robert weiss' open letter to governor whitmer denounces marshall megasite

An open letter to Governor Whitmer and other leaders in our community:

Dear Governor Whitmer,

I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen of Marshall township and previous citizen of the City of Marshall.

Earlier this month, I was informed of the proposed "megasite" to be developed near the Marshall Township Building. Since then, I have kept up to tabs on the firestorm of opposition from locals and have attended a heated Marshall Township hall meeting where they inevitably approved the motion transferring the properties involved in the proposed "megasite" from the township to the City of Marshall.

Through all of this, I have tried to keep a level head. I have tried to read between the lines of blame assigning, mud raking, and political rhetoric cast during this heated discussion and while the facts have yet to be seen, I still find myself on the side of those opposed to developing the 1800+ acres outside Marshall.

I am very opposed to this development for a couple reasons:

1.) I am VERY concerned for the environmental impacts development on current greenspace and undeveloped land may have. I like to think of myself as a "green" thinker, and paving over farmland and woods, not to mention developing what is expected to be a battery plant next to a critical water source seems like a VERY bad idea.

I recognize the need for Michigan as a whole to position itself for a "green" future and cementing its role as a provider of key infrastructure for an electric-vehicle economy, but such a site as the one here in Marshall I feel is a completely inappropriate choice. I grew up in Flint, and bore witness to the immense and numerous eyesores of unused factory buildings. I've seen them all over the state - Detroit, Jackson, Lansing, Battle Creek - they all have huge facilities that would be perfect opportunities to reuse and revitalize both their buildings as well as the local economies. Doing so would also prove so much more environmentally responsible than clearing over 1800 acres of plants, animals, and environment.

2.) I am also VERY concerned about changing the way of life so many of us love in Marshall already. I am a young man of only 29 years. I moved here for work at Eaton's proving grounds south of Marshall and have absolutely fallen in love with this small town. Its quaint charm is second to none in my humble opinion. I look forward to starting my family here and staying here to make a mark on this town and community.

I seem to hear this a lot as well. People truly love the small historic town of Marshall. While I recognize the demographic of this town isn't particularly diverse with a seeming majority of the population being older than the rest, I don't think this is a simple "the elders don't want their town changing." Us up and comers in this town also love the small town feel while still retaining a forward-thinking outlook on the area's future.

I would like to instead propose that the land signed over from the township be utilized for either one of three uses:

1.) Calhoun County's first state park. Such a development (I recognize this would be developing the site) would be a huge improvement for the City of Marshall, Calhoun County, and the state of Michigan as a whole. Having a state park in our backyard would be such an awesome opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful land that Calhoun County has to offer, while likely providing an economic boost to the local area through camping fees and other sources of revenue that can be generated through a state park.

2.) Double down on protecting our environment and list the land as a protected nature preserve. Provide for our environment by eliminating invasive species and encourage the growth of native plants and animals and put Marshall and Calhoun County on the map for another reason - a town that invests in the environment from the ground up.

3.) Combine the two above ideas into one and make a truly forward-thinking green space. Reserve some of the land for recreational purposes - Mountain biking paths, walking trails, and/or campsites. Reserve some of it for preserved nature preserves, recognizing the need to encourage natural biodiversity and conservation of an endangered ecosystem. And reserve some of it for a community garden. A place where locals from all over Calhoun county can come and contribute to a locally-sustainable food source for all of us to share in and enjoy. Give our kids and adults an opportunity to learn about and from nature by providing courses on wildlife and natural resource conservation.

In closing, I believe Marshall can be an innovator and leader in the state of Michigan in this changing climate and world. But I don't think the site as proposed is the appropriate place for a battery plant. I think Marshall can spearhead a movement in true green thinking from the ground up.

Thank you for your time and consideration - I truly hope that you listen to your constituents and oppose this "megasite” as it is currently scoped for Marshall, and instead choose a different site to host the proposed battery plant or other uses.

Robert Weiss

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