Steve Dawdy of Mister Rubbish advised the board early in November of the intentions of its parent company, Waste Management, to close the Whitmore Lake facility. With the closing of that recycle operation, so goes the recycling measures the township adopted eight years ago.

This past year the township paid $8,500.00 for implementation of the yellow curbside recycle bag program. The new recycle measure adopted by Mister Rubbish would increase our cost to $124,284.00 annually.

While we are reluctant to discontinue this one-time valuable service, it would be poor management on our part to pay for recycling for the entire township when less than 30% of our residents recycle. Effective January 1, 2000 the Township will no longer provide recycling for our residents free of charge.

We understand that Waste Management is a business with profit the bottom line and that they have a right to close that facility. Nevertheless, we are disappointed in their decision. While we continue to encourage recycling, we feel that there are better ways to spend your hard earned tax dollars - roads, bike/walk paths and fire protection are just a few possibilities.

Recycling - Options Still Available

Recycling is still available to Township residents who choose to participate. Mister Rubbish will continue to provide recycling to residents who contract with them. Mister Rubbish will bill the cost, $9.00 a quarter, directly to individual homeowners.

In an effort to encourage your participation, the Township will pay for and provide the 18-gallon curbside recycle bins free of charge to residents who subscribe to the service. The Yellow Recycle Bags will continue to be collected and recycled at the curbside until December 31, 2000. The township has asked that unopened packages of the yellow bags be returned to the township. Mister Rubbish will reimburse us for unused packages. After January 1st unused bags may be used as regular trash bags.

Please contact the customer service representative at Mister Rubbish to subscribe or for answers to any questions you might have regarding this program. Phone: 1 (800) 971-7490.

**REMINDER**

All dogs in Livingston County must be licensed. 2000/2001 licenses may be purchased Dec. 1st thru Feb. 28th. Licenses may be purchased at Genoa Township. or at the Livingston County Treasurer's Office. $7.00-Spayed/Neutered $25.00-Male/Female. If you need additional information please contact the Genoa Township Treasurer’s Office @ (810) 227-5225

New Township Board Takes Oath of Office

The newly elected Genoa Township Board was sworn in on Nov. 20th. All board members have an equal vote in township business. While the Supervisor, Treasurer and Clerk run the day-to-day business of the township, the four trustees oversee that work during semi-monthly meetings of the Township Board. Board positions listed below are based on length of service to our community:

• Clerk Polly Skolarus has served 14 years as Clerk and is now elected to her fifth term in office. As Clerk she is responsible for keeping the records of the township and running elections. She is the secretary to the Board and has an equal vote in all board decisions
• Robin Hunt was re-elected to her third term. As Treasurer she is responsible for tax billing, collection and disbursement, the set-up of special assessment districts and township investments. She has been employed at the Township since 1985 and served as Deputy Clerk before being elected to Treasurer.
• Trustee Kathy Robertson was elected to her second term in office. She was the top vote getter of the four Trustees. She is a strong advocate for the environment and continues to fight for woodlots and wetlands.
• Gary McCririe, newly elected to the position of Supervisor, is the Chief Assessing Officer of the Township. His primary duty is overseeing the Assessing Dept. In addition he reviews site plans and rezonings and works with developers to make sure that quality projects are built in the Township.
• Jean Ledford is serving her second term as Trustee. She brings her knowledge of real estate to the table as well as a concern for our lakes and wetlands. Jean is the Township representative to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Jim Mortensen first served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission. He was appointed to the Township Board on March 20th and then elected this past November. Jim retired from Ford Motor Company after working in finance, business and product planning for 38 years.
• Todd Smith is our most recent elected official. His write-in campaign was successful and he received enough votes to have his name included as the fourth candidate for trustee in the General Election. We congratulate Todd and welcome him to the Township Board.

Special Election to be Scheduled

As long as Mike Rogers remains successful in his bid for Congress, a special election will need to take place in Livingston County to fill his vacancy as 26th District State Senator. Please watch your newspapers for notices of the upcoming election that will be set by Governor Engler.

Christmas Trees Collected & Recycled

A separate truck will be used to pick up Christmas Trees. Trees should be placed at the curbside on your normal refuse collection days. Trees should not exceed four feet in length and should not weigh more than 60 pounds. Please remove all ornaments and tree stands. Bagged trees will not be picked up. Collection dates are as follows: Tuesday, January 2nd Friday, January 5th Monday, January 8th Tuesday - January 11th

Holiday Closings

The township hall will be closed the following days:

• Christmas Dec. 25 & 26, 2000
• New Years Jan 1 &2, 2001
• Martin Luther King 01-15-2001

  The township is open on Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

  Volunteer Fire Fighters Needed

  The Brighton Area Fire Department and the Howell Fire Department are in need of volunteer fire fighters for the Brighton and Howell fire service areas. Volunteer fire fighters are paid on-call. Training will be provided by the respective fire departments. Personnel will be paid an hourly wage depending on training. For more information call Chief Lane at (810) 229-6640 or Chief Reed at (517) 546-0560.

  Happy Holidays and a special thank you to all our volunteer firemen and women who put themselves in danger to protect our families and our homes. If you know someone who volunteers show them your appreciation with a hug and a Thank You.

  ‘Tis the Season for Winter Tax Bills

  The winter 2000 tax bills were mailed to ALL Genoa Township property owners on December 1st. If you did not receive your bill please contact the Genoa Township Treasurer’s Office at (810) 227-5225, so that we can make any necessary changes and send out another copy.

  Howell Schools property owners currently receive two tax bills a year. The summer tax was levied July 1st and was payable without penalty through 9-14-00, the winter tax was levied on December 1st and is payable without penalty through 2-28-01.

  Brighton, Hartland and Pinckney School property owners currently receive one tax bill, which was levied December 1st and is payable, without penalty, through 2-28-01.

  Over 8,000 tax bills were mailed out this tax collection season, with the constant changes in Genoa Township we need your help to keep our records accurate. If you receive a bill that doesn’t belong to you, please let us know so that we can make the proper changes and get a new bill to the correct property owner