tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53969736254819064352024-02-20T11:24:57.919-05:00The Hayes Township, MI WatchdogThe leadership and media in Hayes Township, MI bear scrutinizing because of past poor decisions and blatant disregard for the Township Ordinances. Until that changes, I will continue to shine the spotlight on it. For those who are concerned with my current residence being in Virginia, I am blogging on behalf of the Laskowsky Trust which owns property in Hayes Township. As a member of the Laskowsky Family, I have a personal interest in it.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-26154699417120830822011-07-29T10:59:00.001-04:002011-07-29T11:00:52.661-04:00Hayes Township Budget MeetingsI’d like to draw the Reader’s attention to the Hayes Township Budget approved on 30 Jun 2011. <br />
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There are some things that occurred with regard to the budget of which most good citizens of Hayes Township were/are unaware. Even many who were paying attention missed it, and they were at the meeting when it occurred!<br />
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On 9 Jun 2011, there was a notice of a public hearing published in the Clare County Cleaver, set for 21 Jun 2011 at 7 PM. As required by the state law, the following statement was part of the announcement:<br />
<strong>The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposeed budget will be </strong><strong>a subject of this hearing.</strong><br />
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The notice also stated that a copy of the budget would be available for viewing in the Clerk’s Office during regular office hours. (It is required by state law that the notice also contain information about where the budget may be viewed by the general public <strong>prior to</strong> the Public Hearing. A Budget Public Hearing is also required by state law.) <br />
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Here is what very few people knew: The budget was, in fact,<strong> not</strong> available for the public to view in the days leading up to the Public Hearing because the Treasurer had not received all the input required from the Clerk and the Supervisor. The budget was also not available for the public to view on the night of the Public Hearing. <br />
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Yet, according to the minutes of the regular meeting of the Hayes Township Board of Trustees, which was also held on 21 Jun 2011, the “Public Hearing” was held anyway. Did you miss it? So did many people who attended the meeting. The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM, and after the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, the Regular Meeting was closed and the “Public Hearing” was opened. There being no questions or comments, the Budget Public Hearing was closed and the Regular Meeting was re-opened at 7:05 PM. <br />
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<strong>Are you kidding me?</strong> A less than one minute “Public Hearing”? Really? How is anyone supposed to have questions or comments when they have not had an opportunity to see the budget because it was not complete before the meeting? Is this transparent government? Because of the way the minutes read, the bases are covered if anyone wants to look into it. The minutes do reflect, after all that there <strong>was</strong> a public hearing. It’s just that nobody had any questions. <strong>They omit the fact that the budget was still, as of that "Public Hearing," not available for the public to review. And most people didn’t realize that a “Public Hearing” was held right under their noses.</strong><br />
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No action was taken on the budget, presumably because the budget was not yet ready. Common sense would tell you that there would have to be a follow-up Special Meeting specifically for the purpose of passing the budget. <br />
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There is no record in the minutes of when that follow-up meeting was to be held, but it had to be before 30 Jun 2011. The new fiscal year was to begin on 1 July 2011. <br />
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The Special Meeting to approve the budget was announced late in the afternoon of 29 Jun 2011 to be held at <strong>10 AM</strong> on the 30 Jun 2011. As late as the afternoon of 29 Jun 2011, <strong>the budget was still not available for the public to view</strong>. People did go in to ask to see it. <br />
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Finally, on the day of the vote, there was a single copy of the budget in Supervisor Scherrer’s possession at the meeting. The budget <strong>and amendments</strong> were passed at that meeting, without the benefit of a true public hearing.<br />
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This is more “business as usual” in the running of Hayes Township. <br />
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I was able to procure a copy of the budget form Mr. Breese (Township Clerk) the following week. <br />
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There are other issues concerning the Hayes Township Regular meeting on 21 Jun 2011 and the minutes of that meeting.<br />
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1. The minutes were misdated. According to the minutes, the meeting was on 14 Jun 2011. The meeting actually took place on 21 Jun 2011<br />
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2. The bogus “Budget Public Hearing.”<br />
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3. The tax millage rate was <strong>not</strong> a topic of the “Hearing”.<br />
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4. When they approved the minutes of the May 2011 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting, <br />
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a. The date was wrong. The minutes list the meeting as having taken place on 15 May 2011 (a Sunday). The meeting actually took place on 17 May 2011.<br />
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b. There was some question as to whether Don Atkinson of the Planning Commission, when proposing a bike park on Hayes Township property, said in his proposal “minimal cost to the Township” or “no charge”. The solution seems to have been to strike the sentence altogether, (“removing the sentence concerning minimal charge.”) This is not what should be done. Removing the sentence also removes any record of what the proposed cost of the bike park will be to Hayes Township residents and taxpayers. <br />
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Could we have a little more attention to detail in the minutes, please? Take the time to get dates and names right. If you don’t know, ask, for crying out loud. More specific details on some of the agenda items mentioned would be nice. To date, the minutes are usually cursory and vague. Not much help to anyone looking up events that may or may not have been mentioned, but definitely occurred. Important information and events that occur at the meetings are often glossed over. We have to keep our own minutes in order to have a complete and accurate account of what took place. <br />
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Regarding the Special Meeting convened for the purpose of approving the budget, I understand that according to state law, special meetings may be called with a minimum of 18 hours’ notice. It should not be done often, only when absolutely necessary, but I can cite several meetings, including this one, called on short notice in Hayes Township in the past several years. When at all possible, business that can wait until the next regular meeting should wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Some of those special meetings could have waited the couple of weeks until the next regularly scheduled meeting. <strong>The budget should be ready at least by the time the notice is posted in the newspaper.</strong><br />
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Having said that, I realize that because the budget was not ready as advertised, a special meeting had to be convened and it was, at the last possible moment. In doing this and scheduling it for 10 AM, it was pretty much guaranteed to have minimal public participation. Having observed the way Hayes Township does business, there’s a better than fifty percent chance that this was by design. They held a public hearing that wasn’t, and then they passed the budget in a short notice, last minute meeting held when the fewest people were likely to attend. Indeed, I know of people who would have been there, but they could not attend on such short notice due to prior commitments. Two members of the Board were absent, no doubt because of their day jobs. But the budget was passed, along with amendments. Just in the nick of time.<br />
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Also recorded in the minutes was an item that should never have been discussed, as it was not on the agenda. Mr. Breese was out of order and should have been told to save his information about his meeting with the Risk Management Advisor for the Township’s insurance for the next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees Meeting, and not this Special Budget Meeting. <br />
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Since Mr. Breese was allowed to discuss his meeting and the potential for bike and walking trails at Fir Road, it should also have been mentioned in the minutes that the discussion also turned to Don Atkinson’s (Planning Commission) ongoing conflicts of interest and a lack of confidence on the part of the members of the public who were present in John Scherrer’s leadership as Supervisor. <br />
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In case the general public is unaware of it, Mr. Atkinson’s ulterior motive in pushing for and backing the bike trails/park is so Hayes Township can send some business his son’s way. His son Todd owns B Extreme Cycle and he designs bike courses. That is a clear conflict of interest. The Budget Special Meeting was neither the time nor the place for it.<br />
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This is yet one more example of what takes place at Hayes Township when the officials think no one is paying attention.<br />
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People <strong>are</strong> paying attention, and we will bring it to everyone’s attention. All we ask is for our elected and appointed officials to conduct their business in a timely, proper and above board manner.<br />
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I don’t think it’s too much to ask from our public servants. <strong>We don’t work for them. They work for us.</strong><br />
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<strong></strong>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-70190670685167716722011-07-28T11:15:00.000-04:002011-07-28T11:15:22.797-04:00A New EraI have taken a hiatus form this blog for a time, causing many to believe that I have just “given up” about Michigan Moto Mania. At least in the Hayes Township “system,” that issue is pretty much decided. But time is very much on the side of the neighbors. And we are patient.<br />
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This is, after all, the <strong>Hayes Township</strong> Watchdog Blog, and although so much of the shenanigans pulled by Hayes Township officials has centered around Moto Mania, there is still much going on in Hayes Township on the boards that has absolutely nothing to do with Moto Mania, and is still not quite kosher.<br />
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With that in mind, I am shifting my gaze to the other shenanigans going on that my neighbors and I have observed in the last few months and bring them to the attention of the general public, who still do not appear to be paying attention, now that the dust has settled on the Moto Mania issue.<br />
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The neighbors are still paying attention to you Hayes Township officials, both elected and appointed, and we are not going away. We live here and we own property here and we are not going to make it easy for you guys to screw over the people whose interests you are supposed to be protecting in the future. You will see at least one or two of our faces at every meeting, holding your feet to the fire. You can count on it. <br />
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One positive new thing since I last blogged is the new Zoning Administrator, Rod Williams. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williams while I was in town in early July. He seems to be a “by the book” kind of guy, and that’s a good thing, inasmuch as the vast majority of Hayes Township officials are only “by the book” when it suits their own purposes. As observed in the last few years, they tend to be “chunk the book” kind of Good Ol’ Boys. Mr. Williams does not appear to be a member of the Hayes Township Good Ol’ Boys Club, unlike Jim VanWormer. <br />
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Also a point in Mr. William’s favor – he doesn’t seem to be intimidated by the bullies in the Hayes Township Good Ol’ Boys’ Club. He spends a lot of time taking the initiative to get his job training updated, which could prove to be the Bain of some members of the Good Ol’ Boys Club. So far, I like what I see. Maybe he’ll be a new broom sweeping some old dirt clean around Hayes Township. They sure do need it. <br />
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I have a lot more to say, so stay tuned. <br />
