Amway heir and former Republican candidate for governor Dick DeVos managed to talk the Ada Township government into changing the rules to allow for helicopter takeoffs and landings in residential neighborhoods so he didn’t have to take anything so pedestrian as a car when he travels around. Now it looks like his fellow residents may be ready to veto that change.
Some residents opposed to new rules allowing private heliports and helipads in residential areas hope to quash the rules before the first application gets off the ground.
A group is circulating petitions aimed at putting the issue to a referendum vote.
Resident Bob Stead said the group opposes allowing helicopter landings and takeoffs in residential areas because of noise, vibration, environmental impacts of fuel storage and safety.
“Frankly, they’re doing this for one guy,” Stead said.
And that one guy is DeVos. The group has to submit 973 signatures on petitions, 15% of registered voters in the township, to put the referendum on the ballot. In the meantime, DeVos would have to travel in a car like the rest of us po’ folk.