B.I. News on the 'Net, March 7-13, 2011

Whiskey Point Lighthouse Informational Meeting

Terry Pepper from the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association came to Beaver Island and held an informational meeting at the St. James Township Hall beginning at 1 pm. There are plans and engineering drawings prepared and approved for the necessary work to fix the lighthouse at the point. One of the questions answered related to the idea of painting the lighthouse to protect it. Mr. Pepper explained that, in all actuality, painting the bricks was the worst thing in the world to do. He stated that the issue now is related to moisture. If the moisture is contained inside the bricks instead of being allowed to move through the bricks to the outside, a process named squawlling will occur to the bricks. This is what has caused the damage to the outside bricks for the Whiskey Point Lighthouse. It is caused as moisture is trapped in the bricks and the bricks undergo the normal freezing and thawing and exposure to the weather. The "fire" side of the brick is on the outside, and it is the hardest portion of the brick. It begins to break away and fall off due to lack of ventilation or due to the trapping of the moisture in the bricks caused by painting, which seals the moisture in. To prevent more damage it will be necessary to get a good ventilation procedure going as soon as possible. Plans were presented to repair the inside and the outside of the building. Estimates of the cost of the different items that needed to be repaired were presented. Now, the work must begin to raise funds for the most needed, high priority items. Several possible suggestions were presented by those present. Video of one hour of the meeting will be available as soon as possible.

Winter Snow Again??

This is Michigan, and it is Beaver Island. The month is only March, and what can you expect to see coming down? Of course, we are getting more snow. It's not time for spring on Beaver Island. It might be that you heard something about a a rodent that lives in the ground, and that he saw his shadow, or didn't see his shadow, but that really means nothing when you live on Beaver Island. Maybe Southern Michigan is going to get an early spring. Beaver Island is not. Here are some pictures of the beautiful snow that came down today, March 12, 2011.

Donnell Mors Lane

Kings Highway near BIRHC

Sandra Birdsall Letter Read at Peaine Township Meeting, March 9, 2011

An idea about how to maximize our benefit from our ownership of

Whiskey Island

After listening to several people and considering their diverse opinions, an idea occurred to me about how we might obtain a satisfactory and beneficial resolution to our recent purchase of Whiskey Island. St. James Township was very fortunate to obtain such a beautiful, pristine asset in the Beaver Archipelago. This island, the middle of three small private islands lying northwest of Beaver, consists of two lots, one of 43 acres and the other of 53. Many people have supported the possibility of trading Whiskey Island to the State for the property on Paradise Bay in St. James, which was intended to house Beaver Island`s DNR employee, but for the past 25 years has been home to our Deputy Sheriff. The lot starts at the water and extends across the road and back into the woods. It contains a building, which the two townships have contributed equal funds to maintain and improve.

Other people have suggested that this proposed trade would short-change Beaver Island because Whiskey Island has to be worth much more than a single lot.

My idea is that we band together and work hard and smartly to obtain some additional considerations for this trade. First and foremost is that we make it a joint effort between St. James Township and Peaine Township. Showing Island-wide support is necessary for this to be accomplished. Some other conditions would facilitate this plan:

l) We need to get Bud Martin and his supporters on board.
2) St. James and Peaine should be the co-owners of the new acquisition, with Peaine reimbursing St. James for half of its expenses to date.
3) The two Island Townships should collaborate on the development of this acquisition to enhance the likelihood of receiving grants.

Improvements to the harbor property could include:
a) The creation of a public launch ramp and fishing pier on the waterfront;
b) The installation of off-street parking for boaters and fishermen, far enough behind the home to not constitute a nuisance;
c) The building of a picnic area and restrooms on the property, which could be called “Larsen Park,” after Sybil and Big Art Larsen; and
d) The continuing joint-Township maintenance and improvement of the home used as the Deputy's quarters.

I believe the DNR lot and these improvements could be obtained in trade from the State, and that this could be done in exchange for one of the two Whiskey Island lots. Creating this facility in St. James would relieve our current congestion and allow us to offer greater boating and fishing opportunities, enhancing our appeal to tourists from all over the Midwest. My hope is that we can simultaneously trade the second Whiskey Island lot for a line item ten-year bequest from the State's Commtmity Health Budget of $50,000/year for each of the Rural Health Centers in the island consortium of Drummond, Mackinac, and Beaver. We can accomplish great things, but only if we overcome our differences and work together. This plan could be a turning point, and lead to several comparable future benefits.

~ Bill McDonough, 3-10-201 l

Proposed Conceptual Drawing

Many Thanks to Jeff Cashman for this wonderful conceptual drawing!

Airport Commission Budget Meeting

The March 5, 2011, Airport Commission Meeting was held at 10 a.m. at the Peaine Township Hall. All members of the commission and a few audience members were present. The purpose of this meeting was to put together a budget document for the fiscal year starting on April 1, 2011. The commission spent over an hour and ten minutes preparing the budget with laborious and complete discussion on some categories. The next airport commission meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the St. James Township meeting.

The full meeting can be viewed HERE.

