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News Summary - July 16, 2008 Edition
- by Jim Young
County commissioner arrested for embezzlement
Montmorency County Commissioner Paul Wingate was arrested on an embezzlement charge in Atlanta last Tuesday. The arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the Michigan State Police in conjunction with Alcona County Prosecutor Tom Weichel. Weichel was named as a special prosecutor in order to avoid any conflict of interest by the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s office.Weichel said last week that the investigation covered monies embezzled from the County of Montmorency between Oct. 24, 2005 and May 15, 2007. The felony charge of embezzlement by a public official over $50 carries a possible sentence of up to $5,000 in fines and ten years in prison.
According to the Montmorency County Sheriff’s Office, where the arrest occurred, Wingate posted bond at the time of arrest.
Arraignment in 88th District, Atlanta, is expected on Friday, July 18. Most felony cases are bound over to Circuit Court following a pre-trial hearing. Weichel said that he will act as prosecutor for the duration of the case.
Early retirement offered to county coordinator
- by Yvonne Swager
Montmorency County Coordinator Robert Goodall has the opportunity to retire early. At the county commissioners’ meeting, July 9, it was said his doing so would cost the county an additional $18,037.A temporary change in benefits opens a window from July 1 to Dec. 26 of 2008 for early retirement for General Division I employees. The employees are currently required to have eight years vested in order to retire. During that window, they could retire with six.
Five employees in the category are eligible for retirement, however, Goodall’s opting out is the only instance that would come at additional cost to the county, because the other four eligible employees have already been vested eight years.
Commissioner Gene Thornton said he didn’t agree with offering the early out unless the position of county coordinator is being dissolved.
"Here’s my problem. If we’re going to eliminate the coordinator position, then this is fine. I don’t think the coordinator position should be eliminated," Thornton said. "If the coordinator leaves and we hire a new coordinator, then I can’t support doing this."
Thornton said he would reduce the length of window to 2-3 months, and he was uncertain eliminating the administrative position would save the county money.
"If you eliminate the coordinator position, maybe the savings would be more. I don’t know what it would cost us if we didn’t have a coordinator," he said.
According to Roger Frye, board chair, several neighboring counties are getting by without a coordinator.
"If we’re not replacing the coordinator, which I don’t think we need to, the money saved will more than offset, and I think we can get by," Frye said.
Hiring somebody under a different title to help handle some of the coordinator’s responsibilities wouldn’t negate overall savings, he said.
"We’re going to spend a little money here, but we’re going to save a lot," Frye said.
Commissioner Albert LaFleche said more time was needed to analyze the situation, but board members voted to allow the six month window for a six year vesting. Thornton and LaFleche voted against the motion.
Selman to go to jury trial for attempted murder
- by Yvonne Swager
The Steven Selman attempted murder case is being scheduled for a trial by jury. Selman faces charges for allegedly assaulting and attempting to murder two women in Green Township on Feb. 27.Both the defense and prosecution have been awaiting forensic reports regarding whether a firearm used in the incident was operable. The report has been received, but, according to Michael Lamble, attorney for the defense, the prosecution deemed the report not particularly helpful.
Lamble asked the case be scheduled for jury trial, and Judge John F. Kowalski said the trial would be scheduled as soon as possible.
Lunch prices to rise at Hillman schools
- by Yvonne Swager
Milk and lunch prices are going up this year at Hillman Community Schools. District school board members passed a motion for the increase at the regular meeting July 14, but the vote was not unanimous.According to Jack Richards, superintendent, rising fuel costs made it necessary to adjust costs to students.
"With fuel costs increasing, the companies are adding that cost on for delivery of milk," Richards said. "We would go further and further in debt if we didn’t offset that cost."
Food service director, Jeff Powers, suggested not raising prices any higher than what was needed to recover expenses.
"Last year, I called everybody from Sault Ste. Marie down to Holland and Grand Haven. We were right in the middle of the pack," Powers said.
A 10 cent increase in milk prices, he said, would generate about $3,000 in revenue. Tom Banks, board president, said he had reservations about increasing meal prices.
"I don’t want to have kids coming into the school that aren’t being fed," Banks said. "They’re not going to learn anything if they’re not getting fed."
About $25,000 per year is currently generated from sales of full-price lunches. Approximately 35 percent of lunches consumed are at full-price, and it’s those lunches that would be most affected by the increase.
"We’re balancing the budget on the backs of those not using the free and reduced," Banks said.
