Troopers fee panned

DINGMAN - The state wants townships with over 9000 people to pay $100 dollars per person for state police protection. The 2000 federal census has Dingman Township’s population at 8,788. But census statistics are updated between the ten-year canvass and House Bill 2454 says, “The amount of annual compensation to the state police would be determined by the most recent federal census data.” Supervisor Chair Tom Mincer read a letter from state House Representative John Siptroth stating that Siptroth is going to oppose the bill. “A township with 10,000 people would have to pay $1,000,000 dollars to the state. This would be a back breaker for any township,” Mincer remarked. And it would only be charged to townships of 9,000 that do not have their own police department and strictly rely on state police for law enforcement. If enacted, the law would see money paid directly to the state police within 90 days of receiving an invoice. Mincer suggested the supervisors send a letter of thanks to Siptroth and also send letters to Representative Jerry Birmelin and State Senator Charles Lemmond to let them know Dingman Township is opposed to this bill. Supervisors Dennis Brink and Kerry Welsh concurred with Mincer’s proposal. In unrelated correspondence, the township stated that its 2005 audit was finished and that Dingman records were found to be complete, accurate and filed in a timely fashion. Zoning Officer Chris Wood reported that he is receiving about 20 new home applications per week. “This is higher than usual but we are keeping up with zoning inspections,” he said.