Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015
Construction continues at SLSP campground Page 3a
Holladay wins Michigan 4-H Animal Science Sportsperson of the Year award Page 10a
State Agriculture officials lift poultry exhibition ban
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Shelby Police Chief Wilson suspended Village to conduct internal investigation
By Andrew Skinner Herald-Journal Editor
An internal investigation regarding an unspecified matter involving Shelby Police Chief Bob Wilson has led to his suspension from the police department. Shelby Village Administrator Chelsea Stratil announced the suspension Monday, Dec.
Wilson
28 but would not elaborate as to what the matter involved. According to Village President Paul Inglis the issue leading to Wilson’s suspension was brought to his attention by Stratil after she learned about it from an unnamed source. “Stratil made the decision to suspend Chief Wil-
son,” Inglis said. Adding that, “(Stratil) consulted with each village council member and all seven members concurred with her decision to do so.” “While the village administrator and the village council do not take this matter lightly, Chief Wilson deserves the benefit of the doubt until the investigation is completed and the results are made known,” Inglis said. “This is
“While the village
administrator and the village council do not take this matter lightly, Chief Wilson deserves the benefit of the doubt until the investigation is completed and the results are made known,”
— Paul Inglis Shelby Village President
WILSON SUSPENDED continued on 3a
SSB’s Gary Bailey calls it a career A.J.
Bank chairman and CEO retiring this week
Jeremiah
By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal Writer
Jovanie
SHELBY — He waves to people from his front corner office. He knows his customers by name, greets them with handshakes and hugs and wishes them well for the holidays. He believes it’s important to be visible to his customers and to be involved in the community. He’s Gary Bailey, outgoing chairman and CEO of Shelby State Bank. Bailey will call it a career today (Thursday, Dec. 31) as he wraps up 43 years in the banking business — the last 24-plus years at Shelby State Bank. He began his career at SSB July 1, 1991. At first, he was apprehensive about pulling up roots and moving to Shelby from his home in Tawas, but after a visit and a ride around the community with then SSB President Jerry Austin, Bailey changed his mind. “I never knew where Shelby was,” Bailey said. “I had to look at a map because that was in the days before GPS.” “It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I love my job. I can’t wait to get to work every day.” The Saginaw native said he actually got into the banking business by accident. Following high school, he served four years in
Emily
They resolve to be better—and bigger
For the 6 to 8-year-olds of Thomas Read Elementary’s Aspire program, the New Year is a year closer to freedom
By Mary Beth Crain OHJ Contributing Writer
Ever tried asking a 6-year-old if he or she has any New Year’s resolutions? You might as well ask your cat. Resolution? What’s that? New Year?
Laney
What’s that? So it was, to say the least, an experience to interview some of the children in Thomas Read Elementary School’s Aspire after-school program about their resolutions for 2016. Prior to the interviews, the first, second and third graders had been briefly prepped by Aspire site coordinator Deb Gersten, who explained to them what a resolution was. “A couple of them had a vague idea of what I was talking about,” Deb said. “I tried to give them some examples, like ‘I’m not going to fight with my brothers and sisters,’ or ‘I want to try harder to keep my room clean.’ But I don’t know that it’s a concept they really understand.”
RESOLUTIONS: BETTER—AND BIGGER IN 2016 continued on 2a
Eddie
BAILEY CALLS IT A CAREER continued on 6a
After 43 years in banking, Shelby State Bank’s Gary Bailey knows all the ins and outs of the banking business, including making sure that the gate to the vault is closed.
John Cavanagh • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Assault with a knife lands Hesperia man in jail Oceana County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 46-year-old Hesperia man after responding to a domestic situation involving a knife in the 3900 block of East Johnson Road Wednesday evening, Dec. 23. According to Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Of-
fice, David Theodore McDaniel, 46, of Hesperia was arrested for threatening his live-in girlfriend with a kitchen-style knife. Mast said that when deputies arrived and placed McDaniel under arrest he was found to be in possession of a “large amount of mari-
juana.” McDaniel was charged with felonious assault and possession of marijuana. He was arraigned in 78th District Court and bond was set at $15,000/10 percent. No one was injured during the assault, Mast reported.
