Bear Lake Bar Closes its Doors

The Bear Lake Bar serves its last drinks tonight. After 35 years of operation, owner Dave Long is retiring. 

The announcement came as a surprise to most, either through word of mouth over the last few days or via the bar's Facebook page. Long says the time had come for him to retire, since taking over the business from his father in 1977. He plans to continue his second job with the post office. 

The bar will be listed for sale in January, and Long says he wouldn't be surprised to see the Bear Lake Bar re-open in the spring, under new ownership.

Cadillac Girl Found

Update:  12/26/12, 3:43pm

Michaela Dawn Smith was found two days ago, safe and sound, when she turned herself in at a downstate hospital.  "It was a Christmas Eve miracle," said her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, earlier today.  She's currently being cared for at the Midland County Juvenile Detention Center.  Her mother said that court proceedings, about two weeks from now, will determine the next steps.

Posted 11/28/12, 4:10pm

The family of Michaela Dawn Smith Springberg quietly celebrated Thanksgiving last week, but is saving much of their gratitude for the return of the missing teenager.  "All we want is to have her come home and get her life straight," said Carl Hawkins, her great-uncle and a resident of Bear Lake.  "With her good grades, she can get her first two years in college in Traverse for free.  She's as smart as a whip."

The 15-year old was last seen in Grand Rapids two weeks ago.  Two of her friends, apparently along for a joyride in her aunt's car, decided their part in the adventure was over.  A few days after taking off with her, one of them needed medications and he was dropped off at a hospital.  The other friend didn't want to get into any further trouble, said Hawkins.  Springberg was driving a dark blue, 1997 Geo Prizm, described as having shiny silver rims and license plate BUD 0116.

Her destination is unknown.  At first, it was thought she was headed to Detroit or Dearborn.  Her mother, Patty Jo Springberg, said that Michaela's female friend told officers that it was actually Flint or Lansing.  "Maybe to see a boy there," said Patty Jo.

Patty Jo is hoping to have more help from local authorities after much frustration and few calls returned.  "I talk to the receptionist 90-percent of the time," she said.  "They say 'we'll look into that,' but I don't get a response back."  Calls to the Cadillac City Police Department and the Wexford County Sheriff's Office requesting comment was not immediately returned.  A Wexford County judge recently questioned one of the girl's traveling companions, but didn't discover anything new.

Her mother doesn't know why Michaela ran away this time, but describes it as a chronic problem over the last two years.  "She's run away from me 6 or 7 times," and also from foster care homes, she said.  A few instances have landed her in jail.  "She's told me that she has an urge to do something wrong every two or three months."  While Patty Jo has inquired about mental health screenings for her daughter, complications with the courts and Michaela's own resistance have blocked that.  Patty Jo blamed past relationships for causing turmoil at home, but said she's living on her own now and ready to welcome her daughter back.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Wexford County Sheriff Department (231) 779-9211
or Patty Jo Springberg at (231) 920-1143.

Holiday Programming & Schedule

Do you have a special holiday greeting for someone, or would you like to send wishes for a Happy New Year?

We can help, whether you're in Bear Lake or not. Call the Three Pines Gander, record your message, and keep us tuned in throughout the holidays to hear your message. Just call (231) 794-2374. That's (231) 794-2374.

TPG RADIO SCHEDULE

5am World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

6am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

7am Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

1pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

2pm Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

3pm Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

9pm Blues Music - Sponsored by Luxe Redux

11pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

12am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

1am Holiday Programming - Sponsored by the Bear Lake Lions

Progress on Electrical and Landline Phone Restoration

Update:  1:35pm, 12/23/12
Power's back on at Three Pines Rd. One of the Consumers Energy technicians said "We're closing in on 'er." Earlier this morning, about 3,500 homes lacked power statewide, 1,600 in Benzie & Manistee counties and 300 on the north side of Bear Lake. vhh # # #

Update:  12:35pm, 12/23/12
Consumers Energy workers arrived at the north shore of Bear Lake 15 minutes ago. They predict power back on here within an hour, once they complete theirinspection of the lines.

Update:  2:30am, 12/22/12
Landline phone service through CenturyLink is gradually returning. as technicians swap generators between areas with newly-restored power and those stillwithout. Glovers Lake Rd. received such help early on Saturday; Three Pines Rd. around 9pm. vhh # # #

Note on Radio Service

Our new, experimental radio service may not be available Sunday or Monday, due to the power outage.  We hope to get it back online as soon as possible.

Shelter Locations

From Kevin Bavers of the Red Cross:

Below is the latest sheltering information.  Please note, we have now set up a message on our chapter hotline 231-947-7286 ext 55 so that callers can ascertain the most up to date sheltering information.

Thank you for helping us inform our community where they can get the help they need.

