ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

“Politics makes strange bedfellows,” — adapted from Shakespeare’s, “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.”

The Michigan Legislature is seriously considering a new law that would hand over decisions on and enforcement of gravel mining operations to the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) state agency.

A bill to strip this power from local planning commissions, city councils and township boards this week passed 19-17 in the State Senate and heads now to the House.

What makes all of this strange is that Democrat Jim Ananich has been leading the charge for the change and is supported heavily by the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, not exactly what you would call allies on most issues. Furthermore, it appears that a coalition of Democrats and Republicans helped pass the bill in the Senate.

Despite what U.S. Senator Joe Manchin has been crowing about lately, bipartisanship isn’t always a good thing. The most famous recent shows of Democratic and Republican bipartisanship were NAFTA and the invasion of Iraq. Neither turned out to be positive developments.

Closer to home, the Wayland Township and Watson Township Boards and Planning Commissions are grappling with difficult gravel mining issues that have surfaced this spring. Taking away their ability to permit and regulate gravel mining within their jurisdictions doesn’t sound like a very good idea to me.

In Wayland Township, the sporting and unpredictable Nate Knight has flatly shown he’s counting on the state taking over governance of gravel pits. He withdrew his application for a special use permit and has indicated his faith in the state granting him permission to do business on the Warner farm on Fifth Street.

Talk about putting the cart before the horse!

In Watson Township, two very contentious sides are squabbling over a proposed gravel mining operation that Township Attorney Tom Siver flatly predicted the township will be the defendant in a lawsuit, regardless of its position.

The battles between local governments and gravel mining operations go a long way back. People living near the gravel pit oppose it because of the noise, traffic and potential pollution. The businesses counter that they are legitimate economic engines for making asphalt for our roads.

Somehow, local governments have to sift through the arguments pro and con and come up with a solution that isn’t likely to make anybody happy.

I fear that these decisions being made as far away as Lansing by unelected bureaucrats who don’t live here has all the makings of disaster. EGLE officials have a natural and geographic buffer between themselves and irate citizens. So much for power to the people.

Though there is a regular Wayland Township Board meeting Monday night, citizens with torches and pitchforks really shouldn’t waste their time raising a ruckus against local officials who may not be making the call. The more effective way is to get in touch with State Reps. Steve Johnson and Mary Whiteford.

Regardless, I fear their response will be the classic, “Thank you. Now run along.”