McDaniel
Sheriff’s office warns of utility scam Kailynn
Ricardo
Genesis
Brody
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Hesperia business tricked out of $2,477
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Tis’ the season for scams and those looking to take advantage of others. The Oceana County Sheriff’s Department issued a warning early this week of a possible scam that has recently hit the area and cost a pair of Hesperia business owners over $2,000.
Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office said a Hesperia business reported that they fell victim to a scam after feeling uneasy about a payment they made late last week. Mast said the couple received a telephone call from someone allegedly from Con-
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sumers Energy and they were informed they were behind in their payments and that their electricity would be turned off if they did not make payment immediately. The couple was instructed to make three wire transfers totalling $2,477 from a CVS Pharmacy in Muskegon. Mast said the couple made the payments and it wasn’t until after the wire transfer that they became suspicious of the call.
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Mast said it is pretty rare that utility companies will demand a wire transfer for payment and that it is often a tip-off that it is a scam. Mast asks those who receive calls similar to this to use their better judgement before making payment and if you are unsure if you are being targeted by a scammer to contact the Oceana County Sheriff’s Department at 231-873-2121.
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Oceana’s Herald-Journal • December 31, 2015 • 3a
Know
In The
Stay smart and safe during the winter storm
As hazardous winter conditions begin to show their face in West Michigan, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/ EMHSD) are asking Michiganders to continue to make safety a priority. “Everyone should be mindful of any fallen debris or power lines caused by recent storms,” said Capt. Chris A. Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD. “Trees and limbs may become unstable due to the ice and strong wind gusts. Whether you’re removing fallen debris or using a generator due to a power outage, please be extremely careful.” Earlier in the week, more than 67,000 customers were without power across the state of Michigan. To be smart and safe during the storm: • Stay at least 25 feet away from any downed lines and assume that every line is “live” and dangerous. • Make certain any fallen tree debris is not in contact with a power line before clearing. Trees and branches can conduct electricity and electrocute you on contact. • Report life-threatening downed power lines to 911; however, don’t call 911 to ask about a power outage. Report power outages to your utility company. • Never run a generator indoors. Ensure it is outside and far away from windows or any other area where exhaust can vent back into a living area. Carbon monoxide can cause injury or death. • Never use grills, camp stoves or other gasoline or charcoal burning devices inside of homes, basements, garages or near a window. These appliances give off carbon monoxide which can build up quickly in a home. • Never use a cooktop or oven to heat your home. These appliances are not designed for heating purposes and may result in carbon monoxide poisoning. • Always follow operating and maintenance instructions for fuelburning appliances and equipment. • Check on elderly neighbors and individuals with functional needs to see if they may need assistance. • Bring your pets and animals inside. Move livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water. • Individuals who need assistance or guidance during the winter storm are encouraged to call 211. The public is encouraged to monitor local news media for upto-date weather reports and local emergency information. If unforeseen weather or infrastructure circumstances cause the need for further closures to be considered, updates will be posted on www.michigan.gov
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
A roof covers the top of one of three picnic pavilions being constructed near the Silver Lake shoreline at the Silver Lake State Park. A new handicapped accessible walkway along the waters edge will allow for better access to the lake.
Construction continues at SLSP campground SILVER LAKE — While much of the construction season has wrapped up for the year, work continues at the Silver Lake State Park campground and day use area. The base asphalt coat for the reconfigured boat launch and campground entrance was completed earlier this fall with the final asphalt coat expected in the spring, Silver Lake State Park Manager Jody Johnston said. The new boat launch also is completed, but has not been opened for use and the parks department seeks a dredging permit to deepen the lake from launch to about a 4-foot lake depth. A new campground welcome center/office also is under construction as is one of the three picnic pavilions. Johnston said the new 24-by-24 pic-
nic pavilion will feature electricity and a fireplace. The picnic pavilions were included in the original reconfiguration, but were later taken out after funding shortages were discovered, but those issue have since been resolved and the pavilions were put back in. The other two shelters will be smaller in size, and Johnston did not think they would include fireplaces. A new bathhouse is also in the works. Johnston said it is hoped most of the work will be completed in the spring, but didn’t know if everything would be completed by Memorial Day weekend. Some work could last into the summer. “It’s really going to be nice in the spring,” Johnston said.
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
The base coat of asphalt has been laid for the parks expanded entrance way and parking area.
