Inside ...
July/August 2010
Emmet County News to note for county staff, residents and visitors
EMAIL NEWSLETTER DELIVERY Sign up to have the bimonthly newsletter electronically delivered. Go online to www.emmetcounty.org and click on the County News Signup button under county headlines, in the left-hand column.
CLERK’S OFFICE AUGUST PRIMARY INFORMATION The names of the candidates vying for the seven, two-year terms available on the Emmet County Board of Commissioners are available online at: www.emmetcounty.org/elections/. One candidate from each political party will be selected by the majority of voters in the Aug. 3, 2010, primary to appear on the November ballot. The current commissioners’ terms expire Dec. 31, 2010. Incumbents not seeking re-election are Tom Shier and Leroy Gregory. Commissioner Bill Fedus, who is serving the remainder of the late Tom Foltz’s term, is also not seeking election to the board beyond the end of the current term. SAMPLE BALLOTS AVAILABLE ONLINE The Clerk’s office has posted sample ballots for the August 2010 Primary Election for voters to review at www.emmetcounty.org/elections/. Sample ballots for individual townships and cities within Emmet County are available. This extra effort allows residents to preview the ballot before heading to the polls. There are a number of contested races slated for August in both the Democratic and Republican parties, including Governor, 1st District Congressional Representative, 37th District State Senator, 107th
District State Representative and Emmet County Commissioners. Polls will be open Aug. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are also now available. Contact your township or city clerk for instructions on receiving an absentee ballot.
COMMISSIONERS UPCOMING BOC MEETINGS July: Administrative meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, meeting room at the county building, 200 Division St., Petoskey. Regular meeting, 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, same location. August: Administrative meeting, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10; regular meeting, 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. AMBULANCE AUTHORITY TASK FORCE The Emmet County Board of Commissioners is looking for up to three county residents to serve on a task force that will explore local ambulance needs. The board has been in discussions the last several months about the potential for establishing an Ambulance Authority. Such a board would have the ability to recommend millage levies to partially fund ambulance operations. At their June 17 meeting, commissioners agreed to form a task force charged with making a recommendation for future ambulance needs. The task force will have seven members, including a representative from Mackinaw Ambulance, Allied Ambulance and two commissioners. Continued on next page ...
Newsletter contact: Beth Anne Piehl, Director of Communications and Web Development (231) 348-1704 bpiehl@emmetcounty.org.
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Emmet County
Dual-Stream Recycling Facility
COMMISSIONERS cont’d ... Three community members are being sought for the at-largeImportant positions. Appointments will be dates made at the July 15 commissioners’ meeting. Circa 1000 - The Odawa tribe settles the area now known as Emmet County after defeating the Mus-co-desh. Early 1600s - First Europeans arrive. 1671 - Founding of St. Ignace 1760s - John McAlpin and his Native American wife inhabit area known as McGulpin Point. 1775 -Revolutionary War starts. 1811 - Patrick McGulpin, son and heir to John McAlpin, receives the first recorded deed to the McGulpin Property, the first Emmet County deed issued by the USA. 1825 - Erie Canal opens. 1850s - Vessel traffic through the Straits of Mackinac increases dramatically and spurs the development of lighthouses. 1854 - Congress approves plans for McGulpin Point Lighthouse. 1861 - Civil War begins, interrupting construction of the lighthouse. 1867 - McGulpin Point becomes property of the federal government.
We’ll keep the light on ...
1868 - Construction begins on lighthouse. 1869 - McGulpin Point light shines for first time. 1906 - McGulpin Point is decommissioned. 1913 - The lighthouse passes into private ownership. 2008 - After successive owners, Emmet County purchases McGulpin Point property from the Peppler family. It includes 330 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline, with the majestic view pictured here.
May - Noon-5 p.m. June-Sept. - 10 a.m.-8 p.m. October - Noon-5 p.m. There is no charge. Gift shop on-site.
PHRAGMITES CONTROL EFFORT Commissioner Dan Plasencia has been appointed as Phragmites Administrator for the county. He has designated the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (TOMWC) to perform the duties called for in a recent board-approved ordinance. Phragmites are an invasive plant species emmetcounty.org that has info@emmetcounty.org the ability to choke out lakes such as Little(231) 348-1704 Traverse Bay. The board has received reports on the problem from TOMWC staff and is working with the agency in remediation efforts. Aid to navigation: Getting here
small map McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Historic Site is What is thetoStraits of located adjacent The Headlands recreational park, both just west of Mackinaw City. Mackinac? From Mackinaw City, travel west on Central Avenue, then turn north on Headlands/Wilderness Park Drive. From southern Emmet County, travel north on any of several main roads including M-119, Pleasantview Road, U.S. 31 or I-75. For a complete county map, go to emmetcounty.org.
