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A new community organization, the Old Mission Citizens Coalition (OMCC), has been formed by 11 Old Mission Peninsula residents and property owners “united by a shared love for Old Mission Peninsula and a desire to preserve its unique brand within the local region,” notes a press release emailed to Old Mission Gazette.
According to their Articles of Incorporation, the Coalition is a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation formed for the purposes of:
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(1) bringing together the citizens of Peninsula Township who value stewardship of the land, respect for tradition as well as innovation and economic development;
(2) collaborating on the promotion of a thriving and sustainable community where residents, farmers and businesses can live and work and prosper together in harmony;
(3) promoting responsible growth while preserving our historic agricultural heritage; and
(4) holding the township government accountable for organizing and operating in an effective and efficient manner within the resources provided by local taxpayers and with limited regulation of their activities on their property.
From the Coalition’s press release:
“The OMCC seeks to work collaboratively with farmers, neighbors, businesses, and local government officials to ensure that Old Mission Peninsula continues to prosper while maintaining its historic character. The group’s vision for the future emphasizes respect for the region’s agricultural roots, vibrant tourism, and enduring sense of community.”
The group states: “Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. Our commitment is to develop a balanced approach that supports all residents and businesses. Together, we can build a healthy, forward-looking strategy that sustains a high quality of life for everyone on Old Mission Peninsula.”
As its first initiative, the OMCC plans to collaborate with Peninsula Township officials on reviewing and developing codes and ordinances that create a healthy balance with the needs of residents, business owners and farmers.
Township Supervisor Maura Sanders acknowledged the newly-formed group at the Town Board’s Nov. 12 meeting, noting that the group’s Articles of Incorporation were included in the meeting packet (view them beginning on page six here). She encouraged members of the new coalition to apply for a vacant position on the Planning Commission and volunteer for Township committees and subcommittees.
Why the Need for a New Group?
During public comment time, OMP resident Todd Sanders thanked the Town Board for a “phenomenally transparent and professional environment” created by the Board and staff, noting that he’s confused about why another organization feels the need to insert themselves into what is already a community-supported and appropriately appointed process.
“The only thing that I can imagine is that they have their own agenda that they are working towards,” he said.
He noted three concerns with the new coalition. “The first one, why do we need a special group? Why not join one of the numerous opportunities that have been open and are open to join committees, working groups, any of the other things? Why doesn’t this group currently do these things? Why this new thing? I would wager to guess the reason is because they don’t want the transparency or the accountability or the collaboration that it requires to do those jobs. They want to be special.”
His second concern is that the group’s leadership includes three candidates that lost in the last election. “Again, I can only imagine they’re frustrated that they don’t have the influence they wanted and they now want to exert undue influence to you in some pseudo government shadow organization. Be wary of that.”
His third concern is that the Coalition was created “to undermine what the community is trying to do, what the community has elected, what the community has consistently voted for,” he said. “They have self-appointed, self-selected, and self-ordained themselves to take on some mantle that no one has asked them to do. I encourage them to continue down the path of helping and collaborating with everybody else instead of trying to add more chaos to the mix.”
OMCC Leadership and Founding Members
- President: Fred Swaffer, Retired Air Force Officer and commercial airline pilot; longtime Old Mission Peninsula resident. “If we want to preserve the landscape we love, our choices are farms or houses. We need to find alternative solutions to litigation; we need to be neighbors again.”
- Secretary: Fred Woodruff, Retired real estate lawyer and foundation executive; current Old Mission Peninsula resident. “I joined OMCC to explore how Peninsula Township could operate more efficiently and effectively. The township is at a crossroads — I want to help ensure we take the right path forward.”
- Treasurer: Bern Kroupa, Former Sr. Vice President Lending (MFC), Old Mission Peninsula fruit grower and processer, and 5th generation Old Mission Peninsula resident. “This isn’t our forefathers’ agriculture — we want the freedom to grow.”
Board Members:
- Tom Menzel – Traverse City native, former Executive Director of the National Cherry Festival, Grand Traverse County Administrator, BETA CEO, and Crain’s Chicago top 50 businessman in metro Chicago, along with being a local Old Mission farmer. “A good life is about leaving the best footprints in every chapter. By forming this group, we hope to help solve the township’s challenges and create a model that others can follow.”
- Don Coe – Co-founder of Black Star Farms; former Chair of the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. “I joined the other founders to expand the Township’s farm land protections to programs that help the farmers. I am an advocate for viable farm businesses.”
- Amanda Danielson – Owner, Verlaris Hospitality/Trattoria Stella and Founder/Director, Intentional Agriculture.
- Jed Hemming – Lifetime Old Mission Peninsula resident and farmer.
- Kate Jerman – Senior officer at Burnette Foods.
- Brad Niergarth – CPA and Partner at Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth.
- Kathleen Haueisen – Asset Manager and Business Development Executive.
- Walt Knysz – Owner of Eagle’s Vineyard and Old Mission Peninsula property owner.
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