State Agriculture officials lift poultry exhibition ban LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A ban on poultry exhibitions in Michigan that was introduced in June to prevent the spread of bird flu has been lifted. The decision to remove the ban came after an evaluation of the disease risk and status of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — HPAI — outbreak, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officials said Wednesday, Dec. 23. Poultry and waterfowl shows were banned at fairs and other events in Michigan as part of efforts to prevent the spread of bird flu that has devastated flocks elsewhere in the Midwest. The ban prevented the commingling of birds from different locations, including exhibitions, swap meets, petting zoos at fairs, game bird and waterfowl fair displays, and Miracle of Life exhibits. MDARD partnered with Michigan State University Extension 4-H, Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, and other partners to inform youth of the announcement and identify ways to engage Michigan’s youth poultry exhibitors and allow them to showcase their knowledge and experience. “I would like to thank MSU Extension and our youth leaders who created a meaningful educational experience out of an unfortunate situation,” said Dr. James Averill, MDARD’s State Veterinarian. “Their partnership was invaluable in protecting all of Michigan’s poultry flocks statewide from this devastating disease.” “It’s extremely encouraging news for the 4-H youth who are interested in raising backyard poultry,” Oceana County 4-H Program Coordinator, Lori Cargill said of the ban being
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo
Taylor Lound examines a chicken during the Grandslam Showmanship portion of the 2013 Oceana County Fair.
lifted. “At this time it is premature to say whether we will be able to have live birds at the Oceana County Fair in 2016. The state vet’s office retains the right to cancel shows again in the future as they monitor the Mississippi Flyway and birds in Michigan.” Cargill emphasized that the lift does not mean that our 4-H poultry families are able to relax their biosecurity measures. Adding that, “Michigan 4-H is encouraging households with poultry to remain vigilant and contact their local veterinarian if they detect sick birds.” In an effort to educate and mitigate potentially hazardous conditions, MSUE in partnership with USDA/APHIS is offering bird biosecurity train-
ings throughout the state. Cargill said the closest training session will take place Feb. 18 in Ravenna at the Ravenna Baptist Church. These trainings are offered free of charge. Details can be found at the reg-
istration website, www.events. anr.msu.edu/APHIS/. “We look forward to working with youth interested in poultry projects and are committed to sustaining their interest in raising birds regardless of their
ability to exhibit in public forums,” cargill added. U.S. poultry producers have lost more than 48 million birds in 15 states this year to bird flu. Minnesota, the country’s top turkey producer, and Iowa, the top chicken-egg producer, were the hardest-hit states. Through October, no cases were detected in Michigan’s domestic birds. But a ban on exhibitions could be reinstated in Michigan if the disease is detected in domestic flocks in surrounding states or nearby areas of Canada. Similar bans and quarantines on poultry farms that were infected with the flu recently were lifted in North Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio and Iowa. The virus is believed to be spread through droppings of migratory wild birds, particularly ducks. “Concern for the possibility of a return of HPAI in the U.S still remains,” Michigan officials said in a release. “Generally, heightened findings of influenza viruses in wild birds will begin in winter and go through spring as birds comingle and migrate south, and cold weather helps keep the virus alive.”
