Hearing Tomorrow (Wed. Jan. 9) on Commercial Wind Ordinance

Duke Energy may have already cancelled its wind turbine project in northern Michigan, but Pleasanton Township has completed a draft of rules designed to govern such projects, in case other companies show an interest.

The 44-page document would apply to commercial turbines over 100 feet tall, and would require special land use permits for each project.

We have a brief summary of the major conditions of those permits.

In addition to following the Pleasanton Zoning Ordinance, the wind energy systems would also be required to

• not pose a risk to the health, safety and welfare of the Township residents.
• not pollute, impair, or destroy the Township’s natural resources.
• not cause damage or harm to sensitive area within Pleasanton Township, as defined and set forth by recommendations of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• not destroy or impair the aesthetics of the community.
• not destroy or impair the current and future tourism-based economy.

The ordinance does not specify how those five criteria would be evaluated.

The commercial wind ordinance also requires liability and other forms Insurance of at least $5 million per project and would provide for future removal of the turbines by putting money into an escrow account

In terms of height restrictions and setbacks, the turbine height limit would be 199 feet

Setbacks would be 1800 feet from property lines, roads, wetlands, land conservancies, and also at least 2 miles from the residential-zoned, or R1 areas

Each turbine would have to be at least half a mile apart from any other turbine, transmission lines would have to be underground, and the developer would have to agree to one of several Real Property Value Protection Plans, in order to guarantee property values of all real estate, up to two miles from the wind turbine project boundaries.

There will be a public hearing on the commercial wind ordinance tomorrow, Wednesday, January 9 at 7pm at Pleasanton Township Hall.

You can find a copy of the Draft Wind Ordinance on the Pleasanton Township’s website under the Recent News tab.  That's online at pleasantontownship.org.  Or, if you make an appointment, you can inspect the draft in person at the township hall.

The Planning Commission Chair, Kris Kranz, can be reached at 231-843-6899 and the Township Clerk, Amy Cross, can be reached at 231-864-3238.

Comments can be submitted prior to the hearing and will also be allowed during the hearing.

Click below for the Draft Wind Ordinance:

http://www.pleasantontownship.org/Recent%20News.PDF

New Gander Radio Schedule

Yes, the Christmas music has been packed into cardboard boxes and shoved up into the attic.      Don't worry, we wrapped the Bear Lake and Manistee County holiday memories in tissue paper (the abstract, oven-baked Shrinky Dinks and dough ornaments are in there, too) and gently tucked them in for a long winter's nap.

In the meantime, we have some other types of music to offer throughout the weekday, starting later this morning at 5am.  In a couple of days, check back here for our weekend schedule.  It's still a jukebox service for the time being, but more to come.  What do we not have enough of?  What are we completely missing?  If you could turn on your home stereo or car radio, what would you want to hear?  Let us know at threepinesgander@gmail.com.  Thank you!

Weekday Schedule

5am World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

6am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

7am Country Classics

9am  Jazz

Noon Latin Salsa Lunch Hour

1pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

2pm Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

3pm Electronic

4pm  Metal

5pm  New Wave

6pm  Jazz

9pm Blues Music - Sponsored by Luxe Redux

11pm World Music - Sponsored by Niizh Makwa Traders

12am Pop Music - Sponsored by Lardoon Enterprises

1am  Chill Out

2am  Blues Music - Sponsored by Luxe Redux

4am  Jazz

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.