"I'm shocked and disappointed she would take such action because of the safety of residents," Orion Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said Tuesday. "People driving 55 mph on a gravel road can be hazardous."

However, Granholm sent the bill back without a signature Friday because it conflicts with the state's constitution, because it was switched from a license plate issue to speed limits in the House.

Granholm vetoed Senate Bill 248, which sought to change the speed limit criteria on dirt and gravel roads based on the number of access points such as driveways and side roads. Some county legislators have been pushing to overturn a new law that allows higher speeds on gravel roads. They want to safeguard lower limits and restore local governments' control over them.

"It's really an emotional issue for us, because -- unlike gravel roads around the state that are typically straight and rarely used -- our county gravel roads tend to be windy and heavily used in residential areas," Dywasuk said.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard agrees.

"The veto is a huge mistake," Bouchard said. "It would make a whole lot more sense to have townships and government in consultation with their road commission to be able to set limits on what they think is appropriate and safe, based on the community's unique circumstances."

He said 19 communities in Oakland have busy gravel and dirt roads in growing areas that can be hilly with poor sight lines.

A 25 mph speed limit can be posted to areas in business districts with at least 600 feet of road frontage, subdivisions and roads with 60 or more access points within a half mile. Most of Oakland's gravel roads have fewer than 30 access points, so most will have increases up to 55 mph.

The county Road Commission likely will begin changing signs in January.

You can reach Delores Patterson at (248) 647-7225 or dpatterson@detnews.com.