Beaver Island Sports Boosters CHILI COOK-OFF

This special Sports Boosters fundraising event drew nineteen different types of chili. All of them not only different, but also delicious. Some were very hot. Others quite mild. All were tasty. The individuals partaking in the chili feast were asked to give a donation at the door. This event raised over $600.

Welcoming the guests

Anyone that went away hungry must not have like chili...Lots of different types of chili....cornbread and corn muffins and sweets

Lots of variety for all individual tastes

The judges for the cook-off relaxing before the tasting...

The judges were Ryan Oliver, Karl Heller, Dianne McDonough, Andy Kohls, and Bill Kohls. They spent a little over a half and hour tasting and re-tasting the nineteen different kinds of chili.

Back and forth around to the three tables of chili in crockpots

The first place, second place, and third place reactions

First place was Heather Cary. Second Place was Susan Avery. Third place was Kathy Speck...Congratulations to those in the places and to Missy Williams Runner up..

Heather poses next to her winning chili...

Sue Avery wasn't present as the place ribbons were given out, and she is quite shy about having her picture taken.

Everyone that prepared the chili, thank you. Everyone who placed or got runner up, thank you. All that attended were winners, thank you. A great fundraising event with just another good reason to get together. Thanks to all who participated.

Short Video Clip of the Chili Cook-off

Thank you to everyone who came out and sampled the delicious chili's, donated money, made chili and desserts.

A big thank you to Eric & Dana Hodgson for hosting the Chili Cook-Off at the Shamrock. We appreciate the community support.

Go Islanders!!

Beaver Island Sports Boosters

 

News from the NRC Meeting:

I just recieved a message from Wildlife Chief Russ Mason.  He said that things are in place for Antler Point Restrictions on Beaver Island for this falls hunting season.  He said the final item will be a public meeting to be held in April or May and it will be attended by members of the MDNR-NRC and the MDNR-Wildlife Division.  Thanks to the long list of those that helped to play a part in this effort.  We look forward to working with the DNR in the management of this component of our Wildlife Certification Plan.

Jeff Powers DVM President, Beaver Island Wildlife Club

Draft 10: Beaver Island Adaptive Management Plan

The following link takes you to the converted document in web format of the NRETC's Beaver Island Adaptive Management Plan. This document is the document referred to at the Peaine Township Meeting of March 9, 2011. This document will be one of the items that should be discussed by the interested parties in attempting meet common ground. Only ten copies were distributed by Ed Wojan at this meeting, but the entire document is available at this link.

Draft 10 Adaptive Managenent Plan

A Model Ordinance (from the Huron Valley Watershed Council Website)

To help local governments to enact their own ordinances to supplement the State program, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC), with funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has developed a model wetlands ordinance that is consistent with the State law. The ordinance will provide local governments with a legally sound tool to protect their wetlands and property owners with consistent, predictable treatment throughout the State.
» Protecting Your Community's Wetlands , HRWC's wetland ordinance brochure dated September 2006
» Frequently Asked Questions About Wetlands Ordinances , factsheet dated September 2006
» MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance , dated March 2003
» Notes Regarding the MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance , prepared April 2006
» Legal Cases Related to Wetlands in Michigan , dated March 2002
» Natural Features Setback Ordinance , passed August 1998. HRWC highly recommends that communities enact a natural features setback ordinance along with a wetland ordinance.

from http://www.hrwc.org/the-watershed/watershed-protection/wetland-protection/

Nationally Known, Yet Island Connected Journalist and Columnist Dies

David Broder has passed away at the age of 81. He was with the Washington Post. He has been coming to Beaver Island for many, many years. The following link takes you to the CNN story about this. HERE

This link takes you to the Washington Post article about David Broder's career: HERE

 

BICS Closes for Four Days

As recommened by the Northwest Michigan Health Department, BICS closed last week for a total of four days, Tuesday though Friday. It all started on Tuesday and Wednesday when there were over 21 of 64 kids were out due to flu or strep throat which was close to 30 % of the students. By state law the school has to have 75% of their students in attendance to count the school day. Finally on Thursday with the continuing number of sick children and based upon discussion with the Northwest Michigan Health Dept. it was determined to cancel school for the rest of the week. This cancellation was based on the hope that those that were ill be allowed to recover and perhaps break the cycle of others being infected.

This was the first time that BICS has been closed for this extended period of time. The illnesses followed a boys' and girls' basketball tournament held in Hannahville. It appears that the Grand Marais kids had been sick the week before the tournament and other schools in the Northern Lights League also ended up with illness leading to closure.

Last? Winter Storm of 2011

Waking up on March 9, 2011, and listening to the weather forecast, it was obvious that, if you wanted to get off the island today, you better get of the island fairly early in the morning. Several people gathered their luggage together and headed out to the airports to make certain that they would make it to appointments, etc. There was only a light snow falling around 8:30 a.m. here on the island. It just seemed to get heavier and heavier in the snow department as the day progress until about 1 pm when you could call it a "white out."

At about 9 a.m.

