By a unanimous vote, the Columbia Township Board last night rejected the governor’s premise that keeps small businesses closed. The resolution was Introduced by Clark Lake resident and Township Treasurer John Calhoun. He based his arguments on the U.S. Constitution. In the resolution, the Township rejects “the premise that the Governor of the State of Michigan holds that it is unsafe and unlawful to allow small businesses to operate, when at the same time, large corporate businesses continue trade and commerce with only minor restrictions…”. (See the entire resolution below).
The Township joins an increasingly loud chorus of those who are unhappy with the governor’s diktats.
Here’s the entire resolution as passed on May 18th meeting. Below that there is a five minute video of the reading of the resolution, discussion, and vote (glitches and pauses edited out):
Whereas: The Free Exercise Clause of the First 1st Amendment firmly establishes freedom of religion as a fundamental liberty, and the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment of the US Constitution firmly establishes a right to purchase a lawful product in interstate commerce from a willing seller as “fundamental” and,
Whereas: fundamental liberties are in the highest category of liberty, akin to freedom of conscience and speech and press and privacy and travel, and,
Whereas: the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America secures: “The right of a citizen to travel upon the public highways and to transport his property thereon in the ordinary course of life and business” is a common right which he has under his “right to enjoy life and liberty, to acquire and possess the ordinary and usual conveyances of the day.” and,
Whereas: The Township Board of Columbia Township, Jackson County, Michigan has sworn under oath of office, to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of Michigan,
Now therefore be it resolved this 18th Day of May, 2020 That the Board of Columbia Township, Jackson County, Michigan does reject the premise that the Governor of the State of Michigan holds that it is unsafe and unlawful to allow small businesses to operate, when at the same time, large corporate businesses continue trade and commerce with only minor restrictions, and therefore opposes and rejects that premise and believe that businesses following legal business practices and using suggested safe business practices and attempting to provide the highest safety for their employees and clients should be allowed to operate in Columbia Township, Jackson County, Michigan.
Also last night, the Township Board decided by consensus to close the Township Park at the west end of Clark Lake. The gates recently were opened to fishermen so they could park while using the lake. Township Supervisor Bob Elrod said he opened the park after hearing from residents complaining that trailers were being left along Hyde Road. After an extended discussion regarding the risk of COVID in the park , the board decided that it should be either fully open or closed. In the end, they chose closed.
So it is too dangerous for our public officials to open the park but if it involves money the public officials should ignore the danger and let people do what they want? Glad to understand your ethics.
Now that you put it into perspective, your view has merit!
You are so right.
So are all small businesses open in Brooklyn ????
Earning money by providing goods and services is how free people take care of themselves. So don’t knock this, it is very ethical.
Closing the park OTOH makes no sense at all. No one catches diseases from other people fishing on a lake.
Columba township is nothing but a joke they need to get someone up there in that office that knows what the hell there doing that’s for sure
Yep, 2nd that.
Wait….they said businesses can open now but reclosed the parks? Now that doesnt make much sense. If they want to disagree with the order, that’s fine, but isnt the picking and choosing what can and cant stay open the exact thing you’re protesting Whitmer for doing? Get some people with logic in there please!!! Morons
Glad to see businesses opening back up! Great decision.
Did I read and understand this correctly?
Ok for small business to be open and have customers but….keep a PARKING LOT locked up so people can’t fish?
Thank you for standing up for the people. Too bad if the lazy ones sitting home drawing free money don’t like it.
Wow, or they have lung problems like my mother, or brand new baby like my cousin, or something else and don’t want to catch the virus that could potentially kill them or their loved ones.
In Defense for Dan I have talked to several people who love staying home because they are making more money than going to work!!
I have a compromised immune system and I want to work our Governor is killing small businesses.
The people need to remember employment is for so long and most people have the common sense to wear a mask and social distance.
Watch Levin put up on YouTube
Yes, open all the small businesses up, this is a small area, with low Covid 19 issues, I’m right next door in Somerset, just social distance, and wear a face covering!!!’
The government is supposed to work for the people, not the other way around. Strong work Clark lake!
This resolution, like any resolution is toothless and has no power of law. If this board would like to do something more constructive and what can have an economic impact on the responsible, hard-working and retired citizens of all of Jackson County, then ask your county commissioner why he supports funding each county agency with a millage. Each taxpayer of Columbia Township already pays county taxes and now the Jackson County Board of Commission would like to place one millage after another on the ballot to fund each agency rather than appropriate funding for the agencies through its general budget. The more taxes we pay, the less we have to spend at your local businesses.
Thank you!!
I am thrilled that they have adopted this and hoping more communities will push back as well. Closing the park makes zero sense though. If you have to rope of the swings or the pavilion at this time, maybe, but not allowing someone to park or walk there is ridiculous especially when the County park on the other end is open.
I agree with Tim Creech.
Also, consider running for Columbia Township office. You can have a voice in making changes.
Yeah , that doesn’t make a lot of sense does it???
Definitely not super proud to live in Columbia township right now.
It’s embarrassing this actually was supported by the board. It goes to show a complete lack of knowledge about Covid 19 and total disregard to the community’s health. Don’t I have the right to feel safe in the community I live in? What about my mothers rights, she is immune comprised, very high risk. She is terrified of being in public. Because the lack of common respect for others. Wearing a mask while in public, is one small thing we can do to keep each other safe. Programs have been put in place to help small businesses during this pandemic. Not applying for it because you don’t want a hand out. Cop out! Then wanting to rush reopening at the risk to members of our community is disrespectful an selfish. Why is this township so entitled? Is it white privilege? Idk why, but I do know that Columbia Township Board should be ashamed of its self. We won’t forget this next time we are voting for our community representatives. These guys who shout about their rights and close the public park. I imagine these are the same people who referred to non township residents at Clark Lake as ‘Riff Raff’ By all means go get your hair cut and grab dinner somewhere mean while our kids can’t even play at the local park!
Smh