Michigan Townships Association

Press Releases

For quotes or additional information about MTA or township government, call (517) 321-6467 or email jenn@michigantownships.org.

MTA press release on House-passage of renewable energy siting bills

House-passed renewable energy siting bills do not protect local control Battle on behalf of true local voices over siting and permitting process shifts to state Senate. A coalition of organizations representing local governments, land use planning and the agriculture community continues to oppose the fast-moving legislative efforts overhauling siting and

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Don’t silence local voices to achieve renewable energy goals

The following is an MTA statement in response to Gov. Whitmer’s comments on Aug. 30 and pending legislation on moving renewable energy siting from local communities to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Utility-scale renewable energy siting can be an incredibly contentious topic in communities across the state. But the answer

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Two Groveland Township leaders earn credentials in township governance

Two Groveland Township officials have taken the next steps to further enhance the effectiveness of their township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through their participation in the intensive education program, Treasurer Theresa Bills and Deputy Clerk Jenell Keller were able to learn enhanced tools

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Davison Township leader earns credential in township governance

Travis Howell, a long-time Davison Township (Genesee Co.) public servant currently serving on its zoning board of appeals, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of his township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through his participation in the intensive education program,

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Yates Township leader earns credential in township governance

Blair Evans, who serves Yates Township (Lake Co.) on its planning commission, zoning board of appeals and board of review, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of his township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through his participation in the intensive

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Cargill elected 2023 MTA first vice president

Cargill elected first vice president of Michigan Townships Association Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill has been elected first vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). She was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by her peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational

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Harmful legislation would silence local voices on sand and gravel mining

Harmful legislation would silence local voices on sand and gravel mining Bills go against public sentiments supporting local say in aggregate operations in Michigan communities   Lansing, Mich.—Legislation newly introduced under the guise of solving aggregate supply chain issues will eliminate all local authority over sand and gravel mines and silence

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Bill Deater is MTA’s 2023 immediate past president

Deater serves as Michigan Townships Association immediate past president Grant Township (St. Clair Co.) Supervisor Bill Deater will serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) executive committee as the Association’s immediate past president, following his term as 2022 president. Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than

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Marvin Radtke Jr. named member-at-large on MTA Executive Committee

Marvin Radtke Jr. named member-at-large on Michigan Townships Association Executive Committee Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.) Supervisor Marvin Radtke Jr. has been named member-at-large on the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) executive committee. The executive committee, and the entire board of directors, provides strategic and operational guidance to MTA, which

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Malinda Cole-Crocker is 2023 MTA secretary

Cole-Crocker elected secretary of Michigan Townships Association Buchanan Charter Township (Berrien Co.) Supervisor Malinda Cole-Crocker has been elected secretary of the Michigan Townships Association. Cole-Crocker, who also serves at MTA District 22 director on the Association’s Board of Directors, was elected to the secretary position at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational

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Kevin Beeson elected 2023 MTA treasurer

Beeson elected treasurer of Michigan Townships Association Pine River Township (Gratiot Co.) Supervisor Kevin Beeson has been elected treasurer of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). He was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by his township peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational Conference, held

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Harold Koviak is MTA’s 2023 second vice president

Burt Township supervisor elected second vice president of Michigan Townships Association Burt Township (Cheboygan Co.) Supervisor Harold Koviak has been elected second vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). He was elected to the position at the Association’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 17-20 at the Grand

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Cargill elected 2023 MTA first vice president

Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill has been elected first vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). She was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by her peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational Conference, held April 17-20 at the Grand Traverse Resort

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Bennett to lead Michigan Townships Association as 2023 president

Addison Township (Oakland Co.) Clerk Pauline Bennett has been elected president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional township appointed officials, staff and volunteers—MTA is the largest municipal association in the

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Welcome Ken Verkest to MTA Board as District 21 director

Verkest elected to MTA Board of Directors Harrison Charter Township (Macomb Co.) Supervisor Kenneth Verkest has been elected to the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, serving as director of MTA District 21, which encompasses Lapeer, Oakland and Macomb Counties. Verkest was elected to the position by his township

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MTA sets 2023-24 legislative priorities

Michigan Townships Association sets 2023-24 legislative priorities The Michigan Townships Association announces its 2023-24 legislative priorities, following adoption of its policy platform by Association member township officials. The MTA membership approved the Association’s platform on April 20 at the MTA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the MTA Annual Conference

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Michigan Townships Association announces new Executive Committee

Pauline Bennett, clerk of Addison Township (Oakland Co.), has been elected 2023 MTA president. Bennett was elected president of the largest municipal association in Michigan at MTA’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 17-20 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. Bennett has served as clerk since 1996,

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Read full Proposal 2022-2 “Protect the Vote” language

The process to implement changes because of the passage of Proposal 2022-2 has begun. This will require updates to election procedures, some of which are required for 2023 elections and some for elections in 2024 and beyond. The state Bureau of Elections will be conducting a Lean Process Improvement (LPI),

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Flushing Charter Township clerk earns credential in township governance

Flushing Charter Township (Genesee Co.) Clerk Wendy Meinburg has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of her township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through her participation in the intensive education program, Meinburg was able to learn enhanced tools and decision-making processes

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Deater elected 2022 president of Michigan Townships Association

Grant Township (St. Clair Co.) Supervisor Bill Deater has been elected 2022 president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional township appointed officials, staff and volunteers—MTA is the largest municipal association

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Schafer re-elected to Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors

Eagle Township (Clinton Co.) Supervisor Patti Jo Schafer will continue to serve the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, after being re-elected District 20 director at the Association’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 25-28 in Lansing. Schafer was re-elected by her township peers at a caucus election to

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Rowley Elected to Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors

Bangor Charter Township (Bay Co.) Supervisor Glenn Rowley will continue to serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, following his election as director of MTA District 13—which encompasses Bay, Gladwin and Midland Counties—at MTA’s 2022 Annual Educational Conference, held April 25-28 in Lansing. Rowley was first appointed

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Morton Township trustee re-elected to MTA Board of Directors

Morton Township (Mecosta Co.) Trustee Yulanda Bellingar will continue to serve as District 12 director, which encompasses Isabella, Mecosta and Newaygo Counties, on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors. Bellingar was re-elected to the position by her township peers at a caucus election held during the Association’s Annual

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Kenneth Lobert elected to Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors

Ossineke Township (Alpena Co.) Supervisor Kenneth Lobert will continue to help guide the state’s largest municipal association—the Michigan Townships Association (MTA)—on its board of directors, after being re-elected to serve as the MTA District 7 director. Lobert was re-elected to the position at MTA’s 2022 Annual Educational Conference, held April

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Rogers re-elected to MTA Board of Directors

Coldwater Township (Branch Co.) Supervisor Donald Rogers will continue to serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, after being re-elected to the position of MTA District 23 director at the Association’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 25-28 in Lansing. Rogers has served as director of District

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James Township treasurer re-elected to MTA Board of Directors

James Township (Saginaw Co.) Treasurer Joanne Boehler will continue to represent District 17, which encompasses Genesee, Saginaw and Shiawassee Counties, on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors. Boehler was re-elected to the position by her township peers at a caucus election held during the Association’s Annual Educational Conference

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