And then the snow began to accumulate on the trees as well as the ground

You can just barely make out the point at 12:30 pm, and the snow continues to come down at 1/15 pm

Blue Ice

What causes the blue color that sometimes appears in snow and ice?

As with water, this color is caused by the absorption of both red and yellow light (leaving light at the blue end of the visible light spectrum). The absorption spectrum of ice is similar to that of water, except that hydrogen bonding causes all peaks to shift to lower energy - making the color greener. This effect is augmented by scattering within snow, which causes the light to travel an indirect path, providing more opportunity for absorption. From the surface, snow and ice present a uniformly white face. This is because almost all of the visible light striking the snow or ice surface is reflected back, without any preference for a single color within the visible spectrum. The situation is different for light that is not reflected, but penetrates or is transmitted into the snow. As this light travels into the snow or ice, the ice grains scatter a large amount of light. If the light is to travel over any distance it must survive many such scattering events. In other words, it must keep scattering and not be absorbed. We usually see the light coming back from the near surface layers (less than 1 cm) after it has been scattered or bounced off other snow grains only a few times, and it still appears white.

In simplest of terms, think of the ice or snow layer as a filter. If it is only a centimeter thick, all the light makes it through; if it is a meter thick, mostly blue light makes it through. This is similar to the way coffee often appears light when poured, but much darker when it is in a cup.

The ice on the East Side shoreline near Hoogendoorns on Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The physics of light may explain the filtering of other colors, but, no matter what causes it, this ice is just beautiful. Thank you to Bob and Peg Hoogendoorn for the phone call and the facebook post that got this photographer out there.

There was another animal out there and not very happy that a human was nearby.

From the Wildlife Club President

Please find attached a letter delivered today from Senator Walker's office to MDNR chief Mason.  This was the last piece of documentation that the MDNR Natural Resources Commission requested in order to consider our application to have Antler Point Restrictions implemented this year.  The commissioners requested this information because Beaver Island did not go through the normal two year process that is usually required to have such restrictions placed into law.  Chief Mason informed me that we did not need to attend the NRC meeting on Thursday as he will make follow through on our request from the last meeting.  Additionally letters were sent from Representative McMaster's office as well as the Charlevoix County Commissioners. These letters were sent to the DNR on our behalf. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey F. Powers DVM President, Beaver Island Wildlife Club

Letter HERE

St. James Township Meeting, March 2, 2011

The St. James Board had just enough board members present to be a quorum with Tim McDonough and Jim Wojan absent, off the island. The items discussed are presented below for the less than thirty minutes meeting for the township.

Minutes, Bills, up through Beaver Island Association Letter

 

Beaver Island Wildlife Club Letter

 

No Action on NREC at this time and Lighthouse Committee Meeting

 

Air Evacuation Discussed and Poverty Level Discussed

 

Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing set and discussed

 

Public Hearing on the Medical Air Evacuation Issue Tentatively Set

 

Sewer System Discussion

 

Public Comment and Adjournment

 

Turkey Licenses Available

The B I Wildlife Club (BIWC) & Chamber Of Commerce want you to know about turkey hunting licenses available for area J that includes Beaver Island. The club has done a fantastic job over the years of developing and supporting a large flock of turkeys. The Chamber has agreed to work with the club to market our Island to turkey hunters. An ad is currently running in Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine and some responses have already been received. The Chamber hopes to host a writer as well. It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy a fresh turkey dinner.

Leftover Spring Turkey Licenses Go on Sale March 8

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale to unsuccessful license applicants on Tuesday, March 8, at 10 a.m.  Licenses may be purchased by any hunter beginning March 15 at 10 a.m., including those who did not participate in the application process.

Hunters may look up their drawing results and view leftover license quantities at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings .

"There are numerous licenses available for many areas of the state," said Al Stewart, the DNRE's Upland Game Bird Specialist. "There are more than 52,000 remaining licenses available, which allows hunters to pursue turkeys on private land in southern Michigan from April 18 - May 1, the first two weeks of the season.  Or, hunters may purchase a license for Hunt 234 to hunt turkeys statewide from May 2 – 31, except for public lands in Unit ZZ."   The Hunt 234 license may be purchased until May 1.

There are over 74,000 total leftover licenses available for limited-quota hunts. Hunters may purchase only one license for the spring turkey season. Licenses can be purchased online at www.michigan.gov/dnr or are available for purchase at state retail license agents.

Jeff Powers on the Cover of "Hardware" Magazine

There is an article about Unique Niches in this spring issue of the magazine "Hardware," and Jeff Powers is not only on the cover, but also the lead article about unique niches in the hardware business. The whole magazine loads when you click this link, but it only takes a minute.

Click HERE

Beaver Island Association Letters to the Community and Township Board

Letter to Peaine Township board

Letter to the community

Island Treasures News

Cleaning?  Reorganizing? Decluttering? Your diet worked, and your clothes no longer fit?  Please remember that Island Treasures Resale Shop needs your donations of "gently used, barely used, like new items".  We especially need linens, dishes. pots, pans, and kitchen gadgets.  We are not able to accept upholstered furniture, but we need tables, chairs, desks, and shelving.   We al so need craft supplies and small tools. As always , electronics and large appliances are not accepted, but you may use our bulletin board to post these items.  If you have any questions about your donations or need help with delivery, please call Donna at 448-2797 .