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klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-16166060144868132462011-04-11T15:14:00.001-04:002011-04-12T08:01:10.778-04:00Moto Mania Propaganda as Printed in the 7 April 2011 Clare County Cleaver Debunked<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">According to the latest propaganda piece in the Clare County Cleaver, (aka the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> PR and Propaganda Rag), by Genine Hopkins, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“despite the hopes by some </i><place><placename><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hayes</i></placename><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><placetype><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Township</i></placetype></place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Officials”</i> – (John Scherrer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lee Dancer? Lyle Criscuolo?), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“that the controversy surrounding Michigan <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> had passed,”</i> the neighbors have exercised their right to appeal the decision made by the Hayes Township Planning Commission to grant Michigan<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Moto Mania</b> Campground and Resort a Special Use Permit without conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they really think we wouldn’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again we have to go through the motions of trying to make the “system” work before we abandon the system altogether and resort to court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means, Genine, the appeal has to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So <state><place>Michigan</place></state><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Moto Mania</b> must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“suffer another appeal.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Very dramatic, Genine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like the neighbors had to suffer another <stockticker>SUP</stockticker> application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But hey, misery loves company. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Since this <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> business was snuck through in an unadvertised, last minute, hushed up meeting back in October 2009, the legal battle has only been going on for a little over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Collins’ lawsuit was filed on <date day="7" month="4" year="2010">7 April 2010</date>.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has not been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ongoing for the past two years”</i> as Genine claims. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I know. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just seems longer when an <stockticker>SUP</stockticker> that was never supposed to be granted in the first place keeps raising its ugly head in some <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">new</b> mutation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Son of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania,</b> the Campground and Resort version.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it's overturned on Friday, I wonder how it will be reincarnated next time around?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em>"This legal battle, which has been ongoing for the past two years, has been a thorn in the side of Hayes Township, ..."</em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Genine exaggerates the timeframe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the matter, Genine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you trust people to think for themselves? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all you did was lay out the facts for them, both pro and con, what would happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody knows because you can’t tell it without trying to influence it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ongoing legal battle”</i> may well be a thorn in the side of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>, but it is a thorn of their own making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they should have thought about it before they bent the rules in the first place.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></i></stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">’s original application, although it could have fallen under resort, was applied for as a park, which has to be publically owned in order to qualify for an </i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SUP</i></stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> under Hayes Township ordinances,”</i> according to Genine Hopkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrong again, Genine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Doug Longenecker applied as a park instead of as a “resort” is an illustration of the fact that he just didn’t do his homework and went into this endeavor half cocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A privately owned park run as a business doesn’t get the same consideration as a publically owned not-for-profit park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He applied as a “park” without realizing that there were any legal implications whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with key personnel in key positions on the boards, why would he have to worry about that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure he was guaranteed to be a shoo-in when he looked at the property, hence his<strong> </strong>initial lawsuit, which he has since dropped. (Let's see if he files a new one if his SUP is overturned again.) Because that’s the way we do business here in Hayes Township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until some neighbors called foul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">No doubt that along with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“taking their time”</i> or appearing to do so by dragging the so-called process out for three weeks in a row, certain members of the Planning Commission probably coached Mr. Longenecker about just how to word things; assisted of course by Mr. Longenecker’s legal counsel and possibly other interested parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Genine with her law classes seems intimately familiar with all the details, whys and wherefores of Mr. Longenecker’s latest application.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have no doubt that the Planning Commissioners went to Mr. Longenecker’s property. Some of their comings and goings have been noted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they may have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“extensively</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">interviewed” </i>Mr. Longenecker, their due diligence was lacking in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“extensive interviews”</i> of the neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of us remember having any <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“extensive”</i> conversations with any members of the Planning Commission, unless Mr. Criscuolo soliciting input from Matt Scheffler and Kimberly Kusiak constitutes an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“extensive interview”</i> or an attempt <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“to determine if some kind of compromise was possible.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, the input provided by those two neighbors was moot since it was never discussed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in an open forum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“According to Hayes Township’s ordinances, the appeals time is only days, but township attorney David Dreyer adjusted the appeals time to reflect that of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, which provides for a full 30 days for an appeal.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></i>30 days seems to be a reasonable time to appeal a decision made by the Planning Commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it takes some time to have a lawyer word the appeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance provided less time than the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, that would have left Hayes Township vulnerable to a lawsuit for not providing enough time for an appeal to be filed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a prudent thing for Mr. Dreyer to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if needs be, the HTZO should be amended to comply with the MZEA.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In all of her biased writings, Genine continues to refer to the neighbors as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the opposition”</i>, reminding us of her personal biases and the biases of the Cleaver in trying to cast the neighbors in a negative light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In opposing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b>, we are also opposing the misapplication of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinances to serve an agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in opposition to the bending and breaking of the law when it suits the purpose of our local government leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that this kind of thing, even to achieve a desirable end is tolerated, is worrisome for <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is no wonder with all the scofflaws representing <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> in local government there is so much more crime in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> than almost all of the other townships in <place><placename>Clare</placename> <placename>County</placename></place> combined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where there is lax enforcement, there is more crime because the criminal element has learned that the odds of getting away with it are greater in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> have poor examples set for them by their elected and appointed leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Although the opposition continues, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">there is a general belief</b> that since no errors were made, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the plan for </i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></i></stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> now includes a wider array of activities that are more in line with the exemptions, the appeal may lack the legal standing of the first appeal.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really Genine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“general belief”</i> coming from, except in your own mind, and in the minds of your colleagues at the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> PR and Propaganda Rag?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“general belief”</i> shared by the several biased members of the elected and appointed <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> boards?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“general belief”</i> is based on whose legal expertise among the general population of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yours?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new application with the new pretty words is the exact same <stockticker>SUP</stockticker> as the last one with window dressing added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motocross and ORV riding and racing have not been removed from the equation at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Without restrictions, remember?) Other things have been added, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nothing</b> has been removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“In the appeals document, the parties…cite conflict of interest for new Planning Commission member Wesley Kenney, …”</i> Yes, we have pointed out Wesley Kenney’s conflict of interest<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- his business was the very first business listed in the support ad published in the Cleaver on 29 Apr 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is that not bias and a conflict of interest?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially if Mr. Longenecker avails himself of Mr. Kenney’s landscaping services in the future?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can hardly call Mr. Kenney unbiased.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We have also pointed out <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-don-atkinson-should-recuse-himself.html">Don Atkinson’s conflicts of interest</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Lee Dancer has admitted to hoping to get some wells out of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’d like to know how Genine knows about a cross that was erected and has since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“fallen down”</i> (of its own accord, I’m sure) on the Collins’ property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has she been trespassing on the Collins’ property to see it for herself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is interesting that the cross was discovered as having <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“fallen down”</i> about a week and a half before the news of it was printed in the Cleaver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Collins’ were out of town at the time it was discovered that it had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“fallen down</i>” by a caretaker<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>By the time the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> PR and Propaganda Rag went to print, the cross had been erected again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got it wrong again, Genine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The majority of local citizens hope </i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></i></stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> can finally open, bringing tourists to the area and creating jobs for the many unemployed in the area.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Let’s break that down:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The majority of local citizens…” </b>– How many of these “local citizens” are paying property tax in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot of “local citizens” who neither reside nor pay taxes in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should these people have a voice in what happens in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“…hope </b><stockticker><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MMM</b></stockticker><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> can finally open…”</b> - They want to play on someone else’s property in someone else’s back yard with their noisy toys.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“…bringing tourists to the area…”</b> – more people, not form around here who want to play on someone else’s property in someone else’s back yard with their noisy toys.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“…and creating jobs for the many unemployed in the area.”</b> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you really believe that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“many unemployed”</i> (all of them) will be put back to work as soon as <stockticker>MMM</stockticker> opens its doors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a bridge I want to sell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just exactly what are these jobs that will be opening up on April 16 if <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> is not overturned by the ZBA?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to see a list of all of those job descriptions and what the pay and benefits are for all the unemployed people of Harrison (besides potentially Wes Kenney and Lee Dancer, and whatever construction company Mr. Longenecker has building stuff for him - these are people who are not unemployed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They already have their own work in other places besides <stockticker>MMM</stockticker>.