COMMUNICATIONS/ONLINE NEWSLETTER TO BE PUBLISHED
The next two issues of the county’s bimonthly newsletter will be printed and inserted into the Saturday edition of the Petoskey News-Review. The July/August and September/October editions will be distributed to 18,000 Emmet County homes. To sign up for electronic delivery, register on the county home page, www.emmetcounty.org.
WEB SITE A SOURCE FOR NEWS AND MORE
Updates continue to be made to the county Web site. On a nearly daily basis, we are adding county news, features, information and photos. The goal is to keep county residents and visitors informed with the latest happenings, while also promoting our region to those outside of the area. If you haven’t visited us lately, be sure to check out www.emmetcounty.org.
Emmet County
NEW BROCHURES Communications recently completed two new brochures, one for McGulpin Point Lighthouse and a second for a special exhibit at Fort Necessity, Penn. The Fort is hosting a year-long exhibit that includes Odawa artifacts from the local tribe. A brochure will be available to visitors to the Fort Necessity exhibit, promoting Emmet County and offering information about our rich hisMcGulpin Point Lighthouse torical resources as well. We will also be redesigning all of the county brochures in the coming months. If you have ideas or needs for your department to be included, contact Beth Anne Piehl at ext. 1704. Front Cover
Having a blast in the past
On the Straits of Mackinac Emmet County, Mich.
DPW/RECYCLING DUAL-STREAM RECYCLING OPENS! On June 25, a grand opening celebration marked the opening of the county’s new Dual-Stream Recycling Facility, an expansion that will significantly increase the types of materials now accepted. Several hundred residents, visitors, dignitaries, current and past county leaders turned out for the day-long event. Added to the list of materials now accepted are plastic bags, trays and cups, juice boxes, milk cartons, paper cups, plastic grocery and bread bags. In conjunction with the grand opening, DPW also is rolling out dual totes for curbside recyclers. For more information or to get yours, go online to www.EmmetRecycling.org or call (231) 348-0640. VIDEO MARKS 20 YEARS OF RECYCLING Communications and IT worked together to produce a video detailing the last 20 years of the Continued on next page ...
Petoskey has made the lists of The100 Best Small Towns in America, The Great Towns of America, America’s 100 Best Places to Retire, Top 200 Towns for Sportsmen, 101 Best Outdoor Towns, and Best Places to Live in Rural America!
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Inside ... Petoskey at sunrise
Emmet County
DPW/RECYCLING cont’d
FAIR
county’s recycling program, in time for the grand opening of the new dual-stream facility on June 25. Pictured is IT Director Gary Appold filming retired county planner Max Putters, who discussed the early days of waste disposal and recycling in Emmet County. To see the video, contact the IT Department at (231) 348-1705.
MONSTER TRUCKS ARE COMING! For the first time in the history of the EmmetCharlevoix County Fair, Monster Trucks are coming to the grandstand event lineup. Michigan Monster Truck Shoot-Out will kick off the week of events, with a show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. 2010 fair dates: Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 21-29, with the carnival Tuesday-Sunday, Aug. 24-29. All events take place at the Emmet County Fairgrounds on U.S. 31 in Petoskey. More grandstand events include the Lipizzan Stallions, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, and Super Moto Cross at 7 p.m. Thursday. Aug. 26. For a schedule of events, including a printable calendar: www.emmetcounty.org/fair/.
THREE JULY DROP-OFF PROGRAMS All offerings take place at the Drop-off Center, 7363 Pleasantview Road, Harbor Springs. HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS: July 24, appointment required; (231) 348-0660. Free for Emmet County residents; out-of-county residents and qualifying businesses may use the service for a fee. MEDICINE DISPOSAL: July 24, 9 a.m. to noon. Free for Emmet County households; others may use the service at the county’s cost. DOCUMENT SHREDDING: July 24, 9 a.m. to noon. Document destruction professionals will shred whole boxes at a time on-site. Costs: • $5 per small box (copy paper box, small banker’s box) or two paper grocery bags full • $8 per large box (large banker’s box-size) Certificates of destruction upon request. Shredded papers will be recycled. More info: 348-0640. 30 YEARS WITH EMMET COUNTY DPW Superintendent Don Mapes is marking 30 years with the county. He joined the staff on July 24, 1980.
HOUSING COUNCIL 0 % HOME REPAIR LOANS AVAILABLE The Emmet County Home Improvement Program is offering 0 % loans to residents for fixing up their homes. The county has received funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to assist income-eligible homeowners interested in improving their homes. To qualify, you must: Own and have lived in your Emmet County home for at least one year; have current property taxes and homeowners insurance; and have yearly income at or below the following guidelines (family size, followed by income): 1, $32,850; 2, $37,550; 3, $42,250; 4, $46,950; 5, $50,700; 6, $54,450; 7, $58,250; 8, $62,000. Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency is administering the program for Emmet County. For more information, or to obtain an application, call the Traverse City offices at (800) 632-7334. Visit the Web site at www.nmcaa.net.
