Page 3 - Clinton Currents Volume XIX Issue 2 - Spring/Summer 2019

Spring/Summer 2019
Page 3
Supervisor’s Message
A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.
I like this inspirational quote because it applies to the work we do at the Charter Township of Clinton. Despite the challenges we face with funding, infrastructure, and even our geography, we remain steadfast in making the quality of life improvements that bene t everyone who chooses to live in Clinton Township.
Readers of Clinton Currents are aware that the annual water report makes up our spring/summer issue. To revisit the topic of drinking water safety every year might seem redundant, but we’re obligated to present this report, and it remains critically important to be vigilant in testing the quality of our drinking water, and the health of our water sources.
We’re all aware that the Clinton River feeds Lake St. Clair, which is one of the main sources of our township’s source water. Out of all the communities in Macomb County that the Clinton River ows through, I like to think of ours as unique in that the three main branches of the river join up in Clinton Township. Our location on the river makes our job as stewards all the more necessary, and I’m proud to say we’ve made great progress in cleaning up the river and guaranteeing it will stay that way.
The challenge in doing so ties to a long-term problem, not only for Clinton Township but for our entire region, and today, I am glad to report we’re much better off than when I rst became supervisor. Back then, the township entered into an administrative consent order (ACO) with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to do something about sanitary sewer over ows, and end the practice of releasing untreated sewage into the river. During heavy rains or oods, we were faced with the decision to release
Clinton Township
Board of Trustees:
(l-r) Trustee Joe Aragona, Trustee
Ken Pearl, Clerk Kim Meltzer, Supervisor Bob Cannon, Treasurer Paul Gieleghem, Trustee Joie West, Trustee Mike Keys
sanitary over ow into the river or have it back up into resident’s basements. Neither choice was a good one, but over the past 18
years, we’ve invested $30 million
to x the problem. We’ve made repairs, built relief sewers, and removed sanitary sewer
over ows. We still have some
work to do, but I expect,
sometime next year, the MDEQ
will lift its ACO, and we can say
that we’ve done our part in eliminating the release of sewage into the Clinton River.
Supervisor Bob Cannon
– James N. Watkins, author
Achieving the goal of separating stormwater from sewage is a point of pride for our community, and I'm glad to say that under my watch we were able to complete this difficult and expensive project. It also validates the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, from community organizations, businesses and local governments who have spent many long hours cleaning the river and clearing its banks of invasive plant species. Together, we’ve accomplished much in bringing the river back to where recreation activities on its waters now abound. This spring and summer, take the time to visit our beautiful riverside parks (George George, Budd, Canal, Nicholson Nature Center), and enjoy your Clinton River!
For a complete listing of Clinton Township’s parks, visit clintontownship.com/parks.
Robert J. Cannon Supervisor