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those want ads should be out on the PR and Propaganda Rag in the <date day="21" month="4" year="2011">21 Apr 2011</date> edition if the ZBA does not overturn the <stockticker>SUP</stockticker>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those job descriptions with pay and benefits scales should be available for the ZBA to look over in time to make their decision. Why doesn’t anyone ask Mr. Longenecker to produce them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of the unemployed are there in <place>Harrison</place> and how many actual jobs are going to materialize?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“An economic impact study conducted by the Outdoor Industry Foundation, that points to a study of the economic impact of outdoor resorts and activities in the state of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wisconsin,</b> similar to the activities that </i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></i></stockticker><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will be offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">This study was attached to the application</b> as proof of the economic value of </i><stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></i></stockticker><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> to the area.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire Outdoor Industry Foundation study was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> attached to the <stockticker>M<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MM</b></stockticker> <stockticker>SUP</stockticker> application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a single page with a couple of sentences underlined from a document by Dick Ramey that is at least 9 pages long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This document <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">references </b>the study and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">may or may not be relevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This is what was attached to Mr. Longenecker’s <stockticker>SUP</stockticker>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><state><place>Wisconsin</place></state> is not <state><place>Michigan</place></state>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heavy local support is what has been whipped up by the pro-<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> bully pulpit of the Cleaver and Steve and Peggy Rauch, along with Genine Hopkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><state><place>Michigan</place></state> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moto Mania</b> has been hyping it up on facebook to people who don’t even live in <place>Harrison</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Instead of taking a commonsense approach to the growth of business in this area, the preferred method seems to be to foment hysteria about neighbors fighting a noisy business going into an area not zoned for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much more of a win-win could it have been if <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> and <place>Harrison</place> and <place><placename>Clare</placename> <placename>County</placename></place> combined their efforts to help Mr. Longenecker find the right place, properly zoned rather than force feeding the neighbors this business in their neighborhood and calling it good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot less money would have been spent by everyone. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-30927138955734008822011-03-30T16:47:00.006-04:002011-04-04T16:19:54.398-04:00A Civics Lesson for Jason Liptow<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Mostetler Road and <place><placename>Deer</placename> <placetype>Lake</placetype></place> neighbors have exercised their right to appeal the Special Use Permit granted to Doug Longenecker to run a “campground and resort.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This “campground and resort” is really the same Motocross and ORV business that has already been overturned, with camping and resort-like activities thrown in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jason Liptow chides the neighbors on the Michigan Moto Mania facebook page:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“Closed-minded selfish people never took a civics class that taught the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. You want peace and quiet and poaching off others property, move to </span></i><state><place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Wyoming</span></i></place></state><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> where the wolves just might eat you for dinner. So sick of these narrow-minded people who have no understanding of the positive effects such a place will have on this county.”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;">Mr. Liptow’s friends <span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg">Cathy Harper-Hayden, Grant Charville, Dan Schoch and Laura Murphy-Taylor agreed with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Where I went to school, I learned that the Founding Fathers espoused the rule of Law and the rights of the individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also learned that my individual rights do not extend beyond the end of my nose, which I hold to be true for all individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has the right to do what is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my civics class, I learned that the laws are in place to protect the rights of the individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laws are declared unconstitutional when they infringe upon the rights of the individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">“The good of the many” is Utilitarianism and harks more toward National Socialism than it does toward a Democratic Republic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">The phrase <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz”</i> (The common good before self interest) was popularized in Rudolf Jung’s book <u>Der Nationale Sozialismus</u> (National Socialism) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since when is Rudolf Jung one of the Founding Fathers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">This was the philosophy upon which Adolf Hitler’s economic policy was based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personal profit was subordinate to the ends of the state in Hitler’s </span></span><country-region><place><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Germany</span></span></place></country-region><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any business owner who pursued his own self interest found himself in a concentration camp or sentenced to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This official decree, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gemeinnutz geht vor Eigennutz”</i> was stamped into the rim of the Reichsmark coins from 1933 to the end of WWII.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">The common good before the private good; or to paraphrase using Mr. Liptow’s words, “The good of the many outweighs the good of the few.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">That Mr. Liptow and friends blindly embrace this philosophy I find troubling.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">I find it troubling for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Mr. Liptow has run for public office (State Representative, District 97). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his campaign, Mr. Liptow used the Moto Mania debacle to make political hay while pandering for votes among the Moto Mania supporters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By latching onto the popular appeal of the misplaced business, Mr. Liptow hoped to propel himself into office.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Equally troubling is the fact that Mr. Liptow used to teach economics at </span></span><place><placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Mid-Michigan</span></span></placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><placetype><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Community College</span></span></placetype></place><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;"> before he was fired for cause (unprofessionalism).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am relieved that Mr. Liptow did not teach history, government or civics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the origin of the philosophy, I find it very unsettling that he taught economics. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">I have heard Moto Mania supporters talk about “Democracy” and “majority rule”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens when the so called majority collectively and repeatedly breaks the law?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mob rule, anarchy, and a lack of respect for the rule of law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of thing turns those in charge of governing into dictators and those in charge of law enforcement into thugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Mr. Longenecker’s right to run a business is not in question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where he wants to establish his business is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a zoning ordinance for a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is there to protect the rights of people who own property and pay taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is there to assure that communities grow in a controlled and intelligent manner, not in a haphazard manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certain types of business do not belong in residential areas, rural or otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">The damage to the environment, traffic, noise and fumes from Mr. Longenecker’s business infringes upon the rights of nearby property owners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our property values are going down while our tax assessments are rising because of the presence of a Motocross/ORV business in the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our right to hunt and enjoy our property in peace and quiet is disrupted by the presence of a Motocross/ORV business in the neighborhood.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Mr. Liptow and friends consider us “close-minded,” “selfish,” “narrow-minded” and in need of a civics lesson because we are defending our rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">The unsubstantiated, unproven and repeated allegations of poaching go to the maxim that if a lie is repeated often enough and loud enough it will be believed by those who do not bother to check the facts for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">The comment about moving to </span></span><state><place><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;">Wyoming</span></span></place></state><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black;"> and wolves eating us for dinner, is just plain petty and panders to the pettiness of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Mr. Liptow’s professionalism is showing once again).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We do have an appreciation of the good a business like Moto Mania might do for </span></span><place><placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Clare</span></span></placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">County</span></span></placename></place><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Mr. Longenecker had been encouraged by community and business leaders to put it in a better and properly zoned location, the neighbors on </span></span><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Mostetler Road </span></span><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">and </span></span><place><placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Deer</span></span></placename><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><placetype><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lake</span></span></placetype></place><span class="commentlike18834304fsmfwnfcg"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> would be among the cheerleaders for such an endeavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not </b>against such a business <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">where it belongs</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">are</b> against it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">where it does not belong.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, this point falls on deaf ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-37722566090731220752011-03-30T14:03:00.000-04:002011-03-30T14:03:06.669-04:00Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting SetThere will be a public meeting of the Hayes Township Zoning Board of Appeals on Friday, 15 April 2011 at 7PM. Appeals have been filed concerning the Hayes Township Planning Commission's recent decision to grant a Special Use Permit without restrictions on the Gamble-Longenecker property on Mostetler Road. The public meeting will be held at the Hayes Township Civic Center.<br />
<br />
Also, a new Zoning Administrator has been appointed in Hayes Township. Rod Williams, who is also the Zoning Administrator for Surrey Township assumed the job vacated last December by Lisa Stager.<br />
<br />
klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-60494351575403306232011-03-25T11:41:00.000-04:002011-03-25T11:41:45.229-04:00Word to the Wise II...People who violate stays do so at their own risk... klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-12022805910584345002011-03-21T22:38:00.000-04:002011-03-21T22:38:18.916-04:00Not Much of a Court CaseNot much really happened in court today. Only a few people showed up. Of the lawyers, only Hayes Township's attorney David Dreyer even bothered to show up. Jaynie Hoerauf has officially resigned as Doug Longenecker's attorney. Mr. Longenecker has dropped his $1.2 million lawsuit against Hayes Township and Judge Mienk has dismissed Mr. Longenecker's case. <br />
<br />
There is, however, a stay on the Moto Mania property because of an appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals. <br />
<br />
Mr. Dreyer assures the neighbors (for what that's worth) that Mr. Longenecker must follow and abide by the law. (This time.) Not that it matters much. Hayes Township has a poor track record when it comes to adhering to and following and enforcing their laws. I don't expect anything has really changed. It's just more lip service. klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-28881543591848669822011-03-14T17:17:00.000-04:002011-03-14T17:17:49.980-04:00Finally...At long last, the illegal sign has been removed from the entrance of Michigan Moto Mania. I wonder if Hayes Township is going to make him pay the fines he owes for having it up well past the time it was supposed to have come down? There should be a fine assessed for every day past the notice he received from Lisa Stager back in November. Jim VanWormer should have cited him the day after the sign went up months before that. Probably not. They have waived just about every fee and fine they can for Mr. Longenecker. <br />
<br />
