Letter to the Editor: LifeWays Building Bond Would Jeopardize Hillsdale's Future
'LifeWays can obtain independent financing without jeopardizing our county's financial stability...'
Ashley Risher lives in District 2 with her husband and three children. She is a lifelong resident of Hillsdale County.
This county is my home, and I want nothing more than for my children to grow up in a thriving, secure Hillsdale County, just as I and generations before me have. But right now, Iām deeply worried that decisions like granting the bond to LifeWays could jeopardize the future we hold so dear.
Over the last several commissioner meetings, I have watched as my fellow county residents have expressed concerns about the liability that this bond could impose on the already-tight county budget. Theyāve urged the county commissioners to vote it down, as they had done twice before. Yet, the board chose to push this bond forward, disregarding our concerns and leaving us feeling dismissed. We are done making requests; we insist that our voices be heard.
That is why I stand as a petition coordinator for Citizens for Hillsdale County, a grassroots organization comprised of residents from all across the county. We are mothers, fathers, blue-collar workers, educators, and more who are united in our fight for this communityās future. Given the repeated dismissal of our concerns, we are actively collecting signatures to place this issue on the ballot, ensuring all Hillsdale County residents can contribute to this decision.
Our petition is not about stopping LifeWays from building a new facility or denying anyone access to mental health services. We believe access to mental health services is crucial.
We believe, however, that the residents of our county should have a say in a decision that could burden our county with a debt equaling nearly 7% of our annual budget. It was confirmed by the countyās legal counsel that if LifeWays canāt pay, the countyāour communityāwill be responsible for that payment.
What essential county services will suffer to cover that cost? What sacrifices will our families face? LifeWays can obtain independent financing without jeopardizing our countyās financial stability while still being able to provide much-needed mental health services to our county.
Last year, this board passed a resolution supporting Citizens for Local Choice, an organization fighting to restore local communitiesā rights to have a say in decisions like industrial wind and solar zoning. Commissioner Wiley and Commissioner Leinenger both voted in favor of the resolution. Commissioner Leininger also signed the ballot initiative proposal; I personally collected his signature. The commissioners showed they believe local voices matter. So why, when it comes to this bond, are they dismissing the very people they represent? I wish they would offer an explanation.
The bondās approval by a single vote, after two previous rejections, highlights the need for broader community input. Placing this issue on the ballot would enable residents to decide for themselves if embracing the bondās financial commitment is worth it for its potential benefits, or if the risk is just not worth the reward.
Citizens for Hillsdale County is excited to stand with our neighbors and friends to make sure we get that opportunity. If anyone wants more information, you can check out our website at www.citizensforhillsdalecounty.com or send an email to citizensforhillsdale@gmail.com
The commissioners should not make this decision without us. Weāre not just names on a petition; weāre the heart of this county, and our voices deserve to be heard.
Ashley Risher
N.b., Mrs. Risher delivered this address as a speech to the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners at its meeting on 27 May.
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Related Links:
The History & Purpose of LifeWays
Citizens Launch Effort Challenging County's LifeWays Building Bond Decision
In 3-2 Vote, Commissioners Approve LifeWays Bond Despite Public Protest
LifeWays to Solicit $15.5 Million Bond from Hillsdale County Commissioners
Do we stand to profit from the issuing of the bond?
I'm totally against Life Ways, I think they are incompetent... But if the county can make money.... how much? Then we can do a risk reward calculation..... Unless its all risk... ?