Meal prices were raised two years ago and milk prices went up last year. Banks said he was considering his own situation.
"I’m just looking at my own shoes. It’s going to cost me an extra $270 next year, and I’m just one of the 35 percent," he said.
If lunches were prepared at home, Richards said they would cost more than a couple of dollars. A motion passed increasing the milk price from 35 cents per carton to 40 cents. Elementary lunches were increased from $1.80 to $2, and the junior and senior high price went from $1.95 to $2.25. Banks, Debbie Greene and Ernie Barnes voted against the motion.
Home tour to be offered in Lewiston
Six lovely homes in the Lewiston area will be featured in the 2008 Northern Retreats Home Tour sponsored by the Lewiston Lioness Lions Club. Two of the homes are on West Twin Lake and four are in Garland Resort.The home tour will be on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Advance tickets are two for $25 and may be purchased at My Sister’s Stone Cottage, Twin Lakes Marina, Century 21, Huston Real Estate and RE/Max, all in Lewiston.
Tickets on the day of the tour cost $15 per person and may be purchased at the Redwood Steak House, located at the intersection of County Roads 612 and 489 in Lewiston.
Proceeds from the home tour will go for college scholarships for local students as well as support the numerous community projects of the Lioness Lions Club. For more information, call 786-2335.
Obituaries
Michael Ray Teets, 57, of Atlanta
Bonnie Lou Alexander, 58, of Lewiston
Florence Alice McClure, 94, of Hillman
Betty Anne Wescott, 64
Patrick Daly, of Lewiston
Glen Doug Miller, 73, of Hillman
News Summary - July 9, 2008 Edition
Atlanta Schools hires new superintendent
- by Jim Young
In a unanimous decision last Tuesday evening, the Atlanta School Board voted to hire Teresa Stauffer as the new district superintendent. This completes a lengthy search process during which 14 candidates were considered, six were interviewed, and two returned for follow-up interviews.Stauffer holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught at a number of schools in Colorado before moving to Traverse City, where she served as principal/superintendent of the Traverse Bay Christian School for the past three years.
Stauffer said that she and her husband, Doug, plan to move to the Atlanta area as soon as possible.
"It was stressed during the [interview] process that ‘fit’ was so important for Atlanta Community Schools," Stauffer said. "That was good to hear because the ‘fit’ was so very important for Doug and me as well. We can work together through thick and thin if we have a good ‘fit’ and a singular purpose — to do what is best for our students."
The board also approved administrative and support staff contracts Tuesday evening. The board had offered Stauffer $85,000 per year after reviewing superintendent wages at similar sized schools. Stauffer told the board, however, that she would take $80,000 per year after reviewing the school’s finances.
During the month of July, Stauffer will work with interim superintendent Tom Harmon. She will begin working full time on August 1.
The board also expressed their gratitude to Harmon for filling in as superintendent following the departure of former superintendent Jim Mouch. Also thanked was Terry Conklin, of the Michigan Association of School Boards, who assisted the school in the search process.
Hillman Village buys 13 lots in tax sale
- by Yvonne Swager
Council members from the Village of Hillman voted to purchase 13 parcels of property to prevent them from going up for tax sale. The decision to have the village pay $22,800 in taxes owed on the property came at the regular council meeting on July 1.The parcels are part of the second phase of a housing subdivision under the direction of the Rural Michigan Community Development Corporation. Now three years delinquent in taxes, the properties were scheduled to go to auction.
It is possible the housing commission could have requested a tax exempt status on the property because it is a non-profit organization which bought the property for a public purpose. However, David Post, village manager, said he learned little could be done about prior taxation.
"The county could probably waive the taxes going forward, but not going back," Post said.
Council members had already planned to pay the back taxes on one piece of property that contains a retention pond. Approval was given to pay the minimum bid of $460 so the village can retain control of that parcel.
"Why couldn’t we apply for public use on the rest like we did on that lot?" said Myron McIntire, board president. "That would stop the auction."
According to Post, an attorney indicated it would be possible for the village to enter into a partnership regarding the parcels. If that happened and the properties sold, he said the village would not make a profit.
Legislation, Post said, states if such public purpose property sold or transferred for a profit, the profit must be returned to the foreclosing governmental unit.
"So, anything you sell them for over top of what you pay has to go to the county," he said.
Board members voted to exercise the right of first option and pay the minimum bid on all the properties. Creating housing is considered a public purpose. McIntire said Hillman needs housing, and he’s pleased with the decision to pay the taxes and continue the mission.
