The Consolidated Government Committee's slogan--We're better together-- was inspired by what we believe to be the fundamental truth supporting the wisdom of consolidating the governments of Douglas and Saugatuck: Our cities are not only adjacent; we are in fact, one community.
We all have "friends across the harbor."
We socialize together. Our kids go to the same schools. Sometimes they even marry one another.
We eat in the same restaurants, walk the same dunes, escape to the same big lake, watch the same magnificent sunsets.
Heck, we even march in each other's parades!
Saugatuck and Douglas. Through the years, we have always shown we can cooperate and get along. But we're at our very best when we roll up our sleeves and really tackle a challenge together. Not merely as good neighbors, but as members of one community, each of us vested in the same future. And that's really what the opportunity to consolidate is all about.
We know that success in our shared future--when state revenue-sharing will only decline further, nearby communities will work ever harder to attract commerce, and our joint harbor will see its very existence in real jeopardy--will not be easy. Trying to meet these challenges with two separately focused governments only reduces our odds of success, and squanders our precious resources.
Sure, cooperation is good. But consolidation is all about becoming so much better... together.
We all have "friends across the harbor."
We socialize together. Our kids go to the same schools. Sometimes they even marry one another.
We eat in the same restaurants, walk the same dunes, escape to the same big lake, watch the same magnificent sunsets.
Heck, we even march in each other's parades!
Saugatuck and Douglas. Through the years, we have always shown we can cooperate and get along. But we're at our very best when we roll up our sleeves and really tackle a challenge together. Not merely as good neighbors, but as members of one community, each of us vested in the same future. And that's really what the opportunity to consolidate is all about.
We know that success in our shared future--when state revenue-sharing will only decline further, nearby communities will work ever harder to attract commerce, and our joint harbor will see its very existence in real jeopardy--will not be easy. Trying to meet these challenges with two separately focused governments only reduces our odds of success, and squanders our precious resources.
Sure, cooperation is good. But consolidation is all about becoming so much better... together.
