Lima Township Residents Tell Their Stories

Each person that went before the camera had a unique story. Whether they were part of a family where generations of family members have been farming in Lima Township or if they had recently moved to the area wanting to get out of the city and into a more rural setting, their stories were recorded in an effort to let Consumers Energy know who they are and how they feel about the community they live in.

A special gathering was held at Lima Township Hall on June 24 that saw township residents coming together with their neighbors in and around Lima Township to share their stories of connection to their homes and the land.

Township residents became concerned after they learned that Consumers Energy has an option to purchase 120 acres of land off of S. Lima Center Road. With this came the possibility that the land might become the home to a natural gas-burning 1.4-gigawatt plant. Knowing these concerns, Consumers Energy has emphasized that it does not have a plan for the property.

Telling their Stories

The Sun Times News attended the storytelling event on June 24 and listened to at least seven stories. All ages were represented in these stories. From retirees who gave voice to the concerns about the health of the township and its residents, including the wildlife, people, water, plants, crops, farm animals, etc., if the plant were put in to moms expressing concerns for their children’s health.

One township resident, who lives down the road from the property in question, said she and her husband have lived in the township since the mid-1980s and have been working throughout that time to improve their old farmhouse and farm to maintain them as a productive place. She said a plant such as this could destroy them.

A mother of a 15-month old child said she was worried for what her child and others, including the elderly, who might breathe in what such a plant down the road from them might produce. She said if this happens it will ruin the community while maximizing someone else’s profits.

Elaine Economou, an organizer of the storytelling meeting, said the meeting allowed area residents to share video stories about their history and love for Lima Township and nearby townships and to share how a power plant would impact their quality of life. 

“I conceived of this event after hearing moving public comments at the first organized meeting about the Consumers Energy Power Plant,” Economou said. “Arly Spink, a lifelong Lima Township resident, helped coordinate the details with encouragement and help from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. We worked with people organizing through NUANCE (Neighbors United Against Noxious Consumers Energy) to spread the word.”

She said her take away from the storytelling “is that many people and organizations are committed to preserving the rural nature of Lima Township.”

“They have worked hard in the past to prevent other significant changes in the township and will continue to fight to stop Consumers Energy and any other corporation from impacting the local landscape,” Economou said. “Hearing my neighbors’ stories resonated deeply with my love for the natural world, my family’s history here and my hope for future generations.”

For now, she said they will post the videos on the NUANCE website and use them on social media as they continue to build their campaign “encouraging Consumers Energy to look elsewhere for an appropriate site for any new power plants.” 

Getting Some Attention

The word is getting out about Lima Township and its concerned residents. Two local representatives both cited the issue in recent messages to their constituents.

In her legislative update newsletter, State Senator Sue Shink (D-14^th District) said she had a perfect June day for her third annual “Walk & Talk event at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve. Together with 40 community members, we walked the trails, appreciated the peaceful setting, and discussed how residents and government can work to protect our pristine natural spaces. Residents expressed serious concerns about the proposed aggregate mine next to the park as well as the natural gas power generation plant being discussed for Lima Township. I take these concerns seriously.”

Shink represents Lima Township.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-6^th District) said in a recent update that she sat down with Western Washtenaw leaders and experts “to talk about their concerns of reports of a potential national gas plant by Consumers Energy and the broader issue of land use in this county.”

Dingell also represents Lima Township.

Photo 1: A township resident tells her story before the recorder. Photo by Lonnie Huhman