"Thank you folks," McIntire said. "If we’ve done anything this spring at all, we’ve done something here tonight that’s a big benefit to Hillman."
Also discussed at the meeting was a recent inspection of hangers at the airport. Robert Tulgetske, trustee, said there are concerns regarding one hanger owned by an individual unable to make the inspection. Tulgetske said he has reason to believe the hanger is being used for storage.
Airport policy prohibits using hangers for storage, and McIntire said contracts provide for prevention of such use. Temporary storage of project building materials might be understandable, but he said long-term storage is unacceptable.
"We don’t want a bunch of storage buildings at the airport," he said.
Tulgetske said the hanger would probably not pass inspection if done now. McIntire said, when he receives an inspection report, he may draft a letter to the individual.
Assessment of Pigeon River fish kill may take months
- by Yvonne Swager
It may take as long as months to determine the extent of the recent fish kill in the Pigeon River. A couple of weeks ago, a deadly amount of sediment was released through a dam, killing hundreds of fish.The dam is privately owned by Song of the Morning Ranch, Vanderbilt. Bob Gwizdz, Department of Natural Resources, said the discharge of sediment was an accident.
"As we understand it, they have an electronic program running the dam that apparently opened the floodgate inadvertently," Gwizdz said.
The fish died, he said, because sediment could have clogged their gills, cutting off oxygen, or warmed the waters, sending them into thermo shock. The majority of dead fish were trout, and Gwizdz said some of them were in excess of 23 inches in length and probably 5-6 years old.
It would be difficult to determine how many fish may have escaped the sediment by traveling a 40-mile stretch to lake safety, but Gwizdz said he’s not optimistic.
"It’s not likely that happened, but it could have," he said.
The sediment had built up behind the dam, Gwizdz said, and there’s evidence the plume extended eight miles downstream.
"The discharge was significant and resulted in a significant fish kill," he said. "There’s going to be a wide-ranging monitoring program to determine how extensive the impact."
Gwizdz said the disaster affected a significant fishery on a significant river and came at a bad time because of peak trout fishing. This isn’t the first time fish mortality resulted from dam activity at the site.
In 1984, another extensive fish kill took place because water was being improperly drawn down to allow dam repair, Gwizdz said. In the earlier instance, the Department of Environmental Quality sued over the matter, and the DNR and ranch shared in the responsibility. This time, the DNR is not involved.
Robert McCann, spokesperson for the DEQ, said the investigation is continuing and water samples testing clarity are being taken. The DEQ is working jointly with the DNR and dam operators, he said, to determine the actual cause and extent of the catastrophe.
As a result of the prior lawsuit, an order was put in place regarding procedures. According to McCann, depending on findings in the investigation, another lawsuit could be possible. Regardless, he said the fishery has been significantly damaged and will take time to replenish itself.
"The reality is it could take a while to recover. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for this," he said.
Obituaries
Rita Yvonne Rawlings, 80, of Grayling
Jay Northrop, 89, of Imlay City
Russell Scott Crank, 31, of Alpena
News Summary - July 2, 2008 Edition
Elk restoration project begins in Atlanta
Brent Marlatt, Dale LaClair, and Josh LaClair, removed the mounted elk from the glass case in front of the Atlanta Post Office Monday morning. The specimen has faded over time and is to be replaced with a new elk, which was donated by Pat Gregory, and is being mounted by Limited Edition Taxidermy in Alpena. The antlers will be removed from the old elk and restored. They will be presented to Galon Coats, of Clare, during this years Elk Fest celebration. Coats donated the original elk in 1992. Marlatt said that the mounting of the new elk, as well as upgrades to the enclosure will take around a year, at a cost of just over $10,000. Longer overhangs will be added to the enclosure to help protect the animal’s hide from the sun. He expects to have a new elk in the case by Elk Fest of 2009.J-L School Budget approved for 2008-2009
- by Jim Young
The Johannesburg-Lewiston School Board approved their 2008-2009 budget at a special meeting Monday evening. The new budget shows expenses up by 2.56 percent over last year, and revenues down slightly by 1.2 percent. As a result, the district will use $192,738 from fund equity, bring it down to $557,500, or about 7.5 percent of the $7.5 million budget.Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf said that many of the numbers in the budget are likely to change, as the exact amount of state funding and the student counts are yet to be determined.
The revenue numbers are based on a student count of 845 pupils, down by 15 from last year. This number includes 100 School of Choice students. Hilgendorf said that these were conservative numbers.
