In the Aug.6 special election, Oxford Township voters will consider an operating millage renewal and Headlee override for the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department.

The millage to be levied is 1.0 mill ($1) per $1000 of taxable value. A home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $100 a year. The Oxford Township Parks & Recreation Department has operated on a millage dating back to the 1970s. With the growing demand for new parks facilities, programs, and special events (like Seymour Celebration & Fireworks), your recreation department has worked tirelessly to maintain its current millage rate while keeping up with the needs.

Since 1995, the department has secured over $2.1 million in grants, sponsorships, donations, and financial gifts. This philosophy has not only saved valuable taxpayer dollars but provided many life-enhancing opportunities. Did you know that Kids Kingdom, KLR Splashpad, Red Run Sledding Hill, 18- hole disc golf course, Seymour basketball court, LMHC soccer field, and Seymour sand volleyball courts were the results of donations? Did you know that the 56-acre Powell Lake Township Park and the 300-acre Oakwood Lake Township Park were results of MDNR Trust Fund grants? In addition to the acquisitions grants, the department has secured development grant dollars for boardwalks, trails, playgrounds, softball lighting, soccer fields, and various other park amenities, all saving valuable taxpayer dollars.

With the approval of the Aug. 6 ballot language, the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department will remain committed to the community. It will continue to build upon our success by offering quality programs, family special events, and marquee park facilities. Many of these recreation and leisure opportunities will be free or at the lowest cost possible. The renewal’s success will also allow the department to provide our Oxford area senior citizens the much-needed facility and life-enhancing programs they so deserve.

Phil Castonia

Chairman of the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Commission