Saline Township’s political brawl over a massive data center just claimed a major casualty: Treasurer Jennifer Zink says she is stepping down after a wave of death threats that she says made it impossible to keep doing the job.
Treasurer says threats made her job untenable
At a packed and emotional board meeting on Wednesday, Zink broke into tears as she announced she will resign effective May 29, telling fellow officials and residents, “I just can’t take it anymore,” according to The Sun Times News. The outlet reports that Zink, a farmer and single parent who lost her husband last year, has already submitted a resignation that the board is expected to accept.
Officials say threats came by phone and email
Other township officials told reporters the threats have arrived by phone and email, as reported by CBS News Detroit. Board members described months of hostile public comment and misinformation online that, in their view, escalated into direct threats and intimidation.
Data center fight has divided the township
Zink’s resignation is the latest flashpoint in a bitter fight over a massive data center planned for farmland in Saline Township. The project sparked votes against rezoning, a lawsuit from the developer, and a court-approved settlement that allowed construction to go forward. Coverage from Michigan Public reports that the project is backed by Related Digital and Blackstone for Oracle’s AI infrastructure and has secured significant financing despite local pushback. Developers and supporters say the campus will deliver jobs and community benefits, while opponents warn about traffic, noise, water use, and heavy power demand.
Local political fallout and legal fights
The township’s settlement and the board’s handling of the proposal fueled recall efforts and court filings from neighbors aiming to overturn the deal, as detailed by Planet Detroit. Residents and organizers say the episode has left officials on edge and turned public meetings into tense, high-stakes showdowns where emotions and misinformation have further inflamed an already divided community.
What happens next
Zink’s resignation letter lists May 29 as her final day in office, and the board has not yet named a replacement, according to The Sun Times News. Under Michigan law, township boards can appoint someone to fill a vacancy, with timelines and procedures laid out in guidance from the Michigan Townships Association.
