Welcome to Hillsdale County, where your government knows what’s best for you — and if you disagree, you clearly don’t understand how representative democracy works. You see, when three out of five “Allegedly Republican” county commissioners decide to shackle you with a $15.5 million bond for a new mental health building — in the face of public protest — they’re not ignoring your voice. They’re courageously saving you from the burden of having one.
Let’s be clear: This isn’t about denying mental health services. No, no. Those will still be available. LifeWays could easily get a regular ol’ commercial loan like any business, but that wouldn’t be nearly as exciting as using taxpayer dollars to play Russian roulette with our county’s future. Where’s the thrill in responsible budgeting when you can take a $15.5 million gamble backed by people who didn’t even get to place a bet?
And remember, this isn’t about LifeWays saving money either. The total interest savings they’d get from sticking you with the bill? Less than 1% of their annual budget. But hey — what’s a little fiscal peril among friends when we can all share the risk for something we didn’t ask for? What do you think this is, A Republic?
If you’re wondering who had the brilliant idea to move forward with this financial piñata full of taxpayer IOUs, look no further than Commissioners Brent Leininger, Kevin Collins, and Mark Wiley — the “Three Muskedealers” of county-backed debt. When faced with a crowd of annoyed constituents, they did what any bold leaders would do: ignore them completely and vote 3-2 to proceed. Because nothing says “public service” like acting against the public’s will.
And let’s not forget Commissioner Leininger’s latest revelation: Conservatives, it turns out, should be fiscally irresponsible. According to the suddenly Conservative Brent Leininger, letting voters decide this bond in a special election would cost the county $100,000. The horror! Imagine spending $100,000 to let people vote on whether they want to be financially on the hook for $15.5 million. It’s madness. Why trust voters to make informed decisions when we could just make them pay for the consequences? Trust in Conservative Republican Brent Leininger who completely ignored over 75% of the county and put the people he has chosen not to represent in this position.
Now, a group of pesky citizens — clearly not trained in the sacred art of backroom decision-making — has launched a petition to get this bond on the ballot. They’ve got until July 8 to collect over 3,700 signatures. Because, silly them, they believe the people should have a say in decisions that mortgage their future for two decades. Bless their hearts.
Meanwhile, back in the City of Hillsdale, City Council is once again making it rain with taxpayer cash. A perfectly good road is about to be gutted so we can add bike lanes. That’s right — because nothing screams urgent infrastructure priority like tearing up functioning roads so you and your bicycle can have a more scenic ride to the farmer’s market. The price tag? A cool $200,000. Don’t worry — if you live in the city, you’re already paying an extra $5,000 per property on your tax bill, on top of already legally maxed out taxes…because… why not? And if you ask questions? Well, clearly you just don’t understand how much smarter your government is than you.
Citizens have been showing up en masse to protest this nonsense, but will the City Council listen? Stuchell, Socha and Wolfram are in the same government party County Commissioner Brent Leininger rules. If the County Commissioners are any indication, the odds aren’t great. But hey — showing up at City Hall this Monday at 7 might still be cheaper than paying for a new suspension every six months thanks to the other roads they’re totally ignoring.
So here we are, fellow Hillsdalians, stuck between a bond and a hard tax. Remember: this isn’t about mental health, or bike lanes, or even fiscal responsibility. This is about who gets to make the decisions — and lately, it sure isn’t you. Don’t forget to bow before public comment, if Stuchell isn’t appeased he gets cranky.
But don’t worry. If the county defaults on that bond, we can always cut public safety by 50%, close a few parks, and maybe forget about those 800 outstanding warrants. Who needs cops or drivable roads when you can have a brand-new office building with 28,000 square feet of regret? But, most likely, they’ll just raise your taxes some more, why not, everyone keeps voting for these people?
Welcome to 21st-century local governance: where “We the People” means “We the People… pay for what we didn’t choose.”
What’s at Stake
Who decides how your money is spent — and whether representative government still represents the people. This is about:
- Undermining fiscal responsibility in the name of convenience
- Shutting voters out of decisions that affect debt for decades
- Prioritizing political alliances and pet projects over public trust
- Using fear of election costs to justify avoiding elections entirely
And if the bond fails? No one’s talking about how to pay it. But cutting public safety, delaying services, or raising taxes (again) are all on the table.
So here we are — stuck between a bond and a hard tax. If this is how Hillsdale County handles leadership, the real mental health emergency is happening in our local governments.
What You Can Do
- Sign the petition to get the bond on the ballot before July 8.
- Attend the City Council meeting Tonight June 16th, at 7 PM.
- Share this with neighbors, friends, and anyone else footing the bill.
- Vote in every election — local ones especially. Primaries are a MUST.
Because if we don’t push back now, we’re signing up for decades of decisions made without us — but paid for by us.
Now go sign that petition. Or don’t. Either way, they’ll probably ignore you.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576080285641
Vice Chair, Hillsdale Conservatives: Lance Lashaway
Leave a Reply