"Hopefully we’ll get some move-ins and not just move-outs," Hilgendorf said. "But you just never know. I have no way of predicting that. I don’t know that anyone else does either."
The board also approved amendments to the 2007-2008 budget, to reflect a $15,000 increase in revenues over the previous budget.
In other business:
• The board hired Katie Basinski, of Gaylord, as the new special education teacher in Lewiston. Also Joan Switalski was hired as a high school aide.• A grievance brought by the support staff union, regarding the ability to make up extra snow days, was denied by the board. This winter the school had nine snow days, five more than the union contract provides payment for. The union will now have to decide whether or not to enter arbitration.
• The school will host mentoring classes for new board members provided by the Michigan Association of School Boards in August. New board members from neighboring districts will be invited to attend as well.
Training to help emergency workers identify drug labs
- by Yvonne SwagerHillman area fire and EMS personnel will attend a clandestine drug lab awareness training scheduled for July 10. Jim Thompson, fire chief, spoke at the Hillman Fire/Ambulance board meeting on Monday evening about the upcoming training.
Dangerous chemicals are use in meth labs, and Thompson said education is necessary.
"The training, unfortunately, is becoming more needed. They’re nasty drugs we’re getting ourselves involved in," Thompson said.
Anhydrous ammonia and ether are used to produce meth, Thompson said, and education on identifying the toxic chemicals is crucial.
"Our concern is, if somebody sees somebody flopped over in a front yard, they’re going to send EMS. They need to know how to recognize this," he said.
EMS Coordinator Stephanie Schalk said her crews currently have no knowledge of dealing with such substances.
"We don’t know the difference. They say it smells like ammonia. If there are a lot of cats, it smells like ammonia too," Schalk said.
In personnel issues, a Hillman EMT has been given a second chance to comply with standard operating procedures. Beth Lawler attended the meeting to speak on her own behalf.
Schalk asked the board to consider dismissing Lawler from the service for not meeting a run quota, attending meetings regularly or contacting the office to request leave.
"I was just notified of this meeting this morning," Lawler said. "I have no documents as to disciplinary actions. I have never been called into the office to say there is an issue with me."
Elaine Ableidinger, board chair, asked Lawler if she had received a copy of the standard operating procedures. Lawler said she had, but she didn’t realize it had been so long between runs.
In a six month period, Lawler is required to put in 40 hours or participate in nine runs. According to Schalk, she has participated in two runs in the last six months. Lawler said commitments to another job and her three children as well as personal issues have kept her from dedicating herself recently to the Hillman service.
"I would like to serve my community," she said. "I didn’t realize I was coming that close to the line."
Schalk said she had no disciplinary issues with Lawler, who was asked if another six months would be enough time to coordinate both jobs.
"If I find I can’t fit it in my schedule in six months, I’ll resign," Lawler said.
Board members voted to table the dismissal for a six month period to allow an opportunity for Lawler to make adjustments.
Obituaries
Howard Collins Deeter, 83, of Atlanta
Carol Jean Benedict, 85, of Lewiston
News Summary - June 25, 2008 Edition
Atlanta School Board picks superintendent candidate
- by Jim YoungPassion and integrity. These were the two traits most cited by members of the Atlanta Board of Education as they chose to take a step in the direction of employing Teresa Stauffer as the school district’s superintendent Monday evening.
During the special meeting, two finalists candidates appeared for follow-up, extended interviews with the board.
Following the interviews, the board voted to perform a site visit to Traverse City, Stauffer’s home district, to conduct interviews with her references this Wednesday. The board will hold a special meeting next Tuesday, July 1, at 6 p.m., and may make a final decision then.
Stauffer holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the Unversity of Pennsylvania. She taught at a number of schools in Colorado before moving to Traverse City, where she served as principal/superintendent of the Traverse Bay Christian School for the past three years.
When asked about schools of choice and homeschoolers, Stauffer spoke about a Cottage School program that she worked on in Traverse City. This was a part-time class schedule, specificaily designed to give home-schooled students and chance to pursue some subject areas in a school setting. "It tripled in size the second year," she said, "because the parents found that we followed through and did what we said."
Stauffer also suggested meeting with administrators from neighboring school districts on a periodic basis to discuss common challenges and possible areas of collaboration, including sharing staff and expertise.
