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Dear Editor:
On August 6th, 2024, the Climax Township Fire Department asks for your continued support and vote Yes to renew the proposed 10-year fire department millage.

Dear Editor:

On August 6th, 2024, the Climax Township Fire Department asks for your continued support and vote Yes to renew the proposed 10-year fire department millage.

A township millage provides a stable financial foundation for our fire department enabling it to maintain operational readiness, enhance firefighting capabilities, and better serve the community’s safety needs.

Funding for the fire department is crucial for ensuring it can effectively carry out its mission of protecting lives & property and educating our community through outreach and community events.

This millage renewal will help the fire department in several ways. First, it provides funding for operations. The fire department requires funds for daily operations, including maintenance of equipment, training of personnel, and day-to-day operational expenses. A significant portion of a fire department’s budget goes towards personnel costs and required training. Millage funds can help ensure that the department can
attract and retain qualified firefighters to serve our community. A township millage provides a steady source of revenue that can be used to cover these costs.

Secondly, it assists with equipment upgrades and maintenance. Firefighting equipment needs regular maintenance and occasional replacement. Millage funds can be allocated towards purchasing new equipment such as fire trucks, protective gear, and communication systems, or for repairing and maintaining existing equipment.

Lastly, our department knows the importance of engaging the community through outreach and education programs which promote fire safety and prevention. Millage funds will support these initiatives, which are crucial for enhancing public safety and reducing fire incidents. Over the years our department has provided outreach and education during athletic events at the school, free CPR training to the community, providing a safe place at the fire station during Halloween, and visiting our schools during fire prevention month.

Again, we would like to thank the residents of Climax Township for their continued support and ask that you vote Yes for the renewal of the fire department millage on August 6th 2024.

Respectfully,
Scott Smith, Climax Township Fire Chief

Dear Editor:
I am writing to encourage South County voters to Say Yes to Seniors when they case their ballots in the August 6 Primary Election.

Dear Editor:

I am writing to encourage South County voters to Say Yes to Seniors when they case their ballots in the August 6 Primary Election. For less than $3 per year we can collectively continue to generate approximately $3.7 million to help support seniors living at home in every township, city and village in Kalamazoo County.

Senior millage dollars fund vital services, including home delivered meals, help with household chores and personal car, as well as wheelchair ramps, emergency response devices, home repair, and transportation. This helps seniors stay in their homes, and helps caregivers connect with critical support services needed by older adults.

During 2023, for example, 10,862 older adults county-wide received services from the senior millage. Five-hundred and sixty-four older adults living in South County benefitted from the senior millage in 2023.

Not only older adults benefit from the senior millage; it will benefit caregivers by funding respite care so someone can come into the home to give the caregiver a break to take care of themselves or attend to other important business. In addition, employers in Kalamazoo County also benefit because their employees won’t be absent due to the unmet needs of their loved ones. The senior millage provides the care, quality of life, and dignity that vulnerable seniors deserve, making our community a better place to live for all of us.

Please Say Yes to Seniors on August 6.

Sincerely,
Danna M. Downing
Vicksburg