Thursday, January 26, 2012
Mayor Virg Bernero
City of Lansing
124 E. Michigan Ave., 9th Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Mayor Dianne Goddeeris
City of East Lansing
410 Abbot Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Mayor Bernero & Mayor Goddeeris:
As a long time advocate for a regional approach to public services, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) commends the recent decision to name a joint fire chief of the Lansing and East Lansing Fire departments.
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce understands the fiscal challenges being faced by local governments that are trying to maintain quality services - despite declining revenues. It has been our consistent position to encourage city and township officials to explore opportunities to achieve greater efficiency through regionalism, sharing and consolidation of services. We believe that local government reform and regional collaboration are the keys to providing taxpayers with cost-effective government and streamlined services.
For that reason, we are strong supporters of the ongoing regional Emergency Services Study. It is our hope that the study involving Lansing, East Lansing and four townships will identify further consolidation opportunities that are sensible from an emergency services delivery and financial standpoint.
The appointment of Randy Talifarro as joint Lansing/East Lansing fire chief is a positive step forward for our region. The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce is encouraged to see elected officials are increasingly embracing what we have been promoting for many years, a more regional approach in local government. We look forward to working with you on this and other issues as we move forward as a region in 2012.
Sincerely
Tim Daman
President & CEO
- [View] [1]
151