MARCH MADNESS starts at STONEY Acres/Donegal Dannys

 

Sunday, March 13th , SUDDEN DEATH DART PLAYOFF at 4pm. Come in and Throw down...everyone 21 & older, welcome to play. Trophy & runner-up Prize.
The GREAT Day ... The Grand Weekend , Celebrate St. Pat's , Thursday March 17th thru Sunday March 20th. We will have Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew, Fish & Chips & more, Plus Full Menu...all homemade & Yummy for you to Enjoy! Also, Danny's Bloody Mary Bar and plenty of Stout, right from Ireland to enjoy with plenty of Great Tunes! On Thursday the Great Day, Danny, Danny, & Cindy will play, Irish, Country, & old Time tunes. Friday Happy Hour they'll play a bit more, followed by some Old Time Rock & Roll by Rigormortis . Keep your dancing shoes on, 'cuz Saturday night it's Jason & Nick playing your favorites & requests! * Never a price increase or cover charge. Sunday enjoy our Complimentary Hot Dog Buffet & Munchies with our bloody Mary Bar.
Great Craic all weekend.
And as March flows into April, Stoney will look forward to our
9th Anniversary April 1st. with Yummy Specials to celebrate with. Our thanks to all of you, who have made it possible...we truly appreciate your patronage.
Our best to you, 

CHILI COOK-OFF

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011

SHAMROCK

5:30 pm -7:30 pm

Link to flier HERE

National Organization Holds Planning Exercise on Beaver Island

After months of coordinated planning, the Nature Conservancy, a national organization, arrived on Beaver Island to meet collaboratively with tribal, state, county, and local organizations on February 15, 2011, for an island wide planning exercise to specifically deal with invasive species and deer management threats. A WebEx presentation went on simultaneously to those individuals who were off island to allow full participation.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) sent 3 experienced staff members and technology support (1) who are involved with Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Islands, and Lake Huron planning efforts. They stressed that Beaver Island archipelago is noted in bi-national reports as one of the highest ranking bio-diverse islands of 32,000 Great Lakes islands and has some of   the best  examples of natural communities within the State of Michigan. TNC originally was scheduled to come to share with the NREC the methods used by the TNC in developing plans. The Natural Resources and Eco-tourism Commission notified the TNC and the groups attending that they were dissolved by both townships days before. All those attending and presenting felt that the information was too important for the community to cancel the informational training event.

Examples related to the Island were used by the TNC and discussed to show techniques of planning. The planning exercise focused on the following topics which were explored and strategized. An archipelago wide firewood quarantine by the Department of Agriculture to help protect the Island ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer , new invasions by invasive terrestrial plants, excessive deer browse on native plants, and monitoring and managing deer to sustainable capacity were presented. The group also discussed plant species that may be soon added to the State and Federal lists of rare and endangered species that can still be found on our archipelago.

The goal of the meeting was not to make decisions or reach conclusions for the Island but to show how dialogue and identifying goals, desired outcomes, threats and actions to address threats, were all related. Attendees at the meeting included three biologists from the Little Traverse Band of Odawa, a representative from the MSU Extension Service to Charlevoix County, three former members of the planning committee of the NREC, two DNRE representatives, a representative from the planning commission, and the Wildlife Club President. It became evident to those present at the meeting that the Island's decisions related to natural resources planning carries a great responsibility and must be carefully thought through. Islanders have the ability to protect or destroy species at our discretion.

One of the participants, Jeff Powers, President of the Wildlife Club, remarked that it was the largest assemblage of Wildlife Biologists in the history of Beaver Island . Those present learned much from these scientists and biologists. Future NREC planning events, 2011 birding surveys, a June educational symposium, economic drivers, and the Beaver Island Birding Festival are just a few events that have been suspended along with state agency and regional organizational coordination due to the dissolution of the NREC organization by both township boards.

Submitted by Pam Grassmick

Too Many Turkeys

This title may suggest a different connotation than is meant, but you can take it any way you wish. The title is really about the over abundance of wild turkeys on Beaver Island. The Beaver Island Wildlife Club has done a wonderful job of getting the population of wild turkeys up. Perhaps, just a little too wonderful a job. As we all know the Beaver Island Wildlife Club has done an outstanding job with respect to the Island turkey flocks. We need more hunters - thus the attached ad which is in the spring issue of Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine in the Destination section. The ad is part of the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce marketing plan.

Click here to view the ad

Beaver Island Volunteer Corps Continues Efforts on Many Fronts

Cottage for Karen –

Efforts continue on the BIVC's first housing project. The drywall is up, flooring is going in and kitchen cabinets are due to be installed soon. Many folks have been instrumental to this project – from financial support to material donations to manual labor. A big thank you to Dave Dudek of Richmond Insurance Agency, located in Richmond, MI.  Dave secured insurance for the cottage and paid the first year's worth of premiums!  Thank you Dave for your kind donation.  We will continue to move along until this project is complete. If you would like to make a financial contribution, checks made out to BIVC can be sent to Judy Boyle PO Box 120. We need to raise $1,900 to pay the remainder of our bills to date.