Also interviewed Monday evening, was Robert Ricketson, of Hudsonville. Ricketson holds a master’s in Education Administration from Central Michigan University and an education specialist degree from Grand Valley State University. He has served as a principal at a number of schools around the state, including Rock, Howard City, Hudsonville, and Edmore. He is currently the CEO of Innergy Associates, LLC, a personal and professional development company.
Ricketson told the board the student achievement is key for the district. "Student achievement is A-number one for me," he said, "and I want to see us achieving at the very best that we can do. And that may mean raising the bar for everybody. That includes myself."
Ricketson also talked to the board about pursuing collaborative efforts with other districts, such as using the ITV room to allow students in Atlanta and at another district to take shared classes.
Other business at the board meeting included:
• Interim Superintendent Tom Harmon said that the school will be able to use Title I monies to employ three teachers that were tentatively scheduled for layoffs. The district has been informed that Title II funds cannot be used to reduce class sizes, however. This means that the district will have the same number of teachers providing services, but there will be more split classes than anticipated, as some of the teachers will need to be roaming from one class to another providing specialized services.
• The board ratified a new contract with the teachers’ union. The contract includes three 1.5 percent pay salary step increases over the next three years. The contract also states that the grievence process be ammended to again include the school board as one of the steps. Both board members and union representative Laurie Rabe commented that negotiations had gone smoothly.
Atlanta incorporation to be discussed next Tuesday
A group of Atlanta residents will meet next Tuesday to discuss the possibility of incorporating the town as a village. According to Hank Wooten, who is helping organize the event, unincorporated towns miss out on potential federal grant monies for infrastructure, such as sewer and water systems.
"Most people are concerned about the declining condition of our town," said Wooten, "and it’s time for us to bond together as a community and move forward."
Wooten said that anyone with an interest in the project is welcomed to attend. Information will be presented on how incorporation occurs, including where the proposed village boundaries could be. Take-home literature will also be available.
The meeting will be at the Briley Park pavilion at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
Haney enters pleas in accidental shooting case
- by Yvonne SwagerGarry N. Haney, Jr., 24, Lewiston, attempted to plead guilty in circuit court, June 23, on three charges against him in the shooting death of Sean Wilson, 35, also of Lewiston. However, not all of the counts against him could be substantiated.
Haney was expected to plead guilty to receiving and concealing stolen weapons, assault with a dangerous weapon and careless discharge of a firearm causing death. The weapons and assault charges stuck, but Judge John F. Kowalski couldn’t confirm a basis for the count of discharge of a firearm causing death.
Ronald Bayot, defense attorney, asked Haney questions in an attempt to show basis for the charge.
"That pistol that was in your custody or control or your possession, did you allow that pistol to be used by a person named Sean Wilson, and did something happen with Mr. Wilson? Did he actively shoot himself with that gun and cause his death?" Bayot asked.
Haney agreed to the circumstances, and Bayot declared factual basis for the charge. However, the judge was not convinced.
"Well, I need a little more than that," Kowalski said. "You’re telling me he gave the gun to somebody else and he accidentally shot himself. How is that reckless for him [Haney]?"
Bayot again asked Haney if he had been in control of the firearm and allowed Wilson to use to shoot himself. Kowalski asked Haney to describe the situation.
"We were all sitting at the table. I pulled out the gun. He grabbed it and shot himself with it," Haney said.
Kowalski was still unclear as to basis for the charge.
"I need a little help. That doesn’t sound like a crime to me," he said.
Prosecutor K. Edward Black asked Haney if he led Wilson to believe the gun was not loaded, and Haney said he did not. Bayot concluded he didn’t think he had factual basis for that count.
"No, I don’t either," Kowalski said.
The judge indicated he was under the impression the victim was a child who had come into possession of a firearm.
"That’s not the case, so I don’t know what we do with this. This is a plea agreement involving other cases," the judge said.
Black said he would be willing to honor the plea agreement without the count of careless discharge causing death. Bayot offered to exchange the guilty plea on that count for a guilty plea to weapons possession under the influence. That charge was originally to be dismissed in the plea agreement.
Kowalski was able to determine a basis for that charge. Recommendation for sentencing from both the prosecution and defense was a maximum of three years in prison. Bayot requested boot camp for his client.
"I’ll always make that recommendation," Kowalski said. "It’s not up to me. It’s up to the prison system. They do what they want."
Haney has been scheduled for sentencing on August 11.
Obituaries
Howard Collins Deeter, 83, of Atlanta
Melvin Ellis Layman, 88, of Atlanta
Julia Edith High, 85, of Hillman
Ivan Fred and Eleanor Deford
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