Update:

Storm Relief Sheltering in NW Mich. - The Red Cross is on the scene in Northwest Michigan standing by to help those affected by the recent winter storm. With thousands still without power and freezing temperatures outside, the Red Cross and community partners are still staffing shelters in Benzie County.

The following are currently open community shelters.

OPEN SHELTERS:

Fresh Wind Christian Community Center

9780 Honor Hwy

Honor, MI 49640

CURRENT STATUS: Open ­- open overnight shelter if need continues

The Maples Medical Center

210 Maple Ave

Frankfort, MI 49635

CURRENT STATUS: Open ­- open overnight shelter if need continues

For the most up to date sheltering info please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arcnwmi or call our office hotline at 231-947-7286 ext 55.

Remaining Power Restoration Predicted for Late Christmas Eve

Update:  12/22/12, 3:55pm

Consumers Energy reports scattered outages, mostly west of US-31, including the north shore of Bear Lake, the Hopkins Forest Dr. area of the south shore, a stretch of Bear Lake Township along Milarch Rd., bounded by South Shore Dr. on the north side of the affected area and just south of 9 Mile Rd. on the south side of the affected area.  Much of Arcadia, the north side of Portage Lake in Onekama and homes along US-31, between 8 Miles Rd. and Coates Hwy.  The section of Glovers Lake Rd., east of US-31 near Springdale Township, also appears to have continuing outages.

A few scattered outages in Benzie County persist, most notably about 900 customers in Blaine and Gilmore Townships, and including portions of Benzonia along M-115.

Emily Votruba of the Elberta Alert reported that as of mid-afternoon, Stapleton's (US-31 & M-115) was open and pumping gas, that the Maples and FreshWinds church in Frankfort offered heat.

Hear more information about Benzie County conditions from Emily Votruba here:

Cherryland Electric reports a total of about 250 households still without power in its Brethren, Thompsonville and Copemish substation areas.

Chip Kragt, Red Cross Regional Emergency Service Director for West Michigan, says that Little River Casino Resort is now available as a warming shelter.  Earlier this afternoon, he reported that no one had yet arrived to take advantage of the service.  He said that other shelters would be set up on an as-needed basis, based on the calls they receive and the locations that need shelters.  He recommended calling the Muskegon office of the Red Cross at (231) 726-3555.

This morning, CenturyLink reported a restoration time of Wed. Dec. 26 for its landline customers.  During the March 2 storm and during the windstorm of 2011, CenturyLink technicians set up generators to power the phone lines, but such arrangements do not appear to currently be in place.  

12/21/12, 3:00am

The longest night of the year is stretching into the longest weekend, for some. By 1am, early Saturday morning, Consumers Energy had pushed back its 4pm Sat. restoration time to 10:30pm Monday.

Pleasanton Township vacationers arrived for an extended Christmas holiday but found the only festive lights were those across the lake at "Sparkle in thePark." The Red Cross worked to set up a second shelter in Manistee County.

The first, at Safe Harbor on 8th St. near US-31 in Manistee, offered meals and overnight stays on Friday. Plows did not reach some northern county roadsuntil 8:30pm, however, making a 25 mile trip (and driveway departures) impossible.

The second shelter is being planned at Little River Casino Resort, said a Red Cross staffer early Saturday morning, but could not predict an opening time. While snow totals appear to be about half that of the March 2 storm, power and phone restoration may still be days away. vhh # # #

Landline phone service appears to be down at our location. We can be reached on the cell phone: (231) 970-1148

The Maples asks that one call ahead to check space availability (352-9674). As of 7pm, some parts of Benzonia have intermittent power. vhh # # #

Consumers Energy estimates up to 12 hours until power restoration and reports thousands without, as 4.5-6.5 inches of wet, heavy snow have fallen. vhh ###

Workers' Union Legislation Draws Crowd to Lansing

(Photo:  Gretchen Whitmer)

Update:  12/18/12

Governor Snyder signed the bills into law on the same day they were passed by the legislature.  Here's his video message, recorded the next day (12/12/12):



Capitol coverage of labor legislation

Lansing State Journal:  Michigan's labor legacy takes a hit: Right to work signed into law

Detroit News:  Right-to-work laws may cut wages, boost jobs, or both

Capitol coverage of other year-end legislation

Lansing State Journal:  Michigan Legislature goes until 4:30 a.m, passes abortion, emergency manager, gun, personal property tax bills

Detroit News:  Lame-duck push ripped


Update:  2:09pm, 12/11/12

From WLNS' Rob South:  "Senate Bill 116 has passed the house, 58-52. Now on its way to the Governor for signing."

Update:  12:36pm, 12/11/12

WLNS reports:  "The Michigan House of Representatives has passed one of two "Right To Work" bills. House Bill 4003 passed by a vote of 58-51. That's the bill that deals with public employee unions."