Wilson suspended
from Page 1a
a sad and difficult time for the village administrator, the village council and all of the residents of the Village of Shelby and we all must treat this situation in a responsible and sensitive manner.” The internal investigation will be conducted by Stratil. Wilson, who has been with the department for more than 30 years, will not be paid while under suspension; however, his fringe benefits are still in effect according to Inglis. According to Stratil, Wilson was suspended Tuesday, Dec. 22. Shelby Police Officer Terry TenBrink is the village’s acting chief during this time and is the primary contact for the Shelby Police Department. No additional information regarding the reason for the suspension was being released by the village. The Shelby Village Council meeting planned for Monday, Dec. 28 was canceled due to severe weather. The village council is scheduled to next meet Jan. 11. • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photos
Top, a 4-H’er holds a chicken while waiting for his turn to show the bird during the 2013 Oceana County
Shelby shakes off defeats, beats Ludington PageB1
Thursday, January 14, 2016
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Shelby fires police Chief Wilson without turning over inspection fees to the village. Council voted 5-1-1 to terminate Wi l s o n ’s employment immediately after it met in closed session to Wilson discuss the matter for approximately 90 minutes. Councilman Dan Zaverl en-
Retired county prosecutor raises Open Meetings Act concerns By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal
SHELBY — Beloved and sometimes embattled Shelby Village Police Chief Bob Wilson was fired Monday night by the Shelby Village Council amid allegations he performed salvage vehicle inspections
tered the motion to terminate Wilson’s employment and received support from Councilman Bill Harris. Those two along with council members Andy Near, John Sutton and village President Paul Inglis voted yes, and Councilman Ben Michalko voted no. Councilwoman Sharita Prowant refused to vote on the matter and her vote was counted as an abstention. Prowant said she thought the request for the
SHELBY FIRES WILSON continued on 7a
“This man (Wilson)
has worked for us for 30 some years. This is why we can’t get good people because we have a reputation of treating people like garbage,” — Paula Michalko Former Village of Shelby Councilwoman
Double JJ looks to join Village of Rothbury Annexation from Grant Township could bring more future stability to the resort
By Greg Means Shoreline Media
GRANT TWP. – An annexation from Grant Township to the Village of Rothbury would be more expensive for the sprawling Double JJ Ranch and Golf Resort, but the move may bring more future stability to the tourist business. At its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Grant Township board took a step which may lead to the annexation by agreeing to a conditional termination of the Act 425 agreement which allows the ranch to obtain liquor licenses through the village. The Act 425 is necessary for the ranch to sell liquor by the glass because Grant is a “dry
DOUBLE JJ LOOKS TO JOIN VILLAGE
Clearing the way
continued on 3a
Rand Gee of Pentwater puts the finishing touches on snowblowing his Rush Street driveway Sunday, Jan. 10. After clearing his driveway Gee planned to snowblow nearby drives of a few older neighbors. Oceana County received over 12 inches of snow over the weekend and into the beginning of the week. All county schools were closed Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo
No one was harmed and no money was taken Thursday evening, Jan. 7 during an attempted robbery at the Mitt Stop gas station along State Street in Shelby.
Attempted robbery ends without incident
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
By John Cavanagh
Shoreline Media Writer
SHELBY — An attempted armed robbery at the Mitt Stop at 269 S. State St. in the Village of Shelby Thursday night ended without incident as the would-be robber changed his mind. According to acting Shelby Village Police Chief Terry TenBrink, the suspect entered the store wearing a black, zip-up hooded sweatshirt and had his
ATTEMPTED ROBBERY
continued on 3a
Hesperia super leaves after 1 year
HESPERIA — After just one year, Hesperia Community Schools Superintendent Mike Corey is moving on. The Hesperia Board of Education accepted Corey’s resignation at a special meeting, Jan. 7. Corey’s last day with the district will be Friday, Jan. 15. He was hired by the board in December 2015 and began work Jan. 5, 2015. Corey said he is relocating downstate to be closer to family and seek other employment opportunities. “It’s been great here,” he said. Corey said the board is currently exploring its options in bringing on an interim superintendent.
Benefit claim approved for family of late Pentwater Fire Capt. John Sayles Following a lengthy battle with the United States Department of Justice, the Public Safety Officer Benefit claim for the family of Pentwater Fire Department Captain John Sayles was approved Monday. John Sayles was a Captain and Secretary of Pentwater Fire Department for over 10 years when he died Nov. 14, 2012, a day after Sayles fighting a structure fire on an assist to Hart Area Fire Department. Sayles was at home changing a tire the next day when he went into his house and collapsed. He was transported to Mercy Hospital in Muskegon where he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and died while in transport to a Grand Rapids hospital for an emergency surgical procedure. Because Sayles had fought a fire the
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day before his collapse his death was considered line of duty related, a legal benefit afforded under the Hometown Heroes Survivors’ Benefits Act of 2003. Claim paperwork was initially submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) Feb. 13, 2013. Additional information was requested over the next 17 months until the claim was assigned for “legal review” July 17, 2014. The claim would remain in legal review for another 14 months until Sept. 16, 2015. Pentwater Fire Department Captain Ray Hasil notes Lee Van Ameyde of “WZZM 13 On Your Side Watchdog” was conducting an interview at Pentwater Fire Department when an e-mail was received from the DoJ stating Sayles’ claim was returned from legal review because his collapse fell outside the 24hour window by 14 minutes. “It was beyond frustrating,” Hasil said. “The Department of Justice started
SAYLES BENEFIT CLAIM APPROVED continued on 3a
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Jim Young • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo
John Sayles, second from left, helps extinguish a structure fire Nov. 13, 2012. Sayles passed away the following day after suffering an aortic aneurysm.