School Supplies -

The children in Afghanistan will soon receive several boxes of notebooks, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, crayons and watercolor paints from the kind folks of Beaver Island. The Beaver Island Community School's National Honor Society, in conjunction with the Beaver Island Volunteer Corp, solicited donations of school supplies for Afghan students. Brett Maudrie, a Beaver Island soldier stationed in Afghanistan, will ensure that the supplies are distributed to the school children near where he is stationed. It it heartwarming to see such support for children so far away during times like these. These items, which sometimes we take for granted, should help these Afghan children as they continue their education. Special thanks to the Women's Auxiliary for making a donation towards the postage.

Boxes for Soldiers -

The BIVC and BICS students also collected items from the community for the soldiers in Brett's unit. We understand from Tara Palmer, the individual that initiated and oversaw the project in Charlevoix, that the boxes were well received. Thanks to all who contributed items to this project and to the Veterans for help with the postage. We hope to continue these types of efforts in the future.

Judy Boyle, BIVC Treasurer

Forest View Apartments Construction

Floor Plans of the Forest View Apartments

Floor plan of the entire building (large view)

Floor plan of just the common areas (large view)

Floor plan of one bedroom apartment

At Stoney

Sunday, March 13th , SUDDEN DEATH DART PLAYOFF at 4pm. Come in and Throw down...everyone 21 & older, welcome to play. Trophy & runner-up Prize.
The GREAT Day ... The Grand Weekend , Thursday March 17th thru Sunday March 20th. We will have Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew, Fish & Chips & more, Plus Full Menu...all homemade & Yummy for you to Enjoy! Also, Danny's Bloody Mary Bar and plenty of Stout, right from Ireland to enjoy with plenty of Great Tunes! On Thursday the Great Day, Danny, Danny, & Cindy will play, Irish, Country, & old Time tunes. Friday Happy Hour they'll play a bit more, followed by some Old Time Rock & Roll by Rigormortis . Keep your dancing shoes on, 'cuz Saturday night it's Jason & Nick playing your favorites & requests! * Never a price increase or cover charge. Sunday enjoy our Complimentary Hot Dog Buffet & Munchies with our bloody Mary Bar.
Great Craic all weekend.
And as March flows into April, Stoney will look forward to our
9th Anniversary April 1st. with Yummy Specials to celebrate with. Our thanks to all of you, who have made it possible...we truly appreciate your patronage.
Our best to you,
Liam & Marilyn Racine

Transfer Station News

Beginning April 1, 2011, the cost of all black trash bags will be $3.00 per bag based upon the decision of the meeting of the Waste Managment Committee. The discussion of the color of the bag was eliminated by the change in wording to include all "consumer" type bags will cost $3.00. The Waste Management Committee met on February 15, 2011. The minutes of that meeting may be accessed HERE.

BI Christian Church Resident and Visiting Ministers

Month of March

13: Jayne Bailey

20: Harold Kruse

27: Harold Kruse

Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Beaver Island Rural Health Center

Enter Relationship to Support Regional Patient Care 

The original press release was in Petoskey, Mich. – February 4, 2010 – Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Beaver Island Rural Health Center have entered into an agreement to enhance their partnership.

The agreement will further expand the framework of mutual collaboration between Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Beaver Island Rural Health Center to share, plan, and develop services that support the delivery of high quality, cost effective healthcare for Beaver Island residents. It will also support infrastructure as needed for the continuation of medical care in the appropriate medical setting off the island, whether it be at Northern Michigan Regional Health System or another medical facility.

“We look forward to expanding our relationship with Beaver Island Rural Health Center through this agreement as it aligns with our mission to increase access, improve quality, and reduce costs of healthcare to northern Michigan residents,” said Reezie DeVet, President and CEO of Northern Michigan Regional Health System.

Goals of the agreement include investigating potential solutions for purchasing support, supplies, and equipment, as well as exploring community and medical education opportunities, and expanding telemedicine and connectivity between Beaver Island Rural Health Center and the mainland.

“Through this expanded partnership, Beaver Island Rural Health Center patients will have enhanced access to technologically advanced healthcare that is expected by island residents and increasingly demanded by healthcare policy and regulation, and, if additional healthcare is required, seamless transfer to higher levels of care on the mainland,” said Northern Michigan Regional Health System Board Chair, David Buzzelli.

According to The Beaver Island Task Force Committee, Beaver Island Rural Health Center is painfully aware of the great challenges its isolation and fragile financial resources represent. 

“The agreement is the culmination of months of hard work between Beaver Island Rural Health Center and Northern Michigan Regional Health System,” said Denny Cook, President of Beaver Island Rural Health Center. “We are very pleased that it has been passed by the Boards of both organizations. It lays the groundwork for working together in the future to provide even better healthcare services to Beaver Island.”

