Art & Theater Workshops at Ramsdell to Start June 20

The Ramsdell has announced two youth workshops.  Each workshop runs for the week of June 20-24.  Please see below for details.  -Eds.


Manistee, MI, June 8, 2016 – The newly formed Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is excited to announce two new workshops for children and young adults this June 20 thru 24 at the Ramsdell. Art Around the World with Mrs. Wahr and Theatre Survival Skills! are week long activities designed to enrich participants in the visual and performing arts through skill and confidence building.

Art Around the World with Mrs. Wahr is designed for 10 to 12 years old and will explore art from China, Mexico and Australia. Having lived and traveled these worlds, Mrs. Wahr will share with students what’s unique about each of the cultures and their art. Students will then have the opportunity to create their own versions of art from these cultures. All materials are included in the workshop fee of $30. The workshop is scheduled for Monday thru Friday, June 20 – 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ramsdell.

Mrs. Wahr was awarded her Masters of Art Education from Kendall College in Grand Rapids, the thrust of her studies was to become an artist who could teach. This was life changing for Wahr and has resulted in a unique art style that has been shown throughout the United States. Mrs. Wahr is passionate about art and sharing with others through both her work and teaching.

Many would love to flex their dramatic muscles and join in a theatrical production, but lack the confidence or polish to give it a shot. Anesa Beilfuss’ workshop, Theatre Survival Skills!, would be the perfect antidote. Designed for students, ages 11 through 18, Beilfuss combines the instruction of playwriting, monologue performance, improvisation, vocal skills, and much more in an intensive fun-packed week. This workshop is perfect for those who wish to build their confidence or to simply improve their skills. Theatre Survival Skills! is scheduled Monday through Friday, June 20 to 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ramsdell. The cost is $65.00 per person.

Anesa Beilfuss, owner and artistic director of the Improvika Acting Company, is a skilled and passionate actress, director, musician, writer, and visual artist. She trained in visual art and musical theatre at Western Michigan University and Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. After moving back to Ludington in 2011, she founded the Improvika Acting Company and began teaching students. Today, her company has grown and she has now taught theatre and music to hundreds of students in Ludington, Scottville, Custer, Pentwater, Hart, Whitehall and Manistee.

More information and reservations for these workshops are available by contacting Michael Terry at (231) 398-9770 and by email at MTerry@Manisteemi.gov. Payment for workshops will be due first day of class.

Audio Companion - Sparkle in the Park 2015

With a mobile phone or tablet, you can hear a companion audio presentation while viewing Sparkle in the Park.  

The audio presentation is hosted by Aporee.org, which presents soundscapes from around the world.  

This miniature soundscape, created by the Three Pines Gander especially for Sparkle in the Park, is available for free through the "Miniatures for Mobiles" (MFM) app.  

For best, results, set up the app before you arrive at Sparkle in the Park.  Or pull into a parking lot and do it safely from there.  Make sure you're connected to the internet via WiFi or data connection. The complete process takes about 5 minutes.  

1. Download the free Miniatures for Mobiles app. 

Download from this page, or search for "aporee miniatures" from your device's app store.

Three versions to choose from:

Current Android version (for v. 4.0 and higher)

Google Play Store:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.aporee.mfm

or directly from the web:  http://aporee.org/mfm/dist/mfm.apk

Basic Android version (for v. lower than 4.0)

Google Play Store:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aporee.radio&hl=en

Basic iOs (iPhone) version

iTunes Store:  https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/radio-aporee/id640921893?mt=8

2.  Open the MFM app on your device, by clicking the icon.

3.  Find "Sparkle in the Park" in the list, and click on it.

4.  Click on the main Synch button (to set it up, before you click Play).
This will allow you to synchronize the set of sound and map files to your device.  (Afterwards, you can leave your WiFi connection and turn off your Data, and it will still work!)

5.  First, download the sound files.  From the main Synchronize menu, click Sync Files.  You'll see a list of files in red.  Click Sync - when it's done, the file names will turn green!  When done, click on the Back button (this will take you back to the main Synchronize menu).

6.  Next, download the map.  From the main Synchronize menu, click Synch Map.  


This will let you watch your progress as you move through Sparkle in the Park.

You'll see a street map - click Sync.  When done, click on the Back button (to go back to main Synchronize page).  Click Back once more (to go back to the main Sparkle in the Park page).

7.  Click Play!  

Travel through Sparkle in the Park and listen (make sure the volume is up).  Enjoy!

Note:  Make sure the red crosshairs symbol shows, after you click Play.  If not, make sure your device's "Location" setting is on. If the crosshairs don't appear, restart the app (don't worry, you won't have to Synch the files again).

Tips:

As you move through Sparkle in the Park, different people from Bear Lake and Manistee County will tell stories.  The red dots on the map show you where the stories are located. 