Original post:  11:59am, Tues. Dec. 11, 2012

This is the scene from outside the State Capitol in Lansing, where the legislature is considering bills known as "Right to Work" legislation. 

Photo originally posted by Gretchen Whitmer on Facebook, and reposted by WLNS' Rob South.  South reports that 2,500 people are inside the building, and 10,000 are outside. outside

Live coverage via WLNS' website here: http://www.wlns.com/story/20314363/the-right-to-work-debate-live-blog

Watch deliberation by the State House of Representatives here (video stream):  http://mhrwms.house.mi.gov/session

Listen to the same here (audio stream):  http://mhrwms.house.mi.gov/audio

State-level Changes to Public Education?

From our colleague at the Elberta Alert:

Gov Watch: Bills to Take the Public Out of Michigan Education?

by Emily Votruba

State legislators may soon vote on a set of bills that would make sweeping “emergency manager”–style changes to state public education, while making it easier to establish private and charter schools. 

Full story at:  http://elbertaalert.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/gov-watch-bills-to-take-the-public-out-of-michigan-education/

(Bear Lake and Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools superintendent Mike Matesich was not immediately available for comment. -Eds.)

Found - Grey Cat

Grey cat found on the north shore of Bear Lake (Three Pines Rd.).  Found Saturday night (11/10/2012).  No distinctive markings are obvious - somewhat thin, but appears to be in good health.  Unsure of gender at the moment, but very tame and generally interested in staying put.  Allows petting and picking up, but meows (medium tone) in protest when moved.  Shelter, food and water are currently being provided.  

Is this your cat, or do you know who it might belong to?

(231) 864-3323

Dismantling of WMTE-FM (Kool 101.5 FM)?

Is Manistee's Kool 101.5 (WMTE-FM) being dismantled? 

There are unconfirmed reports that the antennas, that permit the station to broadcast its signal widely, have been removed from the studio site and the transmitter/tower site. While a low-power transmitter is allegedly at the 52 Greenbush St. studio site, keeping the station on the air, the signal does sound considerably weaker from locations in the Bear Lake area and in some parts of the City of Manistee. 

Also, a notice filed with the FCC about six weeks ago appears to indicate that the Greenbush St. studio will not be used for broadcasting in the future. Instead, the station's signal will originate from Ludington, at 5399 W. Wallace Ln. That's the location of Synergy Broadcast headquarters, which took over management of the station in June. Synergy also took control of Lake Michigan Broadcasting's other stations at the same time: WKLA-FM 106.3 Ludington and WKZC-FM, "Z95," Ludington.

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=35984

As of Monday night, Synergy Broadcast could not be reached for comment.

Here are the winners of the 2012 Home Decorating Contest!

Our FIRST PLACE winner, winning $100 from the Blue Hare Magic Company, it’s Joan Kolk at 486 4th. St. in Manistee! Joan used as much space as she had, with a weird character hanging down, down, down and a line of pumpkins stretching across her yard. Each pumpkin has a different face – did that one just wink an eye? Lights accented vario

us points of her display, including a decorated tree and torches. The centerpiece is her cobweb-infested cemetery!

In SECOND PLACE, winning gift certificates from Wahr Hardware and Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe, it's Renee & Chris Myers at 1424 Timber Ridge in Manistee. Renee and her family showed great imagination and created unsettling effects! Their message: be careful when you send text messages! A witch has learned this lesson the hard way, and silhouettes across the garage doors seem life-like. Plus, several lineups of gourds and their decorated front door are on hand to greet you.

We have a Special Merit award for another Halloween Haunt that doesn’t quite qualify for the contest. The Arlt & Edel home at 196 East Hoague Rd. in Freesoil is located just over the border, in Mason County. But they have decorated their yard to the hilt, with hanging skeletons, bats flying overhead, ghouls emerging from their graves and more spooks that you can imagine. The Gatekeeper has a special gift basket for the family, in recognition of their efforts!

Plus three honorable mentions: the Welch family at 2300 Filer City Rd. in Filer Township was our big winner in 2010. It's only fair for them to step aside for one more year, but they're back with a full graveyard (read the inscriptions out loud), cavorting goblins and much more. They always decorate just for the fun of it. Visit them after the Filer Township Halloween Parade to see the family get into the act! Great job!

Also, the residence of Dan and Cindy Zatarga at 6542 Railroad Ave. in Bear Lake. Dan and Cindy have a scarecrow gathering (are they drinking moonshine?), pumpkin-face planters and a meddlesome spider. She’s tipped over the wheelbarrow! A great display to see during the daytime. Again, Dan and Cindy Zatarga for third place.

And last but not least, John and Laura Kaser at 605 Browning Ave. in Manistee. Big black cats, dancing creatures in the windows, spooky ghosts and Dracula opening his coffin (from inside)! They’re past winners of the contest and now committee members for Macabre Manistee County, so it’s really not fair to let them win. Not that John didn’t try to influence the outcome. Thanks for the case of Flintstones vitamins, John!

