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Letter to the Editor: Vote Dale Luick for Lima Township Trustee

Dale Luick was brought up on a farm in Lima Township and has lived here his entire life. He now works many different jobs, farmer, private road grader, builder, and snow plowing. Most of his work has been in Lima Township. He is an educated business man. He is 31 years old and married to his beautiful wife Joelle and is part of our younger township generation. They are proud homeowners who plan to raise their children here as it is an excellent place to have a family.

We need a younger representative on the Lima Township board. Dale and his generation will soon be taking the reins for running the township, and he will provide fresh young ideas.  Dale living and working here understands that Lima is a working township. He knows we need better roads and bridges for our farmers, businesses, commuters, and school busses. He believes appropriating the funds to keeping our roads safe is important.

Dale is a people person; as a taxpayer you can call him any time since he is on your side. He will listen and help to improve our township. We need a trustee who is a local resident, attended Chelsea public schools, knows most everyone, and plans to be a “lifer in Lima”.

A big issue is moving ahead with plans to build a new township hall in the midst of the worst pandemic in over a hundred years. The Covid-19 virus has taken a toll on our way of life, and our landscape has drastically changed. We have not seen the economic disasters that may result.

Dale has thought about this issue in depth and knows that pushing this project ahead at this time is a mistake. The township would need to borrow money to build the proposed building. The township revenues from the state of Michigan could drop due to the economic slowdown.

The township facilities need improvement, but due to the ongoing pandemic, it is not wise to allocate large amounts of money at this time. Dale will consider the facts and needs of our changing environment due to Covid-19 and make a wise decision on how to spend taxpayer money.

The recent township board meeting voted to hire architect and engineering firms to present ideas for a new building. Craig Maier, Elaine Bater, and David Hensel voted in favor of spending $17,450 of taxpayer money for this purpose. Duane Luick and Nanette Havens voted against this expenditure.

Dale Luick knows that now is not a good time to spend taxpayer money during the pandemic. Building material prices are sky high and many materials are in short supply. He will guide the township cautiously in these uncertain times and vote to be frugal with your money.

Vote for common sense. Vote for Dale Luick.

Duane Luick
Lima Township

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5 thoughts on “Letter to the Editor: Vote Dale Luick for Lima Township Trustee”

  1. Dear Mr. Luick,

    While I very much appreciate the comments, am I really the only person concerned about having a father / son team on the Township board, filling 2 of the 5 positions? I don’t know either you or your son and do not doubt that you are both trustworthy, but would be interested in their thoughts about how you would manage concerns about block voting and potential nepotism.

    I also do appreciate the concerns about spending money we don’t have or at least being thoughtful about where to allocate funds. However, it seems to me that your only example of the youthful influence that Dale would bring to the board is that he would vote as you do. It would be helpful to understand how Dale Luick might bring new ideas to the township, rather than simply reinforce those of his father.

  2. We actually have a RACE for Lima Twp trustees this time! I value a choice and look forward to voting. However, I would prefer to learn how Dale Luick will address the township issues each of the candidates seems to have agreed exist. Pulling a plow, having a beautiful wife, and being young just aren’t enough. Beyond saying “No” what does he intend to do for us?

  3. Mr. Benson; you stated you didn’t know either Duane or Dale and voiced your concerns about vote blocking and nepotism. I have known both of them for a very long time…through work as contractors and farming. I have no reservation with them regarding vote blocking except to stop reckless spending. Duane has been a board trustee the last four years. At the meetings I have watched him vote no on such spending only to be out voted…with residents that had objected watching in disgust. As for Dale, I have listened to him voice his disgust about the board majority not being fiscally responsible long before his decision to run for trustee.
    As for nepotism, in the last twenty years while my family’s sesquicentennial homestead has been under my watch, Lima Township Boards have been made up of non related people. And those board majorities have consistently spent recklessly…all the while residents objecting. Most recently, Maier, Bater, and Hensel at the September board meeting. Another example happened in the first half of those twenty years when I refused to sell land twice to the township. At least three members voted to force me into a lawsuit that went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court. Residents complained about wasting their money and were ignored. We won at every court level. Greg McKenzie was on the board during that time. Last year during a board meeting sitting in the audience, he made a “flip” comment that…”if I had just sold the township land…” I wondered if he had voted to force me into a lawsuit.
    One thing that Duane’s letter didn’t mention…high speed internet. In Dale’s Letter to the Editor dated July 31, 2020 introducing himself to Lima Township residents before the primary, he states “Also, how is it 2020 and we do not have a reasonable high-speed internet option?” Attending the board of trustee meetings this topic would come up quite often. Residents, especially young ones, commented on the need. This should not be controversial. It is a must. I remember my father, Gen. Dwight E. Beach (1908-2000), telling me about another controversy in Lima Township. There was a big debate at the board of trustee meetings. Should they allow something new to the township…electricity!!!
    Bottom Line: We need a trustee that will be fiscally responsible and resident respectful. A trustee that is more in touch with the younger voters which we have never had. It’s time!!! Vote Dale Luick to start this new era. The “Old Guard” needs to transition this inevitable course.

    • Dear Ms. Beach,

      Thank you so much for your very thoughtful and heartfelt response. I am genuinely sorry to hear that you have been pressured to sell land you didn’t want to sell. That doesn’t ever sound right and I am pleased to hear that you continue to stand up for yourself and your rights.

      And I also want to acknowledge that there is truth in your central argument that non-relatives can vote as blocks as well. Still, it would be helpful to hear from the Luicks how they would ensure that this doesn’t become a family business, but more of a Lima Township focus. How would they manage situations where those two come into conflict? Again, I am not casting aspersions as I trust your character witness account. But it would nevertheless be good to have on the record.

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