Bouncing Pawsome Bella’s Buddies touts a of talented Pooches troupe tail-waggers Page 3a
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Golfer’s life great for Keaton Inglis, son of OGC pro
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Joining a legacy Adults Elbridge to hold up on future fire authority payments encouraged to exhibit Page 2b
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By John Cavanagh
Herald-Journal Writer
Future Elbridge Township payments to the Walkerville Area Fire Authority will be put on hold until township officials get the information they want. Earlier this year, the township passed a resolution that it would begin withholding payments if it did not get an
Drain commissioner elect named interim
Michelle Martin of Pentwater is the new Oceana County Drain Commissioner. Martin was appointed to the vacancy created when Drain Commissioner Jesse Beckman unexpectedly retired late Martin last month. The appointment was made by Oceana County Clerk Becky
DRAIN COMMISSIONER continued on 6a
Medical death suspected in Silver Lake incident
A Shelby Township man is believed to have suffered a medical emergency while riding a personal watercraft on Silver Lake Saturday afternoon. The man was identified as 26-year-old Michael Shamon. According to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Oceana County Marine deputies were on patrol on Silver Lake when they were dispatched to a possible drowning near the northwest corner of the lake. The sheriff’s office indicated that central dispatch provided the deputy with informa-
MEDICAL EMERGENCY continued on 6a
equipment list and financial records sought through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The request was filed in July by Elbridge Supervisor Craig Herremans and Leavitt Treasurer David Kruppe as individuals and not township representatives. Although Herremans did receive some information through the FOIA re-
quest, he told the township board Aug. 9 that he was not satisfied with the response and said it was time to enact the resolution until the township receives all the requested information. “Where’s our balance sheet and where’s our depreciation schedule?” Herremans asked. Under the FOIA request Herremans
and Kruppe sought: • All grants awarded from January 2005 through July 2016 to include grant number, grant awarding agency, grant award amount, grant administrative fee, grant administrative fee paid to, grant distribution report by grant, grant ad-
FIRE AUTHORITY PAYMENTS continued on 6a
Local man dies, second missing in Lake Michigan fishing accident
The search continued Tuesday for a Hart area man missing since a fishing accident on Lake Michigan approximately one mile west of the Little Point Sable Lighthouse Sunday night. T h e Oceana County S h e r i f f ’s Office, Bruce Michigan State Police and the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office side-scan sonar units were on scene Tuesday in the search for Steve Bruce, 62, a local realtor from Hart, who is missing and presumed drowned. Bruce was one of two men who went into the water Sunday in an attempt to retrieve a fishing net that had been dropped overboard while attempting to net a large fish. The body of the other man, Brian Waslusky, 53, also of Hart, was recovered from the water Sunday night and was transported by private vessel with the assistance of the US Coast Guard to Pentwater where he was pronounced dead. Neither man was wearing a life jacket. The US Coast Guard called off its search for
A U.S. Coast Guard Zodiac, above, makes it’s way north along the Lake Michigan shoreline as rescuers search the water for missing fisherman Steve Bruce of Hart. The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was patrolling the area Monday, Aug. 15 in hopes of spotting Bruce. Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Bruce Monday after a number of hours. Mason and Ottawa county emergency personnel remained on standby to assist. Sheriff’s office Lt. Craig Mast said the local department would continue to search for Bruce until the search area is exhausted or a recovery is made. “We don’t have a timeline on this,” Mast said. According to the sheriff’s office press release issued Monday, at approximately 9:17 p.m., Sunday, the sheriff’s office marine division was contacted by the Coast Guard and was advised of
a situation possibly involving two people drowning in Lake Michigan off the Little Point Sable Lighthouse. The Oceana County Marine Boat immediately responded and the Oceana County Dive Team also was advised of the situation. As responding units were coming to the area, sheriff’s office personnel were advised that a vessel had recovered Waslusky and with Coast Guard personnel assistance was transporting him towards Pentwater where shortly after arriving Waslusky was pronounced dead.
