As former Nelson Township Supervisor, I can truthfully tell you that if you dissolve the Village, it is an impossibility that the township can fund the village maintenance services that you now possess. More funding is required for additional village services.

If you subtract the millage you approved for paving (3.9500), your total homestead millage is not that much more than the villages of Kent City or Casnovia, and not as much as Sparta Village or the City of Cedar Springs.

Cuts in State Revenue Sharing have placed a burden on all state municipalities and has caused considerable belt-tightening. Many cities, townships and villages are making drastic cuts and certainly cannot fund any new projects. Your general maintenance, sewer and water, park and cemetery, are all budget centers for which the township does not have funding. And you can’t expect the township to pass a millage to provide those services.

How many of you have attended village council meetings and are aware of how your money is spent?  Did you or did you not vote on the paving millage? Disincorporation is not the answer. Being aware of, and involved in, your government actions is the answer.

If you choose to disincorporate, one thing is certain—there will be major attorney fees for both the village and the township and, to tell the truth, not even the lawyers can be certain what will take place.