Pictures coming soon! Thanks to all for taking part in the fun!

2012 Home Decorating Contest

The Three Pines Gander and Macabre Manistee County present the 2012 Home Decorating Contest!

Deadline Extended!

Enter your Manistee County home in our contest and win a great prize!  You could win $100 in cash from the Blue Hare Magic Company, a $25 gift certificate from Wahr Hardware or a $20 gift certificate from Northern Spirits Gift Shoppe!  

Two categories to choose from:  Halloween Haunt & Autumn Harvest

Once your home is decorated, just let us know by Friday, October 19 Friday, October 26.  Winners will be announced Monday, October 29 at ThreePinesGander.com.

Two ways to enter:

• Download, complete and return the entry form by mail
  (ignore previous deadline information on form)

• Email your name, address, phone number and tell us which category (choose one only) you'd like to enter.  Plus, let us know if your home is best viewed during the daytime or evening.  Send email to MMCgatekeeper@gmail.com.

Do you have a neighbor whose home should be considered?  Just let us know!  

Judging will occur October 26-29.  Judges will consider originality, creative use of materials and presentation. By entering the contest, you grant Macabre Manistee County and the Three Pines Gander permission to use photographs of your decorated home for current and future publicity purposes.

Round 2 of Lakes to Land Tonight

Tonight, there will be another discussion about the latest joint planning effort in the Bear Lake area.  The meeting will be held at 6:30pm at Bear Lake School.

Click here to read our previous story about the Lakes to Land project.

Pleasanton Township Board - July 9, 2012 Meeting

An audio recording of the meeting can be heard below. [We'll have an article about the meeting within a few days.--Eds]

Results - Pleasanton Township Primary Election

Late last night, the Manistee County Clerk's office released unofficial results, with all 23 precincts reporting. 

Pleasanton offices and local/county-wide proposal results are below:

Pleasanton Township Supervisor 

CANDIDATE                   PARTY                VOTES

DAVID MCNEILLY          REPUBLICAN             84

CAROL MERRILL           REPUBLICAN            106
(TOTAL 190)

Township Clerk

AMY CROSS                 REPUBLICAN             152

Township Treasurer

JUDY GIRVEN                REPUBLICAN              167

Township Trustee

DAVID E. ERTEL              REPUBLICAN             122

KIT C. POTTER                 REPUBLICAN              104

ROCHELLE ROLLENHAGEN   DEMOCRAT           11
(TOTAL 237)

FIRE MILLAGE RENEWAL

YES   139
NO      28
(TOTAL 167)

Manistee Co Conservation District Millage Proposal

YES  1907
NO    2144
(TOTAL 4051)

Results of other races and proposals in Manistee County are available here:  http://www.manisteecountymi.gov/electionreturns/man000.htm

Pleasanton Township Primary Election Candidates

The candidate yard signs have been in place for weeks, and today, even robo-calls for at least one Pleasanton candidate were being made.  How much importance does the primary election have for Pleasanton Township - and how much information does one have to make a decision?

First, the basics.  The candidates for Pleasanton Township offices are:


Township Supervisor

David McNeilly - Republican Party

Carol Merrill - Republican Party

Township Clerk

Amy Cross - Republican Party

Township Treasurer 

Judy Girven - Republican Party

Township Trustee

Vote for not more than 2 candidates

David E. Ertel - Republican Party

Kit C. Potter - Republican Party

Vote for not more than 2 candidates

Rochelle Rollenhagen - Democratic Party

The Republican Precinct Delegate (up to 4 allowed) is Art Sippola.  Up to 2 Democratic Precinct Delegates were allowed on the primary ballot, but none appeared on it.  Precinct delegates, also known as county convention delegates) commonly participate in their parties' election of officers at the local and statewide level.

As far as candidates go, only one question in Pleasanton will be decided by the August 7 primary election - that of the Republican nominee for township supervisor.  David McNeilly and Carol Merrill are each seeking the nomination.  The winner of that contest will either run unopposed to claim the seat, or face a candidate without a party affiliation in the November general election.

In the other township races (treasurer, clerk and trustees), the candidates for the primary election don't face opposition within their own parties.  As there are two open trustee seats, both Republican trustee candidates (Dave Ertel and Kit Potter) will advance to the general election, as will the single Democratic trustee candidate (Rochelle Rollenhagen).  In November, voters will then have to choose two of the three candidates.

As with the supervisor office, additional, new candidates (without party affiliation) could appear on the November ballot if they filed by the July 19 deadline.