While checking the area, the Oceana County Marine Patrol located the boat from which the incident had originated. The sheriff’s office indicates that in that boat was a third man identified as Russell Pierce, who advised responding personnel that he and Waslusky had been fishing with Bruce on Bruce’s 23-foot Bayliner fishing boat. Pierce advised police that they had been fighting a big fish and said that Waslusky had attempted to net the fish and
FISHING ACCIDENT continued on 7a
County OKs MCF construction loan
‘Clean Sweep,’ Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day set for Saturday in Hart Collection site open Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) will sponsor its annual “Clean Sweep” and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Hart DPW, 1010 State St., in Hart from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the 10th year organizers have been able to offer this free service to the residents of Oceana, Mason, and Manistee counties. Clean Sweep allows agricultural producers an opportunity to dispose of any unwanted or unused pesticides or herbicides safely and at
no cost. Household Hazardous Waste gives residents the opportunity to dispose of any unwanted or unused products that, if put into landfills or dumped on the ground, would jeopardize our water supply. Brochures with a list of acceptable items, including pharmaceuticals, are available throughout the area at local stores, libraries, township halls and county buildings. Again this year, the collection site will be accepting electronics such as
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TVs, DVD/CD players, radios, phones, computers, monitors, printers, modems, etc. Small appliances such as microwaves, small refrigerators, dehumidifiers and window air conditioners will also be accepted. No large appliances, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers will be accepted. There will be a $15 charge for items containing refrigerant. Latex paint will not be accepted. Organizers say the paint is not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of
CLEAN SWEEP continued on 7a
INDEX Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8a Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11b Court, Cops, Gov’t . . . . . . 6-7b Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . 10a Oceana in the Summer . . B1,8
Outdoor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Viewpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Up to $700,000 will be made available to keep the Oceana County Medical Care Facility renovation project on schedule. The Oceana County Board of Commissioners approved Aug. 11 to loan the medical care facility the money so it can continue with its current phase of the project. The money will be made available Feb. 1, 2017 and must be repaid by Jan. 31, 2018. The interest rate will be 2.25 percent. Interest will be charged on money drawn from the loan account beginning on the first day of the draw. The money will come from the county’s tax foreclosure fund. MCF Director Greg Wilson asked the county board July 28 if it could float a loan to keep the third phase of the reconstruction project on schedule. Wilson said construction crews are set to begin demolition of the 1960s era building in a few weeks. Because of a funding shortage, Wilson said one idea was to split up the project, but that would delay its completion until November 2017 instead of June next year. Wilson also said splitting up the project would lead to cost increases, and asked the board for a line of credit.
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at the Oceana County Fair
By Amanda Dodge
OHJ Contributing Writer
For those that think the county fair is just for farmers and “4-H”ers, Tammy Longcore invites them to think again. Longcore is the reigning superintendent of the Adult Education Exhibit Building at the 145th Oceana County Fair. For the past four to five years, Longcore has worked to encourage anyone who lives in Oceana County and is 18 and over to submit their handiwork for all to see. Longcore said she started out with the fair when she and her husband, Tim, were co-lead ers of their daughter’s 4-H sheep group and they also served for many years, together, on the 4-H Board. “My husband’s family has always been involved in the fair,” Longcore said. “We are generation number four to be involved.” She went on to say that a couple of years after she was done with the sheep group, she was contacted to be in charge of the Adult Education Exhibit Building. “Tim’s grandparents were superintendent of that building for many years and also a great aunt of his. When they came to me, I wanted to do it in honor of my husband’s family.” She and Tim divide their time amongst three businesses and are extremely busy, but they still want to do their part and look