To request a free copy of Imagine, Emmet County’s magazine, go online to www.emmetcounty.org/imagine/ or contact the Communications Department, (231) 348-1704, bpiehl@emmetcounty.org
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Emmet County LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
GRADUATION HELD IN JUNE Five seniors graduated in June from Lakeview Academy, a court-facilitated program for adjudicated youth in Emmet County who are no longer able to attend and be successful in the public school system. It is a partnership among the county, the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District and 7th Probate Court. Graduation took place in Bay View, with the graduates sharing with family, friends and teachers the life-changing role the school has played in their lives. Created in 2002, Lakeview Academy was the idea of 7th Probate Court Judge Frederick R. Mulhauser as a way to provide an education to students who were involved in the court system. The Board of Commissioners agreed with its importance and committed $1 million several years ago to purchase a building on Bay Street for the school’s permanent home.
McGulpin Point shoreline
NEW GIFT SHOP, PHONE NUMBER AT MCGULPIN
County staff are working to stock a new gift shop at McGulpin Point Lighthouse. The gift shop carries custom T-shirts and sweatshirts, books and will soon offer a line of other items that reflect the nautical and environmental setting of this historic property. Once the gift shop is stocked, clothing and gifts will be available for purchase on the county Web site, www.emmetcounty.org. Also at McGulpin: Those interested in booking a group tour, call the new number at McGulpin Point, (231) 436-5860. The lighthouse is open free of charge daily, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., through September. More info: www.emmetcounty.org/mcgulpin/.
GEOCACHE COINS IN THE WORKS
A new parks promotion idea received majority support from the Board of Commissioners in June -- production of custom-minted county coins to place in geocaches that are located on county park property. MAINTENANCE IT Director Gary Appold presented the idea as a way Maintenance Department staff member Gary Ericks is to increase visitors to the county’s many beautiful park marking 30 years with the county in 2010. He joined the properties. The coins will feature the Emmet County logo and each of the parks’ logos on the flip side. They staff on May 12, 1980. will be placed at all county parks: The Headlands, Cecil Bay, McGulpin Point Lighthouse and Camp Pet-O-SePARKS AND RECREATION Ga. Once the coins have been crafted and placed in the geocaches, information will be available on the county Web site, www.emmetcounty.org.
PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT SRE/ARFF BUILDING UPDATE
NEW PAVILION FOR RENT AT PET-O-SE-GA A new pavilion at Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga is available for rent. The pavilion can accommodate up to 70 people, plus lawn area. The pavilion holds eight picnic tables. Rental rates are $60 for county residents and $75 for non-residents. Call (231) 347-6536. More details: www.emmetcounty.org/parks/.
A town hall meeting for contractors interested in bidding on the snow removal equipment and emergency equipment facility at Pellston Regional Airport drew about 50 local professionals on June 24. The meeting was called by reps from DeVere Construction, the project’s construction manager, and Continued on next page ...
Beauty by the numbers: Emmet County encompasses 295,040 acres which includes 197,677 acres of forested land, 113,285 acres of crop and pasture land, 10,400 acres of inland water area, and 68 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
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Inside ... Terminal, Pellston Regional Airport
Emmet County
PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT
PLANNING, ZONING, CONSTRUCTION RESOURCES
Mead and Hunt, the architectural firm. Information was shared about working within parameters set by the federal and state agencies that are funding 97.7 percent of the building. About 20 different subcontractors are needed for the 35,000 square foot SRE/ARFF building. The project is slated to start by fall, with bids let by the end of July.
LOWERING INSURANCE COSTS The County’s dedication in supporting the building codes and construction trades is clearly rewarded in a recent Insurance Services Office Inc. (ISO) ratings report in July 2009. ISO completed our “building code effectiveness” rating schedule for Emmet County, lowering our classification for building code effectiveness for one and two family homes from a 4 to a 3, while keeping the commercial and industrial properties at a 3 rating. What it means to the people of Emmet County: the lower the represented number, the lower the cost for insurance.
DONATION BRINGS WILDLIFE TO AIRPORT A donation of more than two dozen animal mounts was made to Pellston Regional Airport by Harbor Springs residents George and Date Renton (pictured, right). The animals represent decades of George’s hunting expeditions and include many indigenous Michigan game like deer, cougars and trout, and a number of animals from Alaska, including bear and moose. Airport manager Kelley Atkins said he is grateful for the donations, which are now on display throughout the terminal. DIGITAL DISPLAYS OFFER NEW ADVERTISING
A promotional offer for Emmet County businesses to receive free advertising for the month of June on new digital displays at Pellston Regional Airport was wellreceived. More than 30 businesses and organizations took part in the Boost for Business, intended to support local businesses by keeping visitors in Emmet County once they arrive at Pellston. For advertising and rate info on the continuous looping displays, contact Director of Communications/ Web Development Beth Anne Piehl, (231) 348-1704, bpiehl@emmetcounty.org.
ACCESS MANAGEMENT: U.S. 31 AND M-119 The public is invited to attend educational workshops on the subject of access management for the U.S. 31 and M-119 highway corridors. The first workshop will be intended for property or business owners along the study corridor. The second workshop will address more broad concerns about the access management, and what it means for the people of the community. Participants will learn about the techniques and benefits of access management, and after the presentations public input will be requested. The sessions will be held July 13, 2010 at the Emmet County Fairgrounds Community Building. Workshop 1: 3-4:30 p.m.; Workshop 2: 6-7:30 P.M. This is the beginning stage of an access management plan for these corridors. Public input is welcome during all phases of the planning process. The meetings are being held jointly by Bear Creek Township, City of Petoskey, Emmet County, Michigan Department of Transportation, Emmet County Road Commission, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, with assistance from the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. Call (231) 348-1735 for more information.
Emmet County has four informational gazebos stocked with maps, brochures and our promotional magazine, Imagine. The gazebos are located at the Fairgrounds, Cecil Bay, Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga and in the Village of Pellston.
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Emmet County
Boat safely on our beautiful waters!
REGISTER OF DEEDS
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
STAFF MEMBERS EXCEL Michele Stine, Register of Deeds, wishes to acknowledge Karen Cosens, her Chief Deputy. Karen will be celebrating her first anniversary with the county in July. Karen has 20 + years of experience in the banking industry. She and husband Jerry are lifelong residents of Petoskey and have two daughters, Katy and Shannon. Staff member Lori Francis has been with the county for 12 years and with the Register of Deeds for two years. Lori and her husband, Mark, have been lifelong residents of Emmet County. They are proud parents of Andrew, currently a sergeant in the US Army and a recipient of Purple Heart for his injuries while serving in Iraq. Marsha Stahmer is a new staff member. Marsha and husband Kurt have two daughters in Petoskey High School, Alexis and Amber.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVICE Corrections Division Deputies Rick Hoig and Sgt. Dan Van Pelt both marked 30 years of service to Emmet County this year. Hoig joined the Sheriff’s Department in February 1980 and Van Pelt in May 1980.
FRAUD GUARD PROTECTS RESIDENTS The Register of Deeds office recently began participating in the Fraud Guard program, a tool that notifies citizens by email when any land documents registered in a specific individual’s or business name is altered. Register of Deeds Michele Stine said citizens will be able to access the program by clicking on the Fraud Guard tab at www.emmetcounty.org/registerofdeeds/. This will take the user to a screen, where they will enter an email address for notifications. Once the user has entered their email, they can add, remove or alter their personal or business name as well. When a document is recorded in the county and it matches a name that has been registered, an email is automatically sent to the individual. There is no charge to sign up
VETERANS AFFAIRS
for Fraud Guard. For more info, call (231) 348-1761.
OPEN HOUSE PLANNED An open house is set for 4-5 p.m. July 13 to showcase a new vault, window treatments and counter for the public to use in the ROD office. Refreshments will be served.
MARINE PATROL ON THE WATERWAYS The county’s Marine Patrol deputies are out in full force for the summer season, patrolling the 10,400 acres of inland waters and 68 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in Emmet County. There are three Marine Patrol officers: Sgt. Dennis Jessick, Marine Deputy Norm Conklin and Deputy Mike Welch. Sheriff Pete Wallin also reminded boaters that the Sheriff’s Department offers free boat safety inspections. Contact the office at (231) 347-2036. VETS’ BENEFITS CONTINUE TO SOAR During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2009, veterans and their families in Emmet County received $6.433 million from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefits in the form of Disability Compensation, Pension, Education, Insurance and Indemnities were paid directly to many of Emmet County’s veterans. Veterans Affairs Director Jim Alton said the amount of money coming into Emmet County continues to increase, up from $2 million when he joined the staff in 2006. The latest report shows 3,087 veterans were registered in Emmet County in fiscal year 2009, though Alton said there are an estimated 5,000 vets in the county. All Emmet County veterans are reminded that if you believe your service-connected condition has worsened or you simply have a question about your VA benefits, contact the county’s Veterans Affairs office at (231) 348-1780. Widows and children also may qualify for benefits.
Twelve million people live along Lake Michigan’s shores. Aren’t we lucky to be among them? Emmet County ... Where Quality of Life is Everything