The Three Pines Gander asked all candidates the following questions:

1. Why are you seeking the office of (Trustee/Treasurer/Clerk/Supervisor) in Pleasanton Township? 

2.  What previous experience in government do you have?  What relevant business experience do you have?  What is your occupation (or what occupation have you retired from)?  What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

3.  What are the two most urgent issues facing Pleasanton Township, in your opinion?  If elected to the position that you're seeking, how would you use your position to address those two issues?

4.  Your position may require reading a variety of ordinances, proposed legislation, minutes, correspondence and financial statements.  How many hours per week are you willing to spend on reading and research, outside of meetings?

5.  What are your hobbies?  What sorts of leisure activities do you pursue?

Two candidates responded to the questionnaire.  Their responses are supplied, as written, below.

David McNeilly

Background:

17 years in Public Education-Teacher-High School Principal- Superintendent

23 years State Farm Insurance agent serving Benzie and Manistee Area

6 years Manistee County Commissioner

4 years Pleasanton Township Trustee

            Served on the Board of Review and the Planning Commission

Why am I running?

I am running because Pleasanton Township needs a positive constructive, cooperative approach: one that encourages input and unites the Community.

What can I bring to the position?

I bring Experience and Integrity.

Most Important issue:

            Uniting the Community as Pleasanton Township addresses issues as they arise.

Dave Ertel

1.  To ensure that the Township Government treats all residents with respect and that all business brought before the Township Board is acted upon in the best manner for the resident's health, safety, welfare and also in a positive way to benefit the Township.

2.  I have served the last four years as a Trustee for Pleasanton Township.  My business background was in the machine tool industry in sales and purchasing.  I spent 27 years with Cincinnati Milacron which was the worlds largest machine tool company as a Senior Sales Project Engineer and 10 years as Materials Control Manager for Goldcrown Machinery a leading supplier of industrial grinding machines.  I graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an Associates Degree in Industrial Management.  I retired in 2006.

3.  The Townships Master Plan and Wind Energy ordinance are the two most urgent issues facing Pleasanton Township at the moment.  As the Master plan is a living document it is imperative that it contain sections that coincide with the Township's ordinances.  Therefore it needs to be brought up to date with a section dealing with all Natural Resources of which Wind Energy is a key part.  Once the Natural Resources section is finished then the Planning Commission can move forward with bringing the rest of the Master Plan up to date.  The Wind Energy ordinance needs to be completed in a manner that is fair to all residents, not just those with a special agenda.  It has been drug out far too long.  If re-elected I am going to push for the Township Board to give guidance to the Planning Commission to get both of these items completed in a timely manner.

4.  It is hard to estimate the time spent on Township business outside of Township meetings, however, over the last four years as a Trustee it would probably average about 20 hours a month.  This is not including attending other meetings, writing ordinances for the Township that I was requested to write by the Township Supervisor and other items.  Obviously, the real answer is how ever many hours it requires.

5.  My hobbies include Amateur Radio.  My wife and I both hold Extra Class licenses.  The other hobby I enjoy is fishing.  I am currently working with a friend designing and building fishing lures.  I spend as much time as possible on the lake fishing.


Carol Merrill sent the following response via email:

I have reconsidered answering your questioneer about running for office.  I explained in detail how my husband was related to Tony Merrill and instead of stating that you took a little piece of what I said and put it on your web page, so I have choosen not answer your questions but instead have sent my response to the News Advocate for their publication.

(Note:  The Three Pines Gander responded to Ms. Merrill's concern about how it reported her relationship to former Supervisor Tony Merrill.  We updated our June 27 story by changing our description of the relationship, to reflect Ms. Merrill's verbal comments.  We also added additional details at the end of the story.  After receiving her response, above, we invited her to supply us with her own description that best summarizes the family relationship, and to print the clarification verbatim.  We also welcomed her to submit her questionnaire responses if she so chose.  We did not receive a response to either offer.  --Eds.)

All candidates that appear on the November ballot will be invited by the Three Pines Gander to answer another questionnaire.

In addition to the political candidates, there is a millage proposal for Pleasanton Township, which is:

FIRE MILLAGE RENEWAL
Shall the previously established constitutional limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and personal property in Pleasanton Township be renewed so that the Township Board of Trustees is authorized to levy the amount previously authorized which, as reduced by required millage rollbacks, is currently 0.47860 mills ($0.4786 per $1,000 of the taxable value of such property) for a period of 4 years beginning with 2012 and running through the year 2015, inclusive, for the purpose of providing fire protection services in the township?

Said millage would generate estimated revenues of $22,372.80 in the first year.

The proposed millage is a renewal of a previously authorized millage.

YES 

NO

Complete election information, including candidates and proposals at the county, state and federal levels, can be found here:  https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

Guy in the Sky (Friday, August 3, 2012)

At 11pm, did you know where your Guy was? Two and a half hours later, the story can be told.