forward to the fair every year. “It is so important to give back to our community. My husband and I feel very strongly about that.” Longcore wants to stress to this very community, which is so near and dear to her heart, that exhibiting at the fair is for everyone. “We have a lot of artisans in this area who do all different facets of art. I know there are a lot of people in our community who do this and I want to encourage them to bring those items to show at the fair.” Longcore said that they are looking for quality in the items that are brought into show. “I see places in Pentwater and shops in the area selling the types of things made by locals that we are looking for, why not show them at the fair? We also welcome those who are disabled to bring in their art. We have so many people that are so good at many things, growing fruits and vegetables included. It is a legacy for our area, because we are agriculture.” “We have such high quality artisans and people
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ADULTS ENCOURAGED TO EXHIBIT AT FAIR continued on 7a
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Oceana’s Herald-Journal • August 18, 2016 • 7a
Fishing accident
Clean sweep
from Page 1a
dropped the net. According to the release, Pierce stated that when Waslusky dropped the net, Bruce went into the lake after it and the fish and was followed into the water by Waslusky, leaving Pierce to man the boat. According to the release. Pierce indicated that Waslusky immediately began to struggle in the water and Bruce then began to struggle as well. A command center was set up at the top of the lighthouse to observe search vessels Sunday night. Mast said the lake conditions were calm at the time of the accident, and the surface water temperature was in the mid-70 degree range. The lake depth in the search area from Stony Lake to Pentwater varies from 90 to 180 feet, Mast said. Bruce’s boat was towed to Pentwater and has since been impounded by the sheriff’s office. Mast said it appears there was alcohol on board the boat and that alcohol had been consumed. The sheriff’s office had not yet Tuesday begun to use its all-terrain vehicles to patrol the shoreline in its search for Bruce, but might begin patrolling the beach in the coming days. The incident is the second water-related tragedy involving Waslusky. In March 2012, Waslusky was fishing the river area below Hart Lake dam and fell into the water and was found unresponsive by his fishing companion who contacted emergency officials. It was later determined Waslusky suffered a massive heart attack, and that Deputy Ryan Schiller, who on foot carried in an automatic defibrillator, applied the defibrillator three times before reviving Waslusky’s heart. Schiller was later honored with a lifesaving award for his efforts.
in the local landfill if it is completely dry. Leave the lid off to dry, and if needed, add kitty litter or sawdust to speed up the drying. In 2015, the Oceana site removed over 12,000 pounds of dangerous pesticides, herbicides, hazardous household products and controlled and uncontrolled drugs at no cost to the residents of the county. Over 8,000 pounds of electronics and appliances were also removed. Funding for this disposal day was received from local businesses, counties, and local townships and villages. The MGSP Steering Commit-
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter passes by the Little Point Sable Lighthouse Monday morning, Aug. 15 as it searches the Lake Michigan shoreline for missing fisherman Steve Bruce of Hart.
Adults encouraged to exhibit at fair that come through see this and the tag and whose name is on it. It is not about the prizes, but about letting people see what you can do. When we get done with judging, people are lined up and love to come in and see what is being exhibited,” Longcore noted. “We have good attendance for those that come in to look, but the last few years we have been really down in what has been brought in. We want to encourage people. It is a joy to the viewers.” Entry is simple and nominal in cost. A person can only enter each juried category once and the cost is $.25 to enter. Just a quarter, a form to fill out, and some talent is all that is needed to display. Longcore reiterated that only original work made or grown by the exhibitor is accepted, unless they are in the collections category. The categories are diverse and there are literally dozens and dozens of them, which include: canned goods, basket weaving, photography, needlework, floral blooms, herbs, peppers, apples, and more, to name a very select few. A detailed list of the categories and how to prepare for each is in the 2016 Fair Book, which can be viewed at www.oceanacountyfair.org or by inquiring at the MSU Extension office in Hart. For those who would like to participate, they can either