Reps. Marleau, Robertson, Ball, Schuitmaker, Nofs, Kahn, Garfield, Newell, Zelenko and Sheltrown offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 27.

A resolution to encourage Governor Jennifer Granholm to reconsider the proposal to close the State Police post in Groveland Township.

            Whereas, Oakland County, according to the 2000 Census, has a population of 1,194,156, a 10.2% increase over the 1990 Census, and

            Whereas, Groveland Township has a population of 6,150 people according to the 2000 Census; and

            Whereas, A State Police post has been operating out of the Groveland Township Fire Department since 1990 and has proven to be a cost effective and efficient law enforcement service for the residents of Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships, with a total annual operational budget in 2004 of $344,000; and

            Whereas, Because the next closest State Police post is located 33 miles away from Groveland Township in Brighton, the closure of the State Police post would jeopardize the safety and welfare of the residents and visitors in Groveland Township, due to delayed response times; and

            Whereas, The closure of the State Police post in Groveland Township would result in an increase cost for the State Police to provide law enforcement services to these communities, including the increased cost of gas and mileage; and

            Whereas, Since a portion of I-75, M-15, and M-24 (Dixie Highway) run through Groveland Township, it is essential to have a State Police post located in these heavily trafficked areas to ensure the public’s safety; and

            Whereas, Because Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships are in proximity to several state parks and recreational areas frequented by tourists, it is essential to maintain a State Police post in Groveland Township; and

            Whereas, The closure of the State Police post in Groveland Township would leave Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships vulnerable to potential crime, which seeks to flourish in communities that lack a strong police force; and

            Whereas, The closure of the State Police post would have a devastating impact on the quality of life in Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships and may serve as a deterrent to families, who seek a safe community in which to live, work, and raise their children; and

            Whereas, The closure of the State Police post in Groveland Township would have a negative impact on economic development in Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships, resulting in the potential loss of business development by investors, who require a strong visible police force as a factor when selecting a community for economic development; and

            Whereas, The minimal savings to the state that would result from closing the State Police post in Groveland Township are far outweighed by the costs to the local community.  The state should not slash its budget in a way that diminishes the quality of existing police and emergency services, especially when there is so little impact on the state budget and so significant a loss of essential services; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we recommend that the Governor reconsider the proposal and seek to ensure that the State Police post in Groveland Township is not closed and that these essential law enforcement services are retained in Groveland Township to ensure the public's safety; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor.