by Robert M. Traxler
The Dorr Township 
Board Thursday night unanimously approved sending a work order to the Allegan County Road Commission to pave the unpaved portion of 144th Street between Dorr and Moline.
This will be the first step in Dorr Township’s long-term plan to improve roads after the passage in August of a five-year, three-mill referendum for local road improvements.
The Dorr Township Board has become infamous for its division over the last four years, making the unanimous approval of the work order unusual. Carolyn Sandel, chairwoman of the volunteer unpaid Citizens Road Committee, said the work order is step one after the project is estimated, and after determining exactly what funds remain, up to four other smaller resurfacing and repair projects will be recommended to the board for approval.
Balancing the expenditure as much as possible between the four quadrants of the township is important so that the people will see a fair balanced process, Sandel said, but in the past the priorities lacked balance and many felt the process was unfair.
Sandel also said safety will be the driving factor in setting the recommended priorities for all projects. Couple safety with an ongoing sensitivity to balance and the people of Dorr Township will see improvements over time.
