Township close to Web site,
residents form their own
By Melissa Firchau
C & G Staff Writer
It will soon be a battle for the truth, as two Web sites go head-to-head on the information superhighway.
The Macomb Township Board of Trustees heard a presentation April 28 by Information Technology Director Jim Koss regarding the development of a township Web site.
The site has been a long time coming, having been first proposed last May, when the site was anticipated to launch in June or July of 2003.
That was pushed back, however, when all of the township departments underwent technology updates, according to Koss.
Koss said that new software for several departments was installed, as well as an internal e-mail system.
“We also had to implement a fiber optic line to the Water and Sewer Department,” Koss said.
When complete, the site will have pages for each department, information for both residents and developers, and online forms for building permits for projects such as fences.
“We’re hoping to get to the point where each department is maintaining its own page,” Koss said.
The site, at www.macomb-mi.gov, currently contains only the township’s general number and address, but at press time, already had more than 480 visitors.
Other features planned for the site include a frequently asked questions page, online bill payments, and possibly streaming video that would inform residents of how to go about getting information from the township.
“We will be about 70 percent up within 30 days,” Township Supervisor John Brennan said.
The township is also planning on installing two kiosks in the lobby of the township hall at 25 Mile and Broughton roads, that will allow residents and developers to connect to the township’s Web site when away from a personal computer.
“They most likely will be notebook computers,” Brennan said.
The Web site’s information will be maintained off-site by the site creator, who charges about $20 per hour.
“We’re not playing with pictures or anything to make it look pretty,” Brennan said. “Our concern is data.”
While the township’s site continues to develop, so does a site created by Macomb Township residents.
The site, www.macombtruth.com, was launched April 7, and has already received more than 1,200 hits.
The site features several pages, with information on issues including roads, utilities and public safety.
Macomb resident Kevin Karwowicz is one of 11 people in charge of the Web site, and said that the site was formed to educate the public on issues within the government and their own subdivisions.
“Our biggest goal is to make people know what’s going on in the community,” Karwowicz said. “I want to make it to where people say they want to live in Macomb Township.”
But one of the primary focuses of the site is to point out what Karwowicz and other residents say is untruth by the Macomb Township Board of Trustees. Much of the site is devoted to discussing heated issues, ranging from turmoil in the fire department to the township’s lack of televised meetings.
The site also contains a forum, which has received numerous posts by residents, both in favor of and opposed to the site.
Karwowicz said that pages currently empty should be filled by May 3.
“We want the true facts,” Karwowicz said. “We want people who are specifically related to each of those boxes. Common residents like teachers, mothers, fathers and business owners.”
Brennan has said that during public comment, Karwowicz has stated information about the township that is inaccurate, and he fears that inaccuracy will carry over to the Web site.
But Karwowicz said that he has spent more than $500 for township information under the Freedom of Information Act, which will be used for the Web site.
“I have facts, and everything we’re going to be releasing is information that I have gotten (from the township,)” Karwowicz said. “We want to talk about issues that we can solve together and when we need the township’s help we can talk to them too.”
Karwowicz said that the two sites will give residents a choice of where to get the information.
“I think both will help the community,” Karwowicz said. “I’m sure the township’s not going to put a comment section in there. It gives them two avenues to go to.”
Macomb Township Trustee Ken Meerschaert Jr. said that he feels the site could offer residents, and himself, some benefits.
“As far as how good it is, if it stays factual it could be a good thing,” Meerschaert said. “If it’s one of those things that’s used to take pot shots then no. Even as a board member I may be able to look on there and see something there that I may not have known the residents were concerned about.”
You can reach Melissa Firchau at mfirchau@candgnews.com