What's Your Priority – Police or Public Works?

There is a saying in politics, that if everyone is unhappy about a decision, then chances are it was the right one. In local politics, someone is always unhappy.

, for example, adopted the township’s with no new taxes, but this did not happen without some significant slashing, including more than $230,000 from the police department.

Similarly, passed its budget , giving about the same budget this year as last, though allocating $0 for new purchases. 

Both townships are also building new public works facilities. The cost for is estimated to be $2.76 million, while the , a lightning rod for controversy, is already $1 million over budget, and will cost about $4.75 million.

Do these decisions reveal a priority about what the public values most? Take our poll: Is public works or police the more important community service? Or is there a middle ground?