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Oceana’s Herald-Journal • January 14, 2016 • 7a
Shelby fires Wilson
Arts council seeks concept designs for Pentwater bike rack from Page 1a
vote was premature as a Michigan State Police investigation into the issue is on-going. “I guess I really don’t have a whole lot to say at this point,” Wilson said when contacted by the Herald-Journal Tuesday morning. The meeting was moved from the Shelby Village Hall to the Shelby High School auditorium in anticipation of a large crowd. Approximately 35 people attended. Wilson, who village officials said was invited to Monday’s meeting, but was not present, was suspended without pay in late December by village Administrator Chelsea Stratil after she had received an anonymous tip regarding Wilson’s salvage vehicle inspections. She said following the closed session and vote that her internal investigation determined that Wilson, as an agent of the village through his role with the police department, had been performing salvage vehicle inspections without the village’s knowledge and any revenue generated from the inspections was not turned over to the village. Stratil said that under the law, fees for inspections can run up to $100. As an audience member, retired Oceana County Prosecutor Terry Shaw challenged the provision in the Open Meetings Act that the village used to enter the closed session. Council voted to go into closed session to consider a written opinion developed by village attorney John Schrier under the attorney/client privilege, but Shaw said that provision only applies when there is pending litigation. “I think you guys are — Bob Wilson dead wrong,” Shaw said. Former Shelby Police Chief “All this was done in secret.” Shaw also said complaints and allegations against public officers can only be heard in closed session when the individual who’s the target of complaints requests it. The Open Meetings Act reads, in part, “(1) To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named person requests a closed hearing.” It also reads, “(4) To consult with its attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific pending litigation, but only if an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigating or settlement position of the public body.” Yet another part reads, “(6) To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute. But note – a board is not permitted to go into closed session to discuss an attorney’s oral opinion, as opposed to a written legal memorandum.” When pressed by Shaw, Schrier said he couldn’t immediately cite the specific provision, but invited Shaw to contact him at his office for further clarification. Shelby Police Officer Ralph Briese told council Wilson only performed salvage inspections when off duty and never while Wilson was in uniform. “When he’s working off duty, that’s his business,” Briese said, adding that while performing salvage inspections off duty, Wilson was actually working for the Secretary of State and not the village. Schrier disagreed. Inglis said the village has no record or agreement that it could find regarding salvage inspection fees. He added that the situation came to light when Wilson was asked to produce an agreement and couldn’t. Shelby Police Sgt. Roger “Chuck” Schultz said Wilson has had a verbal agreement with the village to perform inspections for the last 20 to 25 years, adding that case law allows inspectors to work for the Secretary of State. He also said Wilson was never informed of why he was being suspended. Former Councilwoman Paula Michalko, also in the audience, asked what was the big rush to terminate Wilson’s employment when the state police investigation isn’t completed. “This man (Wilson) has worked for us for 30 some years,” Paula Michalko said. “This is why we can’t get good people because we have a reputation of treating people like garbage.” Harris said there were a lot of opinions about the law. Although he didn’t have specific hours, Harris said the village has evidence of Wilson performing inspections in Traverse City and Ravenna on the same day he worked a police shift for the village, and if the inspections were performed while Wilson was off duty, it would have equated to an 18-hour day with travel time. Ben Michalko said that council reviewed a tremendous amount of information while it met in closed session. He said he doesn’t want it to appear that council was going to act without an explanation as it was very deliberate in its discussions. “No question. This is a sensitive issue,” Inglis said. Although no action was taken Monday, the village personnel committee will be charged with seeking out Wilson’s successor. Officer Terry TenBrink has been the acting police chief since Wilson’s suspension. Wilson was forced to resign 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. New Era resident Tim French was later hired as chief and resigned after serving just over a year. Wilson was rehired as police chief in April 2009.
