Donald Trump is refusing to commit to the peaceful transfer of power. If this is not a constitutional crisis, it is pretty darn close. But this is nothing new for the Republicans. These enablers and the Trump White House have trampled the Constitution throughout his presidency and before. The Republican refusal to even hold a hearing for President Obama’s Supreme Court pick of Merritt Garland is another example of a history of their contempt for our Constitution.
But our own Republican Northville Township officials aren’t much better.
Earlier this week, I went to the Northville Parks and Recreation offices to rent the Pavilion at Northville Community Park for Sign-A-Palooza II on October 10th. I was told that they didn’t rent public spaces to political or religious organizations.
This caught me completely off guard. I asked the Northville Township officials for a response – in writing – why they refuse to rent to the Northville Dems, as well as their policy not to rent their public parks to political or religious organizations. They did not respond to either. Apparently, if you are violating the First Amendment, Northville Township believes it is best not to put it in writing.
To review, The First Amendment says:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
After I spoke at a Northville Township public meeting about the government’s responsibility to uphold the First Amendment, I asked for an immediate vote to allow political or religious groups to rent Northville Township spaces. They voted unanimously in agreement. They also agreed to create a City/Township working group to review their current rental policy.
As Democrats, we believe in the common good and in good government. This doesn’t just “automatically happen.” Democrats have a responsibility to make sure it happens. Northville Township has fallen short. We must attend meetings to pay attention to what is going on. We must be willing to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to hold our government accountable, and to get the information we need. And, most importantly, we must run for office and serve on local government committees. For the upcoming Northville Township elections, only two Democrats are running as candidates for the seven total Township positions.
So, we get the government we deserve.
I vow that we can – and will – do better. I will personally attend Northville Township meetings. I will encourage my fellow Democrats to join me. The Northville Democratic Club will actively recruit for the 2024 Northville Township elections, starting now. If we don’t have people to run, I will run.
Candidate Barack Obama reminded us of our power as citizens: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
It’s time for change in Northville Township – Democrats are that change.
By Lisa DiRado
President
Northville Democratic Club
