Denton board spends recklessly

I wrote an article back in September that forewarned residents of the problems that would arise when you vote in a majority panel to run the township that are actually full-time employees, elected officials whose wages are paid from the general fund of the township. Well, the truth is known because at the last Denton Township Board meeting, the elected board voted themselves a 3% wage increase. With all the financial problems everyone is having, this township raises their wages. Most other government and private business are freezing wages, and in some cases they are even asking for up to a 10% wage cut. Wage cuts were just brought up to the City of Detroit; Macomb County employees also are facing wage decreases. As you all have heard and read, the automotive sectors are being forced to take drastic cuts in wages and benefits. Denton Township continues to raise assessment values, ambulance charges, trash pick-up fees and then giving themselves a nice healthy wage increase of 3%. Sure, you can say that Denton Township is not having financial problems, but if you are not, then you should pass the relief to the residents who are suffering hardship, not to yourselves by giving yourself a 3% raise.

At the last board meeting, it was discussed that ambulance charges were going to be reviewed. Is it really fair that the residents' fee is only $50 less than non-resident fees, yet the residents pay 1.49 mill in their township tax bills for the ambulance millage. Township officials don't see it the way it really is. A property owner that has a general mid-range assessed value of $57,000 pays the township $79 a year for ambulance service in taxes, regardless if they use it or not. If you do the simple math, you can see that a resident would actually pay more for the service then a non resident.

A general ambulance call would cost a resident $410 + the $79 tax = $489.

A general ambulance call would cost a non-resident $460.

Those of you who have read my articles may think I have nothing better to do than complain about government spending. Well, you are right! I will continue to try to educate the residents that you must pay attention to the township board and all that they do. Stop the township from reckless spending; stop the township from adding proposals to increase our property taxes.

I do not have a problem accepting that I must pay taxes, but I do have a problem with government constantly raising taxes when residents are suffering and unemployment is at an all-time high. Let's not forget about the 1% the township charges to cash our checks when we pay our taxes. Attend the board meeting and voice your concerns, or you will be taxed right into the poorhouse. Talk to your neighbors and spread the word of this frivolous spending. Vote no on any tax increases! Frivolous spending is not the answer to running an efficient government. Robert Janowski Shelby Township

(Editor's note: The meeting Mr. Janowski refers to was a special meeting held by the Denton Township Board on Jan. 22. The board's regular meeting time is the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.)