Permit For Christian School A Hot Issue In Genoa Twp Election

Tom Jordan
Morning Anchor, WWJ CBS
tom.jordan@cbsradio.com

A look around the two-lane roadways, the surface streets and intersections in this small township of about 20,000 residents between Brighton and Howell shows there's something afoot in one of the fastest growing communities in the state.

Much of the talk in Livingston County's Genoa Township prior to the August 2nd primary has to do with last summer's big decision about a small Christian school.

"It left us hanging."

Vicki Patilla is the parent of four Livingston Christian Schools students. They, along with about 200 students, had planned to move into the school's new facilities at Brighton Nazarene Church.

"All the kids rallied together, packed-up the school. We had it all in semis," said Patilla. "We were 100 percent moving forward with this. Until this happened."

What happened was a Genoa Township vote just prior to the start of last school year to block Livingston Christian from moving into the township from Pinckney. It was a vote that supporters say dramatically reduced the school's enrollment.

"We lost about 50 students."

The issue, some say, turned this year's primary election into a race. A decades-held position for Genoa Township supervisor is suddenly open. Three trustees are seeking to hold onto their seats or are running for another position.

Genoa Township's denial of a special land-use permit, which would have allowed Livingston Christian to move into a newly renovated Brighton Church of the Nazarene, was a close 4-3 decision. Per media reports, those who voted against it cited traffic and other concerns.

The planning commission had recommended approval.

"The planning commission did recommend approval, yes," says Linda Rowell, who went against that recommendation and voted against the school and church as a trustee. Rowell is now seeking the supervisor position - that position being vacated by longtime Supervisor Gary McCririe, who also voted against the church and school.

"A couple pieces that were critical were the safety of the kids. Traffic wasn't just on Brighton road, it was but the impact on the safety on the children but also the impact to the neighbors," said Rowell.

Rowell's opponent for Genoa Supervisor is former State Representative Bill Rogers. He says the traffic issue was considered seriously and he supports a move to Genoa Township of the only Christian K-12 school in Livingston County.

"It was cleared by two different studies," Rogers said. Those two studies were conducted by the Genoa Township Planning Commission and the Livingston County Road Commission.

"They found no issues," Rogers said. "I wish I could truly answer the motivation behind it [the no vote]. Unless there's something we're missing, there was no excuse," said Rogers.

Trustees Todd Smith and Jean Ledford, who voted against the measure, are seeking re-election. Three supporters of the school's relocation, trustees Jim Mortensen, Clerk Polly Skolarus and Treasurer Robin Hunt, are also seeking to hold on to their respective jobs.

See a full list of candidates in Genoa Township and across Livingston County here.

As for Livingston Christian Schools, they filed suit against the township, a judge threw out that case. That decision has been appealed while the school maintains a temporary residence at the old Whitmore Lake Middle School. A mediation conference set for August 17th

Parent Vicki Patilla remains hopeful that future township leadership will make a ruling in their favor.

"My hope is to find a permanent spot for the school."