Published: November 14, 2009 10:30 pm      

Week in Review: 11/15/2009

ANTRIM

Soldier gives Veterans Day gift to students

ELK RAPIDS -- Brandon Stites is a soldier.

His ancestors also were soldiers, represented in every American conflict for centuries.

It'd be easy to say Stites enlisted because his relatives did, as if the roots of military service were planted in his genes through each generation. It's partly true.

But the Gulf War ended during his senior year at Elk Rapids High School, and the principal released students one day to greet a returning Army Reserve unit at a park near the Elk River.

He became a soldier because of them, too.

"We all grabbed every flag in the school and headed down there," Stites, 36, said by e-mail from Iraq, where he is serving his second tour of duty as a pilot and chief warrant officer with the Army. "That's the way it should be. I will never forget that." He hasn't forgotten Elk Rapids, even though he hasn't lived in the region for years: Stites gave an American flag that flew over Iraq to his high school, where it will be on permanent display.

It was dedicated Wednesday during a school Veterans Day assembly.

He chose the flag because it "was a physical reminder of all veterans and that it had actually flown in a combat zone half way (sic) around the world," Stites wrote. "I think we all should recognize Veterans (sic) no matter what. We are where we are today because normal people stepped up." Students today think of Afghanistan and Iraq when they think of war, and several can list family or friends fighting overseas.

BENZIE

Student sent home after breaking dress code

BENZONIA -- The hole in Tim Gonyon's pants was there when he bought them, frayed near the knee with fabric sewn beneath it. His skin doesn't show.

Even so, he found himself last week in violation of Benzie Central High School's dress code, which prohibits ripped pants. When he chose not to change -- as ordered -- into lost-and-found clothing and couldn't find a pair of gym shorts to wear, Tim was sent home.

The junior from Benzonia believes he's become a model for an outdated policy that neither accounts for changing fashion trends nor protects students who can't afford new clothes.

"As long as it's not revealing anything that shouldn't be revealed, like your private areas or anything like that, I don't see what the problem is," said Tim, 16. "What are they going to do, wear gym shorts the rest of the winter?" Benzie Central's dress code also bans profane logos, midriff-bearing tops, short skirts and spiked jewelry to prevent classroom distractions.

Rather than debate with students about what is and isn't appropriate, "we just say no holes," Principal Pete Olson said. "No matter what you set, they're going to find ways to test you." Students can change, call home or spend the day in the office, Olson said, adding that teens aren't often sent home.

A survey of high school policies in other counties did not turn up specific bans on clothing rips or tears. Some principals said they don't act unless holes are too far above the knees.

It used to be that students ripped their pants by wearing them out. But some jeans today are sold already frayed. The style frequently is found at high-end retailers that are popular with teens.

Changing trends forced some school administrators to examine the relevancy of their policies.

"We were much tighter on that, but that has become certainly a style," said Dale Kasza, Kalkaska High School principal, who now looks for "mutilated" clothing.

Suttons Bay High School students are allowed patches on their jeans and ripped pockets if a layer of material is in between, Principal Raph Rittenhouse said.

And "there are some (holes) that we just live with," Traverse City Central High School Principal Jim Leyndyke said.

Tim bought new clothes with money earned at a summer job. But he wonders how his peers might fare under the rules if the recession left them unable to buy new fall outfits.

GRAND

TRAVERSE

Plans to purchase TCAPS buildings on hold

TRAVERSE CITY -- Local organizations interested in purchasing two empty school buildings say their plans are on hold, in part because a challenging economic climate has made it hard to raise funds.

Leaders from Acme Township and the nonprofit Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan have explored the idea of acquiring Bertha Vos and Norris elementary schools, respectively, from Traverse City Area Public Schools.

Conversations continue regarding Norris, said Paul Soma, the district's chief financial officer. But he said there have been no discussions with Acme Township about Bertha Vos other than a few early meetings.

The district closed both schools at the end of the 2007-08 school year.

Bertha Vos would make ideal office and community space for Acme Township, Supervisor Wayne Kladder said.

"It's on standby. We haven't lost interest," he said. "There's a lot of issues that face that building, and in economic times like these you have to be more prudent." Both buildings have estimated market values between $400,000 and $500,000, according to a January report of vacant TCAPS property by commercial real estate consulting company Three West LLC.

Administrators don't need to sell the properties as urgently as they would if the buildings could net millions, Soma said.

Kladder said the township has to examine whether it can afford to renovate the building on limited resources.

New mayor seeks 'direction' from citizens

TRAVERSE CITY -- Traverse City Mayor Chris Bzdok has an agenda and it all starts with the people.