I wonder if they overlook the fees and fines for everyone or are they just playing favorites? <br />
<br />
Hayes Township seems to be trying to shield Doug Longenecker from as much expense as they can. Too bad Mr. Longenecker is not in a hurry to return the favor. He is not concerned with shielding the taxpayers of Hayes Township from the expenses they are incurring because of Michigan Moto Mania. He is still suing Hayes Township (you the taxpayer) for $1.2 million. Court date is 21 Mar 2011. Unless some kind of stall tactic is employed.<br />
<br />
Did your tax assessment go up? The money has to come from somewhere. It's coming out of your pocket.<br />
<br />
You have the elected leaders of Hayes Township to thank for that.<br />
<br />
Even Chairman Lyle Criscuolo of the Planning Commission is not immune. Those upgrades and expansion of his business this past year have exposed him to more tax liability too. Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-14521195961236321802011-03-11T16:29:00.000-05:002011-03-11T16:29:34.291-05:00So I was wondering...Why, in light of this recent "victory" being celebrated by the Moto Maniacs, does Doug Longenecker's lawyer, Jaynie Hoerauf want to quit the case?<br />
<br />
She has written a letter to Judge Mienk asking to quit as Mr. Longenecker's attorney.<br />
<br />
Maybe she knows that the only place Mr. Longenecker has a prayer is in the court of public opinion, in the minds of the Moto Maniacs who cannot see past their frenzy to ride and race long enough to realize how wrong this whole thing is. <br />
<br />
Mr. Longenecker's victory must be ringing pretty hollow right about now. <br />
<br />
The Hayes Township Planning Commission handed him everything he and the maniacs wanted on a silver platter. But they all have to know that this is not the end of it and the neighbors are not going away. <br />
<br />
We will be appealing to the ZBA. Once again, like last time around, per the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance, there will be a stay on the property until the ZBA takes its decision. Mr. Longenecker knows this, even if the Moto Maniac lemmings do not.<br />
<br />
So here's the dilemma: If Mr. Longenecker maintains his $1.2 million lawsuit against Hayes Township his claim will be greatly diminished. The Hayes Township leaders do not seem to have it figured out that he's suing them and he is <strong>not</strong> their friend. <br />
<br />
<strong>The Planning Commission just gave him his motocross park -</strong> er... campground and resort. Without restrictions. Carte Blanche. <br />
<br />
Anyone who doesn't think that wasn't a carefully orchestrated performance by the Planning Commission is fooling himself. Mr. Criscuolo worked around Nola Hopkins (who is showing signs of thinking for herself), and Lee Dancer who seems a bit shaky these days. No matter. Mr. Criscuolo has four other staunch enough supporters of Moto Mania that he could afford to vote last and give himself plausible deniability when it comes time to testify in court that he voted against it. His record to date suggests that he is not against it. He wanted to put restrictions on it and then approve it. That's what he will claim. He knew by the time he cast his vote which way the vote would go and they didn't need his vote to carry the motion so he threw his vote away. Very pragmatic of him. <br />
<br />
But I digress. The bottom line is, the latest decision from the Planning Commission has rendered Mr. Longenecker's lawsuit moot.<br />
<br />
When Judge Mienk asks why he's continuing with the lawsuit when the Planning Commission just granted him everything he wants, what is Mr. Longenecker going to say? How big will any settlement be? I'm guessing not too big because the judge told him to continue development at his own risk back in April of last year. And the current status in the "system" has a Special Use with no restrictions in Mr. Longenecker's hands.<br />
<br />
A small settlement means that maybe he can't pay his legal fees. Maybe that's why Ms. Hoerauf wants off the case. She's not working pro bono. <br />
<br />
What happens if Mr. Longenecker drops his lawsuit against Hayes Township? Well then he runs the risk of not having a lawsuit in play if the Zoning Board of Appeals overturns this second Special Use. The likelihood of that? About the same as the last one, and for the same reasons. If they overturn it again, and Mr. Lonngenecker has no lawsuit in play then if (when ) he files a new lawsuit, it looks like he's trying to extort the Township because they didn't give him what he wanted (twice). <br />
<br />
And Ms. Hoerauf will have to stand in line along with all the rest of Mr. Longenecker's other creditors to get paid.<br />
<br />
Maybe Ms. Hoerauf wants to stall the court date and get it pushed back until after March 21, 2011 (his latest court date coming up.) She may be "taking one for the team" so the court date will be pushed back until after Hayes Township can convene a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Her request about 2 weeks out (10 days as of today) is interesting timing. She may not have been too keen about representing Moto Mania anyway, and now that Mr. Longenecker has Ghazey Aleck representing him, it kills two birds with one stone. It sure beats asking the judge to push back the date while they wait and see what the ZBA decides in the inevitable appeal. <br />
<br />
If they ask the judge outright to wait until after the appeal, then it links the two special uses. And Mr. Longenecker and presumably his legal team have gone to great lengths to keep these two Special Use Permits from being linked. Asking for the delay also makes it look like extortion. (I'll drop my lawsuit if I get what I want...) If Judge Mienk allows the court date to wait until after the ZBA's decision, he may end up deciding both of them at the same time. <br />
<br />
For Mr. Longenecker, it's a craps shoot.<br />
<br />
The latest shenanigans on the part of the Planning Commission all but guarantees that their decision will be overturned in court. From (intentional?) procedural missteps, to conflicts of interest and blatant disregard for the advice of their insurance company's attorney and the professional opinion of their short-lived Zoning Administrator, maybe the goal is to make Judge Mienk the "bad guy" to take the heat off of the Hayes Township leadership, and Mr. Longenecker's continued grounds to sue the Township. Again. <br />
<br />
Maybe Ms. Hoerauf just plain got disgusted with it all.<br />
<br />
I wonder...klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-70693890714904904452011-02-26T15:24:00.000-05:002011-02-26T15:24:48.530-05:00Planning Commission Template<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>Note:</u></strong> This following document was typed from a document that John Scherrer gave to one of the Mostetler Road neighbors on 24 Feb 2011.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It appears to be a working document template for the Planning Commission members to use as they resolve the conditions they plan to place on Michigan Moto Mania Campground and Resort.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is the shoe horn that the Planning Commission will be using to make the Motocross and ORV track fit into an area where it does not belong. They will pick and choose points from the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance and the Hayes Township Master Plan to support their decision to approve Mr. Longenecker's Special Use while ignoring the many other points that do not support their decision. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hayes Township Planning Commission</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Resolution <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Approving,</b> with Conditions the new (2011) Application and Site Plan</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Submitted by Douglas Longenecker as to Parcels 18-007-025-100-01 and</span></u></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18-007-026-200-02</span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After considering the written comments and public statements submitted at the Public Hearing on February 16, 2011 and after reviewing the application and site plan:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Resolved, that a special exception use for parcels 18-007-025-100-01 and 18-007-026-200-02 is hereby granted subject to the conditions set forth in Exhibit A pursuant to Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance Section 1604 in regard to property zoned Agricultural/Rural Residential District (A/R) for the purpose of a campground/resort application which provides snowmobiling, pack trails, bike trails, hunting, horseback riding, sledding, and similar uses normally associated with recreational resorts including overnight lodging using rustic camping.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pursuant to Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance Section 1604.3 it is specifically resolved that in addition to complying with specific district regulations and general regulations as outlined in the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance, the applicant has met the following criteria in regard to the special exception use permit (with conditions):</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Special exception use as set forth above will comply with the requirements, intents and purposes of the Zoning Ordinance for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">B.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The special exception use as set forth above will comply with the intent and purposes of an Agricultural/Rural (A/R) for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">C.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special exception use as set forth above will comply with the standards and purposes set forth in the Township Master Plan for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">D.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The special exception use will be compatible with adjacent uses of land, the natural environment and the capabilities of public services and facilities affected by such special exception use for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">E.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The special exception use as set forth above will be consistent with the health, safety and welfare of Hayes Township for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition, pursuant to section 1603 it is specifically determined that the site plan is approved and that:</span><br />
<div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed project complies with the requirements of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance for the follow reasons:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">B.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed project promotes the intent and purpose of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance for the follow reasons:</span></div><div class="ListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">C.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed project is compatible with adjacent land uses and the natural environment for the following reasons:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">D.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed project has no adverse impact on public services and amenities including transportation and public utilities for the follow reasons:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="ListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">E.</span><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proposed project complies with all other applicable ordinances and state and federal statutes for the follow reasons:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is further resolved that the following concluding statement is made by the Hayes Township Planning Commission setting forth the reasons for the decision and reasons for any conditions imposed:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Resolution made this _______day of February 2011 by:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Moved:______________________________________________</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seconded:____________________________________________</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Roll Call Vote: _____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____________________I:________Nay:_______</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I, Nola Hopkins, serving as Secretary of the Hayes Township Planning Commission, hereby certify that the above resolution was passed by the Hayes Township Planning on February ______, 2011.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>______________________________</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>Nola Hopkins, Secretary</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-8028925871466855922011-02-24T16:10:00.001-05:002011-02-24T21:51:21.578-05:00Lisa Stager's OpinionWhen Lisa Stager was the Zoning Administrator, she did not sign Doug Longenecker's current Application for Special Use because in her opinion, it did not comply with the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance. <br />
<br />
Prior to her resignation, she wrote an official letter as the Zoning Administrator to that effect with copies furnished to Hayes Township Supervisor John Scherrer and the Applicant, Doug Longenecker.<br />
<br />
This letter, dated November 23, 2010 states:<br />
<br />
To Whom It May Concern:<br />
<br />
After careful review of Mr. Longenecker's proposed Special Land Use to create and operate a Motocross track and camping resort, I have concluded that in accordance with Hayes Township's Zoning Ordinance Article IV Section 400 such a commercial land use would not be compatible with the intent set forth therein of the A-R District in which the property is located. Also, Mr. Longenecker's plan for Motocross racing and commercial riding events would not be compliant with the Hayes Township anti-noise and Public Nuisance Ordinance, Section 2B(16) by virtue of the number of motorcycles and other ORV traffic as well as the use of an amplified audio speaker system during events are likely to produce an uncomfortable and unpleasant degree of sound in which adjacent property owners would be exposed to on a regular basis for many hours at a time. Based upon procedures for review set forth in section 1604(2) of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance I have determined that the proposed use does not comply with the Zoning Ordinance and other pertinent codes and ordinances of Hayes Township.<br />
A site plan review for consideration of a campground or resort without the aforementioned commercial motocross and ORV activities will be conducted in accordance to the provisions of Article IV Section 402 of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance if Mr. Longenecker wishes.<br />
<br />
Respectfully submitted,<br />
<br />
Lisa Stager's Signature<br />
<br />
Lisa Stager<br />
Zoning Administrator, <br />
Hayes Township<br />
<br />
<br />