The Pentwater Arts Council is accepting designs from artists of all ages for a bike rack to be placed across the street from the village green along Hancock Street in downtown Pentwater. The Pentwater’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has authorized up to $1,000 for its actual construction, to be made at the Artisan’s Center in Pentwater this year. The following guidelines should be part of the artist’s consideration when designing
the rack. Racks should be under 7’ long, 3’ wide and under 6’ high. In addition to physical dimension limits the rack should hold 5-7 bikes; be a permanent structure and able to withstand being outside during winter; powder coated in the village colors, blue-green; and represent the “Essence of Pentwater.” The designs should be placed on an 8.5-by-11-inch paper; crayons, pencils, markers, or ink can be used to portray the
bike rack. Clearly identify entries with the artist’s name and all contact information. Designs will not be returned unless requested. The bike rack design will be chosen by a group of local artists and community members in the spring following a deadline of April 1. The artist of the chosen concept will receive their name on a plaque attached to the bike rack. Designs can be sent e-mailed
to Emily Kunsky at e.kunsky@ gmail.com or dropped off in a box outside the office of the Pentwater Arts Council, 215 Hancock St., in Pentwater (the yellow building across from House of Flavors). The office is on the second floor of the building, across from Harbor Design and Construction. The Pentwater Arts Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
“I guess I really
don’t have a whole lot to say at this point,”
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Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal file photo
Chop chop, shovel shovel, snowblow
Florentino Cruz, above, left, uses an axe to break away frozen snow piled up from passing snow plows as Clemente Diaz, center shovels away the snowy debris and Stephanie Cruz follows behind with a snowblower Sunday morning, Jan. 10 near the corner of Johnson and Dryden streets in Hart.
Oceana MTA to host Board of Review School The Oceana County chapter of the Michigan Township Association will host Board of Review School Thursday, Feb. 4. Board of Review School will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at the Golden Township Hall, 5527 W. Fox Rd. in Mears. Cost of the class is $15 per person in advance and $20 for a “Walk-in” if there is room. Presenters will include,
Barbara VanGelderen, Supervisor/Assessor, MAAO, Assessor Golden Township along with Jim Whitaker of the Oceana County Equalization Department. The class will qualify for the four hour renewal of credits. To register mail payment to Oceana MTA - Connie Cargill, P.O. Box 26, Mears, MI 49436 by Jan. 30.
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e b i r c ubs
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& ! e v a $ A new year, a new perspective
The player without a team
Leona Perigard shares her remarkable resolution of hope Page 3a
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Hart’s Brett Bonstell weighing options after Pirates cancel 2015 varsity football season Page B1
Connie VanDerZanden of Hart
“ Deliver a healthy baby girl and then get back into shape,”
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“To grow in my
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Judy Porter of Silver Lake
Michaella Dold of Hart
“To be younger,”
Collette Perigard of Montague
“Explore
Kendra Walsworth of Hart
Jan Beard of Hart
“Exercise more and lose weight,”
“There’s no use making them. I’m just going to break them,”
“To be debt free by the end of the year,”
Ruthann Eilers of New Era
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Michigan presidential primary nears Road millages in Hart and Weare Townships on March 8 ballots Page 3a
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Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Wildcats earn season sweep of Falcons Oceana County's weekly news source since 1869 Page B1
Shelby backs away from MOCAP property
Shelby’s The Ladder is gift to community
By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal Writer
SHELBY — Following a lengthy and occasionally contentious discussion, the Shelby Village Council voted 5-2 not to pursue the Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership (MOCAP) building on South State Street at its regular meeting Monday night. The building is being eyed by the Oceana County Board of Commissioners as a potential new home for the Oceana County Ambulance Service units staged in the Shelby area. Once the county began to show interest, so did village representatives, and at the Jan. 25 village council
MOCAP PROPERTY PURCHASE VOTED DOWN continued on 6a
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
TenBrink named Shelby police chief
A group of children and adults play a game of foosball Saturday, Feb. 6 during an open house at the soon to open The Ladder Community Center. The center, 67 N. State St., in Shelby will be available for middle and high school aged children and adults from throughout Oceana County.