If you move too fast, one speaker might interrupt another speaker.  That's okay.  Just slow down or stop (traffic permitting) or walk through on foot.  Stop in order to hear the whole story.  Or continue on to hear the next one.  If you return to an unfinished story, it will continue where it left off.  Go through again to repeat the stories.   

Those without mobile devices can also enjoy the Christmas stories.

From a laptop or desktop computer, visit the following website:  http://aporee.org/mfm/web/

Find "Sparkle in the Park," click on it, and then click "Play."  Click on each red dot to hear a story! 

Sparkle in the Park opens Sat., Nov. 28 at 5pm with warm food and beverages, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus from 6:30-8pm. Sparkle in the Park continues through Dec. 31 from 5-10pm. 
Event flyer is here:  http://www.bearlakepromoters.org/uploads/3/9/4/6/39464839/sparkle_flyer.pdf  

Mice, Men, Magic & Metallurgy

It was supposed to be a day of unveiling.  After almost a year of design work and fabrication, Robert Ramirez planned to debut his metal sculpture at tonight's Celebrate Kaleva festivities (6pm, at the Sculpture Walkway, on Walta St. across from the Kaleva Tavern; in case of rain, visit the Kaleva Roadside Village Park, on 9 Mile Rd., near Puisto St.).

The evening program will go on - it includes music, a ceremony recognizing two prominent citizens, readings from the Kalevala (Kaleva's namesake epic poem) and a 75-year re-dedication of the 1940s' murals.

But the sculpture has been delayed at the shipyard, so to speak, intentionally held back because of unexpected challenges facing Ramirez.  He was commissioned last fall to replicate the ship of Väinämöinen, the Kalevala's ancient shaman-bard.  The ship is the scene of a battle between rival forces over possession of the Sampo, a mysterious, mechanical cornucopia that churns out whatever its holder desires.

Unfortunately, Ramirez doesn't have the benefit of his own Sampo.  His medium - recycled coat hangers - involves the laborious preparation and assembly of materials using no tools but a pair of wire cutters. When finished, his ship sculpture will span about 9 feet in length, each wire hanger straightened by hand before any other work takes place.  

Ramirez has been building similar structures for 25 years, largely within the time allowed by his work in the landscape and irrigation business.  He noticed the popularity of grapevine wreaths while working in Traverse City and decided to try his hand at it.  For the sake of durability, he used the 16-gauge steel wire typically used in coat hangers as an internal frame.  Eventually, admirers of his work signaled their interest in seeing what he could do with the metal alone.

Years later, with his work on display in 30 states and several countries, Ramirez has tackled almost every form imaginable:  firefighter helmets, helicopters and cartoon characters.  "Some of them are small enough that you can carry them around in your hand," he says.  He works at the other end of the spectrum, too.  One of his largest pieces was for the Traverse City Cherry Festival, which wanted a basket for its Cherry Queen festivities.  "It was 7 feet tall and took 8 men to lift it," says Ramirez.

This year, as he moved from the design phase to construction phase, he encountered a sea change in raw material availability.  Suddenly his free wire hangers were hard to come by.  "When I first started, uniform companies would reuse them a few times, then they let me have them," says Ramirez.  "I used to go to dry cleaners', too, but now they all recycle them, rather than give them away.  I went from paying nothing for them to paying 28 cents per hanger."

This enormous cost increase has greatly delayed his work. The hangers from which Ramirez is constructing his 9-foot ship now must be ordered by 500-lot cases, and he expects the final product to contain about 3,000 of them.  To make matters worse, this sudden addition to his materials budget came just as Ramirez and his wife were trying to cope with recent job losses and foreclosure proceedings.

The project itself has posed its own novel challenges.  Ramirez's traditional strategy uses an interior frame hidden by the external sculpture.  For the first time, this project has included a level of authenticity that allows the viewer to peer through the war ship without seeing an obvious support structure.  "It has a deck on top with a hull, but to stay realistic with this one, I had to make sure there was nothing in the middle," says Ramirez.  "It's so different than anything I've ever made."  After two prototypes twisted into figure-eights under their own weight, Ramirez finally solved the problem, but these design concerns - not to mention the re-bending of a lot of coat hangers - have taken more time than expected.

The mythical Sampo in the Kalevala story is an object of value because of its magic manufacturing ability.  Grain, salt and gold pour out of it without a drop of sweat expended by its holder.  Much of the Kalevala's story revolves around the jealousy triggered by this wonder, as well as the blacksmith Ilmarinen, who built the magical item.  His first efforts produced only tchotchkes, but the Four Winds helped him stoke his furnace to the higher temperatures needed to produce the Sampo.  Ramirez, however, will have to carry on without any mystical forces beyond the gift that creates his work, and his last box of hangers.  As the normal September winds pick up in strength, he plans to complete the sculpture. A new date for a dedication ceremony will be established soon.