The next two years -- Bzdok's first term -- he will try to change the way public business is done in Traverse City. Bzdok wants city residents to help guide elected officials' hands before decisions begin to be made, at least on big projects, he said Monday, moments after being sworn in before a standing room only crowd.

"The idea is to turn things around, to make city government work at the direction of city residents instead of reacting to input from city residents," Bzdok said.

He wants Traverse City citizens to tell elected city officials what they want from the outset, as it's the only way city government can be better, he said.

Bzdok has some ideas where to get started, too.

He wants to increase spending on the city's infrastructure program to repair and improve streets, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bridges and stormwater systems, a program launched under former Mayor Michael Estes. He also wants to investigate improvements to city corridors outside downtown -- such as improvements made to Woodmere Avenue -- to help attract new developments and increase city tax revenues, he said.

Bzdok also wants to work to make city services more efficient by considering recommendations made by a citizens group that made suggestions for cost savings, as well as find a solution for often congested Division Street and ways to support the local economy.

GT commission still pursuing millage

TRAVERSE CITY -- Voters in two local townships soundly defeated road millage requests this week, but that won't deter Grand Traverse County's Road Commission from pursuing a county-wide millage in 2010.

Voters in East Bay and Acme townships on Tuesday defeated requests for 1 mill of property tax for local road repairs by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. County board Chairman Dick Thomas said he still expects county commissioners to put the road commission's request for 1 mill on the August 2010 ballot.

"If they want to give it a whack I'm not opposed to it. But do I think it's going to pass? No," Thomas said.

The county needs a road millage, Thomas said, but said the timing is wrong as Michigan continues to struggle through a deep recession.

County Commissioner Christine Maxbauer agreed, but said she'll oppose placing a millage on the ballot that would ask residents to ante-up an additional $4 million a year in property taxes to fix roads.

"People are struggling to stay in their homes, to pay their bills, to put food on the table. Now is not the time for a road millage," Maxbauer said.

Acme Township resident Gordie LaPointe said the margin of defeat in Tuesday's township elections came as a "huge surprise."

A member of a road commission millage advisory group, he now thinks the county might be better served to wait until 2012 for a millage request.

"People are just fed up with taxes and are more aware of the trend to waste money by our government," LaPointe said.

Feil picks survey

takers for own review

TRAVERSE CITY -- A handpicked group of employees, parents, board members and the public will offer input into a performance review for the leader of Traverse City's public school district.

Superintendent James Feil chose the 62 survey respondents for what he termed a "self-assessment," to be completed next month.

The method is a change from past years, in which Feil would meet with school board members behind closed doors at the end of the calendar year to discuss his performance. A written document later would be issued.

That will continue, Feil said, but the session no longer will be the sole tool of his review.

"I've talked to the board and we felt that it's good to get additional feedback," he said. "It's a very constructive thing to do." A link to an online survey was sent last week to Feil's chosen respondents, about half of whom work for the district, he said. They have until Nov. 16 to reply.

He said he selected candidates who have worked with him and could accurately assess his performance.

But it raises questions about inclusiveness, said Mary McGee-Cullen, vice president of the Traverse City Education Association.

She was not included in the survey. Feil said 21 teachers were consulted.

"It will be one piece of data that will give information to the board," McGee-Cullen said, adding that she wonders if other employee union leaders were asked. "I would think TCEA leadership would have been considered." Board member Megan Crandall said last week she wanted the respondent pool to be wider, but is glad the survey will be done at all.

Board members' role is to hire and evaluate a superintendent.

Production crews

shoot film in TC

TRAVERSE CITY -- Mark Thompson has logged thousands of miles navigating boats through Michigan waterways.

But he's never steered a ship while posing as a movie star.

That will change next week when production crews begin shooting "A Year in Mooring," a film about a successful businessman who escapes tragedy by moving aboard a sailing vessel in a remote waterfront town.

Thompson will serve as a stand-in for star Josh Lucas, an actor who's gained celebrity for his roles in "A Beautiful Mind" and "Sweet Home Alabama." "I'm sure they'll place the camera far enough away," said Thompson, executive director of the Maritime Heritage Alliance in Traverse City.

Production crews arrived this week in Traverse City, and will shoot into early December at various locations around Grand Traverse County.

The film's director, Chris Eyre, gained notoriety for directing three episodes of "We Shall Remain," a PBS miniseries that traced American Indian history back to the 17th Century.

Eyre was particularly impressed with Bowers Harbor Yacht Club, which will serve as one of the film's main locations.

