NEWAYGO COUNTY, Mich. — On Wednesday, residents from Goodwell Township in Newaygo County came together to discuss a few concerns within the township during their monthly meeting. One of the main agenda items tonight was the status of the township's Rozland Music Festival.
"Half of this isn't even about him. It's about the substance and the principle of what this ordinance stands for," said Goodwell Township resident and festival host, Jeremy Rusilowski.
Many residents during Wednesday's meeting raised concern over the status of the annual music festival and if it'll still happen this year.
"People in the community heard about the event and there's a small percentage of the residents that were upset. Since that, it all conspired to be kind of where we are today. The initiative for a new ordinance, a new law—due to the fact that there was a very small percentage of the population had something to say about it when a greater percentage didn't care anyway," said Rusilowski.
Since 2021 Rozland Music Festival has been held in Goodwell Township in Newaygo County.
In 2023, Rusilowski was in Florida helping with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. Because of this, he was unable to attend a Township meeting or submit an application within the 60 day timeline that the temporary event ordinance required.
"I was 13 days late, or 13 days inside of their 60 day time limit for me to get my information in for the permit," said Rusilowski.
Another resident said there was no definition to what a temporary event was in the township.
"Part of the whole issue is that they curtail this ordinance that they created called the special event ordinance and that is a restriction there's no ability to appeal that," said Alec Dakin.
The American Civil Liberties Union is now involved, threatening legal action against the Goodwell Township board. Wednesday's meeting was packed with residents and many who came to advocate for the music festival. Rusilowski said the board said his music festival was approved during Wednesday's meeting and is scheduled to happen Sept. 20-22. He hopes his situation with the township helps other people who want to hold events in the community in the future.
"I'm all for having systems in place. Due process is right because you all want to do something different, but we all need the same path to travel. We all need the same path to travel and not be discriminated against and I guess, targeted for the events that we would like to host," said Rusilowski.