Physician Ellen Herring Retires

(Image:  Crystal Lake Health Center)

One of Bear Lake's familiar faces won't be seen in the exam room any longer.  Ellen Herring, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) has just retired.  Yesterday was her last day.  Herring worked for Crystal Lake Clinic for 20 years, with the last decade spent full-time at the Bear Lake location.

Herring and her husband plan to visit family members throughout Michigan in the coming months.  Afterwards, they expect to travel to other states and winter at Merritt Island, Florida.  They will continue to maintain a home in Honor, near Rush Lake.

"I have been very happy taking care of all the wonderful patients in Bear Lake and the surrounding area," said Herring.  "We love Benzie and Manistee counties and will be out and about doing touristy things, such as art fairs, community plays, music in the parks, farm markets and everything else we can attend in the area."

Some patients were surprised to learn of the news.  Crystal Lake Clinic administration did not send out letters to her patients before her retirement.  A call to the main office in Benzonia was answered today by an unidentified receptionist.  It was not immediately clear how or when patients would be reassigned to another doctor, or how prescriptions would be issued in the meantime.  Questions on these topics were referred to office staff, away for the Memorial Day holiday but expected to return on Tuesday.    

Plan B submitted (Proposal 1)

We received this correspondence and offer it here, in its entirety.

Our previous coverage and list of resources, regarding Proposal 1 of 2015, can be found here.  -Eds.

TO THE EDITOR

Alternative to Proposition 1

Our Michigan legislators were elected to try to solve the State’s infrastructure and operational problems.  Instead, with Proposition 1, they have insidiously passed this duty onto the Michigan citizens.  By doing it this way, they have taken no responsibility for the outcome.  The word, to describe this type of action and failure to do what they were elected for, is cowardice.

We have been told that, if Proposition 1 fails to pass, there is no Plan B!  However, I have such a plan and I hope that serious consideration would be given to it by the citizens and the legislature.

Landfill Surcharge

I propose that a surcharge be added to every cubic yard of waste that is put into Michigan landfills.  According to the Michigan DEQ website, 2014 Landfill Report 47,043,458 cubic yards of waste were put into our landfills.  Of that amount 7,677,835 came from Canada and 2,971,300 from other States.  If, for example, a $1 surcharge were assessed to every cubic yard of waste, then over $47 million per year would be obtained for fixing our roads, public education system, etc.  Over 10 years this amounts to 47 billion dollars.  I strongly believe that this amount would be more than enough to solve all these problems without having to increase the Sales Tax or for that matter any other tax.

There are additional benefits to this land fill surcharge; (1) the incentive for Canada and other States to bring their trash to Michigan would be greatly reduced, if not eliminated (also heavy truck traffic on our roads would be reduced), (2)  there will be enough  money generated for the creation of a much-needed, state-wide, recycling program.

Glenn T. Lottie

Manistee County

Maple Fest at Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place

This is the sort of place that oozes history like sugar sap.  You truly have to go there and explore the dense museum in the basement of the community center, and to wander through the barns and houses.  We invite you to do so.

The Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place is at 9991 Marilla Rd., within Manistee County.

Google map here:

Website here:  http://www.hsmichigan.org/marilla/

Proposal 1 presentation (League of Women Voters, Kathy Ling)

Updated 4/19/15

This online presentation was produced in association with the League of Women Voters--Manistee County.  Special thanks to Nancy Behring.





One-page primer (mentioned in presentation):

Specific links regarding Proposal 1 of 2015 (mentioned in presentation):

Estimate of funding for local road commissions (MI Dept. of Transportation)
http://michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_BallotProposalDistLocals_481857_7.pdf

Detroit Free Press article (Paul Egan, March 2, 2015)
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/03/02/michigan-roads-proposal-1-sales-tax/24283535/

Other specifc links:
Ballotpedia.org's analysis of Prop. 1, including links to legislative text (i.e. the 10 bills that would go into effect, if passed)
http://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Sales_Tax_Increase_for_Transportation_Amendment,_Proposal_1_%28May_2015%29

General links (mentioned in presentation):

Voter registration - https://vote.michigan.gov/mvic

Voting location - http://www.michigan.gov/vote

LWVMI - http://www.lwvmi.org

LWV - http://www.vote411.org

MI House Fiscal Agency - http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa

MI Senate Fiscal Agency - http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa

Citizens Research Council - http://crcmich.org


Originally published 4/16/15

Our live broadcast from Manistee High School went fairly well.  It was our first attempt from a remote location. 

