I wish the new Oakland Township Superintendent Gonser would explain why he feels it's necessary to take authority away from the Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commission. For years, the commission and the board have worked harmoniously to create jewels like Bear Creek Nature Park, Cranberry Lake Park, etc.
In the memo sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 1 on seizing the land preservation millage, Mr. Gonser ends by saying, "The PRC administration/commission may be called upon in the future for advice and counsel as required."
The voters elect a Parks and Recreation Commission because we want those people to evaluate and manage green space in Oakland Township. The voters supported millages for land preservation with the understanding (as stated in the Fall 2001 township newsletter) that "the PRC would be responsible for evaluating, recommending properties for acquisition and for managing these properties." I'd like Mr. Gonser to explain 1) when the board made a decision to take over the land preservation millage and the PRC's responsibilities; 2) what he and the board intend to do with the the money and the land already acquired by the PRC, and 3) why he sees the PRC as a problem rather than a effective, voter-supported asset.