Open house gives community sneak peek at new center The Ladder Community Center set to open Feb. 16
By John Cavanagh
Herald-Journal Writer
By Anne Pawli OHJ Contributing Writer
A dream, a gift and homage to God coalesced to form the foundation for The Ladder Community Center, which hosted an open house Saturday at its State Street location in Shelby. The Christ-centered organization was born of a vision of neighborliness, service and transforming lives. There was standingroom-only at times in the flowing, 7,000-squarefoot space while nearly 800 people toured the Santellan rehabbed structure to see what the center had to offer. The answer, in a word – plenty. Smiling, welcoming volunteers greeted folks as they poured through the door, then ushered them into the café where tables and booths of all shapes and sizes accommodate seating for up to 62 people. Families and friends chatted amiably, sipping coffee, snacking on refreshments or putting the decks of playing cards and UNO to good use in the warm, comfortable space. Beyond the café is a central kitchen which
Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Ruth Navitskas, Ann Campagna and Carmen Osborn play a game of Skip-Bo at the Ladder Community Center Saturday during the center’s open house.
opens into a recreation space replete with additional seating, stationary bikes, elliptical and weight training machines, ping pong, pool and foosball tables and shuffleboard. The recreation space flows into the gymnasium with room for half-court basketball, volleyball, dodge ball and pickle ball. A ‘Murphy’ stage against the outside wall flips down for performances and up when additional floor space is needed. Embedded in the new concrete flooring is a walking path, which meanders through the interior of the center.
“We grew up at a time in Shelby when we
lived in a neighborhood where people were really into helping each other, serving each other and working together. That’s why The Ladder. We wanted to go back to a time when people were working to serve the community,”— Brian Beckman, The Ladder Community Center
Televisions are mounted on walls throughout the facility. The Ladder has all the essential ingredients to become the heart of the Shelby community; a place where mates of all ages can gather to connect, enjoy companionship and enrich their lives. That is the vision of developers Brian and Dave Beckman. “We grew up at a time in Shelby when we lived in a neighborhood where people were really into helping each other, serving each other and working together,” Brian Beckman said before the open house. “That’s why The Ladder. We wanted to go back to a time when people were working to serve the community.” The success of The Ladder, designated a 501c3 nonprofit, will depend in large part on fundraising, and recruiting and maintaining dedicated volunteers. Brian said it will depend on 18 volunteers a day, Monday through Friday, to provide the full schedule of programming envisioned for the com-
Beckman
COMMUNITY EXCITED FOR NEW CENTER
SHELBY — Effective Tuesday of this week, interim Shelby Village Police Chief Terry TenBrink is the interim no more. The Shelby Village Council approved naming TenBrink the village police chief Monday night in a 6-1 vote. He will succeed long time police Chief Bob Wilson who was fired in January. TenBrink will be paid $23.88 hourly in his new position. Council members Bill HarTenBrink ris, Andy Near, Dan Zaverl, John Sutton, Ben Michalko and village President Paul Inglis voted for the hire. Councilwoman Sharita Prowant initially wanted to abstain, but then voted no, saying she thought the hire was premature. Prowant abstained when Wilson’s employment was terminated, saying she thought it was premature as a Michigan State Police investigation into Wilson’s alleged action regarding salvage vehicle inspections wasn’t complete.
TENBRINK NAMED CHIEF continued on 6a
Revised county master plan up for review
The 63-day clock for the public to comment on the Oceana County Planning Commissioners revised master plan began Jan. 28 when the county board of commissioners approved putting the plan out for comment at its regular meeting. The county board of commissioners approved putting the revised master plan out for comment. The proposed plan can be viewed at http://oceana. mi.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/OceanaCounty-Master-Plan_Draft_1-28-16.pdf In June 2014, the planning commission hired
continued on 3a
COUNTY MASTER PLAN continued on 3a
Hart planners approve medical Peterson Farms, employees marijuana amendments send water, coats to Flint school
Changes expected to be in place by March 13
Changes to a zoning ordinance which amends the City of Hart medical marijuana regulations were recommended for approval at the city’s planning commission meeting Feb. 4 and was set to go before city council Tuesday, Feb. 9, for its first reading. The zoning committee had planned to adopt changes at its January meeting but lacked a quorum, which was just as well, according to city attorney Julie Spring-
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stead and David Jirousek, the city’s planning consultant. Instead, the pair worked during the interim to hone portions of the proposed amendments and strike others which were inconsistent with the 2008 Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA). The resulting ordinance, which repeals Sec. 1243.27 and replaces it in its entirety, was designed to prevent the concentration of registered primary caregiver facilities in residential areas, clarify nuisance
MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENTS continued on 7a
Shoreline Media Writer
It was a rewarding experience. A crew from Peterson Farms of Shelby went to Flint Monday, delivering a semitruck load of bottled water to the staff and students at Eisenhower Elementary Commu• Contributed photo nity School. “Everything went smoothly,” said Tre Montroy, safety manager semitrailer — 18 pallets carrying “All departments, all plants, evat Peterson Farms. 864 cases of water. erybody really chipped in to help,” Together, the Shelby company The collection took place in reMontroy said. “It really does feel and its employees donated enough cent weeks, with employees getWATER SENT TO FLINT bottled water to fill the whole ting into a friendly competition. continued on 7a
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A Flint Lowe’s employee, on the forklift, unloads water with the help of Trevor Montroy of Peterson Farms, in the truck.