A partial recording of the broadcast, as heard online, can be heard right away, here:

http://mixlr.com/three-pines-gander/showreel/lwv-prop-1-presentation-april-15-2015/

A complete recording, along with the LWV's explanatory graphics, will be available on this website by this weekend.

The Return of Perfection

The recent series of cold snaps has triggered a run on electric space heaters, but their usefulness often ends during power failures.  After years of research and restoration, Jim Addington of Bear Lake has a solution--no generator required.

Addington has refurbished a number of Perfection Stoves, which combine the reliability of kerosene heaters with attractive design.  The technology is over 100 years old, but the aesthetics evolved well into the 1960s.  

The Perfection Stove Company began its life as a small enterprise in Cleveland, Ohio in 1888.  It hit its stride about 12 years later, when the company founders won the backing of John D. Rockefeller.  As the founder and owner of Standard Oil, Rockerfeller was interested in expanding the demand for kerosene, one of the products generated by his petroleum empire. 

Marketing explains at least half of the Perfection Stove's success.  When Standard Oil trucks came around for home kerosene delivery, Perfection Stoves dangled from the side of the trucks, ready for sale.  The Perfection product line developed in tandem with a growing population.  By the 1920s, over 8 million Perfection room heaters and kitchen appliances were used in American homes.  

Although the stove eventually fell out of fashion, it caught the eye of Jim Addington, who has a background in cultural preservation.  He found them both practical and charming--and discovered that many stoves still existed.  After researching their origins, he took up the task of cleaning, repainting and polishing.  Careful scouring of old barns and online merchants eventually led to his reassembly of Art Deco and even Victorian design models.  

Addington recommends their small size and portability for basement duty, to keep pipes from freezing.  While they were once a staple item in the family parlor, Addington says upscale accommodations aren't necessary.  "You can move it from the living room to the bedroom.  It helps thaw out old bones and encourage them towards movement."  A bulit-in handle allows the lightweight unit to be carried.   

Modern homes might be Perfection's greatest hurdle.  "These were used in many homes very safely for decades," said Addington.  "But many homes today are so tightly sealed up, that inadequate ventilation could pose a problem."  Addington even has a cure for that problem.  He's created a lighting component that permits the stove to simulate the warm glow of the heater.  "Some people even hold their hand over it.  They're fooled by the light." 

For older homes that breathe, in garages and other ventilated spaces, the antique stoves don't lose any significance from the new cosmetic addition--the decorative light can simply be lifted out, the burner inserted and the stove is ready to be lit for heating. 

Jim Addington's renewed Perfection Stoves are available for purchase at Niizh Makwa Traders on Lake Street/US-31, Bear Lake, (231) 864-1213.

Bear Lake, Kaleva Librarians Retire

Marcella Guinan

Today is the last day of work for two Manistee County librarians.

Marcella Guinan completes 25 years with the Keddie-Norconk Memorial Library in Bear Lake.  She began with the library before the current building was constructed.  She started in 1989, when the library was housed in the building at US-31 and Virginia St., which currently houses the Rolling Thunder military veterans service office.  

Carolyn Tennant is also retiring.  She's been the branch manager at the Kaleva branch for the last 14 years.

Expired Library Cards Surprise Patrons

Manistee County Library website

If you're having trouble using the library's e-services, such as Kindle downloads or patron-only web pages, you're not alone. This morning, many tried to log in and were told that their cards had expired. And that's true. Technically, everyone's library card expired today--but only temporarily.

Today is the first day of a new library card system. The new system is meant to help library staff get rid of old and outdated paper records, and also to make sure Manistee County residents are guaranteed access.

The new library card system, however, means starting over and re-verifying residency or property ownership status. That just means a brief visit to any branch location (with driver's license/state ID, and/or local tax bill, if ID shows a different county of permanent residence). 

Manistee County Library Facebook page

   

Anyone unable to visit a branch in person soon, but needing access, can call the main branch, at (231) 723-2519, to have services extended for an extra 2 weeks. 

Under a new policy approved in September, non-residents will be required to pay $45 per year for basic library checkout services (including books, movies, music, and computer terminal use). For electronic, off-site services (including eBooks), non-residents of Manistee County will have to pay an additional $30 per year.

The library had hoped to notify its patrons of the change sooner, and staff apologized for the sudden termination of accounts without more warning. They expected to have more details, published and more widely available, soon.

Public Poetry Comes to Downtown Bear Lake

Just a few months ago, the self-proclaimed Poet Laureate of Bear Lake attempted to convince Bear Lake residents to help celebrate his birthday.

Jason Wilder Evans was not in the area at the time (he lives in Washington, D.C.) but his internet postings, YouTube videos and formal request for recognition from the Bear Lake Village Council made it clear that virtual, even unconscious celebration would count.