In her official capacity as the Hayes Township Zoning Administrator, Lisa Stager, the Zoning expert hired to do the job of Zoning Administrator, a woman with 7 years' experience as a Zoning Administrator in Hamilton Township, opined that Mr. Longenecker's Application for Special Use <strong>did not </strong>comply with the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance. One would think that would carry some weight.<br />
<br />
But it would appear that Hayes Township and it's government, both elected and appointed, are hell-bent to continue in their folly.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-44799115042183234882011-02-20T15:48:00.088-05:002011-02-20T16:59:23.656-05:00Legal RepresentationIt is a well known fact that David <strong>Dreyer </strong>of the law firm <strong>Dreyer,</strong> Hovey & Diederich, LLP represents Hayes Township in all legal matters. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I have to wonder just exactly whose best interest is Mr. Dreyer working toward? <br />
<br />
I have often said jokingly to my friends in Harrison that Hayes Township is sometimes incestuous in the way it operates and conducts its affairs, and I'm afraid that the legal representation is not immune from the phenomenon. Dreyer, Hovey and Diederich is a common denominator in several equations regarding the Moto Mania situation. <br />
Mr. Todd <strong>Diederich</strong> of Dreyer, Hovey & <strong>Diederich</strong>, LLP was appointed by the Hayes Township Board of Trustees to be a member of the Planning Commission on <strong>15 Apr 2008.</strong> Apparently nobody thought twice about the potential for a conflict of interest when they made the appointment. <br />
<br />
What I find interesting is that the date on the top of Mr. Diederich's application to become a member of the Hayes Township Planning Commission is <strong>8 July 2008</strong>, almost three whole months <strong>after</strong> his appointment. This is the cart before the horse. This is another incident in an ongoing pattern of behavior throughout the entire Hayes Township government.<br />
<br />
Mr. Diederich was present at and participated in most of the usual Planning Commission meetings, and things hummed along pretty well. Until...<br />
<br />
I find it interesting that whoever convened that Special Meeting of the Planning Commission on <strong>21 Oct 2009,</strong> (and we still don't know who that was), either did not inform Mr. Diederich of the meeting, or Mr. Diederich had the smarts to see a potential problem of a conflict of interest and not attend the meeting. This was the original meeting at which Doug Longenecker's request for Special Use on the then-Kenneth Gamble Trust property was first approved by the Planning Commission. He may not have been present, but it happened while he was a member of the Planning Commission. He had to have known that something wasn't right about it, and did nothing. <br />
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On <strong>12 Jan 2010,</strong> Mr. Longenecker entered into a Land Contract with Mr. Gamble for the property on Mostetler Road. Papers were filed at the Clare County Courthouse the following day. <br />
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About the time the first harescramble race was held on the property on <strong>27 Feb 2010</strong>, the Mostetler Road and Deer Lake neighbors started looking into what was going on. They were angry to find out that in an unannounced special meeting of the Hayes Township Planning Commission, a Special Use for a Motocross and ORV Racetrack was granted to Mr. Longenecker, right under the noses of the neighbors who would have liked to have been informed and had a say in the matter.<br />
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In 2 letters dated <strong>11 March 2010</strong>, Mr. Diederich tendered his resignation from the Hayes Township Planning Commission, in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest, effective immediately. One letter was written on plain copy paper and the other was on the Dreyer, Hovey & Diederich, LLP letterhead. Word must have gotten out that the neighbors of the new motocross track were angry and looking into it. This was just five days before it hit the fan at the <strong>16 March 2010</strong> Board of Trustees Meeting. <strong>Nowhere </strong>in the minutes of that Board of Trustees Meeting is Mr. Diederich's resignation from the Planning Commission reflected. Why not? Was it not important enough to reflect in the minutes? I was at the meeting and to the best of my recollection, Mr. Diederich's letter of resignation was never read or brought up. It's almost as though they didn't want to remind anyone that a member of the law firm that represents the Township was sitting on a board. After watching all the players in action at Hayes Township and watching Mr. Dreyer represent Hayes Township, I have to conclude that this oversight, combined with the stealthy resignation, was intentional.<br />
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All of this has pretty much shielded Mr. Diederich from scrutiny, although it has not gone unnoticed that Mr. Diederich is a fan of Michigan Moto Mania on Facebook.<br />
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I have watched Mr. Dreyer represent Hayes Township and do things that made me wonder where his true alliances lie.<br />
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Because the elected officials have appeared too afraid to make a move without Mr. Dreyer's permission for fear of legal repercussions, Mr. Dreyer is, for all intents and purposes, running Hayes Township, and making some questionable legal calls.<br />
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I believe that Mr. Dreyer has some competing interests with regard to Michigan Moto Mania. He is also trying to cover his own backside and that of his law firm. Self interest and and the interest of his client, Hayes Township is a tightrope Mr. Dreyer has been masterful at negotiating. He has been collecting a nice fat paycheck lately form Hayes Township in running a defense against two lawsuuits regarding Michigan Moto Mania. By taking the matter to Judge Mienk, he has effectively dragged this whole thing out (making his pocketbook fatter at taxpayers' expense) and also potentially shielded his client from responsibility. In doing so, he was trying to get Judge Mienk to do the Hayes Township government's job for them. He attempted to pass the buck to Judge Mienk several times, and Judge Mienk would have none of it.<br />
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Mr. Dreyer and the Hayes Township government leaders seem eager to try to make Michigan Moto Mania a part of the Hayes township community on Mostetler Road. Mr. Longenecker wants a chance to open his business in the wrong place. Hayes Township wants a business that will "save" Harrison's economy. Mr. Dreyer wants what's in his own best interest. It's in Mr. Dreyer's best interest to keep his clients happy.<br />
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Mr. Dreyer has the reputation of being the best real estate attorney in Harrison.<br />
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Doesn't Dreyer, Hovey & Diederich, LLP represent Ken Gamble?<br />
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I wonder who represents Harrison Realty?klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-37671613712135584012011-02-18T12:44:00.001-05:002011-02-19T14:36:55.487-05:00Who's Going to Pay for This?I have a question for all the taxpaying citizens of Hayes Township. Who's going to pay for all the extra stuff that Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania is going to bring to Hayes Township along with the supposed jobs and trickle down business? Anyone who thinks that a Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania Campground and Resort will give more than it takes is fooling himself.<br />
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Michigan <strong>Moto </strong>Mania will bring an increase of police activity on Mostetler Road. When asked who will police this business, the response was the local police. So, who will pay for this increased need for police coverage? <br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania will increase the need for ambulances because people will inevitably get hurt riding dirt bikes and ORVs out there. Who will pay for the extra ambulance service that will be required?<br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania will increase the need for road maintenance on Mostetler Road. There will be more traffic bringing horse trailers and ORV and dirt bike trailers up and down the dirt road that is Mostetler Road. These heavy vehicles take their toll on a dirt road. Who will pay for the increased maintenance and upkeep of Mostetler Road?<br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania will increase traffic over Mostetler Road Bridge. At the last Hayes Township Board of Trustees meeting, on 15 Feb, 2011, Ron Bushong, the County Road Commissioner said that there is no grant at this time to upgrade the bridge, and even if we get a grant, the bridge will not be replaced before 2014, and that is a big <strong>IF</strong>. <strong>IF </strong>we even get a grant. Who will pay to repair or replace the bridge if the increased traffic causes any further damage to the bridge?<br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> Mania already has increased and will continue to increase the legal fees for Hayes Township. Mr. Longenecker is already suing Hayes Township for 1.2 million dollars. His persistence in pursuing what is <strong>still contrary to the intent and spirit of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance</strong> will cost Hayes Township still more. Who will ultimately pay for that?<br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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I would also like to point out that although the neighbors have their own lawsuit against Hayes Township, it was the Hayes Township's attorney David Dreyer who sent us to the courtroom in the first place by stating at the end of the ten page letter he wrote dated 12 Mar 2010, <em>"Except for passing the resolution I have recommended, the Hayes Township Board has no independent authority concerning this matter. The Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals must each perform their duties according to the ordinance. During all of these proceedings, <strong>Hayes Township does not have the legal authority to 'red tag' or otherwise stop the activities on the property.</strong> <strong>Only the Clare County Circuit Court has the power to issue injunctions or other court orders pertaining to this matter.</strong> <strong>It is within the rights of</strong> the property owner making the application or for <strong>any other interested party to file for relief with the Clare County Circuit."</strong></em> The neighbors resorted to their only recourse, and that was a lawsuit. We are not asking for 1.2 million dollars. <strong>We are only asking for what it is costing us to get the redress that Hayes Township would not afford to us as taxpaying property owners with legitimate concerns.</strong> All we ever wanted from Mr. Longenecker was for him to cease and desist until this issue is completely hashed out. Who will pay for this?<br />
The Hayes Township taxpayers will.<br />
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There are many local supporters clamoring for this business to be built <strong>who have no real skin in this.</strong> They are not the tax base who will foot all of these bills when they come due. They are not the neighbors in whose back yard this <strong>Moto </strong>Mania will be. They are form other townships and they want to play in our back yard. Some of the businesses are from the City of Harrison and they are not contributing to Hayes Township's tax base.<br />
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Mr. Longenecker's claim and efforts to be everything to everyone and to have everything available on site will compete with local business owners. While it may provide some one time business to a few businesses in town (and that's if Mr. Longenecker chooses to use their services), <strong>Moto </strong>Mania will compete with many other local businesses for smaller pieces of the economic pie.<br />
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Cabin rentals and camping - will this not compete with the dozen or more campgrounds and motels that are trying to survive? Are these already established businesses so filled up that there is a need for another new campground? This market is saturated. At least one campground is in foreclosure for lack of business. I didn't see a "full camp" sign at Wilson State Park this year either.<br />
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Storage facilities - There are three in Harrison. Are they all full? Will a <strong>Moto </strong>Mania really bring long term business to them when Mr. Longenecker's storage facility is built and competing with them for ORV and gear storage?<br />
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A general store - will this not take business from local markets? If people can buy what they need at a camp store or general store at <strong>Moto </strong>Mania, why do they need to go to town for what they want?<br />
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Concessions - Will this not take business from our local restaurants? If people are eating at <strong>Moto</strong> Mania, they won't be eating at the restaurants in town, with the possible exception of the Burger King on the way out of town.<br />
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ORV riding - Are there not enough state trails accessible from Clare County? What about the Leota Trail system?<br />
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Swap Meets - Does the centrally located flea market north of town within walking of Wilson State Park have so much overflow business that another open air market is needed? The in town flea market is accessible to people on foot by the sidewalks in town. Swap Meets a mile and a half down a dirt road, accessible only by car is really the way to go? Can the flea Market not also hold swap meets? <br />
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Horseback riding - How many local residents are aware that there is a local horseback riding facility on Coolidge Road in Harrison? Harmony Youth Ranch is a not-for-profit Christian riding stable that rescues horses. They only take donations to help support their rescue efforts. Youths get riding lessons for free. Mr. Longenecker's latest addition will cut into that already struggling non-profit's bottom line.<br />
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Maybe the Hayes Township Planning Commission and the Board of Trustees should contact all of these businesses and talk to them one-on one and get their input. See who else besides the Mostetler Road and Deer Lake neighbors will be adversely affected by Mr. Longenecker's business.<br />
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I know of at least one motel owner, a couple of campground owners and others who are not thrilled about another business taking a bite out of their shrinking piece of the economic pie.<br />
