Your Concerns and Solutions

Fruitland Township is a wonderful place to live. We have a duty to care for our community and create a lasting legacy for future generations. I am committed to protecting the unique character of Fruitland Township, ensuring it remains a safe, vibrant, and beautiful place where our children and grandchildren will want to live and raise their own families.

You can read about some of my key concerns below. I look forward to hearing more about your top concerns as well.

When a candidate asks for your vote, you should expect them to explain their positions on various issues related to the role they’re seeking. Rather than offering empty slogans or clichés, I aim to provide valuable information to help voters make an informed decision about who they want in leadership within the township. If you need more details or clarification, feel free to email me at c@vanoosterhout.com or call/text 231-206-0551.


Concerns and Solutions

  • Maintaining Local Control of Governance: I support efforts to maintain local control over decision-making. This includes opposing proposals in Lansing that aim to remove local authority on issues such as wind farms, solar farms, and regulations governing short-term rentals. You deserve a voice in these decisions through your elected local representatives, not through a distant and impersonal bureaucrat in Lansing.
  • Transparency: Township residents have a right to complete transparency in all matters concerning our township’s operations. I will advocate for easily accessible and public release of all documents the township board reviews, ensuring they’re accessible to anyone interested. This includes providing full digital packets online through the township’s website ( this is now happening – starting the December 20, 2024 Board of Trustees special meeting) and relevant social media platforms. This will also include steps to give video conference participants in township meetings and those attending in person easy ways to see any materials referenced during meetings.

    While official board minutes are not available until after they are approved by the board, this is often a full month after the meeting. I will advocate for posting of draft minutes (subject to correction and approval with official minutes) as soon as possible after the board meets (this is now happening – starting with the December 9, 2024 Board of Trustee minutes).

    I would also like to find ways to project maps and other related documents for meeting participants so participants can more fully understand the context of board conversations as they happen.

    Because a typical board meeting or work session does not generally allow for dialog. Public comments is generally one way toward the board and the rest of the meeting is generally one way from the board. This reduces the possibility of meaningful dialog. I will recommend we set up periodic dialog meeting so there can be a true back-and-forth dialog between board members and members of the community.

    As a board member, I will work for your interests and you deserve a right to full disclosure related to township operations.

    This should include streaming all public meetings on universally accessible social networks and regular updates (including meeting dates) on these networks. We need to make information universally and easily accessible in its complete form to our entire community.

    In addition to being responsive and available to constituents via phone, email, and in-person meetings, I will establish regular “drop-in” office hours through video conferencing to hear from the citizens of Fruitland Township.
  • Protecting Taxpayer’s Investment In Our Community: My goal is not to cut helpful programs currently in place, but to carefully review expansions that burden the residents of Fruitland Township. I propose a spending control plan offering property tax rebates when tax collections exceed a formula based on inflation that results in surplus revenue beyond what is needed to adequately run the township. As taxable and assessed values of township properties rise, the additional revenue should not be seen as a blank check for expanding budgets and programs. This approach ensures that any surplus from increased property values is returned to the taxpayers. This is not a zero-budget-growth proposal. Instead, it is a proposal to give back to taxpayers when there is a surplus.
  • Protecting 2A Rights: On July 20, 2020, the Fruitland Township board considered an ordinance that would have significantly infringed upon our residents’ Second Amendment rights. Thanks to the overwhelming response from Fruitland citizens, the board was compelled to back down. We must remain vigilant to protect against similar future attempts.
  • Protecting and Preserving Private Property Rights: Zoning and zoning enforcement is critical to a well-run modern community. When a specific use damages the health, wealth, or well-being of neighbors and the community, zoning restrictions and enforcement are appropriate.

    In cases where use does not negatively impact others, the township must ensure private property owners can fully use their property as long as it does not negatively impact their neighbors. The default stance should favor property owners while protecting neighbors from adverse effects.

    Arbitrary property use regulations should not be standard practice. This includes reviewing all zoning ordinances to eliminate or amend regulations that harm property rights without benefiting the community.
  • Supporting Commerce in Fruitland Township: Fruitland is primarily a residential area and that is why many choose to make it their home. However, Fruitland also hosts a variety of small businesses that are vital to the community. Niche operations such as PM Tire and White Duck Market contribute positively without disrupting the township’s residential, recreational, natural, and agricultural character. Home-based and roadside businesses, like those selling firewood, cut flowers, eggs, and fresh produce, add charm and services to our community. Larger businesses, such as golf courses and Michigan’s Adventure, are also important as they offer recreational activities and job opportunities for residents and visitors.

    Supporting and promoting these businesses is essential for their owners to thrive and for the community as a whole to benefit. Recognizing the value of these diverse operations can be done while protecting the overall rural and natural culture of Fruitland and is important to maintaining the quality of life in our area.

    As a bedroom community businesses should always support and never take away from the unique character and livability of our neighborhoods.
  • Protect and Enhance Public Natural Resource and Culturally Significant Structures: The township should continue to provide logistical and in-kind support to the important work of groups like Friends of Fruitland Trails. Those who work on project like the Duck Creek Natural area do important and amazing work. Improvements and support for public natural areas, parks, and waterfront access is important to our community. This includes historical structures such as the Township-owned White River Light Station and Museum.

    I love the water of our community and know it is one of our greatest assets. We need to aggressively protect both our surface and groundwater quality.

    The former Fruitland Township Dump:
    The containment and cleanup of the legacy PFAS contamination from the old township dump site needs to be a high priority and responsibility.

    The Muskegon Chemical site: We must continue to demand periodic monitoring and evaluation of the Muskegon Chemical Site on White Lake Road. While the EPA has stated current containment efforts are functioning as intended, long-term protection requires additional steps. Your next township board needs to keep those responsible for these additional steps accountable.

    Chemours/DuPont Contamination: While this environmental disaster did not originate in Fruitland Township, its incomplete cleanup and restoration still have the potential to affect us and our waterways. I will support resolutions of support and, when appropriate, logistical assistance to third-party groups, including those from neighboring jurisdictions, as they work to address contamination at the Chemours/DuPont sites and other areas that threaten the beauty and safety of White Lake.
  • Development of Talent Bank for Appointed Positions: The township is represented on various boards and committees through appointed, and non-elected positions. These include internal groups such as the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals and external organizations like the White Lake Library and the White Lake Fire Authority. I propose establishing a talent bank of township residents interested in serving our community. This would provide the Township Board of Trustees with a proactive pool of qualified and willing candidates for these important roles. Such a system would help ensure that appointments are made with the township’s best interests in mind. ( The first draft of a talent bank application process was presented a the December 9 Board of Trustees work session and December 16 Board of Trustees meeting. More details will be presented during at the January 2025 meetings ) .

If you have an issue you would like to discuss, don’t hesitate to contact me by calling or texting 231-206-0551 or email c@vanoosterhout.com