Having had a long-standing relationship with Beaver Island Rural Health Center, Bill Jackson, President and CEO of Charlevoix Area Hospital, said the relationship between Northern Michigan Regional Health System and Beaver Island Rural Health Center is yet another aspect in complementing the care provided to the Beaver Island community.

Northern Michigan Regional Health System

Northern Michigan Regional Health System is a non-profit organization that is committed to providing a full continuum of patient-centered specialized care to residents in 22 counties throughout northern Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula. With more than 15 affiliates and regional partners, the flagship of Northern Michigan Regional Health System is Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, a 214-bed, regional referral center located in Petoskey with a medical staff of nearly 200 physicians representing nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care. For more information, please visit northernhealth.org.

Peaine Township Board Meeting, February 9, 2011

Approximately seventy people attended the Peaine Township Board Meeting last night, February 9, 2011. The meeting began slightly after 7 p.m. and ended slightly after 11 p.m. This was four hours of anger displayed by many in the audience with two different factions formed in advance. The battle lines were drawn, and the outcome of the battle predetermined. The issue publicly was one of whether or not to dissolve the Peaine Township support of the NRETC by rescinding the original motion that created the organization. This did not seem to be the underlying issue since the commission has done much to help the Island by cleaning up the dump sites on Garden Island, helping to eradicate the phragmities invasion, and opening up vistas not considered on the Island previously.

To an objective observer, the real issue that surfaced entailed three letters written by three individuals in support of a specific designation for Beaver Island. One of these letters was written by Jack Gallagher and sent to the Michigan DNRE and many others in the state government, which was signed as supervisor of Peaine Township, implying Peaine Township support. The second of these letters was written by Sandra Birdsall and sent to the same group, which was signed as Chairman of the Natural Resources and EcoTourism Commission, implying NRETC support. The third letter was not really discussed much, but was sent as an individual letter to the same group of recipients. The existence of these letters was only brought to the public after a Freedom of Information request filed by the Northern Islander. The real issue as viewed objectively was that the public in the audience was upset that neither the Peaine Township Board, consisting of five board members, nor the other members of NRETC, a twenty-one member group, was aware that these letters were sent. As rammed home at the meeting last night was the anger that no phone calls took place to any other Peaine Township Board members. Whether any phone calls took place to members of the NRETC was not established at this meeting. The anger also stemmed from the fact that neither the Peaine Township Supervisor or Chairman Sandra Birdsall had gotten authorization from their respective board or commission to write these letters. The real issue from one audience member was that "you decided to speak for the whole island without anyone's knowledge or authority."

Caught in the losing battle was Pam Grassmich, the only letter writer who did not sign her letter as an officer of the NRETC, but instead her letter was signed by her and her husband, an individual exercising her right to free speech. Unfortunately, Pam had to endure the crumbling of her vision to help Beaver Island, as the mortar shells fell all around her. All of the positive accomplishments of the NRETC, all of the volunteer hours dedicated to the good deeds accomplished, and all of the efforts to educate the community about invasive species were ignored, and the anger directed at two individuals fell like a guillotine on the local governmental support of the NRETC. There were so many stones thrown at this meeting that sorting them out may take a long time. The majority of the stones were thrown at Jack Gallagher and Sandra Birdsall, who was not present to defend herself.

There were a few stones thrown at the BICC suggesting that they had also attempted to speak for the entire Island without any publicly expressed authority, but these stones fell on deaf ears as the anger continued to grow.

The Peaine Township support of the NRETC as added to the agenda by Pete LoDico, who accused Jack Gallagher of purposely leaving it off the agenda even after several emails and calls had been placed to ask that it be put on the agenda. From the moment that this accusation occurred, the outcome of the night was predetermined. The inaction of Sandra Birdsall and the other members of the NRETC in not working quickly enough at adding the Beaver Island Conservation Club and the Chamber of Commerce was another strike against the organization. The fact that those members on the commission who had the opportunity to vote to add these two organizations and didn't do so, was quickly deemed another strike.

These letters were strike three. The Peaine Township Board voted to rescind the motion that created the township commission named the NRETC or NREC. The votes to rescind were LoDico, Martin, and Kubic. The negative vote was Gallagher, and Paul Welke was absent from the meeting.

In another contentious situation, the Peaine Township Board had passed a motion at its previous January 2011 meeting to direct Jack Gallagher to write a letter to correct a previous letter sent to the DNRE regarding the Whiskey Island trade for the DNR building and property on Paradise Bay. There was much discussion from audience members about the need to write this letter, but Jack Gallagher had written a letter that was approved by two members of the Peaine Township Board and not approved by two other members of the Board. It was even suggested by one member of the audience that a two way tie should not prevent the sending of the unapproved letter. After much discussion, again by angry board members and audience members, the Peaine Township Board voted to send the letter as written. The original purpose of the motion on January 2011 in this regard was to notify the DNRE that Peaine Township would not stand in the way of any negotiations between St. James Township and the DNRE in discussions about the Whiskey Island trade. Peaine Township was withdrawing its objection to this, and removing its statement of financial interest in the housing of the Beaver Island deputy as well as its demand to have the Peaine Township name on the deed for this exchange if and when it occurs.