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 27, 2012)

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 27, 2012)

Still no sign of Guy.  Shore Thing Hospital assures us that he is not in any of its patient rooms, its ER or in the main lobby reading a magazine.

We activated his phone remotely and found the following images:

We will keep trying to contact him in order to provide you with weather and area events.  In the meantime, please consider the items below.

CURRENT WEATHER

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/apx/ 

EVENT LISTING

Complete calendar available at:  http://www.visitmanisteecounty.com/

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 20, 2012)

Updated:  Saturday, July 21, 2012


I couldn't get ahold of Guy yesterday.  Look what came in today's mail!

Public Hearing at Lake Improvement Board

The Lake Improvement Board (LIB) of Bear Lake wants to hear from the public tomorrow night, as it starts to decide its budget for the next five years.  According to a letter sent out to those within the Special Assessment District, "the purpose of the hearing will be to review the special assessment roll for the purpose of maintaining the existing lake improvement project, and hear any objections."  Only those within the Special Assessment District pay for current Eurasian water milfoil treatment and, potentially other invasive aquatic species and related expenses.  The relevant properties have frontage on Bear Lake or access to it.

The letter also says that "the maximum amount of the Special Assessment will be determined at the July 19 hearing and may exceed the maximum amount of the Special Assessment levied in previous years."  It is not clear from the letter how much additional funding allowance the LIB is seeking or contemplating.

The hearing will take place at the offices of the Manistee County Road Commission, which is located at 8946 Chippewa Highway, on the corner of US-31 and Nine Mile Road, just south of Bear Lake.  The hearing starts at 7pm.  Those who cannot attend are asked to send questions or comments to:  Lake Improvement Board of Bear Lake, 13171 Hopkins Forest Drive, Bear Lake, MI  49614

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 13, 2012)

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 13, 2012)

North Shore column archive

North Shore (column archive)

by Jeanne Crampton

Wed., July 11, 2012

Hey - what are we going to do about the foul-mouthed, elected women who use words in public like "vagina" and "vasectomy?" Restrict their ability to speak, according to the Republican-led, Michigan House of Representatives. Can't lower our standards, although probably 50% of House members use the "F" word at least once a week. Back in the 70s, when my daughters were approaching the age when sex reared its head, we were constantly adjured, as parents, to learn the proper nouns for body parts. We were even given lists of proper usage, just in case our upbringing hadn't been inclusive of the desired language. Seems like the Dark Ages are rolling around again!

Don't forget to vote in the primary election on August 7! Because the Manistee County Conservation District (in existence for 70 years) lost its state funding 4 years ago, a small, dedicated, millage for their use will be on the ballot, to expire in 5 years. The amount is 8 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, or about $4-10 per year, depending on the property value. Manistee County is green today, because of reforestation programs back in the 30s and 40s that were implemented greatly through the seedling sales by the Conservation District. Please vote "yes" on the millage!

Mon., May 28, 2012

And here's Jeanne:

Home again, home again! Left Baja on April 24, stopped in Yuma, no trouble at the border. No trouble going or coming - the "bad" people just aren't in the Baja. Too bad the U.S. media can't distinguish between mainland Mexico and the Baja peninsula.

Recuperated at San Filipe from open-heart surgery February 14 to April 24, did a lot of walking as prescribed by Mayo Clinic and read a lot of trashy books. The cats (Gracie and Cookie) and I slept in a number of truck stops on the way home, now that we travel in the Road Trek, a 1988 Dodge AMC 250 van, a self-contained RV.

We spent one night in a motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when weather looked "tornado-ish." Also spent nights in Joplin, Missouri welcome station and Arizona rest stops. However, in the Michigan welcome station, I was threatened with a ticket if I spent the night! I could understand if we had dragged out a tent and started a fire. Another example of "don't ask, don't tell." From the outside, the van looks like a panel truck.

I was amused at the truck stops by the number of big, burly truck drivers walking their tiny dog companions. Cross-country driving is a lonely profession. I'm glad the truck folks have found soulmates to share their cabs.

Thurs., May 3, 2012

Jeanne is back home from her short trip to Baja and will have a few thoughts to share soon.

Fri., Feb 10, 2012

Jeanne has made it to Arizona in just over a week, after pausing for a new compressor in Whitehall and a stop in Highland, Illinois to visit family friends. At night, she's been nestled between tanker rigs (milk on one side, oil on the other). We'll let Jeanne tell you more soon in her own words.

Thurs., Feb. 2, 2012

This morning our North Shore columnist, Jeanne Crampton, roared off in her camper van, southbound. It’s Jeanne’s 20^thyear heading to Baja, Mexico. Here are a few excerpts from her annual letter. We’ll have some squibs over the coming weeks about 20 years of snowbirding, the true perils of Mexico and practical tips for dealing with out-of-town vehicle repairs. --Eds.

