FeedsDecision 2006
Candidate seeks ‘fix’ for township
In his 47 years in Van Buren Township, Larry Fix said he has learned what is needed to successfully guide area government from his elders, peers, seniors, children and the streets.
“I want to be a part of the new leadership that guides the township through the pains, growth and change, while maintaining the fiscal and historical responsibility the citizens deserve,” he said, “New leadership with a new voice for all citizens of the township and not just ‘team supporters.’ I have the passion for the community along with the conviction to stand behind my answers while maintaining my compassion for all the citizens of Van Buren Township.”
Fix, 52, will have to face Van Buren Township Trustee Lianne Clair to complete the remainder of the board of trustees term through Nov. 20, 2008. Voters will elect one of the two during the Nov. 7, 2006 general election.
“I’m offering a new energy, a fresh face and a strong voice for all citizens of the township,” said Fix. “Local government decisions belong in the hands of all people. The citizens want and deserve some control. That will only be accomplished with a trustee willing to be open with all issues through clear communication to all citizens utilizing all available means.”
He added that the average citizen is overwhelmed when dealing with area government.
“It appears so large and seemingly remote from average people that many citizens believe their concerns nor their votes can change anything,” Fix said. “The time to start the change in the township starts with me.”
The number one issue in Van Buren Township, he said, is fundamental property rights. However, Fix defines property rights and costs differently than the current township board members who apply those terms only to and in the best interest of developers, he said.
“Property rights must extend to all citizens that have flooded basements, streams and wetlands that are unfit due to the rampant housing developments without regard to flooding and water damage due to inadequate drainage and grading,” he said. “The true cost comes to all citizens in the form of increased water on sewers and pumping stations, as well as damage to our local roads and infrastructure because of the excess and overweight construction equipment movement.”
“I fully agree with the right of an individual property owner to sell their property to the highest bidder. However, I do take issue with what our current board allows the new owner to do with that property without regard for the rest of the property owners.”
Maintaining police and fire protection and improving safety oversight and control of the landfill sites are other ongoing township issues, he said.
“We must no longer ignore that we have land fills in our community,” said Fix. “Presently, the only time we discuss land fills is when there is an odor, spill emergency or how to spend our dumping fees on everything except the landfills. We need to take a proactive initiative to assure all residents that our landfill complies or exceeds all local, county, state and federal standards.”
As an operations manger for Livonia Magnetics and a volunteer of the Belleville Little League since 1986, Fix said the future of the township will rely heavily on not forgetting the past.
“We can’t focus on only new housing projects while forgetting a grand subdivision like Quirk that has been over shadowed by the commercial building on Belleville Road,” he said. “The houses and the people living in the Haggerty subdivision are a foundation for the township. We must not allow careless planning and development to be the norm in shaping the waterfront of the Harmony Lane subdivision with pole barn like structures. Take care of our history and plan slowly and wisely and the township has the future we can all be proud to enjoy and share.”
