Volume 2, Issue 3

Treatment Cuts Milfoil By Over Half

Last summer’s treatment of the Eurasian milfoil (EWM) in Bear Lake cut back the invasive species by over half, according to a report by the Lake Improvement Board. LIB Chair Jack Sawka and staff from ASI Environmental Technologies addressed the Pleasanton Township Board at its regular meeting on March 9.

The original 320 acres of EWM was cut by more than half, with 150 acres remaining. Percentage-wise, Sawka reported that roughly 19 percent of the lake contained milfoil before treatment, compared with 7.4 percent afterwards. "We killed more than we thought we’d kill," said Sawka. Because of this, he said that about $38,000 in budget money was saved.

Figures presented by the LIB/ASI showed the annual cost of the project declining by about $30,000 every year and leveling out to $73,755 by 2011. Sawka said that the 2008 winter taxes actually had 2 years’ funding built into them in order to allow for a quick response. Sawka said that financial assistance from the county made rapid treatment possible. "The County did a wonderful job. The only way we could treat the lake was because they gave us a loan. This helped us to reduce our bill for the future by treating it right away."

2008’s treatment consisted of application of the chemical 2,4-D and the insertion of weevils into specific sectors of EWM. The weevils naturally feed on EWM. The weevils had little chance for a fair trial, however, as fierce winds and currents during the June 12 storm drove the 2,4-D into the weevil treatment area, effectively depriving them of their food. Weevil stocking is expected to continue this year. EWM grows quickly and has been identified across the United States but particularly in Michigan. In Round Lake, located in Mason County, milfoil spread from 50 acres to about 300 acres in just two years.

In other Pleasanton Township Board news, the Board received two resignations from the Township Planning Commission, from Chair Bernard Ware and Alan Swanson. Both resigned during the March 3 meeting of the Planning Commission. In his letter of resignation, Bernard Ware said that divisiveness over the sewer issue was affecting progress with cooperative planning and the Joint Planning Commission’s draft Comprehensive Plan. The Board appointed Bob Stafford and Brian Kidd, respectively, to fill the open seats. Jeanne Crampton and David McNeilly will continue in their positions on the Planning Commission, as will David Ertel, representing the Board.

A resolution was passed to adopt "poverty guidelines," allowing for property tax exemptions. Tony Merrill reported that many townships are adopting similar guidelines. The Gander will have a story on the poverty guidelines in its next issue.

In its effort to dissolve the Utilities Authority (BLPAUA, popularly known as the "sewer board"), the board formally removed Fred Alkire and Jerry Mathieu from the board and appointed David Ertel and Tony Merrill to take their places. A special meeting of the BLPAUA is expected to be scheduled.

Ertel said that Zoning Administrator Rochelle Rollenhagen reported that she’ll attend every Planning Commission meeting, and indicated that the township’s Land Use Application needs updating.

Gerry Peterson from the Manistee County Road Commission briefed the Board on road maintenance issues. He reported that much work had been accomplished to repair damage caused by the June 2008 storm, but that more remained and would be covered by funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In response to inquiry from the Bob Babcock about repairs to Big Four Road, Peterson said that it would be a ways out and a pricy fix when it does happen. An audience member asked about 13 Mile Road at the Bear Creek bridge. Peterson said that the volume of traffic determines if a project will be a priority or not.

During the Budget Hearing portion of the meeting, the Board voted to increase the Township Supervisor’s salary from $5,400 to 6,400. Previously, at the township’s budget workshop, it was proposed to increase the Supervisor’s salary to $9,000, the same amount received by the clerk and the treasurer. After an objection to that figure by Connie Ledford, the Board agreed to the $6,400 figure. Trustees are paid $75 per diem.

Upcoming Meetings

Pleasanton Twp. Board
2nd Monday at 7pm
(Apr. 13 * & May 11)

*April 13 meeting rescheduled for Thursday, April 16 [changed posted at Township Hall on Sunday, April 12 at 9:30pm]

Bear Lake Twp. Board
3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm
(Apr. 14)

Village of Bear Lake Council
3rd Wednesday at 7:30pm
(Apr. 15)

Library Board
(meets at Bear Lake
Village Hall quarterly
at 10am on Apr. 21,
July 14 & Oct. 13)

Dump Dates
(Apr. 18, May 2 & 16)

Is there something you’d like to see in the Gander? Let us know! See below for contact information.