pick up a form at the extension office or simply come to the Adult Education Exhibit Building, which is located between the grandstand and the 4-H building, Tuesday, Aug. 23 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. “We will help them fill out the paperwork and assign them an exhibitor’s number,” Longcore said. “There are so many categories. They revamped the entire book this year. We also do individual sweepstakes categories, and in the categories that allow items not made by the exhibitor, the items should be owned by the exhibitor.” Longcore commented more than once on the drop in participation. “We used to have two to three dozen quilts, and last year we had only had eight.” Longcore said that closed judging will take place Wednesday, Aug. 24, and the length of time it takes to judge will depend on the number of entries. “Exhibitors cannot be
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plained that Best of Show in each division is chosen from the first place finishers. Exhibitors can pick up their items Sunday, Aug. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon. “We are grateful to those who have exhibited in the past and we are looking for those who are new in the community to become a part of our history and get to know others in our community. I look forward to the fair a great deal, because I get to see family and friends that I haven’t seen since the previous fair,” Longcore said. “We have a very heavy history in this fair. We are one of two privately owned fairs in the state of Michigan. Being privately owned is unique to this state, and we can do these sort of things because of it.” “We have generations in our Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo building; the family heritage is really neat, and I love that,” Visitors to the 144th Oceana County Fair browse some of the exhibits entered in the 2015 Adult educational exhibit. Longcore exclaimed. “I love that we can support this piece present during judging, but the second and third place prizes of history in our area. Come results can be viewed some- in each category, with a Best join us!” time between 4 and 5 p.m. in Show to each division. Each Wednesday.” place earns a small cash prize Judges will give out first, of a few dollars. Longcore ex-
from Page 1a
tee has been working throughout the year to organize this project and hopes you will take advantage of this opportunity to remove the hazardous materials that have collected in your homes throughout the years. Clean Sweep/Household Hazardous Waste Disposal is a one day drop-off only. No early or late drop-offs can be accepted. This annual event takes place the third Saturday of August. Contact the Oceana Conservation District office at 231861-5600 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for more information.
INSIDE THIS WEEK
Football season is back
Hart’s return to varsity action highlights week 1 Page 2b
Thursday, August 25, 2016
‘Down on the Farm’ in Hesperia Page 6a
10th annual ‘Clean Sweep’ sees record turnout Page 3a
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Judge upholds embezzlement, false certification charges against Wilson By John Cavanagh
Herald-Journal Writer
Wilson
No record could be located by state officials confirming that vehicle identification numbers (VIN) were properly checked as required during multiple salvage vehicle inspections performed by former Shelby Village Police Chief Bob Wilson.
That was the testimony from one of three witnesses called to the stand during an approximately two-hour long probable cause hearing for Wilson in 78th District Court in Hart Monday. In the end, district court Judge Kevin Drake ruled State Assistant Attorney General Oronde Patterson presented enough evidence to support the six felony charges and ordered that
the case be sent on for trial in 27th Circuit Court. Wilson, 62, of 2560 S. 80th Ave., Shelby, was charged earlier this month with one felony count of embezzlement $50,000 to $100,000 and five felony counts of motor vehicle code — false certification. He is accused of converting money collected for performing salvage vehicle inspections to his
own use and performing false certifications on five vehicles between June 10, 2015 and Sept. 23, 2015. Wilson was fired by the Shelby Village Council last January following an earlier suspension amid allegations he performed salvage vehicle inspections without turning
WILSON FACES EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES continued on 12a
4-H participation up this year Caution stressed around swine at this year’s Oceana County Fair By Amanda Dodge OHJ Contributing
writer
