Birchwood Development on Kinst Road

Elected officials are supposed to represent the will of the people rather than defy their will to promote their own agenda and interests. In the case of the Birchwood development, I wonder whose interest the three board members of New Buffalo Township Board, Rolland Oselka, Pete Rahm and Jack Rodgers are representing. They sure are not representing the people. Not only have the board members approved this development to go forward against the recommendation of the New Buffalo Township Planning Commission and the Berrien County Planning Commission, they have also stonewalled any effort of the New Buffalo Township citizens to put the decision into the hands of the voters by refusing the voters a chance to vote on this issue on the ballot, simply based on a technicality.

Our laws are supposed to protect the rights of citizens to vote and prevent voter fraud rather than taking the right to vote on an issue away from its citizens. Unfortunately, this is exactly what the New Buffalo Township Board has done. We elect officials to represent the community and help the community achieve its desires; not to stonewall our efforts and silence our voice. The duty of the officials is to give all the information needed to perform a civil action rather than trying to prevent an effort with any means possible as done in this case. To go as far as using a township attorney against the township citizens is not only an outrage but also a violation of their civil duties. Our government, even local government, should be transparent in its conduct and efforts rather than withholding information and hiding behind “client/attorney privilege” as done in this case. The New Buffalo Township attorney’s clients are the people of New Buffalo Township; not the actions of certain board members. The board is elected to represent the people, therefore when the attorney represents the Township Board he represents the people of New Buffalo, not those elected as the board. However, unfortunately, the attorney in this case, is protecting the board’s decision rather than the will of the people. The will of the people is to have this decision on the ballot in order to vote on the decision, as expressed in a petition signed by 185 township citizens. Right now, according to the board, the zoning for the proposed development has been changed from an agricultural-residence to R—3 to make the project possible. As of now, all that is needed for this development to go further is the approval of the township board; and by noting their previous actions; one can safely assume their approval. The next meeting of the New Buffalo Township Board is March 18. I encourage every person outraged about the Board’s conduct to appear at the next meeting and voice your disapproval. Also vote these officials out of office in the next elections. Regardless of whether or not you disagree or approve of the Birchwood development itself, I fail to see how anyone can approve of the conduct of the board officials who neglect and fail to represent the citizens whom they are suppose to represent, stonewall them in every effort, and use the township attorney against the citizens. Keep in mind, even if you have no opinion regarding the Birchwood development, perhaps next time the board may use the same approach to decide an issue about which you do care.

Remember, it’s “we the people” not “the officials” who still have the power. Exercise such power while you still can.