Tomorrow, Evans will make an appearance in his hometown of Bear Lake, with an offering of poetry.  At 9am, he'll be at the gazebo public space directly off US-31, between the Lions Club building and the Village offices. 

We sent him some written questions about his poetry project.  His responses appear below.

1. You're appearing in Bear Lake this Saturday with an offering of poetry. What can people expect? Will you be reading your own work aloud? Apparently a typewriter is involved; will it only be a non-vocal display of yourself at work? 

Yes, I will be in the public commons of the Bear Lake Village Gazebo. Like most people that day, going about their day, typing on their mobile devices, perhaps patronizing a local establishment and drinking a cup of coffee, I too will be doing the same. My mobile device just happens to be larger than the Galaxy Note 4. I hold dear memories of the gazebo. I was there when it was built. I was one of the first to perform on it and would often bring my guitar and perform for those passing by. I enjoyed that place. That's why I choose to write there this time around. Perhaps write about the place and the people. Offer personalized poems with the suggestion of a topic? 

2. Outside at 9am - what are you thinking? Doesn't poetry belong in cafes at night? 

Saturday mornings, I used to wake up and sing Raffi's version of "Rise and Shine". Sometimes, I still do. That guy's a great performer - ya know? Back then I'd watch Saturday morning cartoons. GI Joe, Thundercats, Garfield, The Real Ghostbusters, Captain Kangaroo, Pee Wee's Playhouse. Not at the same time but in general. Then I'd go out and play. 

9 o'clock seems like an appropriate time to be out and about, enjoying the community. Is that too early? Does poetry only happen at night? I see people typing into their pocket gizmos all day. What are they writing? Should they wait till the wee hours of night too? In the appropriate context, it's all poetry. 

3. After growing up here and moving to D.C., you seem to be interested in returning occasionally--both virtually and in-person--to participate in community activities. Even 6 years ago, one might have found it difficult to take part in local affairs after moving away. What possibilities do you see within social media? 

I suppose one could say that technology has enabled me to be a modern day time traveler. I spent the formidable and majority of my life in Bear Lake. It is my "home". Which is an interesting word/term: Home. Think about "home", where that is, what that means. If I could, I would participate in community activities more often. I would take nothing back. I would give. I'm after all a product of the community I was raised. 

In addition to family, teachers fostered me alongside coaches. We should hold these people to high standards. One teacher I had, Mr. Bruce Peabody, is responsible for teaching me how to type. It's a talented skill that I hope to never forget. While I practiced for years, he's ultimately responsible for leading me to the keyboard. Over and over ASDF. JKL; Teachers in general have a responsibility to uphold their end as community leaders. It's a responsibility that isn't often taken into account when entering the profession. After all teachers become proxy parents to our children. We are a village that raises children. We raise readers and modern day time travelers. 

As for social media, I personally have adapted to technology much like cavemen and women adapted to fire and tools. Technology has allowed people to see and interact more but the creation process is the same. It comes from within. 

4. A few people around town seem to be troubled by your local projects. What is the difference, in your view, between disruption or harassment for its own sake, i.e. "trolling," and your activities? 

"A few people are troubled by your local projects". I don't know who these people are? Will they be present 9am Saturday? Because they too are invited. It's a public space. Or will they only experience the event virtually and vicariously? If so, they might miss out if I have coffee to share? The burlesque dancers backed out but the coffee has yet to respond. Maybe there will be a balloon artist? Or maybe it will just be me? If I could appeal to your readers, I'm looking for a balloon artist. [Since providing his responses, a woman named Amy has been scheduled to appear and offer balloon art.  --Eds.]

To be "troubled" is often a personality issue of not dealing with ones own issues, major problems, such as anger, resentment, or some heartache they are trying to cope with or overcome. I can't respond to "trolling" or "harassing."  I'm not sure what that means. I don't spend my time figuring out what pushes people's buttons. I don't think mean spirited and surely won't be bring with me bag of trolls. I refer you to Psalms 119. 

5. Besides yourself, which poet should more people read or hear more often?

I've written poetry most of my life and I've been fortunate to teach poetry workshops to both youth and adults. It can be a very cathartic process. Like music, poetry has the power to heal the wounded and emotionally support the sick. I don't claim to be a great poet or writer even for that matter. But I do believe I have a better writing voice than verbal voice. To say I was the greatest writer of Bear Lake would be just a lie. This may however be the greatest poetry in public performance that Bear Lake has seen! But I write and I strive. 

Since becoming Poet Laureate of Bear Lake, I thought it [imperative] to do a poetry project. While this is the first, I have ideas for more should that come to fruition. Should nobody show up on Saturday and support local art, that's ok, too. The arts have always been a low priority both locally and nationally. Nobody shows up in my studio when I write or paint but be aware that our community is more than a four season resort town. Artists reside there too and promoting art is something I try to do. 

