Dear Volinia Township residents,
We are writing to encourage you to vote for Chris Brooks for Volinia Township Supervisor on August 6. We believe that he is highly qualified and will serve our community well. He is educated with a Masters degree from the University of Michigan. He is a long-time business owner with experience in zoning, construction, engineering, and accounting. He has owned property in Volinia township for 25 years. He and his wife Beth live on Finch Lake. We want good for our community. We want our children and grandchildren to be proud to call Volinia township home. Please join us in voting for Chris Brooks on August 6.
Thank you and God Bless,
Dave and Stacey High
Editor:
I love my hometown. I love serving in some small capacity on the Downtown Development Authority. I am proud to say that I’m from Marcellus.
My love of my community does not mean that I do not recognize some of the real problems and issues facing Marcellus, its residents, and the majority of “rural” America. My love is not blind.
You might think this a controversial statement given recent views in and of this community that I love:
We are all on the same page in wanting a happy, thriving community.
This, I believe, is the appropriate, unifying, and, ultimately, underlying belief that we all must adopt to survive. In defense of this core belief and tenet of humanity (“We are all in this together.”), I’d like to share my thoughts:
1. If malice exists, we must weed it out. However, we cannot confuse “malice” with “misfortune.” Similarly, “malintent” is not the same as “misfortune.”
When we look to those with power and authority, it is easy to characterize them as having and acting on “malice.” With this characterization comes feelings and emotions that can quickly build momentum in an “Us versus Them” mentality. To combat this unfounded mentality, we must pause, find presence, and reflect before reacting.
2. After we combat this “Us versus Them” mentality and return to our unifying foundation, we can start to “get real.” We can start to critically and intelligently identify problems and ideate solutions. To do this, we must have difficult conversations – we will hear of painful stories and experiences – we will be challenged and even disagree, pushing us back and tempting us to believe that “They’re wrong and bad, and I’m right and good.”
But I urge you to fight that feeling. “Us versus Them” divides and destroys. And we – the people of Marcellus – of rural America – of the working class – will not survive if we are divided.
Marcellus will not survive if it is divided.
3. A problem for one is a problem for all – and together, we can find a solution. That doesn’t come without external or environmental pressures, so let’s diagnose the context of our problems:
By approximation, the population of Marcellus is 1,200. According to recent market analysis conducted in the Village of Marcellus, the median per capita income is about $30,000.
Expanding beyond per capita income, we can begin to analyze “wealth” in Marcellus. Looking to the United for ALICE Research Center (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), we can see the amount of people who earn “more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basics where they live. ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent – choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all.”
In Marcellus, that translates to 2 out of every 5 people. In a town of only 1,200, that is almost 500 people.
It is undeniable that our rural community faces immense economic hardship, compounded by the fact that our local government is primarily supported and staffed based on its taxable base.
Translated: We are a bantam-weight boxer with our hands and feet tied in a heavyweight boxing match against the defending World Champion.
All this to say, we have incredible odds stacked against us. But together – when we act, think, listen, and collaborate – we can begin to find our way and build a better and brighter future.
As I listen to the Township, Village, and county – I hear from everyone a desire to make the community a better place. And I believe them. I don’t believe there is malice or malintent in their decisions, nor do I believe every decision is perfect. But I’m participating and trying to do my part to help. Because I know the struggles we all face and the challenges we have in facing them.
The problems won’t be fixed overnight. And they won’t be fixed by “them” alone. It will take all of us.
Seth Carlson
Marcellus MI
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