Letters to the editor may be sent to [email protected]. All opinions stated in letters to the editor and guest columns are those of the author and should not be construed as an endorsement by Lowell’s First Look.
The following is a letter I sent to the Vergennes Township Board:
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in the Board’s 4-1 vote to approve Resolution 2022-14 “Support for Law Enforcement and to Protect the Health, Safety and Welfare of Vergennes Township Children.”
I think each of you who voted “yes” owe it residents as township leaders to explain why this resolution was necessary. Vergennes Township has no medical facilities. Vergennes Township has no prosecutor. Vergennes Township has no police department. Why has the township made a public, collective stand on an issue it has absolutely no jurisdiction over, or even relevant infrastructure?
This resolution is not legally binding in any way, so your “official disagreement” has no meaningful effect. What’s more, the language in the resolution perpetuates falsehoods the township attorney could have clarified.
The people of Michigan voted on Nov. 8 to approve Proposal 3, the ballot measure referenced in the resolution. In Vergennes Township, 1,598 people voted NO on Prop 3, but 1,190 people voted YES.
I know you are aware that passing resolutions often is a performative measure at best; after all, who can possibly be opposed to this vaguely worded “support for law enforcement” vow to “protect children?” But this pre-written resolution was authored by a minority group with a partisan agenda. Tying the title of it to the passage of a ballot measure for women to have bodily autonomy is disingenuous and clearly is a moral stance that you do not have the authority to take in your elected positions.
Please represent your residents fairly, transparently and honestly; and consider partisan efforts such as the one that prompted this resolution as an opportunity to revisit the scope of your duties and explain to your constituents the separation of church and state that each of you have taken an oath to uphold and respect.
Morgan Jarema
Vergennes Township
Right on, Morgan. Well said!