Re: SG-W:/ Sylvan Township

[Smileysmlc@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/9/00 10:18:54 PM, dhbrooks@umich.edu writes:
<< The frustrating part is that I haven't found anything that has ever 
worked. I've read the personal files of a friend of mine that tried to save 
some of Canton Township in the early 80s. Nothing worked and he moved up 
north.>>

Not much has worked in southeast Michigan because not much has been tried.  
You'll have to look elsewhere (primarily) for positive examples.  Hopefully, 
that outlook will change as small successes happen locally here and there.  
Just as development begets more development, success will foster more 
success.  Many communities just need examples to follow in order for them to 
realize what could happen in their community.

Canton Township is especially depressing (what a waste of good land!), but we 
should try to use that as an example of what NOT to do...and not think of 
Canton as simply reinforcement that you can't stop sprawl.  Canton residents 
lost a golden opportunity to create a better future in the late 70s and early 
80s, but the politicians and developers teamed up to seal Canton's demise.  
Even today, the pro-development regime that rules Canton is making sure that 
virtually no forest, wetland or farm land is spared the fate of the bull 
dozer.   They must think that it is SOMEONE ELSE'S responsibility to save 
farm land for food, protect trees for oxygen, or have wetlands for water 
quality (not to mention a myriad of other functions and benefits).

Only those who don't wish to be responsible are the ones who promulgate 
wasteful land use practices.   There IS a better way.

Good luck.

Jack Smiley



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