I have been writing this letter for the last 4 months, in one form or another, and the time has finally come to get something on paper before everyone thinks I am dead. As some of you know, the narrowing of my aortic valve finally caught up with me last spring and I had open heart surgery at Mayo Clinic on Oct . 7 for its replacement with a pig valve. I had been warned 10 years or so ago that it was coming, but I figured I’d be gone by the time it came to pass. Nada! Things went well and I have now recovered to a point where they say I’m good to go to Baja.

I'm hoping to get out of here by end of January. The trip down last year was messy. Windstar minivan motor conked out in Deming, N. Mexico, ended up renting a truck, going to Yumawith cargo and two cats. Bought a 1988 “Road Trek” (Dodge body) which did well until going home in April (new fuel pump, etc). Great fun!

I wasn’t feeling too great, and after checking in at Mayo, determined it was time for surgery. Managed to get shingles and respiratory infection before surgery, which delayed things. (I’d sure suggest the shingles vaccine for everyone of proper age.)

Cookie and Gracie are still my [feline] companions, not exactly bosom buddies, but they tolerate each other.

The Lake is frozen over, we have no snow, it’s time to go. Hope this finds you all well. At 81, I just hope I live long enough to make this heart surgery worth it!

All my best in 2012. I’ll be curious to see if the Mayans were right.

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 6, 2012)

Guy in the Sky (Friday, July 6, 2012)

Marilla Museum Strawberry Social

Saturday, June 30th from 2-4pm. Homemade ice cream, local strawberries, homemade shortbread, coffee, tea, and of course, the museums will be open for touring! Located at 9991 Marilla Rd. (just north of the intersection with 9 Mile Rd.) in northeastern Manistee County.  $6 suggested donation (but any size donation gladly accepted).

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Pleasanton's New Supervisor Prompts New Questions

First posted:  5:50pm, 6/27/12 
Updated:  11:20pm, 7/11/12 (see below)

Just over two weeks ago, Pleasanton Township Supervisor Tony Merrill announced his resignation. His distant cousin by marriage, and current Pleasanton Assessor Carol Merrill, was quickly appointed by the township board to fill the remainder of his term at its Tuesday, June 12 meeting. But the board's action raises more questions than it settles, comes as voters start to examine candidates for the August primary, and follows several weeks of concerns about an illegal meeting. Carol Merrill and David McNeilly are both running as Republicans for the full term of the supervisor position.  

Tony Merrill wasn't planning to run for a second term.  By early May, he had decided that he'd had enough of the job, especially since it had increasingly put him in heated debate with Pleasanton trustee Bob Babcock.  Merrill told the Gander that he didn't want to be a "lightening rod" for Babcock.

Tony Merrill at the June 12 township board meeting

But it appeared to be a surprise to many that Tony Merrill stepped down before his term was over in November.  Everyone, that is, except for most others on the board:  trustee Dave Ertel, clerk Amy Cross and treasurer Judy Girven.  Babcock did not appear to know the announcement was coming.  A few minutes after 8pm, near the end of the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Planning Commission chair Bob Stafford.  After a moment's delay by Girven, Merrill then announced his own resignation, effective June 16, citing personal reasons and conflict between the position and family duties.  He suggested that Dave McNeilly and Carol Merrill be considered to replace him.    

Without any substantive discussion or mention by the board of other nominations for supervisor, Amy Cross moved to appoint candidate Carol Merrill for the rest of the term, with Ertel seconding the motion.  Babcock protested the swift action and asked for more time to deliberate.  Tony Merrill was the only one to respond, and suggested that Babcock's concern was an example of an unnecessary delay.  The two men then argued over whether the Planning Commission recently held an illegal meeting, which Babcock has charged.  

The Gander sought clarification of a point, but the supervisor refused to recognize this reporter and would not explain why.  This differed from statements earlier in the evening, when board members Ertel and Girven had suggested that the board was flexible in its rules and willing to hear from the public throughout the meeting, rather than restricting speaking to the public comment period at the start.  Ertel and Girven did not say anything, however, when this reporter's request was refused.  The township board then confirmed Carol Merrill as the new township supervisor, 4-1 with Babcock opposing.  

An audio clip of this portion of the meeting is below (duration 7:17), beginning with the board's acceptance of Stafford's resignation from the Planning Commission.         

Reports on the Planning Commission and the Lake Improvement Board were then given to the board by Babcock and LIB representative Jerry Stick, respectively, and the township board meeting ended at 8:17pm.

The questions, however, continue.  Although Babcock voiced concern three separate times about an illegal Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, May 24, the board showed no interest in investigating or discussing his claim.  Tony Merrill denied Babcock's claim, but the other board members did not speak on the matter.  It's not clear why.    

