Kent County Commission Moves Toward Bipartisanship

The results of this year's general election in Kent County proved to be a great success for Democrats, including three new members on the Kent County Board of Commissioners. For Michigan LCV, these results and recent developments translate into a win for conservation, as the Board is now likely to take up some issues it has shied away from in the past, specifically the Purchase of Development Rights for area farmers.

The 19 member board (now 11 Republicans and 8 Democrats), has historically been dominated by one side, however, the recent increase on the Democratic side has set deals in motion that appear to be bringing the Board to a much more bipartisan method of operation. Commissioner Dean Agee (R-District 11) is working with members of both parties to challenge for the position of Chairman, and has promised to take up the issue of farmland preservation if he is successful.

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) is essentially a farmland preservation program. Supported by many farmers, it provides compensation for development rights to farmers, basically protecting their land from development by putting it in trust. This protects farmers by keeping them in business and keeping their products available to the area. Economically, it keeps more dollars local by promoting local farming and it ensures that local farmers continue to spend their money on local services vital to their farms. In addition, this program protects against the need for increased taxes to provide basic services to new residential developments in rural areas.

The Kent County Board of Commissioners can vote to allow county funding for PDR, and by doing so they can promote the local economy while simultaneously discouraging costly urban sprawl.

Read the article here.

Here's to local farmers and local food :)