HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1980.10.16 - 12165Miscellaneous Resolution 9600 October 15, 1980
BY: COMMISSIONERS BETTY J. FORTINO, DR. JOSEPH R. MONTANTE, ALEXANDER C. PERINOFF
AND RICHARD R. WILCOX.
IN RE: RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO HOUSE BILL 6004
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, Public Act 261 permitting County Boards of Commissioners to
create County Parks and Recreation Commissions was approved by the Michigan
Legislature in 1965, and
WHEREAS, to-date thirty-seven County Boards of Commissioners, including
the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, have voluntarily established County Parks
and Recreation Commissions as permitted under Act 261, and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming success of Public Act 261, as presently con-
stituted, which has served as a model for the rest of the nation, is widely
recognized and well documented, and
WHEREAS, amending Act 261 as proposed in House Bill 6004 would be detri-
mental to County Parks and Recreation programs for the following reasons:
1. An important strength of Public Act 261, as presently
constituted, is that it does require citizen representa-
tion, Board of Commissioners' representation, representation
of the Drain Commissioner, and Chairman of the County Road
Commission on the Parks and Recreation Commission. This
makeup provides for continuity, communication, and coor-
dination between the various governmental agencies which
is needed most in the operation of a County Parks and
Recreation System.
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2. Putting complete control of the Parks and Recreation System
under the County Board would tend to politicize the park
system on a partisan basis and could make professional
administration of the Parks and Recreation operation
extremely difficult.
3. If House Bill No. 6004 was approved, the terms of all
Commission members, ie., the Board of Commissioners, would
end simultaneously every two years unless they chose to run
and were re-elected. This would not provide any continuity
on the Park Commission. Presently, all Commissioners
(except ex officio) are appointed for staggered three-year
terms and thus continuity is assured.
4. If the County Board of Commissioners, or a committee thereof,
were to put Parks and Recreation functions under its
supervision, it would be an additional burden on the Parks
and Recreation Department, as well as the Commissioners,
because of the demands of an operating agency. The Commission
would not be able to give the time or attention that is
required of such an agency as compared to what Act 261
allows the present Commission structure.
5. In counties where private donations have made up a substantial
part of the monies expended for County Parks and Recreation
purposes, donations to County Parks and Recreation Commissions
would promptly dry up as individuals or organizations who are
able to give substantial private donations simply will not
give them to a partisan political body. Also, such individuals
or organizations would not be likely to make contributions to
a Parks and Recreation Commission if the Commission could be
abolished at any given moment by a vote of the County Board,
which is continuously changing in the makeup of its membership.
Alexander C. Perinoff
Richard R. Wilcox
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners does hereby formally express opposition to House Bill 6004 and
urges its legislators to actively oppose said legislation.
Mr. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
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Bettyj. rortino
ATTACHMENTS:
(1) House Bill 6004 as amended in Committee on Towns and Counties,
Michigan House of Representatives.
(2) List of counties in Michigan with Parks and Recreation
Commissions created under Act 261 and map showing location
of those counties.
.79-41
#9 600 0( 16, 180
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee.
There were no objections.