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In the end, I believe that the economic benefit will be canceled out by the economic loss due to furthering this business enterprise in this location. But the folks footing the bill are the ones who need to call their elected officials in Hayes Township and let them know what they think.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-70004447709932972652011-02-16T14:44:00.002-05:002011-02-17T08:53:49.559-05:00A Well Written Piece of PropagandaKudos to Genine Hopkins for her latest piece of pro <strong>Moto</strong> Mania propaganda in this week's <strong>Moto</strong> Mania PR and Propaganda Rag. Clearly calculated to produce maximum support from the local public for Doug Longenecker's latest Special Use Permit application. Also clearly meant to de-emphasize the real intent of the special use and calculated to hit the newsstands in time to influence the Planning Commission in a cleverly orchestrated PR campaign. <strong>Bra-vo!</strong><br />
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This is the first slight of hand in the carnival of smoke and mirrors that will be the Planning Commission's Big Show of dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's. We all know what the outcome will be, but this production is intended to address all of the neighbors' arguments to date, and diminish them while making the wronged neighbors appear to be petty and unyielding. <br />
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If the Planning Commission ever had any intention of acting in good faith with the Mostetler Road and Deer lake neighbors, they would hold Mr. Longenecker to his new vision and cause him to keep a minimum number of horses on the premises at all times for his stated purposes. <br />
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The only reason Mr. Longenecker has revisited his vision of <strong>Moto</strong> Mania was because his original vision absolutely does not conform to the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance. The new modifications don't either and his latest site plan and application are just a newly worded statement of the same old purposes with a few new pieces added so as to appear to comply. <br />
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Ms. Hopkins quotes Mr. Longenecker: "We understand the concerns of the residents who have expressed animosity towards this endeavor and have taken their concerns under advisement."<br />
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Mr. Longenecker obviously does <strong>not</strong> understand our concerns because he has done little to reassure the "residents who have expressed animosity." Mr. Longenecker's addition of camping and horseback riding and cross country skiing and sledding does nothing to diminish the fact that at its core, this business is all about the <strong>Moto.</strong> The rest of it is what Mr. Longenecker thinks he has to do to make it pass muster legally. The only manner of consultation that Mr. Longenecker has engaged in with his neighbors is to attempt with these current efforts to appear to have taken the neighbors into consideration. He has <strong>not </strong>spoken to any of us about it. These are all concerns we raised the last time around. What part of <strong>"we don't want to live near a motocross and ORV business"</strong> does Mr. Longenecker not understand? <br />
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That this business is still all about the <strong>Moto </strong>is brought out by the fact that Mr. Longenecker is now calling his business "Michigan <strong>Moto</strong> <strong>Mania</strong> Campground and Resort." It will still be more <strong>Moto Mania</strong> than campground and resort, and the Planning Commission knows it. <br />
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Another demonstration of Mr. Longenecker's real purpose is shown on his current site plan. There is not a pasture or watering hole reflected on the site plan to accommodate the horses.<br />
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Anyone can go up on the Internet to find general studies to support a point of view. I'm sure I can find just as many to support mine. Mr. Longenecker has produced nothing specific to the Gamble-Longenecker property. He claimed in the narrative portion of his application, "Believe me; last year the place has been tested on all levels. from the police, the fire marshal, DNR, DEQ, health department , multiple times...," and yet he did not submit the documentation from any such testing with his application; just scientific looking articles from the Internet.<br />
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I would like to see a list of the "15-50" jobs that Mr. Longenecker is promising to bring to Harrison.<br />
Exactly what are these jobs, and what to they entail? Are they part time? Full time? What are the job descriptions and salaries? I think Mr. Longenecker is peddling snake oil. In the end the promise of jobs that may or may not materialize does not make this business comply with the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance which governs in this case.<br />
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No doubt that some members of the Planning Commission are trying to get in on some of the "trickle down" business. Mr. Criscuolo added a whole new building full of storage units onto his business this past summer. I wonder if the fact that they are exactly the right size for storing ORVs is a coincidence? According to the site plan, Mr. Longenecker plans to have two wells dug. I wonder who he'll call to dig them? Trickle down indeed.<br />
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The most telling indicator in the propaganda piece is the picture of the <strong>motocross racer.</strong><br />
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</strong><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is Cindarella’s ugly step-sister trying to make her big fat foot fit into the glass slipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The </span><place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township Planning Commission</placetype></place> is the step-mother looking on in approval as the step-sister tries to make it fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance is the glass slipper that doesn’t fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amount of shoving and squeezing that big fat foot of a motocross park will make it fit into the A-R Zoning District no matter how the words are parsed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t fit and we, the people who have to live next to it don’t want it here. </div>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-25128594230570316692011-02-04T08:33:00.000-05:002011-02-04T08:33:38.272-05:00This is a Public Service AnnouncementThere are still two vacancies on the Planning Commission. I personally do not care which side of the Michigan Moto Mania issue you come down on, but know this: If you have signed a petition either for or against Michigan Moto Mania, you are ineligible to vote on anything pertaining to Michigan Moto Mania on the Planning Commission. That does not mean you cannot serve on the Planning Commission at all, so by all means, apply for the job if you are so inclined. Hayes Township needs volunteers to fill these positions. <br />
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John Scherrer and several members of the various appointed boards that serve Hayes Township have often repeated the refrain that "Nobody wants to volunteer to be on any of the boards." So, as a public service to Hayes Township, I have decided to run this post once a month on this blog until every board is at full capacity and there is a file full of applications to back them up. <br />
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By making this announcement, I am doing my part to encourage the taxpaying citizens of Hayes Township to step up and apply for jobs on the boards and serve your community.<br />
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Even if they don't appoint you right away, you will have thrown your hat in the ring against future needs for people willing to do the job. Hopefully, they will keep your application on file and check back with you at least annually for updates if they cannot appoint you right away.<br />
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This way, when terms are up, there will be a pool of new folks willing to do the jobs and fill vacancies and the incumbents will not feel an obligation to stay if they want to move on. It will also ensure that there are fresh faces bringing their best ideas to Hayes Township.<br />
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Once appointed, these new members should never take their appointments lightly, but should avail themselves of every opportunity to train for their new position and take advantage of the resources available to them through <a href="http://michigantownships.org/">Michigan Townships Association</a>, and they should make every effort to become familiar with the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance and its content so they can make <strong>informed</strong> decisions.<br />
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I urge all of my readers who are voting members of Hayes township to consider public service in Hayes Township. If you are interested in serving as a member of an appointed board, please go to the Hayes Township office on Townline Lake Road to fill out an application. You can make a difference.<br />
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Right now, this public service announcement and this blog are the best I have to offer. As soon as I am a legal resident of Hayes Township, I will be considering public service myself.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-89692002556592342232011-02-01T14:33:00.000-05:002011-02-01T14:33:41.139-05:00The Oft Quoted "Page 76: Section 1604,Paragraph 3, item c."Lyle Criscuolo likes to hold up his copy of the of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance and use that single point to justify the twice "unanimous" approval of Doug Longenecker's Application for Special Use.<br />
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We have established that the first "unanimous" approval was invalid.<br />
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Strike one.<br />
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The second "unanimous" approval was overturned by the Zoning Board of Appeals.<br />
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Strike two.<br />
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Now, Mr. Longenecker is going for either strike three or a home run. <br />
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Mr Criscuolo has cited this point, "<em>The special exception use will comply with the standards and purposes set forth in the Township Master Plan."</em><br />
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Since we have established that Mr. Criscuolo is a pastor, and presumably a student of the Bible, and I am a Christian and as such, I should also be a student of the Bible, (which I am), one of the very first and most important things I learned in Bible Study is context is key. Meaning, you cannot pull a Bible verse out of context and use it as a stand alone verse to support a doctrine. As a pastor, I'm sure Mr. Criscuolo is well aware of this. (A proof text out of context is a pretext.)<br />
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I personally try to apply Bible study to my every day life, and so when I look at a document or a set of documents, especially legal documents or ordinances, I try to look at the full counsel of the section I am looking at, and not a single point of the law. <br />
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As Mr. Criscuolo himself has said, "...you can't read part of a verse from the Bible any more than you can read part of a paragraph here when you're talking about the ordinance." So he knows this to be true, and yet he ignores the points of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance that do not fit into his agenda. <br />
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Make no mistake, Mr. Criscuolo's agenda is to approve Mr. Longenecker's new request for special use, and he will use his influence over the members of the Planning Commission to twist the Zoning Ordinance to to make Mr. Longenecker's dressed up old pig with new lipstick "comply" to the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance, while ignoring the points of the Ordinance where it clearly does not comply. <br />
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Getting back to point c. Mr. Criscuolo and the Planning Commission will decree that Mr. Longenecker's special exemption use "will comply with the standards and purposes that have been set forth by the Hayes Township Master Plan." As though making this decree makes it so. He may as well say that it <strong>does</strong> comply. That does not make it any more true. <br />
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I have already picked apart the Hayes Township Master Plan and Mr. Longenecker's compliance with it, in a 7 part series: <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/09/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_22.html">22 Sep 2010</a>, <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/09/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_23.html">23 Sep 2010</a>, <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayes-township-resolution-compliance.html">6 Oct 2010</a>, <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_07.html">7 Oct 2010</a>, <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_15.html">15 Oct 2010</a>, <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_17.html">17 Oct 2010</a>, and <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hayes-township-resolution-compliance_18.html">23 Oct 2010.</a> <br />
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My question is this, Mr. Criscuolo: How does the Special Use, both the new one and the old one stack up to the entire Hayes Township Master Plan, and not just the points that help you make it comply? (No verses out of context, please.) <br />
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If this is how you handle the law which you are in charge of implementing and upholding, it makes me wonder how you handle other matters of import that are written down, chapter and verse.<br />
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Don't forget about points a, b, d and e as well. klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-33374491783208960972011-01-31T15:21:00.000-05:002011-01-31T15:21:50.219-05:00Mark Your CalendarsCome one, come all!<br />
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There will be a Special Meeting of the Hayes Township Planning Commission and public hearing on 16 Feb 2010. This public hearing will be to consider a new (read: rehashed and reworded, specially parsed new iteration of the old) Special Use Request by Doug Longenecker for what really amounts to Round 3 in front of the Hayes Township Planning Commission. <br />
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Third time's a charm for Michigan Moto Mania?<br />