"It had to be somewhere that had character," said Rich Brauer, Maritime Heritage board president and local filmmaker.

Eyre contacted Brauer a couple months ago regarding possible shoot locations.

Traverse City's waterfront provides an ideal locale for water-themed films, and state tax credits also serve as an inducement.

Concerns raised

over biomass plans

TRAVERSE CITY -- Several local residents expressed reservations to public utility officials about plans to build wood-burning power plants in and around Traverse City.

Concerns voiced at the Tuesday meeting included impacts to air quality, heavy truck traffic and placing a biomass power plant in an industrial park off Parsons Road that's close to residential neighborhoods, schools, a medical facility and Grand Traverse Bay. Traverse City Light & Power board members may consider the land purchase at their Nov. 24 meeting, said Ed Rice, the public utility's executive director.

"Just across that road from the industrial park is a very large neighborhood with a park where children play," said Susan Auer Kirt, who lives on Parsons Road near the possible plant site.

Kirt asked Light & Power board members to "not be swayed by the (industrial) zoning." Community activist M'Lynn Hartwell spoke about how biomass technology may be worse than coal-fired power production because research shows there are more arsenic releases and more particulate matter in the emitted smoke, among other concerns.

"Environmentally or economically, biomass appears to be an irresponsible choice for this community and we need to continue to look for other options," she said.

Downtown event supports local nonprofits

TRAVERSE CITY -- Cherry Republic will schedule additional employees on Saturday to prepare for extra foot traffic that comes with Shop Your Community Day.

"Every year, it gets pretty crazy," said Katie Milliron, Cherry Republic assistant manager. "A lot of people say that's why they come in." Shop Your Community is an annual event that promotes retailers throughout Traverse City's downtown district, and also supports local nonprofit organizations.

For every purchase made Saturday at Cherry Republic, customers can designate 15 percent of their expenditure to a nonprofit organization of their choice.

Five employees normally are scheduled to work weekends at Cherry Republic, but Shop Your Community Day pushes sales upward, so Milliron has eight workers slated to go this Saturday.

Cherry Republic has been involved with Shop Your Community Day since Downtown Traverse City Association officials organized the event in 2005 in response to slowing downtown business.

"It turned out to be a win-win for the community," said Colleen Paveglio, marketing director for the Downtown Development Authority.

Methadone still

a problem in area

TRAVERSE CITY -- Months have passed since four Traverse City residents died of prescription drug overdoses, but local authorities contend a rash of painkiller abuse hasn't ebbed.

Three people died from methadone overdoses between February and June, and another died with a mixture of methadone and another drug in his system. No confirmed fatal overdoses have been reported in recent months, authorities said, but the problem remains.

"Methadone is staying pretty stable; it's not going anywhere," said Becky Lelito, director of detox at Addiction Treatment Services, Traverse City's only detox facility. "It continues to be a big problem in Traverse City." ATS sees 10 to 12 methadone addiction cases a month, Lelito said, a number that hasn't changed throughout the year. Another 20 or so people check in with addictions to other prescription drugs.

Methadone, prescribed as a potent painkiller, also is used to help heroin addicts break their addiction.

Police continue to probe local overdose deaths, and officials hope a recent blitz of community education will cut back on the region's prescription drug problem.

Deadline looms for BATA wind grant

TRAVERSE CITY -- The Bay Area Transportation Authority faces a time crunch to save an energy-generating wind turbine project and a 4-year-old, $600,000 federal grant to pay for it.

BATA needs to have a wind energy project along M-72 under contract by Feb. 1, and spend the grant by Sept. 30, 2010. If not, the public transportation agency's money will take wing.

And birds may play a role in meeting those deadlines.

Tom Menzel, BATA's executive director, said he'll ask Long Lake Township officials to reconsider a requirement that a migratory bird study be conducted before a zoning permit can be issued.

"The bird requirement might hold us up, because they don't migrate until April and May," Menzel said. "My hope is the township wouldn't let that requirement block the project and we lose it."

TCL&P puts biomass land purchase on hold

TRAVERSE CITY -- A public utility's plans to buy Traverse City industrial park property for a wood-burning power plant are on hold following protests from some local residents.

Traverse City Light & Power board members, during a closed session late Tuesday, tabled plans to buy seven acres adjacent to a substation in an industrial park off Parsons Road. Public comments against a wood-burning plant impacted their decision, officials said.

"I think the impression it made with me is we all need to get educated on the pluses and minuses of any renewable energy generation," said John Snodgrass, a Light & Power board member. "We need to sit down, roll up our sleeves and figure out what is the best renewable energy source for the community." Other utility board members agreed.