By Patti Klevorn
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• February 11, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
MOCAP property purchase voted down
from Page 1a
TenBrink named chief
from Page 1a
Michalko said the village personnel had a lengthy discussion about the police chief position at its Jan. 26 meeting. One idea was to dissolve the police department and have police protection covered by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office. That idea was ultimately discarded, and Michalko said the committee began to look within its own department to make an internal promotion and elevate TenBrink to the police chief position. The move also will require the village to hire a full-time patrolman to fill the department vacancy created by TenBrink’s promotion. The village continues to review applicants for the village treasurer’s position, which has been vacant since last fall. It has instructed village Administrator Chelsea Stratil to contact three candidates from its most recent round of applications. The position pays $15 per hour on a 24-hour per week schedule.
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lunches with village Administrator Chelsea Stratil, the focus for any improvements is for the downtown area. Near said his fear in purchasing the property is that the village has no plan on how to use it, and Sutton agreed. Inglis pointed out that he polled eight community members over the weekend, and none expressed any interest in the village purchasing the property. Zaverl said he’d heard similar sentiments. Byl told council that he was willing to sign a purchase agreement today (Thursday, Feb. 11) with the MOCAP board of director for the county to purchase the building, providing the sale be contingent on the village planning commission approving a special use permit to allow the ambulance service to operate there. The planning commission was scheduled to have a Feb. 16 public hearing to consider the request, but due to a public notice publishing issue, the hear-
ing will now be in March. Byl also became frustrated with some of the council members wanting to save the property for future development and asked if they wanted to have an ambulance service facility in the community, because if they didn’t, the county could go somewhere else.
H
During the discussion period, Michalko emphasized he was not going to lose sleep over the village not getting the property. He also said the parcel is the nicest piece of commercial property from the south to north village limits and didn’t want to see it come off the tax roll if purchased by the county. “It’s in the best interest to increase the taxable value of all the properties in the village,” Michalko said. Although it was previously mentioned as a potential home for the village department of public works, village leaders emphasized they had no specific plans for property. Harris pointed out that through the village businesses brown bag
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L.A.S.S.I. - Local Animal Shelter Support Inc. wishes to thank the following businesses for their support of our Valentine’s Dance... Affordable Auto, A Sister’s Act, Blondie’s Salon, Cherry Hill Grocery, Claybank’s Pottery, Companion Animal Veterinary Service, Country Settings Salon, Gale’s IGA, Hansen Foods, Hart Hometown Pharmacy, Holiday Camping Resort, Images Salon, Mac’s Meats, Meyer Chevrolet, Morat’s New Era Bakery, New Era Wesco, Oceana Veterinary Clinic, Oldewick Post, Pixel Graphix Studio, Rothbury Hardware, Rothbury Parts Plus, Rothbury Wesco, Shear Perfections Salon, Shelby Floral & Gifts, Shelby Gem Factory, Shelby Pharmacy, Speady’s Treasures, Studio 49 Salon, Trailside Restaurant, Tri-County Feed & Uncle Mike’s Auto Repair Proceeds provide veterinary care for pets at the Oceana County Animal Shelter. L.A.S.S.I., PO Box 160, Pentwater, MI 49449
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meeting, county Commissioner Larry Byl agreed to put off making a recommendation to the full county board for two weeks so the village would have some time to explore a purchase. Councilman Bill Harris entered the motion not to purchase the property and received support from Dan Zaverl. Those two, along with Andy Near, John Sutton and village President Paul Inglis voted yes and Council members Sharita Prowant and Ben Michalko voted no. “Everything attractive about for the ambulance service is what makes it (the property) attractive for commercial development,” Michalko said.
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