Michigan Townships Association

Press Releases

For quotes or additional information about MTA or township government, call (517) 321-6467 or email jenn@michigantownships.org.

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Michigan Townships Association sets 2025-26 legislative priorities

The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) announces its 2025-26 legislative priorities, following adoption of its policy platform by Association member township officials. The MTA membership approved the Association’s platform last week at the MTA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with its Annual Conference & Expo in Grand Rapids. These legislative priorities

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Michigan Townships Association announces 2025 Executive Committee

Harold Koviak, supervisor of Burt Township (Cheboygan Co.), has been elected 2025 president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Koviak was elected president of the state’s largest municipal association at MTA’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held March 31-April 3 in Grand Rapids. Koviak, who has served as township supervisor

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Township leaders convene for MTA’s 2025 Capital Conference

Delta Charter Township, Mich.—Nearly 200 township officials from across the state convened in Lansing on March 4 for the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) 2025 Capital Conference to gather insights and information on key township issues at the forefront in Lansing, including the critical need for preservation of local control, and

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Sen. John Cherry named MTA ‘Legislator of the Year’

Lawmaker honored for his efforts to ensure all Michigan municipalities receive statutory revenue sharing The Michigan Townships Association (MTA) recognized Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) for his support of township government by presenting him with the MTA “Legislator of the Year” award. Sen. Cherry received the prestigious award, which honors lawmakers who are instrumental in

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Hayes Township deputy treasurer earns credential in township governance

Savannah Cavanaugh, Hayes Township (Clare Co.) deputy treasurer, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of her township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through her participation in the intensive education program, Cavanaugh was able to learn enhanced tools and decision-making processes

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Briley Township leaders earn credential in township governance

Two Briley Township (Montmorency Co.) leaders have taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of their township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through their participation in the intensive education program, Treasurer Vanessa Werner and Deputy Clerk Linsey Rogers, who also serves the

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Roscommon Township clerk earns credential in township governance

Carie Milburn, who has served as Roscommon Township (Roscommon Co.) clerk since 2015, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of her township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through her participation in the intensive education program, Miburn was able to learn

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Delta Charter Township honored as ‘Township of Excellence’ for third time

Delta Charter Township (Eaton Co.) has been recognized for an incredible third time as a “Township of Excellence” by the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). The intensive, comprehensive program, administered by the Association, evaluates township governance, administration and programs to ensure adherence to exceptional practices in boardsmanship and in serving the

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Kersten honored with inaugural ‘Spirit of MTA’ award

Brad Kersten, Chesterfield Charter Township (Macomb Co.) supervisor, was the recipient of the inaugural “Spirit of MTA” award. Presented by the Michigan Townships Association (MTA), the new honor was created to highlight and recognize the exemplary efforts of local leaders in serving and advancing their township—as the Association has done

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Bennett named MTA immediate past president

Addison Township (Oakland Co.) Clerk Pauline Bennett will serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) executive committee as the Association’s immediate past president, following her term as 2023 president. Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional township appointed officials,

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Cole-Crocker elected treasurer of Michigan Townships Association

Buchanan Charter Township (Berrien Co.) Supervisor Malinda Cole-Crocker has been elected treasurer of the Michigan Townships Association. Cole-Crocker was elected to the position by her township peers at MTA’s 2024 Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 22-25 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. Cole-Crocker first joined the

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MTA elects new executive committee

Connie Cargill, treasurer of Golden Township (Oceana Co.), has been elected 2024 president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Cargill was elected president of the largest municipal association in Michigan at MTA’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 22-25 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. Cargill, who

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MTA press release on House-passage of renewable energy siting bills

House-passed renewable energy siting bills do not protect local control Battle on behalf of true local voices over siting and permitting process shifts to state Senate. A coalition of organizations representing local governments, land use planning and the agriculture community continues to oppose the fast-moving legislative efforts overhauling siting and

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Don’t silence local voices to achieve renewable energy goals

The following is an MTA statement in response to Gov. Whitmer’s comments on Aug. 30 and pending legislation on moving renewable energy siting from local communities to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Utility-scale renewable energy siting can be an incredibly contentious topic in communities across the state. But the answer

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Two Groveland Township leaders earn credentials in township governance

