Page 3 - From The Desk Of Robert J Cannon

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Where is the Road Money?
“I know our residents are frustrated with our local roads and so am I. Many are in terrible shape,” says Supervisor Robert Cannon. “One of the most difficult aspects of being Supervisor is how upset people are when I tell then that Clinton Township receives no federal, state or county money for roads and the Township does not levy any millage for roads,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon.
Under Michigan Public Act 51, townships do not receive direct funding for roads from the State. Instead, township roads fall under the jurisdiction of the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR). Townships can, however, pass a millage to provide funding for roads that would be
“Roads will be an
area we will
continue to concentrate on as a priority in our strategic plan and
we will need to put more pressure on Lansing to address
this dire need throughout the ” State of Michigan.
– Robert Cannon
What has been done?
In June 2016, Supervisor Cannon called for volunteers to form a Citizen Advisory Committee on Roads to investigate ways to improve residential, collector and main roads in the township. Eleven residents were seated on the committee. To see a summary of the Advisory committee recommendation go to https://clintontownship.com/uploads/3/5/2/8/35280648/r oad_summary_180404.pdf.
Based on citizen committee study recommendations and the urging of Supervisor Robert J. Cannon, the Clinton
administered by the county. PA 51 has come under fire because it hasn't been revised in decades and it gives equal weight in its funding formula to rural areas as it does to more modernized communities. Residents provide road funding through fuel taxes and car registration fees.
The township levies only 8/10th of one mill for its day- to-day operations.
“Money for our roads goes to the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) and it is up to them to maintain and improve roads in the township,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Robert “Bob” Cannon.
“We work very closely with the MCDR to get our share of road projects, but they do not levy or collect taxes for roads either.” The majority of county road funds come from the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) with some also from the federal highway trust fund.
According to the Mackinac Center in Oct 2018, MTF revenues have not kept pace with inflation. Although the MTF fund peaked in 2000, and vehicle registration fees were increased in 2017, the fund is still below 2000 levels. To aggravate the situation, costs to replace and maintain roads have steadily increased thereby further eroding purchasing power.
Township Board in a 4-3 vote on April 9, 2018 placed a millage question on the August 2018 ballot for a five-year 1.9 mill tax specifically for roads and sidewalks in Clinton Township.
The average cost per homeowner per year would have been approximately $120. The ballot question failed 54%to46%.
Three members of the Clinton Township Board of Trustees campaigned against the road millage noting roads are under the jurisdiction of the county and the use of how
the money would be used was not clear although they did not offer any recommendations.
One board member said he originally voted against the proposal being on the ballot because it’s a state problem, and local officials need to hold Lansing lawmakers accountable.
Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon states, “If the detractors are looking to the county or state to bail out the township, it is not going to happen. If you campaign against the millage, you must have another plan.”
Impressive List of Township Main Roads Improved
“I have made main road improvements a priority as Supervisor We have invested millions in cost sharing with the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) even though the township collects no money for roads from taxes, the State or county,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon. “Without cost sharing, many of our main roads would not receive improvements,” he said. “I commend the Board for approving my recommendations for road improvements each year.”
“We will continue to work with the MCDR to get our main roads improved as quickly as possible and as funds permit,” said Supervisor Cannon.
•14 Mile Road repaving from Gratiot Avenue east to Harper Avenue
•15 Mile Road widening from Utica Road to Kelly Road
•15 Mile Road widening from Beaconsfield Road to Gratiot Avenue
•15 Mile Road repaving between Groesbeck Highway and Beaconsfield-summer ‘20
•16 Mile Road widening and repaving to three lanes
•19 Mile Road repaving from Romeo Plank Road to Hayes Road
•Cass Avenue widening from
Groesbeck to Romeo Plank Cimarron Street repaving
•Cass Avenue bridge rehab with pedestrian walkway – summer ‘20
•Dalcoma Drive repaving from 19 Mile and Hall Road
•Garfield Road repairs from 16 Mile Road to Millar Road
•Garfield Road repaving from Hall Road to north of Canal Road
•Garfield Road widened to 5 lanes from 15 to 16 Mile Roads
•Garfield Road repaving from n. of Canal to 17 Mile Road – committed
summer ‘21
•Golden Street repaving
•Gratiot Avenue DDA-Gratiot street lighting between 14 Mile and Wellington Crescent
•Gratiot Avenue repaving
•Greenfield Road repaving
•Groesbeck Highway repaving
•Harrington Road repaving Groesbeck to Moravian Drive
•Harper Avenue repaving from 14 to 15 Mile Roads and widening to five lanes
•Little Mack Avenue repaving between 15 Mile Road and Armanda Court
•Little Mack Avenue repaving between Weybridge Road and Groesbeck Highway
•Little Mack Avenue repaving between Kemp and McKishnie Roads
•Little Mack Avenue repaving in front of Clintondale High School
•M-59 and crosswalk reconstruction participation
•Moravian Drive bridge reconstruction near George George Park
•Moravian from 16 to Millar and Hayes
to Utica Roads
•Nunneley south repaving between Gratiot Avenue and Theodore Street
•Quinn Road area landscape, sign project, bus and corner landscaping and signing program
•Rivergate Road repairs
•Romeo Plank Road widening between Romeo Plank and Hall Roads and roundabout at Chippewa Valley High School
•Romeo Plank Road repaving and two Romeo Plank roundabouts
•Weideman Road repairs