As for who I would recommend... I already conceded there are others more gifted than I. Even locally. Former hometown resident Heather Matesich Cousins has a book: Inside The Potato Room that's an insightful read. Nationally, Philip Schultz's book Failure won the Pulitzer Prize. I love the poem "It's Sunday Morning in Early November." 

Read Hemingway, Lao Tzu, Bukowski, June Jordan, Sonia Sanchez and Alice Walker. Just read until you find what you like. As in life, so too are books. It's often better to know what you don't like so you can learn what you do. If you're interested in writing with me, bring your own writing utensil and something to write on. You don't have to be a great poet, a great writer even and if you can't write, I'll help write what you would like to say. There's no shame in that.

Saturday morning's event is free and open to the public.  

House Fire Victims Need Help

Our best wishes to the Zaleski and Troppi families as they recover from the loss of their houses in Bear Lake. They will undoubtedly need support for the coming weeks and months. 
The Zaleskis' house on Stuart Rd. was severely damaged by fire on the morning of Friday, Sept. 19.  They could use your help to replace clothing lost in the fire. Women's clothes in the following sizes would be most welcome.

Shoes 8.5-9
Pants 16-18/Lg.
Shirts XL/1x
Socks 8.5-9

Donations are being accepted at Saddle Up in Bear Lake. More information on assistance needs can be obtained by calling Andrea Ware at 383-0493; Jayna Childs at 715-8218 or Waunetta Zaleski at 944-2806.

Initial 9&10 News story about the Friday fire:
http://www.9and10news.com/.../morning-fire-destroys...

* * *

Meanwhile, the Troppi family is also recovering from their own house fire, which occurred just a few days earlier, on Sunday, Sept. 14, on Potter Road, between Chief and Big 4 roads. 

Neighbor Karen Groenwald told us that the family has plans to move into a rental unit.  

Twin beds, at the moment, may be of the most help to the family. A couch has already been pledged to them.

9&10 News story about the Sunday fire:http://www.9and10news.com/story/26572753/community-steps-up-to-help-family-displaced-by-fire

* * *


The new community assistance group, Manistee Helping Manistee, directed by Lindsey Artman and Mallory Kenny, mobilized its forces within days of learning of the fires and has already delivered supplies to the Troppi family.

We plan to check in with both families soon, to find out what needs of theirs still need to be met.  

Proposal 1: A Cure Worse Than the Disease?

8/1/14,  11:28am
Correction:  A previous version of this article incorrectly gave the date of the Tuesday primary election as August 8.  The election is on August 5.


The following article contains disturbing imagery, upsetting situations and other references to state government.  If you experience nausea, please use one of the multiple exits provided for your convenience.

When the surgeon announces that he can cut out the cancer--every last bit of it, guaranteed--celebration might seem appropriate.  But the sight of a rusty chainsaw in the operating room should give one pause.

That's the scenario that Proposal 1 offers to Michigan voters next week:  a clumsy method for correcting a perceived [1] problem, a business tax called the Personal Property Tax (PPT).  Many business owners consider it a malignant tumor, since it taxes equipment that could have been purchased generations ago.      

But the method proposed for fixing the problem is so clumsy and primitive, it could destroy neighboring parts of the body politic.  That's one reason we reject it:  this attempt at a cure is worse than the disease.  

You shouldn't have to take our word for it.  We encourage you do to your own reading and research.  We've already thrown one citation at you, above.  You can find the endnotes, including pro and con positions, at the end of this article.  

You will need stamina on your side, however.  Proposal 1 is nearly impossible to understand.  It's as though our surgeon speaks only medical jargon and refuses to explain his strategy in plain English.  Transparency is critical in elections, but Proposal 1 is opaque.  We see good intentions, but they pave a road to a different horror movie altogether.

If you've run out of time to read, our stance is this:  show us another treatment plan, or explain this one better through TV ads, mailers and other media that everyone can access.  If Leatherface [1b] didn't write it and if he's fired as your spokesman, we'll consider it at the next election. 

If you do have time to read, continue on.  We invite you to read this article critically and ask your own questions along the way.  

The lights dim and we begin with a very short bit of history.  The Legislature and Governor Synder have heard and responded to the business sector's teeth-gnashing over taxes since 2011.  The law that eliminated the Michigan Business Tax, for instance, allowed for-profit enterprises to pay less money to the State of Michigan while senior citizens and families with children had to coughed up the difference.  It took two years before the coughing fit started, and it was a surprise for many when it took effect. [2] 

Now, the Personal Property Tax is on the table.  Proposal 1 seeks to eliminate this tax, which collects money based on the equipment a business owns.  Yes, it sounds like every individual's taxes might go down but unless you own a business, no such luck.  [3]

Let's take a look at the actual ballot language that will be staring you in the face on Tuesday, August 8 [4].

