Easy to understand Pittsfield recall

FOCUS: AUG. 8 ELECTIONS

Easy to understand Pittsfield recall

If Pittsfield Township elected officials were doing their jobs, they wouldn’t be facing a recall election on Aug. 8.

In a two-year period, more than 1,500 e-mails and letters were sent and hundreds of residents attended township board and planning commission meetings to relay concerns about supercenter development and related traffic so close to three Saline schools. Despite township dollars spent to devise a long-term plan to protect the community, the comprehensive plan was ignored by township leaders. In contrast, other communities acted aggressively to discourage unwanted development so close to neighborhoods and schools by using ordinances, moratoriums and other restrictions.

Why did volunteers spend last summer negotiating the largest road improvement agreement in Washtenaw County history? Because elected Pittsfield Township officials failed to act.

Why did over 70 residents walk door to door in cold January to gather signatures for a recall? Because Pittsfield taxpayers are tired of signing the paychecks of elected officials who lack the skills to run the township.

I am a Democrat and weary of their ineptitude.

If you live in Pittsfield, you are paying the annual salary ($70,000, plus generous benefits and pension) of the elected supervisor, treasurer and clerk. Additionally, a duplicate layer of employees with the titles of “deputy” supervisor, “deputy” treasurer and “deputy” clerk are paid by voters. Even with two levels of carboncopy jobs, Pittsfield Township officials are still neglecting residents’ concerns. We deserve better.

Please vote “yes” to recall Pittsfield Township Supervisor James Walters, Treasurer Christina Lirones and Clerk Feliziana Meyer.

Sabrina L. Gross, Ann Arbor