According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, Friends of Responsible Government (FORGE) began in 1976 made up of citizens from Kalamazoo Township who, according to the newspaper, "...clashed with Kalamazoo Township officials in the last several months over issues of the conduct of township leaders, public participation in board meetings and recent special assessment tax hikes." Heading the group was Beverly Britner who was a long-time critic of Kalamazoo Township officials and actions. Eventually she became Kalamazoo Township Supervisor in 1980 and held that position until 1987. The newsletters themselves contained information on various Township issues like zoning, water and sewage, township expenditures and the Open Meetings Act.