ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.
“I would never join a club that would have me as a member.” — Groucho Marx
The Dorr Township Board last Thursday night came within one vote of dropping its membership in the Michigan Townships Association. A 3-3 deadlock, with Trustee John Tuinstra absent, means that for at least another year Dorr Township will remain a member of the MTA and will pay its annual dues of nearly $5,000.
This comes on the heels of Leighton Township voting last year to sever its relationship with the MTA and no longer pay dues. Leighton officials had gotten to the point where they believe it’s no longer worth the money they’ve paid to the state-wide organization.
And Dorr Township Clerk Debbie Sewers told board colleagues her counterpart in Leighton, Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis, has indicated since then they haven’t missed the MTA.
The Michigan Townships Association serves as a quasi-union, a pseudo-political action committee for the smallest units of government in the state, acting on their behalf. The MTA is located not far from the State Capitol and it serves as the collective voice of townships. It also provides information and seminars on such issues as legalizing recreational marijuana.
But questions now appear to be arising about whether the services are worth paying the dues.
It was telling when Dorr Supervisor Jeff Miling said to his colleagues Thursday that too often the MTA person he calls eventually refers him to the township attorney, who already gets just about the same payment from Dorr annually. So why pay twice for the same legal service?
The MTA seems to be facing a task of proving its lobbying and PAC efforts for townships are worth the cost. And townships must consider whether they want to keep filling the coffers of the lobbyist.
So Dorr and Leighton just might be part of starting something mutinous. I hear tell Allegan Township doesn’t pay its dues, either, and other government units might start totake a more critical look each year at their budgets.
Perhaps the MTA should take a good hard look at itself to see what it can do for townships that’s worthwhile.