Steady participation in Oceana County 4-H has always been a hallmark of the program, and this year it has been punctuated with a marked increase. Oceana MSU Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Lori Cargill said Monday that 340 youth are enrolled to participate in this year’s 145th Oceana County Fair, with 70 as first-year participants. That is an increase of approximately 20 more total participants than last year according to Cargill. Adding that this is the “first time we have really looked at the number of first year
The body of drowning victim Steve Bruce, 62, of Hart was recovered during a Lake Michigan search last Wednesday, Aug. 17. Bruce, a Hart area realtor, had been missing since an Aug. 14 fishing accident on the lake, which also claimed the life of 53-year-old Brian Waslusky, also of Hart. The recovery of Bruce was made during the afternoon with the help of the Michigan State Police Dive Recovery Team with the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division. Bruce’s body was transported to Spectum Health in Grand Rapids for autopsy. The recovery was made just out in front of the Little Point Sable Lighthouse near the bottom of the lake in 78 feet of water, sheriff’s office Lt. Craig Mast said. State police and an Ottawa County Marine deputy used side scan sonar and developed a possible target in locating Bruce. From that target, the state police used an underwater robot to confirm what they had found was indeed Bruce’s body. “There was some difficulty bringing Mr. Bruce’s body to
2ND DROWNING VICTIM RECOVERED continued on 12a
participants. It is kind of astonishing to us.” Those participants work hard every year in preparation for this week’s county fair which runs through
Saturday, Aug. 27 in Hart. Here they get to show off the culmination of their efforts in raising animals or completing projects. Outside of the biggest awards
for those that show animals, including grand and reserve champion in each animal area, they also get to see what price their project animal draws at auction. “The biggest thing is that our small market program has moved up its auction time. The auction is now
“This year
we are dealing with swine influenza. There have been no reported cases at this time, but that is subject to change if any symptoms arise in the swine at the fair,”
— Lori Cargill Oceana MSU Extension 4-H Program Coordinator
at 5 p.m. Saturday to try and ease some of the traffic congestion for fair patrons that want to get into the grandstands that night and also to reduce the noise so that people can hear the auctioneer,” Cargill said of the one hour time change to the auction. “Also the poultry project has returned and we are able to have live birds on the premises,” she said. “We did not have that last year due to avian influenza.” After an outbreak of swine influenza, where media outlets reported two people contracted the illness from one infected animal, at the Muskegon County Fair, Cargill said they are on high alert to keep that from happening at the Oceana County Fair. “This year we are dealing with swine influenza. There have been no reported cases at this time, but that is subject to change if any symptoms arise in the swine at the fair,” Cargill said. She went on to explain that swine influenza
4-H PARTICIPATION UP AT COUNTY FAIR
continued on 7a
Dolph Eisenlohr, top, sits on top of a chicken cage outside of the poultry barn Tuesday morning, Aug. 23 as he waits for his birds to be checked in. Left, Matthew Brimmer helps escort a pig down the loading ramp and into the swine barn and the Oceana County Fair. Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
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Hesperia students return to classes Monday
While the majority of Oceana County schools won’t begin classes until Sept. 6, Hesperia Community Schools students will begin classes next Monday, Aug. 29. The Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NCRESA) has received a start time waiver and all schools within the NCRESA service area will begin classes before Labor Day, superintendent Vaughn White said. For Hesperia students, Aug. 29 will be a full day of classes. The start time for kindergarten through fourth-grade students will be 7:50 a.m. and classes will dismiss at 3:15 p.m. For students in grades five through 12, classes will begin at 8:05 a.m. and dismiss at 3:15 p.m. Children in kindergarten, first and second grades will not be dropped off at their bus stop without an older sibling or acknowledgement that a parent or guardian is at home. White noted that there will be some bus driver route changes and asks that people be patient the first few weeks of school while the new drivers become acquainted with the new routes and children. All students should arrive at their assigned bus stop at least five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. The district is expected to officially hire a new elementary interventionist at its Sept. 19 board meeting. Denise Short will begin the school year with the intent to hire, White said.