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The meeting will be held at the Hayes Township Activity Center adjacent to the Township Hall, 2051 Townline Lake Road, Harrison, MI 48635. <br />
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Meeting time: 7 PM.<br />
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Come watch the smoke and mirrors and slight of hand. Send in the clowns.<br />
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Don't miss the greatest show in town!klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-1010012455069853292011-01-31T15:01:00.001-05:002011-01-31T15:03:06.706-05:00Hayes Township Planning Commission - Other Potential Conflicts And ProblemsBesides Wes Kenney and Don Atkinson, both members of the Hayes Township Planning Commission, there are other potential problems and conflicts on the Planning Commission.<br />
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Nola Hopkins is a resident of Mostetler Road.<br />
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Tom Malone participated in the Polaris WOTT even in Aug 2010 at Michigan Moto Mania. This event was a violation of the stay that was on the Gamble-Longenecker property at the time. Judge Mienk declared it to be a violation of the stay, and as of yet, nothing has been done about that violation or the two Planning Commission members who participated. Participation in the event is a misdemeanor according to the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Malone should recuse himself from voting on anything pertaining to Michigan Moto Mania.<br />
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Lee Dancer admitted in front of all who were in attendance at the 21 Dec 2010 regular meeting of the Hayes Township Board of Trustees, that he does not know or understand what's in the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance. He is the Member of the Board of Trustees who is also a member of the Planning Commission. It is the job of the Planning Commission to implement the Zoning Ordinance in taking decisions about zoning issues. How on earth can Mr. Dancer take a decision about anything meaningful pertaining to the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance while remaining ignorant of the content of the ordinance? On what basis did Mr. Dancer decide on the last Special Use request made by Doug Longenecker? Did he vote the way he was told to vote? Because by his own admission, he could not have based his vote on the Zoning Ordinance. One can only hope that Mr. Dancer will take the time to inform himself on the contents of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance before he votes on Mr. Longenecker's new Special Use application.<br />
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Maybe this time they will all vote independently of one another. It's almost too much to ask.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-91457194200802691682011-01-27T17:42:00.002-05:002011-04-11T15:07:38.978-04:00Why Don Atkinson Should Recuse HimselfDon Atkinson should recuse himself from the voting on Doug Longenecker's latest Application for Special Use when it comes before the Planning Commission.<br />
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Here are all the reasons why it is inappropriate for Mr. Atkinson to vote on anything pertaining to Michigan Moto Mania:<br />
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1. He is a resident of Mostetler Road.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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 <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/consequences-or-lack-thereof-of_13.html">violation of the stay</a> 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. <br />
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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.<br />
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8. Mr. Atkinson was seen by residents of Mostetler Road taking firewood from the Michigan Moto Mania property for his personal use.<br />
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The improprieties clearly color Mr. Atkinson's opinion on anything related to Michigan Moto Mania and preclude him from making an unbiased decision.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-75790237079231985542011-01-20T17:22:00.003-05:002011-01-31T14:33:12.465-05:00Conflict of Interest UpdateThe newest member of the planning Commission, appointed at Tuesday's Hayes Township Board of Trustees meeting has a conflict of interest with regard to Michigan Moto Mania.<br />
<br />
Wesley Kenny's business, Western Decore Landscape Design, is the very first business listed on that laundry list of businesses who took out the full page ad in the Michigan Moto Mania PR and Propaganda Rag, the Clare County Cleaver's 29 Apr 2010 issue. <br />
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After the business appeared in the support ad, sometime in May, Mr. Kenney changed the name of the business to Freedom Landscaping and moved it into a business location on N. Clare Ave in Harrison.<br />
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He is also a Michigan Moto Mania friend on facebook. Here is a quote from Mr. Kenney taken from the Michigan Moto Mania facebook page dated 29 Sep 2010: <strong>"Good luck Moto Mania, Hopefully people will pull their head out of their asses. We thank you for trying to bring job and people back into our community!"</strong><br />
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Nice.<br />
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It has also come to my attention that Mr. Kenney signed a pro-Michigan Moto Mania petition. <br />
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He may be able to vote on other issues that come before the Planning Commission, but he should not be allowed to vote on any future issues that come before the Planning Commission with regard to Michigan Moto Mania.<br />
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Way to stack the deck, Hayes Township Board of Trustees!<br />
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They were also looking into hiring the Zoning Administrator from Surrey Township until they were called on that, too. Surrey Township is represented by Jaynie Hoerauf. <br />
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I haven't even gotten to the old conflicts of interest that we let slide the last time around. They are going to be called out on this blog for everyone to know about this time around.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-6205024611236496382011-01-20T12:57:00.000-05:002011-01-20T12:57:46.733-05:00Again No Surprises - Hayes Township Board of Trustees Meeting, 18 Jan 2011There were no surprises at the Hayes Township Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday evening. <br />
<br />
As expected, the the Board decided that the questions raised about Lyle Criscuolo's <strong>documented malfeasance</strong> <strong>and blatant disregard for the Zoning Ordinance</strong> did not warrant an answer or a public hearing. They think that the farce of a "do-over" was enough to right the wrongs committed. It doesn't come close. They also can't understand why we cannot just be happy that the Zoning Board of Appeals overturned Doug Longenecker's special Use and go on our merry way. Since that is not the end of the matter, we cannot just go away. We also cannot afford to be complacent; look where that brought us.<br />
<br />
Really, the Board was between a rock and a hard place on this one. But they are so far down this road that they have to see it all the way to the end, no matter what it eventually costs them. If they seriously considered having a public hearing about Mr. Criscuolo's malfeasance, there would be much at stake. Just holding the hearing would be an admission of some degree of culpability on their part, regardless of whether they voted to dismiss or to retain Mr. Criscuolo. <br />
<br />
Now the Hayes Township Board of Trustees has declined to deal with the documented evidence of malfeasance presented to them and they are on the record overlooking it as not important enough to warrant the effort. I wonder what Judge Mienk will think about the Board's inaction when it all comes out in front of him? <br />
<br />
Notice that Township Attorney David Dreyer was conspicuously absent from the meeting. He probably wanted to put as much distance between himself and that meeting as possible. But he had written a letter with his instructions... er, opinion on the matter.<br />
<br />
Note to Mr. Dreyer: The problem will <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> be rectified while the current status quo remains. It was this status quo that brought us this mess. You have orchestrated steps that do <strong><em>NOTHING</em></strong> to actually fix the problem, they just allow the same things to continue unchecked while violations of the ordinances go unpunished. Innocent people are paying for the egregious misdeeds of a few who are still free to continue to trample rights and violate ordinances with impunity. It is not right, Mr. Dreyer and you know it. There is a difference between right and legal. Your so-called "work to rectify the problem" is nothing but lip service and too little too late. Really, you and the Township you represent have done nothing to either make restitution, or to see that it does not happen again. And you have been milking the Township for as much compensation as you can. Hayes Township continues to throw good money after bad in fees paid to you for advice that does nothing but line your pockets. <br />
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The Board of Trustees also placed a new member, Wesley Kenny, on the Planning Commission. It looks like some people are stepping forward to fill vacancies. It remains to be seen whether he will think for himself or be one of the lemmings. <br />
<br />
Bob Johnson, whose term on the Zoning Board of Appeals expired in December 2010 was reappointed for another term.<br />
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klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-29177865944926321172011-01-17T21:37:00.004-05:002011-01-18T10:13:28.747-05:00Grounds for Dismissal, (Review)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As a refresher, here is a list of the infractions Lyle Criscuolo has committed with regard to the Michigan Moto Mania fiasco while he has been the Chair of both the Hayes Township Planning Commission and the Hayes Township Zoning Board of Appeals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mr. Criscuolo has held both of those offices for 15 years until Township Attorney David Dreyer deemed it improper for him to chair both boards at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was appointed by the Board of Trustees to the Planning Commission 20 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was elected Chair of the Planning Commission by the Planning Commission members when the previous Chair resigned from the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He inherited the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals when that same outgoing Chair resigned from the Planning Commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Nobody on the Zoning Board of Appeals elected him to be Chair.) </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo cannot plead ignorance of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance since he was the Chairman of the Planning Commission at the time the Planning Commission helped to write the Zoning Ordinance.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mr.Criscuolo has been casting 2 votes on issues brought before the Zoning Board of appeals (Once as the Chair of the Planning Commission and once as the Chair of the Zoning Board of appeals) until Mr. Dreyer deemed it improper for him to vote twice in the same issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Really – what are the chances of Mr. Criscuolo voting to reverse himself on something he has already decided on another board?)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo knowingly allowed an incomplete and improperly submitted application to be considered by the Planning Commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Chair Criscuolo should not have allowed it to be considered at all until it was properly and completely filled out.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>In allowing consideration of an incomplete and improperly filled out application, Chair Criscuolo willfully ignored the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance, which he has been charged to uphold and administer as part of his duties as Chairman of the Hayes Township Planning Commission.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo failed to ensure that the neighbors of the then-Gamble property were notified about Doug Longenecker’s intent for the Gamble property and his request for a Special Use Permit back in October 2009 before Mr. Longenecker purchased the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(If Chair Criscuolo and the Planning Commission had followed due process, it is likely that Mr. Longenecker would not have purchased the Gamble property on Mostetler Road, or he might have found a more appropriately zoned property for his Motocross track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Mr. Longenecker has purchased the property and that will be at the top of the list of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>’s liabilities.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo and the Planning Commission failed to hold a public hearing before taking a decision about Mr. Longenecker’s request for a Special Use on the Gamble property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding the public hearing before Mr. Longenecker purchased the land might have persuaded Mr. Longenecker to purchase land elsewhere, or the Planning Commission to think it through and inform themselves more fully before they approved the request.<br />