SEVEN EXTRA WEEKS OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE
STATE NEWS

As we go to press, Governor Granholm has signed legislation to provide the unemployed up to seven additional weeks of benefits.

"These additional unemployment benefits will not only help families in meeting their basic needs," said Granholm, "but they also provide an economic boost to Michigan businesses - the service stations, grocery stores, and retailers - who sell the goods and services families need."

The newly signed legislation expands the extended benefit (EB) program from 13 weeks up to 20 weeks and takes effect immediately. It also boosts the maximum number of weeks an unemployed Michigan worker currently can receive unemployment benefits from 72 to 79 weeks.

Unemployed workers in the state may qualify for up to 26 weeks of state unemployment benefits, up to 33 weeks of federal emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) and, now, up to 20 weeks of extended benefits. Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) will also go back and issue redeterminations for all existing EB claims and add up to seven weeks of benefits to those claims.

These extended benefits are funded by the federal Recovery Act, which means Michigan employers will not be assessed for them.

NORTH SHORE
by Jeanne Crampton

A number of years ago-maybe 50 or 60-some bright, adventurous person came up with the idea of auto-racing through the Baja desert. It started with old 1930s touring cars, not so much for speed, but just to see whether they could make it. "Ensendada to Cabo San Lucas" was the cry in those days. Mexico 1 (the highway) didn't exist and bridges were missing. It really was a test of men and machines.

At present, there are three major mileage races, the Baja 1000, Baja 500, and the Baja 250. As luck would have it, the 250 starts and ends here in San Felipe, running on a pre-arranged route to the north & south. Saturday, March 15 was this year’s 250. My abode sits about halfway between Highway 5 and the race area to the west. No one in his or her right mind goes to town from Wednesday on. Unless you love loud noise, dust, dirt, and a population which temporarily become race drivers, you stock up on groceries, beer, gasoline and propane and hunker down.

On Friday, starting about 4pm, all the wannabee-racers from southern California and Mexicali clog Highway 5 with dunebuggies, rails (a sort of tipped-down dunebuggies), ORV's, motorcycles, old VWs and anything else that runs on a gasoline motor. The "big boys" (huge trucks that aren't allowed on CA highways) have arrived two or three days earlier loaded on flatbeds. Their tires can sometimes cost thousands of dollars each.

The race leaves San Felipe at 6am Saturday--motorcycles and small stuff first, then the monster trucks. For about three hours the thunder roars. At that point the sirens begin--cops and ambulances retrieving the less-lucky who have piled up or overturned. Since the route takes the racers nearly to Mexicali in the north, and south of San Felipe, it's usually late afternoon when the winners drift back in and it may be dark for many others. After the winners and losers congregate in the San Felipe bars, celebrating or drowning their sorrows, it's a rare race night that doesn't end up with some poor inebriate run over. Sunday is the day for awards and tallying up the dead, critically injured, and broken bones. There's no gasoline to be had, and no money in the ATMs.

On the sunnier side, the race has been a godsend for San Felipe by bringing tourist money. The US media never seem to distinguish between Baja and mainland Mexico, so that Baja is tarred with the same dire predictions regarding personal safety. Rightly enough, the border town of Tijuana is a rough place, but Calexico/Mexicali and Yuma are perfectly safe. Don't drive at night because Baja is "open range." You are just as apt to meet a black cow as a bandito in the road. Don't even think about obtaining drugs (unless it's Lipitor) and stay away from questionable bars. It turns out that dives look the same on both sides of the border.

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DIGITAL TV SWITCH

The Gander has suddenly been able to receive Channel 9 & 10 on its HD TV converter box, along with an extra channel with Fox Sports. However, public television recently disappeared entirely, when station 21 voluntarily switched to digital well before the June 12 deadline. Some stations have suggested they might boost power to their digital signals as the deadline draws near. In our next issue, we’ll find out which stations still have those plans.

COULD SPRING BE HERE?

The Gander is the first one to avoid a possible jinx of Spring, but it’s okay to daydream, isn’t it?

Without making any bold statements, the Gander would simply like to share this white-and-purple discovery in the yard. While the hardy crocus is quite alone for the moment, surely other wildflowers will bloom in the coming weeks and months.

What have you discovered outdoors in recent weeks? Email or mail your photos to us (see below for addresses). If we print your photo, we’ll give you a free subscription.

Our shovels, boots, coats, gloves and hats are still at the ready. Yours are, too--right?