Every resident of West Bloomfield deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness when they seek assistance from their local government.
Detroit News reporter Francis Donnelly shed a bright light on the antithesis of this in his recent article (“Quest for fence leads homeowners to zoning quagmire in West Bloomfield,” May 20). His piece detailed the nightmarish experiences of the Main family, township residents who faced unnecessary and extraordinary obstacles attempting to build a fence in their yard to create a safer environment for their child, who is autistic and a threat to run away.
Their story is about more than a single family and is not at all unique to members of the community. It raises an important question about how local government should respond when residents ask for help.
For us, Jonathan Landsman and Omar Kallabat, this issue is deeply personal. I, Jonathan, am the grandfather of an autistic child who has faced similar obstacles and delays in building a fence in my yard for my grandson. When families like mine reach out to Township Hall, they should be met with understanding, solutions and timely responses, not unnecessary delays and bureaucratic roadblocks.
For me, Omar, the lesson is equally clear. As an active member of St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church, I have witnessed firsthand the unnecessary delays and hurdles the church has encountered with the township while pursuing improvements to its longstanding worship grotto. Community institutions seeking improvements that serve residents should be able to work collaboratively with local government, not find themselves caught in prolonged and costly project delays.
While these situations involve different people and different circumstances, they point to the same principle: government works best when it serves residents rather than hinders them with onerous and outdated restrictions and mandates.
As candidates for West Bloomfield Township Supervisor and Trustee, respectively, we believe Township Hall must be accessible, responsive and accountable to everyone. Whether a resident is seeking a permit, addressing a zoning concern, opening a business, advocating for a family member with special needs or simply looking for answers, they deserve to be heard.
We both feel strongly that every resident deserves fair treatment, prompt communication, and respectful service. We are both committed to encouraging transparency in decision-making, improving responsiveness to resident inquiries and fostering a culture where township officials view themselves as partners in solving problems rather than as gatekeepers standing in the way.
Together, we are committed to building a township government that treats every resident with respect, responds to concerns in a timely manner, and applies policies fairly and consistently. These residents have a right to a safe and welcoming community and home.
West Bloomfield is strongest when its government listens, communicates and collaborates with the people it serves. That is the standard we need to uphold every day.
Jonathan LandsmanCandidate for West Bloomfield Township Supervisor
Omar KallabatCandidate for West Bloomfield Township Trustee
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Government should help, not hinder West Bloomfield residents | Letter
Reporting by Letter to the editor / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Letter to the editor | USA TODAY Network