Looks simple, doesn't it?  It mentions many things that sound good:  local community, stabilization, modernization, grow, jobs, safety, protection, schools!

Let's look at the text again, marked-up as a teacher might do.    

Still here?  Sorry for spilling so much red ink.  Believe it or not, one news organization calls its own criticism of the language "griping" [5].  We think the poor writing is reason enough to reject the proposal, especially since the authors ought to write more clearly than schoolchildren.  They're full-time legislators, with paid staff.  It's insulting to ask the public for a decision on a question that hides its purpose.  The proper response, on the basis of the wording alone, is to throw it back and ask for a complete rewrite.  

Since that probably won't happen, we've gone ahead and found the answers for questions A-F, posed above, after a lot of reading, checking, double-checking and aspirin.  Additional commentary is offered.

A.  This particular amendatory act does have an official title.  It's called Public Act 80 [6], and it's also known as Senate Bill 822 (sponsors:  Senators Hildenbrand, Jansen, Warren, Moolenaar and Brandenburg), signed into law on March 28, 2014.  The legislators aware of Public Act 80 know that it contains the text of Proposal 1, but the Prop itself doesn't return the favor on behalf of the public:  it makes no mention of Public Act 80.  

Public Act 80 is best understood as the locomotive engine that pulls other pieces of legislation behind it (Public Acts 81, 86, 87, 89, 90, 91, 92 & 93, created by ten Senate bills)  [7].  As a whole, this legislative train cuts the Personal Property Tax and supposedly finds other money to replace it with.   

B.  "Modernization" doesn't explain anything.  We are left to wonder what else will result besides having a new system.  Microsoft Windows has taught us that "upgrading" can result in a systemic screeching halt.

Proposal 1 would certainly change the state tax system.  It would attempt to collect the same amount of money that the Personal Property Tax (or PPT) currently gathers, but through different methods.  20% of the money would (still) come from businesses, but in the form of a new fee.  80% of the money would come from the state's General Fund coffers, with some help from tax credits that the state won't pay out anymore.  Another way of putting this:  the state (and the communities that use the tax money for its own, local services) will be giving up 80% of the money coming in through the PPT.

If you've ever played landlord, well, that's like telling a tenant that you'll cover 80% of his rent while you embark on a get-rich scheme.  How to keep your spouse from flipping out?  Just say, "we'll make it all back over time, I swear!  With this new plan I have, we should break even in, oh, 14 years!"

Public Act 80--that's that one you likely haven't seen--makes the same bet.  In Section 5, it lays out a schedule, between now and 2028, meant to recoup the money lost if the PPT is eliminated. [8]    We'll find out where these scheduled payments are coming from soon.  Really, we're getting there.  I know, not soon enough.  Are you tired of reading?  We're tired of writing.

C.  Small businesses will grow!  New jobs in Michigan!  Well, maybe.  That's assuming a lot.  There is nothing in any of the legislation behind Proposal 1 that requires businesses to expand their operations or hire new people.  They'll probably have more money at their disposal (roughly $500 million, total [9]) if they pay less taxes, but we can't know if they will bank it or buy machinery that'll automate something so that they can cut labor costs. Proposal 1 does not make hiring mandatory in any way.

This is perhaps the most dishonest part of the TV ads and jumbo postcards that promote Proposal 1.  Two of the postcards even suggest "up to 15,000" good-paying, new and local jobs.  Where does such a number even come from?  The postcards cite a pro-Proposal 1 essay by the Small Business Association of Michigan.  President Rob Fowler writes, "This proposal would create 15,000 jobs in Michigan by eliminating the personal property tax on small businesses."  He does not elaborate. [10] 

One is left to wonder if the trickle-down theory--a proven, proven, and proven dead loss in the job-creating arena--might explain the sudden appearance of these jobs.  Just as Public Act 80's plan to reimburse community funds will take 14 to come to fruition, will it take 14 years for the jobs to surface?  What does "good-paying" mean to a business owner?  Is today's good wage still "good-paying" 14 years later?  One is left with no choice but to speculate and wonder.

Stretch out a bit.  Looks like the chair next to you is vacant.

