “back door” attempt to rekindle the Industrial Solar Project so soundly rejected by Escanaba Township residents several years ago.

It just so happens that a certain Commissioner, Mr. Robert Barron, is one of the largest land owners contained within the 19,000 plus acres noted in the proposal. As one of the prime promoters of the original “Chandler Industrial Solar Project” he stood to gain hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the “Solar Farm” because of the large acreage he and family members own within that former projects intended placement.

If this current attempt to “Alter Township Boundaries between Escanaba Township and Cornell Township” were successful one of many significant negative impacts would be the subsequent shifting of property tax millage to Cornell Township which would be devastating to the Gladstone School District because Cornell Township is affiliated with the Escanaba School District.

So, in that regard, not only will the remaining residents of Escanaba Township be faced with a significant negative impact on the quality education provided by their school district, the residents of the City of Gladstone and all surrounding areas affiliated with the Gladstone District Schools will also be negatively impacted.

Another negative impact would be on the quarterly state payments to Escanaba Township, which could potentially be reduced by 50%.

Utilizing your elected position to promote and spearhead policies for huge personal financial gains simply screams “conflict of interest.” Certainly Mr. Barron must, at the very least, recuse himself from voting on or any additional promotion regarding the matter.

Commissioners should end this attempted “alteration” of township boundary lines by voting no when it is presented for a potential vote at the May 16, 2023 Delta County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Wayne Seibert

Escanaba Township