There were two members of the audience that didn't want this letter, nor the motion of the last meeting, to stand, but the Peaine Township Board voted to approve the letter written by Jack Gallagher and put it in the mail on Thursday, February 10, 2011.

There were many other items, less contentious, discussed and completed at this meeting. One of those items was the passing after an excellent presentation by Jeff Powers and Don Tritsch of the Wildlife Certification document and approval of the process by the Peaine Township Board. Two resolutions were passed to approve a poverty exemption with an amount set at $15,000 and an asset maximum set at $100,000 and to allow local residents to protest their assessed valuation in writing. An appointment was made to the Board of Review for an alternate, Tina Morgan. An appointment was made to the Planning Commission, Kathy Jones. A motion was passed to keep the township salaries the same for the year beginning 4/1/11. The Annual Elector's Meeting, the budget meeting, and the Board Hearing to adopt the budget were all set on the same day, 3/26/11 beginning at 11 a.m., followed by 11:45 a.m., and then 12:30 p.m. By-laws for the Waste Managment Committee were going to go back to the committee for approval after suggestions from the lawyer. The 2010 Audit should be available on the Peaine Township website in the next few days

.The video of the meeting will be available as soon as processed. With four hours of video for this four hour meeting, it may take a few days to get it all processed. It will be uploaded and available as soon as possible with the early parts of the meeting available first based upon the agenda and as the meeting unfolded. Items 1-5 on the agenda with be uploaded first.

All four hours of the video is here!

Easter Brunch Scheduled

Sunday April 24 Easter Brunch NOON at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Pancakes, Ham, Scrambled Eggs, French Toast Casserole and Strata along with OJ and Coffee.  Community is invited to attend.  Anyone wanting to bring a dish to pass are welcome  do so.

32 Miles of Water

(Copyright 2004, Phillip Michael Moore)

Update: 2/19/11---This video has had 108 viewings in the months of January and February so far. We hope that the views are getting the importance of having an air ambulance on Beaver Island and ready to go for the emergencies that have occurred here. It is obvious that ill and injured people are searching out other methods of transport since the transports for 2010 were down 50% compared to the last four years. While part of the cause is the depressed economy, the other part is the concern of being transported to the mainland and having a huge bill for that transport. BINN will continue to have this video available until something gets resolved with this issue. Comments so far: "You must be very proud of your son for doing this excellent video." "We never realized that this was still an issue." "Wow, a very important issue that seems to have been put on the back burner for too long. It's a burning issue."

Beaver Island has two flight services, and neither of them are currently certified or licensed to transport emergency patients from Beaver Island to the mainland. We thank the crews of the USCG helicopters for coming to do medical evacuations. We thank the flight services that have helped us get patients to the mainland for the last seven years and before. We thank Northflight for providing this service as well.

While a lot of things have changed over the last 7 years including a new school, a new executive director of EMS, new township supervisors,and new rural health center board members, there is one thing that has not changed.

Beaver Island does not have an FAA Certified Air Ambulance that is licensed by the State of Michigan.

When Phillip Michael Moore made this video as a Master's degree project, no one would have guessed that seven years later Beaver Island would still not have achieved this goal.

Please take the time to view the video. Please take some time to think about this, and then start asking some questions about how this can be resolved.

Beaver Island News on the 'Net Presents "32 Miles of Water" in its final form (28.5 minutes). The previously video, viewed here, was a slightly shortened version. The video is in high quality, but is still streaming video.

 

2010 Citizen of the Year

Nomination Form

Two possible awards: Individual and Organization

 

The award(s) will honor an individual, couple or community organization

that has made a significant contribution to making Beaver Island

a better place to live, work or visit.

 

 

My name is _________________________________ Phone ___________________

 

Address ______________________________________________________________

 

I would like to nominate _________________________________________________

 

•  Please write 3 or 4 paragraphs, typed preferred, see criteria above

•  Mail to: Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 5 , Beaver Island , MI 49782 – Chamber @BeaverIsland.org

Deadline is Friday, April 8, 2011

Questions: Call Steve West, Mon – Fri., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 231.448.2505

The Award Banquet will be Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Please call Stoney Acre Grill & Pub (231) 448-2560 for reservations.

Citizen of the Year 2011 Banquet Menu

Sirloin Tips Gaelic

Braised, Choice Sirloin Tips with shallots, garlic and seasonings, deglazed with Irish Mist and finished with cream. Served over penne pasta and garnished with grated Pecorino Romano.

Roast Half-Chicken with Mushrooms

(Poulet au Champignon)

Roast spring Chicken topped with sautéed fresh mushrooms and resting in a sauce of chicken stock, horseradish, garlic, seasonings and cream. New Potatoes and Vegetable accompany.

Yellow Lake Perch

Eight hand-dusted Lake Erie Perch, lightly fried and served with House Slaw, Vegetable, Saffron Rice and House Tartar.

