LMich
May 8, 2008, 4:41 AM
Grosse Pointe Shores is the last of the five Grosse Pointes to incorporate, and it will abolish the last vestiges of Lake and Grosse Pointe townships cutting down on duplicity.
Grosse Pointe Shores to be Metro Detroit's newest city (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/METRO/805070414/1409)
Voters approve change designed to streamline government services.
Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News
May 7, 2008
GROSSE POINTE SHORES -- Residents of the posh hamlet on the Lake St. Clair shoreline voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to incorporate their village as Metro Detroit's newest city.
The changes in the village of about 3,000 people, the smallest of all the Pointes, will be subtle. The measure passed by a 505-127 margin, with about 28 percent of voters turning out.
Supporters were enticed by the promise of streamlining the local government.
"This is going to be a great thing for our village," said Louise Lee, 75. "I think it will eventually save us on taxes."
Village officials say the new city could save up to $250,000 by incorporating functions administered by the two townships the village encompasses: Lake Township in Macomb County and Grosse Pointe Township in Wayne. The switch will absorb all tax and election-related duties into one bureaucracy.
"We are between two counties," said Nabil Kamel, 63, who voted in favor of incorporation. "It will help to have everything under one administration."
Fire, police and other municipal services are expected to be unaffected and students would continue attending the same school districts.
Property taxes could only increase with the approval of residents, though officials say a tax reduction may be in the future.
"Residents will see no change whatsoever in their services. The only change will be the elimination of the two township boards," said Village Manager Mike Kenyon.
Village officials came up with the idea a year ago after a state bill was introduced that called for abolishing most townships and having counties take over certain functions.
Though that proposal died quickly, Grosse Pointe Shores residents and officials latched on to the idea of remaining independent.
"Hopefully it will create less book work and consolidate expenses, while protecting the Shores from the county," said Tom Blake, 59, a village resident for 12 years.
A nine-member commission also elected Tuesday will draw up a draft city charter to be submitted to the governor before a final vote by residents in November.
Brian Geraghty, one of the nine elected to the commission, gave few specifics of what the charter would look like, but said that village services would remain intact.
"We're going to try to make the transition as seamless as possible," Geraghty said.
You can reach Tanveer Ali at (734) 462-2094 or tali@detnews.com.
Grosse Pointe Shores to be Metro Detroit's newest city (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080507/METRO/805070414/1409)
Voters approve change designed to streamline government services.
Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News
May 7, 2008
GROSSE POINTE SHORES -- Residents of the posh hamlet on the Lake St. Clair shoreline voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to incorporate their village as Metro Detroit's newest city.
The changes in the village of about 3,000 people, the smallest of all the Pointes, will be subtle. The measure passed by a 505-127 margin, with about 28 percent of voters turning out.
Supporters were enticed by the promise of streamlining the local government.
"This is going to be a great thing for our village," said Louise Lee, 75. "I think it will eventually save us on taxes."
Village officials say the new city could save up to $250,000 by incorporating functions administered by the two townships the village encompasses: Lake Township in Macomb County and Grosse Pointe Township in Wayne. The switch will absorb all tax and election-related duties into one bureaucracy.
"We are between two counties," said Nabil Kamel, 63, who voted in favor of incorporation. "It will help to have everything under one administration."
Fire, police and other municipal services are expected to be unaffected and students would continue attending the same school districts.
Property taxes could only increase with the approval of residents, though officials say a tax reduction may be in the future.
"Residents will see no change whatsoever in their services. The only change will be the elimination of the two township boards," said Village Manager Mike Kenyon.
Village officials came up with the idea a year ago after a state bill was introduced that called for abolishing most townships and having counties take over certain functions.
Though that proposal died quickly, Grosse Pointe Shores residents and officials latched on to the idea of remaining independent.
"Hopefully it will create less book work and consolidate expenses, while protecting the Shores from the county," said Tom Blake, 59, a village resident for 12 years.
A nine-member commission also elected Tuesday will draw up a draft city charter to be submitted to the governor before a final vote by residents in November.
Brian Geraghty, one of the nine elected to the commission, gave few specifics of what the charter would look like, but said that village services would remain intact.
"We're going to try to make the transition as seamless as possible," Geraghty said.
You can reach Tanveer Ali at (734) 462-2094 or tali@detnews.com.