Today is the 247th birthday of Robert Emmet, the Irish nationalist for whom Emmet County is named.
This young freedom fighter, born in Dublin, has been a source of inspiration for those of us who champion responsible government at the local level.
We thought it was a fitting date to announce that Emmet Responsible Government (ERG) will be inactive starting immediately.
We appreciate all those who came to ERG meetings, read and commented on blog posts, and gave donations. It was not a decision we made lightly; we just decided it was time to move on.
Concurrently, due to our interest in the proper role of governance, we are very grateful for the Trump Administration’s enabling of DOGE to ferret out waste and corruption. It’s been a marvel to witness. We hope that our county commissioners and elected officials are inspired, follow suit, and become active toward making units of government more taxpayer-friendly and transparent. And, please, stay away from ‘feel good politics!’
In that respect, one of the challenges in our County is the constant chirping about affordable or workforce housing. We are concerned with the amount of housing being built with state taxpayer incentives (like those offered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation) by developers who aren't locals. No current elected official has pushed back on all the construction or explained how our infrastructure, environment, government services, or the character of our rural community will be impacted by the forthcoming subsequent growth.
On the contrary, they can’t hop on the housing bandwagon fast enough.
We encourage our fellow Emmet Countians to ‘fight the good fight’ and not allow us to go the way of Traverse City. The buzzy, socialist corporatization of a once quiet TC is alarming.
As Robert Emmet encouraged, stand up for what is right, and do not become “the pliant minion of power in the oppression or the miseries of … countrymen.”