Dear Editor,

 We would like to remind Independence Township officials that the last time they suggested taking over control of our garbage pick-up service that the public turned out in high numbers at the high school voicing their objections to having yet another decision of a private service of their choosing being taken away by their government. 
But this time around, taxpayers can’t turn out in numbers to voice their opinions for or against the garbage plan due to the pandemic. 
Why are township officials considering this plan knowing that the public can’t meet to voice their opinion in a public forum, at a face-to-face public meeting?
We believe that now is not the time to consider this.
 We find it concerning that the township supervisor is organizing a “committee of volunteers” to research the takeover of our garbage service when the supervisor has already come to the foregone conclusion that his “plan” will occur. 
He said in the October 14, 2020 Clarkston News/Township Times article, ”Will one single waste hauler be a benefit?” that, ”It sure would be nice if by this time next year, whatever plan is decided on is in place, fully operational and at less overall cost to our residents and businesses.” 
Clearly a comment such as this won’t even consider a plan that doesn’t take over your garbage service as being an option. 
Why is that?
 This “plan” is clearly just going through the motions with a “volunteer committee” that has a predetermined goal to “decide on a plan, put it in place, and make it fully operational by this time next year.” 
Making the “volunteer committee” nothing more than a rubber stamp for the township. 
After all, with those committee goals in mind, those who volunteer to be on the committee and are against this plan won’t be heard.
As longtime taxpayers of this township, we would like to volunteer this plan: We suggest township officials table their plan to take over the control of our garbage until such time that the public can turn out and voice their opinion. 
NOW IS NOT THAT TIME! 
LEAVE OUR FREEDOM TO CHOOSE OUR GARBAGE SERVICE ALONE!   

Sincerely,
Michael & Lori Powell
Independence Township
“Representatives from the more populated south”