Friday, May 5, 2023

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting May 2nd, 2023

On the Agenda:
Adoption of Agenda begins at 1:21
Approval of Minutes - April 4th, 2023 Regular Meeting begins at 1:44
Public Comments begin at 2:37
New Business:
1. Oath for New Police Officer begins at 39:55
Accounts Payable Checks 70990 through 71066 $249,133.42 begins at 43:57
Police Department Report begins at 44:29
Fire Department Report begins at 45:43
Manager's Report begins at 48:20
Comments by the Township Supervisor and Code Enforcement Report begins at 58:01
Board Member Comments begin at 1:09:32



First I would like to welcome our newest police officer Melonie Turner to our police department and township!!

Next item I want to mention is the new Code Enforcement Complaints report.  They have hired a full time code enforcement employee and have other members also working on this problem.  They are cracking down, but it does take time, sometimes a long time, to get these issues resolved.  Here is a copy of their first report:

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The last topic I want to comment on is an issue affecting the residents of Southfield Village.  First I want to say that the residents of Southfield Village are some of the more regular attendees at the township board meetings.  They seem to always support our township and work with the township leaders when there are issues.  I have always thought they are very nice people, the kind of neighbors I wish had!!  Poor me is stuck with stupid, psycho, or just plain old nasty neighbors, but those are stories for another day.

So the issue is that the Baptist Church here in Bridgeport bought an apartment complex that is located in the Southfield subdivision.  Their plans are to improve the building and house men in the complex that are going through the churches recovery program.  This will not be the same as a halfway house or rehab facility.  It sounds like a good program and probably has a better success rate than most programs.  The Southfield residents are understandably upset that this will be located in their residential neighborhood.

The first problem I thought with this was that the church should have approached the residents BEFORE purchasing this complex and explained what their plans were and to see if the residents would be receptive to it.  They are not required to do that, but I think it would have been a much better and more respectful way to do it instead of just barging ahead with their plans and tough luck to the neighbors if they don’t want it.

The pastor from the church did attend this board meeting along with two other men involved with this program.  The pastor and the housing director for the program did get up and speak about this plan.  They answered questions and tried to alleviate the residents concerns.   The two men accompanying the pastor struck me as very sincere and caring, towards the program and the residents with their concerns.  I was confused for a few minutes about the pastor, thought maybe he was a politician instead.  The pastor was asked several times if men being housed in this complex would be coming straight from jail or a prison.  Are they?  Who knows, because the pastor never answered that question, he danced around it like a true politician.  Being straightforward and honest is usually the best way to handle situations.

The last thing I want to say about this is that I was upset by the attitude and some of the responses coming from our township leaders towards the Southfield residents.  In the last nine years I have seen the nonsense that the leaders have had to deal with from residents here and I do understand their frustration, I just don’t feel that this situation and the residents’ concerns are nonsense or warranted that frustration.  You may think this recovery program is a good program, but it is not going in your neighborhood.  If you want to help this program with donations of money or your time, then do so, but don’t try to belittle the residents’ concerns about it in their neighborhood, or try to make them feel guilty for not wanting it.  You keep talking about “Community” but where and when was that shown to these residents?  Walk the talk before you condemn others.  Religion came into this discussion, maybe as it should have.  What are my religious views?  Most people don’t know because I keep them private.  I will say I am a Christian.  If you are a public leader and you want to serve with a Christian approach to situations, then great, this country needs more of that.  Leaders can inspire others by leading by example, let your words and actions shine through with Christian grace, charity, and forgiveness, but never use your faith and wield it like a weapon to beat down those that are not doing as you would wish them to.  I hope that the residents, church, and township can work this issue out for the best for all involved.


Lastly I would like to leave you all with a song I find quite moving.



Wednesday, May 3, 2023

April 2023 Bridgeport Township Check Register

The check registers for the township are a matter of public record.  They have copies available at every township board meeting and I believe you can go to the township offices and request to see a copy.  I provide these copies here for any resident that is interested in being informed and can't make it to meetings or the offices.  You can learn a lot about how this township operates just from looking at the check register.  If you have questions about any items on there you can call the offices and someone will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Click on each image to view a larger version: 

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