Why Don Atkinson Should Recuse Himself

Don Atkinson should recuse himself from the voting on Doug Longenecker's latest Application for Special Use when it comes before the Planning Commission.

Here are all the reasons why it is inappropriate for Mr. Atkinson to vote on anything pertaining to Michigan Moto Mania:

1.  He is a resident of Mostetler Road.

2.  His niece (by marriage), Kari Garber of Harrison Realty is the realtor who showed Doug Longenecker the Gamble property on Mostetler Road.  The sale of the Gamble property was contingent upon Hayes Township's approval of Mr. Longenecker's request for Special Use.  Mr. Atkinson made the motion to approve the Special Use at the 21 Oct 2009 meeting.  The Special Use was approved, unbeknownst to the neighboring property owners.  Mr. Longenecker purchased the Gamble property on Mostetler Road as a result of the approval. 

3.  Mr. Atkinson signed a petition sponsored by the Mostetler Road and Deer Lake neighbors opposing the development of Michigan Moto Mania on the Gamble-Longenecker Property.

4.  He stated at the 16 March 2010 Hayes Township Board of Trustees meeting that he was against  the development of Michigan Moto Mania on the Gamble-Longenecker property on Mostetler Road.

5.  His son, Todd Atkinson, was helping Mr. Longenecker to design a BMX/Skateboard area on area of the Michigan Moto Mania property set aside for that purpose in Late Jun, and July of 2010.

6.  On Friday, 27 Aug 2010, Mr. Longenecker's vehicle was seen by many of the residents of Mostetler Road parked at Mr. Atkinson's house.  This constitutes Ex Parte Contact between Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Longenecker.  This contact between Mr. Longenecker and Mr. Atkinson took place three days before a Polaris sponsored event took place on the Michigan Moto Mania Property.

7.  Mr. Atkinson participated in the Polaris sponsored event, Way Out Training Tour (WOTT), that took place on the Michigan Moto Mania property on 30 Aug 2010.  This event was deemed by Judge Mienk to be a violation of the stay that was on the property at the time due to the Mostetler Road/Deer Lake neighbors' appeal of the Special Use to the Hayes Township Zoning Board Of Appeals. 

According to the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance, Mr. Atkinson's participation in the event was a misdemeanor, which to date has gone uncited by any authority in Hayes Township.

8.  Mr. Atkinson was seen by residents of Mostetler Road taking firewood from the Michigan Moto Mania property for his personal use.

The improprieties clearly color Mr. Atkinson's opinion on anything related to Michigan Moto Mania and preclude him from making an unbiased decision.