Letter: Jim Goetz has wrong priorities for Lenawee County

Submitted
·2 min read
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor

The current District 7 county commissioner’s (Jim Goetz) political advertisements claim “Infrastructure Development is Economic Development.” But he never defines the development he has in mind.

Perhaps he is referring to the massive “pay to play” elite athlete facility (Project Phoenix) in Tecumseh? Temporarily shelved, Phoenix’s budget is up to $90 million. It is to be primarily paid for with county taxpayer funds and supported annually with even more of our money. Mr. Goetz has strongly supported this project with every vote cast, despite overwhelming constituent opposition — and he continues to do so.

Or perhaps he means covering thousands of acres of prime Lenawee County farmland with utility grade solar and wind facilities. He has also supported these developments despite overwhelming constituent opposition.

Or perhaps he means maintaining county roads as “Infrastructure Development”? The county recently received over $19 million in COVID relief money from the federal government. The Lenawee County Road Commission requested only 10% of that to offset their real revenue losses from the pandemic lockdown. But Mr. Goetz has sided with Chairman David Stimpson in rejecting that proposal. Instead, he supports placing $10 million of the $19 million into Project Phoenix!

And further, Mr. Goetz voted to defund the county’s economic development agency, Lenawee Now, simply because they dared to ask for a more detailed look at the project financials!

There are far more important issues and priorities for county taxpayer funds — the first responder network, staffing for the sheriff’s office and the critical infrastructure of our roads, bridges and water systems — just for a start.

The choices on Aug. 2 to represent and work for the people of District 7 could not be clearer. Kevon Martis has spent the last 12 years working successfully with diverse groups all around the state to assure that the issues and desires of residents are first priority. Those skills would be a critical and timely addition to the county commission.

Roger Johnson

Deerfield Township

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Letter: Jim Goetz has wrong priorities for Lenawee County