*All dinners are served with an amuse, a small garden salad, herbed bread, and dessert.

Cost per dinner is $20. Does not include gratuity. Alcohol and beverages extra.

1st Annual "Gail's Walk"

The first annual "Gail's Walk" will take place on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. In honor of Gail Weede, each year we will have a Memorial Weekend Walk to raise money that will help Island families who experience unexpected or long term medical treatment.  This fund would help with bills or expenses related to the condition. A minimum donation of $10 per person is asked for this 5k untimed event.  Children 5 and under are no charge.  There will be commemorative long sleeve t-shirts available for $10 each (please pre-order your shirts).  Be sure to include quantity and sizes.

To pre-register for the walk and/or t-shirt, please make your check out to BIRHC (Beaver Island Rural Health Center) memo: Gail's Walk, and mail to Beth Croswhite, P.O.Box 143 Beaver Island, MI 49782.
If you are unable to join us, but would still like to donate to this worthy cause, any donation would be welcomed and appreciated. This walk would begin and end at the Public Beach Parking lot.
Any questions call Dawn Marsh  at 231-448-2910.

On the Beach of Beaver Island

You will need Quicktime or another music player to enjoy this link.

The music played in the Holy Cross Hall in the late 70's and early 80's, recorded for posterity and shared here.

Beaver Island Community Development Corporation

 

Applications are now being taken to rent an apartment at the long-awaited Senior Housing, named Forest View, which is now under construction on Carlisle Road , across the street from Stoney Acres. The construction is anticipated to be complete and the apartments ready for occupancy June 1, 2011, a date which is subject to change based on weather conditions.

Applications are also available for the part-time position of on-site manager who will be employed by KMG Prestige, an off-island management company who will manage the apartments. The position is anticipated to begin in March, 2011.

Applications for both leasing and employment may be obtained at the Community Center, Library, and Rural Health Center. They should be mailed directly to KMG Prestige, attention Jane Crawford, 3390 Pine Tree Rd, Lansing, Michigan 48911 .

Further information may be obtained by contacting Jane Crawford at 1-517-679-7298.

KMG is an experienced property management company well-versed in federal regulations. In managing the leasing for the Beaver Island Community Development Corporation, KMG will screen applicants to determine their qualifications under the federal regulations for low and moderate senior housing. Using a professional management company to handle the leasing will insure applicants that they will be correctly evaluated and that their financial data will be kept confidential.

The rental apartments will have rental rates which are set through the grant process which provided funding. The anticipated rent is $567 for a one-bedroom unit and $629 for a two-bedroom unit. Utilities are included in the rent, and the building will be heated through a geo-thermal system. The building will include six individual apartments, four one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom, each with their own kitchen and bath. In addition, the building will have a laundry room, community room, and a community kitchen area.

Beaver Island Airport Commission Inter-Governmental Agreement

This is the complete agreement approved by both Peaine and St. James Townships

B I Airport Commission Rules of Procedure

These rules of procedure have been approved by the Airport Commission and Peaine Township. They have yet to be approved by St. James Township.

Re-Appraisal, Assessor, and Property Taxes Explained

In a December meeting at the Peaine Township Hall, the Peaine Assessor, hired by the Peaine Township Board sat down with a small number of attendee at a scheduled meeting, albeit on a very busy night. She explained the process of the appraisal, her job as assessor, the role of the townships and the role of the State of Michigan. Ed Wojan, John Fogg, Don Tritsch, and the Hurkmanns attended with Jim Birdsall doing the introduction and participating as well. If you are interest in seeing what was discussed at this meeting, video of the entire session can be viewed in video clips HERE.

Peaine Township Tax Assessment Roles Online

Search Peaine Township Assessment Role Online

Several people wanted to know how to get to this location. Feel free to access it from here and then save it as a Favorite.

BICS Calendar for 2010-11 Approved

Beaver Island Transfer Station Information

Expired Subscriptions

Please send us your email address.

There are quite a few subscriptions that will expire in March and some that have already expired. We appreciate your support and ask you to renew your subscription as soon as possible. Emails have been sent out, but quite a few have been returned without delivery, which means that BINN does not have your current email address.

You can subscribe online by using PayPal and a credit card. Please click the link below if you wish to renew online:

RENEW

Meeting Minutes

The minutes of all public meetings will be posted

as soon as they are received.

News on the 'Net welcomes minutes to all public meetings. All organizations are welcome to submit meeting minutes for publication on this website. Please email them to medic5740@gmail.com.

Airport Committee Minutes

Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association Minutes

Peaine Township Board Minutes

BIRHC Board Meeting Minutes

St. James Township Meeting Minutes

Beaver Island Community School Board Meeting Minutes

Beaver Island Ecotourism Goals Draft, rev. 3, 19 Jan 2010

Beaver Island Natural Resources and Eco-Tourism Commission Minutes

Joint Human Resources Commission Minutes

Waste Management Committee Minutes

Beaver Island Airport Commission Minutes New for 2011!