D.  The Local Community Stabilization Authority.  The name is deceiving.  There will not be a new board located in each community.  There will simply be a new STATE board that distributes the money to bona-fide local entities.  This new board will have five members, who will be appointed by the Governor (not elected by citizens).  This board will also have some kind of power to determine how state "right-of-way" authority can be used for landline, cell phone or computer companies.  It's unclear:  the term "telecommunications" is used, and it doesn't seem to have any connection with taxes.  [11]

E.   Police, ambulance, fire and schools:  yes, we all need 'em.  These are good examples of "local purposes," but putting such emphasis on them implies they will automatically improve because of Proposal 1.  Again, under the best of circumstances, they will not be getting more money; they will hopefully get the same amount as now, but from the Authority mentioned above.  As we all know, it's policy, leadership, trained personnel, and on and on, that make the difference.  The promoters of Proposal 1 say that the source of local money will be "more stable."  That's hard to guarantee.  A new but smaller tax on businesses would be part of the stability plan (roughly $100 million).  The other part of it would be money held back from electric battery manufacturers and other special tax credits.  [12]

F.  The Use Tax is not actually limited by the state constitution.  The Sales Tax is nailed into place at 6%, thanks to the word "shall."  But there's a fair amount of wiggle room with the Use Tax, since "shall" and other such words don't pin it down or place limits on it.  [13]  Could the Use Tax, which most of us know as the Internet or out-of-state tax, increase, to cover any shortfalls?  It's possible--and that could mean higher taxes for the consumer.

Final Thoughts

If you've made it this far, congratulations.  You pass the citizenship test and we see the discovery of a Petoskey stone in your future.  If you like, there's more available to read from other sources.  [14]

Our critique of Proposal 1 has tried very hard not to make any judgments on the proposal's goal.  The Personal Property Tax does seem to tax business owners for a second time (after the sales tax that we all pay).  Is that truly unfair?  Business owners also have a few ways to save money, too.  When it comes to filing income taxes, there are credits and deductions that other individuals don't quality for.

We say, if the goal is to cut away the Personal Property Tax, show us another treatment plan, or do a better job of explaining this one.  Way better.  The legislature and the Governor need to hone their surgical skills and learn how to explain their strategy in plain language that isn't dwarfed by the small print (small print that isn't even provided for the curious) [15].

To go ahead with Proposal 1 would be to attempt a risky procedure based on a lot of luck and a certainty about the future that we simply don't have.  

Endnotes:

1.  We'll take business owners word for it, at least for this article.  

1b.  Leatherface is the nickname of the villain in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" horror movie.

2.  We reported on this last spring.  http://threepinesgander.blogspot.com/2013/04/2011-tax-changes-hit-home-in-2013.html

3.  It's an old term that apparently applied to households, too, until 80 years ago.  Real Property Tax is the other main business tax, "real" as in real estate, or land owned by the business.  It's this latter tax that most people call "property tax," which would not be affected by Proposal 1.  http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/text/issues/issue-47.htm

4.  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/statewide_bal_prop_status_145801_7.pdf

5.  http://michiganradio.org/post/proposal-1-asks-michigan-voters-weigh-complex-tax-issue

6.  Public Act 80.  http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/publicact/htm/2014-PA-0080.htm

7.  Legislation is hooked, or "tie-barred" together.  http://www.crcmich.org/column/?p=659

For specific legislation, see endnote 7.  http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2014/memo1128.pdf

Senate Bills 821-830, according to http://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Use_Tax_and_Community_Stabilization_Share,_Proposal_1_(August_2014)

8.  Again, see Public Act 80, Section 5, subsections (a)-(n).

9.  http://www.mackinac.org/20246

10.  https://www.sbam.org/StayInformed/News/newsid438/1580/Proposal-1-deserves-your-yes-vote

11.  page 3, http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2010s/2014/memo1128.pdf

12.  http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/top_10_questions_and_answers_o.html

For other credits overseen by the state "MEGA Board," http://feedback.jacksonchamber.org/viewissue.php?issue=29

MEGA Board duties (including Brownfield Redevelopment credits) outlined here:  https://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57738_57679_57726-255865--,00.html

13.  Use tax, State Constitution:  https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(ajagoxm2m2clluflvm4nx145))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-Article-IX-8

See also:   http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(otcdepbgvl5n3gjjg2n2dk55))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-205-93

14.  Prop 1, opposing viewpoints:

http://www.mlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/guest_column_proposal_1_might.html

http://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/20140715/proposal-1-could-hurt-struggling-cities

Wayne County Taxpayers Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152593018197033&id=349202847032

http://www.democracy-tree.com/michigans-baffling-ballot-question-explained/

Proposal 1 popular among Metro Detroit leaders, but one outspoken mayor calls it a gamble

Prop 1, supportive viewpoints:

Newspaper and web conglomerate MLive.com's explanatory video (its editorial board has come out in favor of Prop 1):  http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2014/07/understanding_proposal_1.html

http://strongandsafecommunities.com/the-problem/

http://Proposal1Facts.com

15.  Normally, the Secretary of State's office, which oversees elections, enforces plain language on the ballot.  The legislature skipped this requirement by inserting the language directly into the law that puts it on the ballot.  

Bear Lake Days 2014