Hilderomeo

Sun, Nov 1, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.

Currently volunteering as a neighborhood watch coordinator and having volunteered for a police department in another state, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that this millage MUST pass. Ms. Gillis and ypsituckey1: Maybe you have forgotten what financial sacrifices our Township officials and employees have already taken to help reduce and minimize costs to the tax paying citizens of Ypsilanti Township. There also are over 20 positions that remain unfilled to continue to maximize cost cutting efforts throughout the township while the township continues to see drastic reductions in housing prices (therefore reduced taxes and revenue to the township), closings of major companies, small, medium and large businesses (further reduced taxes and revenue to the township) and cut backs of services. If this millage does not pass, we will see a reduction of 10 deputies, the loss of neighborhood watch programs, which help to counter crime in our neighborhoods, the possibility of loss of township resident's and sheriff communications, the loss of summer basketball program's for our at-risk youth, etc. Not to mention the increase of response time to calls and the decrease of safety protection throughout our township. I, for one, would rather forgo a few Taco Bell dinners (approx. $8.60) vs. reduction in safety protection for myself, my family, my home and my neighbors, as this is what it would cost me PER MONTH in increased taxes to continue to have the protection I currently have. No one can ever predict the future, as no one can change the past. However, we CAN continue with the present by voting "YES" on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd regarding our protection and safety with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department.