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• August 25, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Wilson faces embezzlement charges
the money over to the village. During Monday’s preliminary hearing, Elizabeth Canfield of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) Services Unit testified that the LEIN computer system tracks and retains all queries entered into the system for five years. She had been given a sampling of some of the VIN numbers from inspections allegedly performed and signed off by Wilson, but the system showed no record of any of the numbers ever being entered. Michigan Department of State Regulation Manager Steve McConnell told the court that the law requires the up to $100 fee collected for salvage vehicle inspections to be turned over to the inspecting officer’s employer and that disbursements are worked out between the employer and the inspecting officer. He said the average inspection can take two to four hours to complete, but Wilson’s inspection reports indicated he was completing almost all his inspections in two hours. McConnell said that when inspections are completed quickly, it tends to throw up a “red flag.” Shelby Village Administrator Chelsea Stratil was the first to testify. Stratil told the court that she had received an anonymous tip regarding Wilson’s salvage vehicle inspections and that Wilson had performed approximately 700 inspections between December 2013 and November 2015. After starting an internal investigation, Stratil said she consulted local officials before ultimately contacting Lt. Dave Johnson of the Michigan State Police. She testified that she initially did not know Wilson was certified to perform salvage vehicle inspections, but had noticed there was a blank line item for
Employee training grants available
Nearly $20 million in grants are available for Michigan businesses to fund employee training through the 2017 Skilled Trades Training Fund. The competitive grants, launched in 2013, have proven to be such a popular and sought-after resource that the funding pool has been increased for 2017 by over 35 percent. Michigan Works! West Central will host employer information presentations on STTF prior to the application period, which begins in September. An employer information presentation will take place Monday, Aug. 29 at the Hart Community Center (behind city hall), 407 State St., in Hart at noon. Lunch will be provided. “Local employers who have training needs may be eligible for financial assistance through STTF and should start assessing training needs and preparing an application soon,” says Paul Griffith, executive director of Michigan Works! West Central. STTF is designed for shortterm training programs and can be utilized by private companies or non-profits with a Michigan presence. The training also includes USDOL registered apprenticeships. Trainees must be Michigan residents age 18 or older who are current or future full-time employees of the company. Interested employers in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola counties must apply through Michigan Works! West Central. Since STTF’s inception in 2014, Michigan Works! West Central has helped secure nearly $900,000 for businesses in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola counties, which equates to nearly 1,000 employees receiving training. Interested companies can visit www.michworkswc.org/ resources-data/sttf for more information or call 231-6600285. Those interested in attending the Hart presentation must RSVP to Merri Bennett at 231-583-2029 or at mbennett@michworkswc.org.
inspection fees in the Shelby Village audit. Stratil told the court that Wilson admitted to performing inspections, but could not produce any verbal or written agreements allowing him to keep the fees. During cross examination by defense attorney Tim Hayes, Stratil identified John Heykoop as the person who tipped her off to Wilson’s salvage vehicle inspections. She said she learned that Wilson had been certified since 1995 to perform inspections, but did not interview any previous council members during her investigation to see if there was some type of agreement for Wilson to keep the fees. Stratil said it was her understanding that all salvage vehicle inspection fees collected belong to the village first. Wilson’s $10,000, 10 percent bond was continued. He waived his circuit court arraignment following Monday’s
2nd drowning victim recovered
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the surface because the waves on Lake Michigan were between 4-6 feet, which made it very difficult to operate in,” Mast said. “Divers were eventually used to raise the body to the surface where it could be brought on board a boat and brought to shore.” Bruce, Waslusky and a third man identified as Russell Pierce were fishing approximately one mile off the lighthouse shoreline the evening of Aug. 14 when Bruce and Waslusky went into the water in an attempt to retrieve a fishing net that had been dropped overboard while attempting to net a large fish. Neither man was wearing a life jacket.
preliminary hearing and a circuit court pretrial conference is set for Sept. 12. Wilson was previously forced to resign as police chief in July 2007 and accepted a
severance package a month later. The move outraged many community members and prompted resignations and recall elections of council members serving at the time. He
was rehired as police chief in April 2009. If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum 15-year prison sentence and/or a $25,000 fine or three times the amount em-
from Page 1a bezzled on the embezzlement charge. The false certification charges carry a maximum 1-5 years prison sentence and/or $500-$5,000 in fines.