as word of the new organization spread, parisi began meeting with local and state government officials who agreed to attend a meeting on october 6, 1953, to formally organize the townships association. more than 700 township officials gathered in lansing to be addressed by parisi in the main ballroom of the former olds hotel, where the group voted unanimously to form the association. at the meeting’s conclusion, redford township (wayne co.) supervisor leonard broquet was elected president, and governor g. mennen williams offered his congratulations and best wishes for the future of the newly formed michigan townships association (mta).