Babcock says that a special planning workshop was called on Tuesday, with notification by telephone on Tuesday, May 22.  Babcock says that the meeting started at 6pm after being called to order by Bob Stafford, with quorum present and consisting of Stafford, Babcock, Marv Peska.  Planning Commission secretary Bob Peterson, and at first, member Kris Kranz, were not there.  After some minor discussion of the commercial wind ordinance, including height restrictions for wind turbines, there was then discussion of whether the meeting had been posted properly, whether Amy Cross or Bob Peterson had that duty and whether there was an agenda for the meeting.  Babcock says he notified the board that he would not be part of an illegal meeting and departed, leaving only two members but not enough for quorum.  David McNeilly, who was present that night, claims that Kris Kranz arrived a moment later and entered the township hall, thus restoring quorum.  McNeilly says some more minor discussion continued about the lack of public posting of the meeting, and members decided to abandon the meeting at about 6:09pm.  

During the opening minutes of the June 12 township board meeting, McNeilly attempted to address the board with his May 24 Planning Commission observations.  Babcock had first brought charges of the illegal meeting as the board was considering its bills for the month.  Babcock inquired whether per diems would be issued for those who arrived at the township hall on May 24.  McNeilly's request to make a comment, however, was denied by Merrill, who shouted "no!"  Other board members did not express interest in hearing McNeilly's comment.

On separate occasions, Stafford, Merrill and Peska have said that while a quorum was present, it did not constitute an official meeting.      

The issue of selective allowance of public comment has grown since last fall, when the township board developed the habit of adding items to its meeting agenda in the middle of a meeting.  Frequently, a topic for the agenda was brought up suddenly and was handwritten in by one or more board members.  Common practice, even with Pleasanton's own Planning Commission, is to make the meeting's business clear, up front, by formal approval of the meeting's agenda, which includes an opportunity to modify it.  This notifies the public that changes are being made, so that the public would at least have a chance to comment on the upcoming business at hand.  

The township board has not followed this practice, and there were questions about that by this reporter and resident Todd Zalud at the start of the June 12 meeting.  Zalud asked if he could address the board when it came time for discussion of paving Alkire and Lumley Roads, or whether he should address it then.  It was then that Girven and Ertel, respectively, said that tradition allowed for flexibility in following the printed agenda and that the board would usually allow public comment while each item was being discussed.  "Within reason," added Merrill.  It was not made clear what rationale the board follows during this practice.  

Zalud came to express concerns about paving Alkire Road, which had been proposed by Tony Merrill at the board's May 14 meeting, along with paving Lumley Road.  Zalud asked for the board's reasoning for wanting to pave Alkire, inquired about the consequences of faster vehicle speeds for small children and brought up the impact of paving on landowners' property.  Paving typically requires that a road be widened, which can lead to the removal of trees, shrubs and other items.  Zalud said that his maple syrup harvesting could be affected if maple trees along Alkire Road were cut down.  

The board did not answer Zalud's questions then, or during the time they discussed paving.  Instead, the board discussed the high estimates for paving by the County Road Commission ($254,000 for Alkire and $270,000 for Lumley, with the township required to pay its matching share of $189,000 for the work).  The board agreed that it preferred a quote from Elmer's of Traverse City, $110-115,000 for Alkire Road, and Merrill suggested further negotiation with Road Commission director Jerry Peterson.  The board also took comment from Dave Adams, who suggested consideration of the Ron Brown & Sons company.

The board also discussed of the Lake Improvement Board.  Merrill expressed frustration with the state law that created the LIB, said that the LIB had presented its mission as strictly that of combating Eurasian water milfoil and charged that the LIB represented "taxation without representation."  Pleasanton Township does have its own representative on the board (currently Jerry Stick, previously Bryan Harris and Jack Sawka).  The board eventually rejected a resolution of support requested by the Lake Improvement Board, 3-2, with Ertel, Merrill and Cross voting to reject it, and Babcock and Girven dissenting.  Girven expressed general support for the LIB.  Both Girven and Babcock suggested waiting until receiving and reading a written opinion on the matter by the township's attorney.  The opinion, requested by the board at its April meeting, was apparently received by Merrill earlier in the day but it had not yet been furnished to the rest of the board.

Other business before the board included brief discussion on the awarding of a $30,000 grant from the Manistee County Revenue Sharing Board, for township hall roof replacement and related bids, resuming work on a noise ordinance, discussion of spraying for weeds at the Pleasanton cemetery and the hiring of a new sexton for the cemetery.

Below is a partial recording of the meeting (duration 40:31).  It starts about half an hour into the meeting, as quotes for road paving work were discussed and continues until the meeting's end.

A previous version of this story described Carol Merrill as the cousin of Tony Merrill.  This description was provided by Mr. Merrill when Ms. Merrill was appointed township assessor.  Ms. Merrill recently clarified their relationship to the Three Pines Gander and described it as "about 15 times removed.".