"I think we need to hear from the community on what they want," said Jim Carruthers, who's also a city commissioner. "I think we should slow down and have the discussion." Forums to measure public support for, or opposition to, wood-burning biomass technology will occur in the first three months of 2010, said Ed Rice, the public utility's executive director.

"I think it will create good, active community debate," he said. "We're going to delay the decision until we have the community discussion. It's really up to the community." That's what objectors sought.

"I really did feel like they were listening and it's the process of give-and-take. It's democracy in action," said Traverse City resident Jeff Gibbs, who rallied against the plant proposal and spoke at Tuesday's meeting. "But I don't want a public comment process. I want stakeholders to be part of the planning process."

leelanau

Leelanau sheriff,

ACLU settle quarrel

SUTTONS BAY -- Leelanau County Sheriff Mike Oltersdorf smoothed out his quarrel with the American Civil Liberties Union.

The ACLU said in an Oct. 5 letter to Oltersdorf that deputies illegally entered Leelanau County homes on at least five separate occasions from mid-2007 through this summer. Deputies were looking for underage drinkers in each instance.

ACLU representatives had a "very cordial" meeting with Oltersdorf last week, local ACLU rep Steve Morse said, and they're satisfied he's taking significant steps to prevent future incidents.

"He's recognized the problem, and he's recognized that it needs to be corrected," Morse said.

Oltersdorf said he's having Traverse City defense attorney and former California prosecutor Robert Whims conduct training this week on home searches. Whims will be able to "put people on notice that certain conduct can be second-guessed and challenged" in court, Oltersdorf said.

Oltersdorf will also provide the ACLU with findings of his ongoing investigation into their cited incidents, but Morse contends his group primarily wants to prevent future incidents.

"We're concerned about (constitutional violations), and that seems to be in the process of being turned around and corrected," Morse said.

Oltersdorf said he'd have his findings to Morse by Dec. 1. He's already spoken with a "half-dozen" citizens involved in the ACLU incidents, and he plans to speak to more.

Those who contacted the ACLU to complain are largely satisfied, Morse said, though some may hire non-ACLU attorneys and take legal action against the department, he said.

Former Leelanau deputy's suit dismissed

SUTTONS BAY -- Leelanau County doesn't have to pay additional arbitration costs stemming from a long-running dispute over a former deputy's employment, an appeals court said.

Leelanau Sheriff Mike Oltersdorf fired Deputy Bruce Beeker in April 2006 after he repeatedly made inappropriate contacts with a woman who assaulted her ex-boyfriend. Beeker, who responded to the assault, asked the woman to go four-wheeling with him and later called her dozens of times and visited her at home.

Beeker filed a grievance and ultimately returned to work in 2007 after a series of psychological evaluations, but was given a desk job. He quit in February amid his continued legal battle with the department.

The Michigan Court of Appeals in a ruling released this week said the county doesn't have to pay for the latest round of arbitration in the case, nor pay Beeker interest on back pay he received after his reinstatement.

"This is a total win for the county and the sheriff," county attorney John McGlinchey said.

McGlinchey estimates the ruling saves the county at least $2,000 in interest and arbitrator's fees. The county already paid about $4,500 in fees after the arbitrator's initial ruling.

The union sued the department after Beeker's reinstatement, claiming the department violated the arbitration ruling by refusing to give Beeker law enforcement duties, among other things.

MANISTEE

Changes for power station under new rules

New state mercury regulations that take effect in 2015 will prompt changes at the T.E.S. Filer City power station near Manistee.

The plant will be required to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent of its 1999 baseline levels; if not, it will have three options to meet new requirements, said Teresa Cooper of the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The plant can reduce emissions to about an ounce per gigawatt-hour of electricity, enough to power one million 100-watt light bulbs for an hour; reduce its sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions; or find ways to reduce mercury emissions in the community.

The plant could qualify for the final option only if it emits less than 9 pounds of mercury per year.

CMS Energy owns the power plant in Filer City. Dan Bishop, a CMS Energy spokesman, said the company is still figuring out how to comply with the new regulations.

"We will be taking a good hard look at the 90 percent reduction rule," he said.

CMS will spend $1.6 billion on technology at its plants to reduce emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, actions that also reduce mercury emissions, he said.

In 2007, the plant released 2.03 pounds of mercury into the air, according to the Michigan Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, a DEQ database of pollutants.

Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, airborne mercury, some of which originates from burning coal, settles on the ground and in bodies of water. It can then be absorbed by animals like fish.

People who eat contaminated fish risk health damage. Mercury is especially harmful to a child's developing nervous system.