Two Groveland Township officials have taken the next steps to further enhance the effectiveness of their township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through their participation in the intensive education program, Treasurer Theresa Bills and Deputy Clerk Jenell Keller were able to learn enhanced tools

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Davison Township leader earns credential in township governance

Travis Howell, a long-time Davison Township (Genesee Co.) public servant currently serving on its zoning board of appeals, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of his township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through his participation in the intensive education program,

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Yates Township leader earns credential in township governance

Blair Evans, who serves Yates Township (Lake Co.) on its planning commission, zoning board of appeals and board of review, has taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of his township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through his participation in the intensive

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Cargill elected 2023 MTA first vice president

Cargill elected first vice president of Michigan Townships Association Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill has been elected first vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). She was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by her peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational

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Harmful legislation would silence local voices on sand and gravel mining

Harmful legislation would silence local voices on sand and gravel mining Bills go against public sentiments supporting local say in aggregate operations in Michigan communities   Lansing, Mich.—Legislation newly introduced under the guise of solving aggregate supply chain issues will eliminate all local authority over sand and gravel mines and silence

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Bill Deater is MTA’s 2023 immediate past president

Deater serves as Michigan Townships Association immediate past president Grant Township (St. Clair Co.) Supervisor Bill Deater will serve on the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) executive committee as the Association’s immediate past president, following his term as 2022 president. Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than

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Marvin Radtke Jr. named member-at-large on MTA Executive Committee

Marvin Radtke Jr. named member-at-large on Michigan Townships Association Executive Committee Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.) Supervisor Marvin Radtke Jr. has been named member-at-large on the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) executive committee. The executive committee, and the entire board of directors, provides strategic and operational guidance to MTA, which

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Malinda Cole-Crocker is 2023 MTA secretary

Cole-Crocker elected secretary of Michigan Townships Association Buchanan Charter Township (Berrien Co.) Supervisor Malinda Cole-Crocker has been elected secretary of the Michigan Townships Association. Cole-Crocker, who also serves at MTA District 22 director on the Association’s Board of Directors, was elected to the secretary position at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational

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Kevin Beeson elected 2023 MTA treasurer

Beeson elected treasurer of Michigan Townships Association Pine River Township (Gratiot Co.) Supervisor Kevin Beeson has been elected treasurer of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). He was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by his township peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational Conference, held

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Harold Koviak is MTA’s 2023 second vice president

Burt Township supervisor elected second vice president of Michigan Townships Association Burt Township (Cheboygan Co.) Supervisor Harold Koviak has been elected second vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). He was elected to the position at the Association’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 17-20 at the Grand

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Cargill elected 2023 MTA first vice president

Golden Township (Oceana Co.) Treasurer Connie Cargill has been elected first vice president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). She was elected to the position helping to lead the state’s largest municipal association by her peers at MTA’s 2023 Annual Educational Conference, held April 17-20 at the Grand Traverse Resort

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Bennett to lead Michigan Townships Association as 2023 president

Addison Township (Oakland Co.) Clerk Pauline Bennett has been elected president of the Michigan Townships Association (MTA). Serving more than 99% of Michigan’s 1,240 townships—which includes more than 6,500 elected leaders plus tens of thousands of additional township appointed officials, staff and volunteers—MTA is the largest municipal association in the

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Welcome Ken Verkest to MTA Board as District 21 director

Verkest elected to MTA Board of Directors Harrison Charter Township (Macomb Co.) Supervisor Kenneth Verkest has been elected to the Michigan Townships Association (MTA) Board of Directors, serving as director of MTA District 21, which encompasses Lapeer, Oakland and Macomb Counties. Verkest was elected to the position by his township

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MTA sets 2023-24 legislative priorities

Michigan Townships Association sets 2023-24 legislative priorities The Michigan Townships Association announces its 2023-24 legislative priorities, following adoption of its policy platform by Association member township officials. The MTA membership approved the Association’s platform on April 20 at the MTA Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the MTA Annual Conference

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Michigan Townships Association announces new Executive Committee

Pauline Bennett, clerk of Addison Township (Oakland Co.), has been elected 2023 MTA president. Bennett was elected president of the largest municipal association in Michigan at MTA’s Annual Educational Conference & Expo, held April 17-20 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme Township. Bennett has served as clerk since 1996,

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