Hello neighbor, 

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a top priority for the last year. Together, our community has made tremendous progress, and we are starting to see the benefits like safely seeing friends and family members, fully reopening and supporting our local business, and enjoying summer.

In addition to supporting our residents and businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been working with the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to address many issues facing our community. From accessing healthcare to broadband reach, I keep pushing to bring greater resources to the residents of District 3. 

The Washtenaw County Broadband Taskforce continues to work diligently to close the digital divide in western Washtenaw County. In addition to the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) award to expand internet access throughout District 3, the taskforce sent out an RFP to fill the gaps where access to stable internet would still be lacking. To fund this process, the Board of Commissioners is looking at American Rescue Plan dollars which would allow us to be a fully connected county. Your input on this process is needed, and I will be hosting a townhall in the City of Saline TOMORROW July 27. Additionally, you can complete the Washtenaw County Rescue Plan survey linked in this newsletter. 

The City of Saline has created a Healthcare Taskforce to address the recent closure of the urgent care facility on US-12. This loss is felt throughout our community as residents from Saline and neighboring townships relied on this facility for care. The goal of the task force is to offer patient-centered, value-based healthcare options to better serve the residents of Saline and the surrounding townships.The taskforce is currently in the data gathering portion of the project, and residents interested in participating in a subcommittee or focus group should connect with Dawn Krause ([email protected] and 734-904-5663) or Jack Ceo ([email protected] and 734-626-4514) of the Saline City Council. To take the healthcare survey, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FFYKZQ5 

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to support Lodi Township in their request to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to deny a permit for a private wastewater plant within the township. You can find the full resolution here. I believe that townships should have the authority to decide land use based on their zoning, infrastructure, and community needs. Recently EGLE held an information session on the permitting process that I attended along with our Board Chair, Sue Shink. The EGLE video can be viewed on YouTube through this link: https://youtu.be/Kgt5gNBkU4Y 

The community of Sharon Township is looking at a proposal for the development of a new gravel pit. I attended the special meeting of the Sharon Township Planning Commission on June 29, and it was a packed township hall. The next public meeting will be held on August 17 at 7:00 p.m. and Stoneco will be present to discuss their plans to mine parcels of land on Pleasant Lake Road. For information on Sharon Township Planning Commission, please visit: https://sharontownship.org/boards-commissions/

Thank you for connecting with me through the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners newsletter. If you need to reach me directly, please email [email protected]. 

Thanks, 
 
Shannon Beeman
Commissioner, District 3
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners 
www.washtenaw.org 
[email protected] 

COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

A lot of families have struggled to make ends meet this past year. Washtenaw County's Office of Community and Economic Development is partnering with Housing Access for Washtenaw County and SOS Community Services to help you catch up on rent, utilities, and internet.

Apply online @ michigan.gov/cera or contact HAWC at 734-961-1999

Recent News Flashes 

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