01/07/2026
A note from a local resident:
"I have traveled to other townships, listened to their meetings, talked to members. The similarities in their plans are strategically used by the MEDC/Government/and potential Corporations: find the most vulnerable areas, then divide and conquer. Guess what... it works, because we allow it. I was most impressed with my visit to Howell, the locals are not happy, understandably, but they were supportive of their board. The ones that were not were outsiders. There were some locals that were screaming also, which just turns into noise, and the threats and condescending remarks are not taken seriously.
The one issue that locals are furious over are these NDA's. They feel they have been "sold out", members are "crooked", "on the take", getting "kickbacks". Ah, division! The plan is working!
Up until recently, I was on that band wagon, until I started paying closer attention, watched the similarities of each town, and started talking to members. I found speaking respectfully and non threatening goes further than accusations. Residents are aiming their anger toward the wrong people. Is that the goal?
The MEDC/Corporations come to these townships and say .."'you want our information? sign here(NDA)! Not a requirement, unless you want to know what we are going to do to your town". That is the epitome of coercion. You should be MORE angry at the fact these towns are literally "handcuffed" into signing. How can they protect a town they were elected to protect, without information? The MEDC knows this and Corporations know this. Strategic right? Absolutely! Divide and conquer.
I want to bring up Mundy Township, the Megasite, in which farmers received a STUPID amount of money to sell their land, using our tax dollars from the Government through the MEDC. Easier for them than pushing Eminent Domain, right? Then the state offers homeowners around 2.5 times the value of their property, again with our tax dollars, also requiring NDA's to be signed by the homeowners.... hmmmm
Did a member of the Mundy Township board sign an NDA? Yes, along with the administrator. Were they crooked? Getting kickbacks. According to the speculation of those with NO information, yep, crooked as hell.
So what was done with information gathered? An overlay. A legal, well thought out, strategic overlay that gave more control to the township than a corporate entity. This took months to accomplish, from the Planning Commision, to consultants, to the board, to the public. I must admit, when I first started looking into this, it was all Greek. Zoning, Ordinances and Amendments are extremely complex and it took me months of constantly asking questions to understand them. I also started going to other town's Planning Commission meetings, realizing that not all zoning or ordinances are the same in each township. The MEDC and Corporations know this, we did not.
I then spoke at my own board meeting. Explaining to them where I have been and what is to come, not IF but WHEN. I gave my opinion on NDA's, not against, but to explain "their" strategy. I asked of my board, "when you are asked to be handcuffed into signing this, come to us, tell us, and I guarantee you myself and the residents behind me WILL support you". A sigh of relief? I hope so.
Should Mundy Township have done this? Probably, but hindsight is always 20/20. Did they do all of this under the radar, secretly in the dead of night? Not according to the minutes of the meetings or the agendas. All this took place early to mid 2022, what was happening globally at that time? Anyone remember? Lock downs, no social events, workplaces and schools became virtual, people were losing their jobs and businesses. We were doing our best to simply survive and take care of our families. Is that an excuse to not be aware of what is going on in your town? Was this the plan? Or just a coincidence. Was it your townships plan? Or our state governments plan? Interesting thought, eh?
I guess I just want residents to step back, look at the 40,000 ft ariel view. Don't allow the division, we will lose. Instead pull together, get involved and stand WITH your boards and community. Stop being a victim and become victorious. Don't fall into the trap of division, become educated, engage with your board members, whether you like them or not, they were voted in, by the people.... you, me, us. Together we can control what happens, even if these entities do come in.
As for the NDA's, I still don't like them, but playing the game can be a useful tool for protection, don't allow them to divide you. If so, we lose, and THAT is not an option."
As always, please attend your local township board meetings and speak up for your community.