- Chair Criscuolo refused to read aloud the letters my family took the time to research and write for the public hearing held on 13 May 2010. This was a suppression of our free speech since every other letter written to the Planning Commission for that public hearing was read aloud.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo actively tries to wield his influence over the other members of the boards he chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Until September, he wielded undue influence over the other members of two boards.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was roomful of witnesses to the way Chair Criscuolo browbeat Bob Johnson at the <date day="16" month="6" year="2010">16 Jun 2010</date> Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in an attempt to persuade Mr. Johnson to vote the way Chair Criscuolo wanted him to vote.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo is on the record (Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting – <date day="9" month="11" year="2010">9 Nov 2010</date>) as believing and having stated that the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hayes Township Master Plan</b>, (which is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not the law</b>) supersedes the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance</b>, (which <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is the law</b>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unacceptable that the Chair of the Planning Commission and a Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals does not understand the proper relationship of these two documents.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo’s actions and words and attitude have demonstrated that he believes himself to be above the law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He believes that the rules do not apply to him.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo’s actions and words and attitude have demonstrated that he believes that the ends justify the means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He believes that it’s OK to ignore and break the law if the result is for his subjective view of the greater good.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Chair Criscuolo has demonstrated that he is not above twisting the meaning of or adding to or taking away from the provisions of the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance to achieve his desired outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this the kind of leadership we want for <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Under Mr. Criscuolo’s chairmanship, the Planning Commission has changed the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance outside of the prescribed process defined in the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Minutes, <date day="25" month="10" year="2010">25 Oct 2010</date> Planning Commission Special Meeting).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He makes the rules up as he goes along and changes the rules to suit his agenda.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All property owners in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> should have a problem with this.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Mr. Criscuolo was told by Mr. Dreyer that he could neither vote nor deliberate at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on <date day="9" month="11" year="2010">9 November 2010</date>, yet Mr. Criscuolo seized the opportunity to insert himself into the deliberation process anyway in order to influence the other members’ votes. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>These improprieties, for which Mr. Criscuolo is responsible, have exposed all the taxpayers <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> to tens of thousands of dollars in liability, in just the case of Michigan Moto Mania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One has to wonder in 15 years of Mr. Criscuolo’s tenure as the chair of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, how many other cases are out there?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-76882075048509983902011-01-17T20:41:00.003-05:002011-01-18T10:06:07.203-05:00Is Anyone Surprised?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">For through the grace of God given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~Romans 12:3 <stockticker>NASB</stockticker></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In an article in the <date day="28" month="12" year="2010">28 Dec 2010</date> issue of the Clare Sentinel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zoning Boss Slot Opens in Hayes Township, </i>by Rosemary Horvath,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Lyle Criscuolo felt it necessary to invoke his occupation as a pastor in a show of pious, self-righteous indignation directed against the Mostetler Road and <place><placename>Deer</placename> <placetype>Lake</placetype></place> neighbors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dared to question the integrity of a pastor (as though that makes us somehow less Christian).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have refrained from mentioning Mr. Criscuolo’s vocation because I felt it was inappropriate to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Pastors are fallible human beings, prone to pride and ambition just like the rest of us laypeople.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Criscuolo believes that because he is a pastor and missionary in his church, his leadership in the <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> government is beyond scrutiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It upsets him that we have questioned his authority and actions on the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Mr. Criscuolo’s standing as a pastor in his church and his missionary activities, while commendable, are irrelevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have nothing to do with Mr. Criscuolo’s actions with regard to Michigan Moto Mania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Criscuolo’s church activities are not the issue in <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place>, and have no bearing on this discussion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Do you know who I am?”</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">What is your first reaction to those words when someone asks you that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a positive reaction or is it a negative reaction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Do you ever wonder what motivates a person to speak those words?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally, those words are designed to make the one to whom they are directed shrink back and get back in his place because he is obviously in the presence of one who is his superior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The implication being, “I’m someone important around here and you’re nobody.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Those were the very first words Mr. Criscuolo spoke to me the first time I met him personally, in May 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, he wanted to make sure that I knew that he was the chairman of both the Hayes Township Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals; to be sure, an important person with whom to be reckoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, I did not realize the power grip that Mr. Criscuolo holds over the entire township’s government; but I soon figured it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is power that does not belong to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The citizens of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> did not elect him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Criscuolo was appointed to his position by the Board of Trustees some twenty years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has acquired power and been wielding it over the last 15 years as the chairman of two boards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grip on the power he has usurped is tenacious.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So it does not surprise me that despite Mr. Criscuolo’s many acts of malfeasance that we have brought to light, he still does not believe he has done anything wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He refuses to step down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Mr. Criscuolo leaves office, it will not be voluntarily, as he has indicated to the Clare Sentinel (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Criscuolo Won’t Be Resigning, </i>by Rosemary Horvath) and the Clare County Cleaver (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Opposition Seeks Removal of Criscuolo From Hayes Planning Commission, by Genine Hopkins</i>). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will have to be removed, and he will go defiantly.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Frankly, I don’t care if Mr. Criscuolo has little patience with those of us who don’t want a noisy racetrack in our backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our issues with <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> have moved beyond the motocross business in our backyard to the apparent ineptitude or corruption in our Township government that allowed it to happen in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the same township government in which Mr. Criscuolo plays an inappropriately large role as an appointed (not elected) official.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have much patience with appointed officials who abuse the power of their offices, and we will do what we can to see them removed from office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am in no position to judge Mr. Criscuolo as a pastor or as a brother in Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will stand or fall before the Judge of us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do question Mr. Criscuolo’s motivations as an appointed commissioner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hold him accountable for his actions in his role as an appointed commissioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not elect him, and we object to his continued presence on both the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">At the December 2010 Board of Trustees meeting, Township Supervisor John Scherrer committed to putting Mr. Criscuolo’s continued tenure on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals on the agenda of the18 Jan 2011 Board of Trustees meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should be discussing whether or not to have a public hearing about Mr. Criscuolo’s continued service, or to simply ignore his malfeasance and all it has cost the taxpayers of <place><placename>Hayes</placename> <placetype>Township</placetype></place> to date and will continue to cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is time for the Hayes Township Board of Trustees to relieve Mr. Criscuolo of his “unfortunate burden,” thank him for his years on the boards, and replace him on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals with someone who will act in accordance with the Hayes Township Zoning Ordinance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then perhaps Mr. Criscuolo will have more time to pursue his missionary activities in Africa and serve the much greater good instead of abusing his power in Hayes Township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">One thing is certain, whatever they decide to do (or not do) about Mr. Criscuolo, each member of the Board of Trustees will be on the record.</div>klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-8342186498535287942011-01-17T10:05:00.000-05:002011-01-17T10:05:52.466-05:00Tuesday, 18 Jan 2011There will be a Hayes Township Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday 18 Jan 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Hayes Township Hall.klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5396973625481906435.post-72524484563807423112011-01-12T13:26:00.000-05:002011-01-12T13:26:07.952-05:00It Did Not Take LongI have delayed writing this post about Lisa Stager's resignation, but I cannot put it off any longer. <br />
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At first I refrained from commenting other than to state the fact that Lisa resigned. I did not want to speculate on why or to put words in anyone's mouth about her resignation. I have since drawn my own conclusions from published quotes and demonstrated actions. <br />
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On 28 December 2010, an article was published in the Clare Sentinel, <em>Zoning Boss Slot Opens in Hayes Township</em>, by Rosemary Horvath. <br />
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John Scherrer is quoted as saying that Lisa was "too conscientious and no longer wanted to be frustrated about Michigan Moto Mania."<br />
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I wonder if that was a Freudian slip? Perhaps Hayes Township wanted a Zoning Administrator who was less conscientious than Lisa, as her predecessor was? Being "too conscientious" makes it more difficult for people to get around. That can be a problem when a conscientious official holds up the yardstick of the Zoning Ordinance against a desired outcome and finds it falls short of compliance.<br />
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I have no doubt that Lisa no longer wanted to be frustrated by Michigan Moto Mania.<br />
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When a spoiled child can't take "no" for an answer, it is an ordeal both for the parents and those around the child, especially when the child throws a tantrum. I'm sure it is no less teduous and frustrating when a would be business owner has had a non-compliant Special Use overturned and then wants to continue to cajole and pester and parse and browbeat; and well, you get the idea. It gets old fast, especially when no amount of the aforementioned behavior will make that square peg fit into a round hole. And especially when certain members of certain township boards are bound and determined to make it fit; with a sledgehammer, if needs be.<br />
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A person can only take so much.<br />
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Lisa found herself caught in the middle, and in all probability would have had to babysit the business owner to ensure continued compliance with the Hayes Township Ordinance. Past performance being an indicator, I'd say that's probably the case, inasmuch as the Mostetler Road neighbors have to date seen nothing that would indicate future compliance or the local authorities' inclination to enforce compliance. I'm sure that she did not relish the thought of being the Lone Ranger with out the backing of the Hayes Township officials in the matter. Nobody had her back.<br />
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Who needs that headache? I'm sure Lisa didn't.<br />
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Back in a <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/consequesces-or-lack-thereof-of.html">previous post,</a> when I wondered if Lisa could withstand the pressure to bow to an agenda that was more than likely to be put on her by those who paid her paycheck, she responded, and I made her response an entire post. <br />
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Her words <a href="http://htwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/response-from-lisa-stager-new-hayes.html">speak for themselves</a>: "Of course you may have guessed by now that this statement is contrary to the views I have expressed about my profession. Especially since zoning enforcement is the actual job description for the Zoning Administrator. At the end of the day, what I "want to do" is to just simply complete a day of working at this job in such a manner as to not lose sleep over it. (Period.) If that ever ceases to be the case, nobody will fire me because I would quit! <strong>No job is worth compromising one's integrity for the sake of <u>anyone's</u> agenda</strong>."<br />
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I just didn't think it would happen so fast.<br />
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klaskohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16114207555507530578noreply@blogger.com0