Several points. One is I already lay some of the blame at the feet of their union. You bring in common sense proposal's and their answer is always the same. I ask you officers who want to continue to work for us here in the township to consider leaving this organization and working with us directly. You can pocket your dues yourselves. Remember, we are a right to work state.

Second can someone please explain the math to me? $1,900,000÷15=$126,666.67 per paycheck. So you want me to accept that it costs us Chesterfield residents a quarter of a million dollars PER year, PER officer? Something stinks.

Third there still to my knowledge has not been one cast savings proposal put forth by an elected member of the board. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. That's why you're there.

As a police officer from another community, one of the main reasons I chose to move to Chesterfield instead of Macomb Township was because of our own dedicated police force. From what I've read currently the department has 1 officer per 1k residents and which is a very good ratio. As we begin to develop vacant portions of the Township these area will now require additional police attention. Laying off these officers will significantly increase response times and safety of the residents.

As for contracting with the sheriffs department, Macomb Township just recently increased their millage rate almost 2 years before the contract was set to expire. I also haven't found how many officers per 1k residents is covered by the sheriffs department with the contract but I can believe it is significantly lower then the coverage we enjoy. Also how long do those sheriffs assigned to the Macomb Township work that area. I can tell you that with all the different sub divisions, it takes year to know the in's and out's of the beat. If I hop a couple fences and run 3 streets eastbound, I can tell you what sub division I'm in and what street I'm on. That is something the sheriff's department can't offer if they change assignments yearly.

Why is a millage increase the only solution? Personally I cannot afford more taxes. The current police millage is the largest portion of my tax bill already. I have no more money to contribute to Chesterfield's coffers.

First of all the Police are exempt from the current change in Michigan's Right to Work law. Secondly only a fool would negotiate on his own. Right to Work will only lower the standards for all workers of this state by making the unions weaker. This will cause even further declines in our tax revenue and will not bring any jobs with it. That is a lie to take away the true intent of no Rights at Work law. Someday in the near future we will be faced with more poverty, more crime and lower schools performance because of Right to Work provision a proven statistic about Right to Work for Less States. Fortunately for the Police they are not subject to that. I am for saving money for the residents of this township but I for one appreciate the Police coverage in my neighborhood. There is always a price for safety and if they save one life it is worth it. I applaud the council's decision to allow time for a new approach and if one is not found I would be for a increase to protect my family and the residents of this Township. I am new to Chesterfield going on seven years but this Police force is top of the line. I suggest you let the Police officers decide their fate collectively it is in the best interest in everyone involved. The Republican's in control of our state forced Right To Work For Less for political gain. I can assure you that this will be their downfall and Mr Snyder, Mr Brandenburg and Miss Lafontaine will have a run for their money in 2014.

I live in Macomb Township, and the Sheriffs do an excellent job. Response times are quick and the officers are courteous. It is EFFICIENT to use them, and pay as we go. Macomb enjoys a $29 Million dollar surplus that would be eaten up by unsustainable legacy costs. It is very interesting how, in Macomb Township, we seem to be able to balance reality with need. For example, our subdivision makes due on $50 per year association dues. That's right $50 per year, unchanged for 14 years. If you or a loved one is interested in affordable living, without rapacious public sector unions clinging to a "zombie paradigm" (dead but still walking around as if nothing has changed), then you should consider Macomb Township and Altermattfarms Subdivision. www.altermattfarms.org

WTF? 250 cops and their friends and family show up and you flip-flop like typical politicians. Maybe if enough people complain, you can finally get Mitt Romney into the White House? Ohhh wait, he's with that party that doesn't want more taxes (grow a spine)

Max,

Quater of a million dollars=$250,000 not $126,666. And even at $126,666 not a bad deal per officer when you think about salary+benifits+retirement. They are not pocketing $126,666 you idiot!

Max,
Quater of a million dollars=$250,000 not $126,666. And even at $126,666 not a bad deal per officer when you think about salary+benifits+retirement. They are not pocketing $126,666.

Until you realize that American Workers cannot compete with $0.60 S. Chinese labor, you will not be able to understand the depths of the deceit, chicanery and false hope BOTH parties foist upon the public. Add to that, the death grip that other special interests have over the legislature that make Michigan less competitive in the "global market" - such as the insurance industry and its extravagant (and mandatory health insurance) No-Fault. The betrayal is complete and total.

Alot of residents across the state, are angry with their Cities and Townships, becasue of what they feel is money mis-management. The truth of the matter is, that the State of Michigan is suppose to be sharing revenue with Municipalities and School Districts and in stead has drastically reduced the amount of revenue sharing. Which in turn has forced Municipalities and School Districts to do what ever they can to fix the situation, which in most cases means going back to their residents with their hats in their hands asking for some type of tax increase..... We need to stop focusing on our local goverment's and start focusing on the State Government, who is a big part of why our Cities, Townships, and School Districs are failing.......Everyone remember Proposal A well thats where this mess started!!

Jeez, you make one mistake and...oh nevermind...

I still vote no every time.

Use the sherrifs dept and lower all of our taxes, if they can't live with the $5,000 a year property taxes on my home then so be it. Thats right $5000 a year already for a modest home in this community. So yeah thats right when my mortgage is paid off and i want to retire in this community it is gonna cost me $50,000 every 10 years just to keep a house I would have worked and paid for my whole life. Get over it we already pay way too much, use the sheriffs office, I am sure most of our officers would be hired by the sheriffs office as it has been done with other communitys.