County Board of Commissioners meeting on broadband inequity and teen mental health moved to Chelsea
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.
In an effort to increase citizen participation and representation of constituents in board activities, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has moved its Thursday, April 4 Working Session meeting to the Sylvan Township Hall, 18027 Old US 12, Chelsea, MI 48118. The Working Session meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and is open to the public.
The agenda items for this meeting are relevant to challenges faced throughout the county, but particularly in the western townships--broadband inequity and teen mental health.
Access to affordable high-speed broadband has become a major challenge for county residents, and while some communities have may options, there are parts of the county, including the most rural parts of the Manchester area, where no options exist. With the growing role the internet plays in all our lives, lack of access puts portions of the community at a disadvantage in terms of economy, education, health and job opportunities.
The Washtenaw County Broadband Subcommittee will be on hand to summarize recommendations from the report they compiled after a 15-month long process. The report found that Sharon, Freedom and Bridgewater Townships had the highest percentage of residents with no access to broadband in the county and that almost 70% of households in the Manchester school district have no access to broadband, the highest in the county.
Additionally, the Chelsea Public School staff will provide insight on the impact of broadband access on students and the educational system. Lyndon Township leaders will review the actions they have taken to provide broadband access to their residents.
Another concern facing our communities is the increased number of suicides among the high school age group. A local high school student and Dexter schools will present at the meeting and data provided by local experts will be given.
Manchester's county commissioner, Shannon Beeman states, “Bringing government to the people is a concept that makes sense. The issues we will be discussing are important to every resident of the county—particularly significant to our rural residents. Moving the Board of Commissioners closer to the people will help to get a larger conversation started—discussing real solutions together.”
The board of County Commissioners meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and Thursdays of every month at 6:30 pm. They usually meet at 220 North Main Street in Ann Arbor. All meetings are open to the public.
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