B. I. News on the 'Net, October 14-20, 2013
Need Heat, Got Food
The Health Center News, Fall 2013
November Millage Election for St. James
This election will take place on November 5, 2013
PROPOSAL TO RENEW FIRE PROTECTION MILLAGE
This proposal renews the 1 mill fire protection millage previously approved by the electors that expired in December, 2012.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Township of St. James, County of Charlevoix, State of Michigan be increased by up to one dollar ($1.00) per thousand dollars ($1,000) (1mil) of the taxable value on all taxable property in the township for five (5) years, 2013 through 2017 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for fire protection, and shall the Township levy such millage for this purpose? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the 1 mill would raise an estimated $46,802 for the township when first levied in 2013.
PROPOSAL TO RENEW ROAD MILLAGE
This proposal renews the 2 mills road construction and maintenance millage previously approved by the electors that expired in December, 2012.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Township of St. James, County of Charlevoix, State of Michigan be increased by up to two dollars ($2.00) per thousand dollars ($1,000) (2 mills) of the taxable value on all taxable property in the township for five (5) years, 2013 through 2017 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for road construction and maintenance, and shall the Township levy such millage for these purposes? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the 2 mills would raise an estimated $93.604 for the township when first levied in 2013.
PROPOSAL TO RENEW MEDICAL CENTER MILLAGE
This proposal renews the 2 mills medical center millage previously approved by the electors that expired in December, 2012.
Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Township of St. James, County of Charlevoix, State of Michigan be increased by up to two dollars ($2.00) per thousand dollars ($1,000) (2) mills of the taxable value on all taxable property in the township for five (5) years, 2013 through 2017 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for the operation of the islands medical center, and shall the Township Levy such millage for this purpose? If approved and levied in its entirety, it is estimated that the 2 mills would raise an estimated $93,604 for the township when first levied in 2013.
“Gently Used, Barely Used, Like New”
The Transfer Station is no longer able to accept cloth as part of the recycling program. This change has a direct affect on the operation of Island Treasures Resale Shop. Previously, when we received donations of clothing that were stained, torn, or otherwise unusable, we would take them to the transfer station where they were recycled for free. Now, because of a change of Transfer Station policy, the rejected clothing items must go into a $4.00 “green bag”
Transfer station employees, Bob and Amy, told us that over half of the volume of cloth that they handled, over the years, was generated by the resale shop. Now, the resale shop must absorb the cost of the four dollar green bags. To help defray the added cost we will have to raise the prices of clothing and linen items.
We are asking our generous donors to carefully sort each donation of linens and clothing. Items must be not be stained, torn, or frayed. Please check that buttons and zippers are working. Clothing is accepted in season.
The Resale Shop, including Carol’s Barn, is open Thursday through Saturday from noon until 4:00. If you need help at other times, just call.
People frequently ask about “big” donations. We do not accept mattresses, upholstered furniture, large appliances, computers, or TVs.
We are happy to serve our community and financially aid our first responders. Thank you for the decades of support and encouragement.
FYI- We have been at the Donnegal Bay Rd. location for 6 years! Time flies when you are having fun!
Call Donna at 448-2797.
The Moon and Clouds
Tonight, Saturday, October 19, 2013, the moon and clouds were quite interesting.
West Side View from the Bluff
Beautiful fall colors
Nice!
Ron Patania Passes Away
On October 11, 2013, in Wells, NV. another amazing person left this world to move on to the next. Ronald Lewis Patania was born on October 21, 1977, in San Francisco, CA, to Regina Ann Scholl. He was a very healthy 10 lb baby boy with roly-poly cheeks and whom giggled all the time.
As he got older people remembered his big smile and even bigger laugh. Ron never graduated high school, but fought hard to finish his GED and take computer classes to make something of his life. As a youth he moved a lot, but spent his formative years on Beaver Island, Michigan, where he learned to love nature, camping and snowmobiling.
Ron held various jobs; tire technician, computer tech support and factory worker. He had been working as a diesel mechanic the last 5 years most recently at BTI, where everyone loved his sense of humor and “can do” attitude.
Ron met his love, Misty Wiley, in late 2000, early 2001. At his death they had been together almost 13 years and have one daughter, Kaylie Anne Patania, who just turned 4 last week. He left so many people who loved and cherished him. Two sisters; his baby sister Casandra Patania with her 4 children Shiyee, Emoneayh, Qayden and Dakari. As well as his older sister Marian (Mimi) Lewis.
Ron left us too soon and will be missed by friends and family everywhere he had been.
Progress at the Township Airport Terminal
A trip out to the Township Airport does not reveal much visual change from the last few trips out to this location. This is not saying that there hasn't been progress. It simply means that there is not the need to take pictures to show what progress has taken place. The foundation is complete. The items that needed to be put under the foundation and the floor are in place. The cement floor is very close to completion. The wood portion of the structure will, when begun, actually begin to share the shape and visual view of the structure.
Of course there has been power and phone lines run, the parking area is pretty much completed, and the supporting foundation with footings is complete. Hopefully, there will be a little more construction and visual changes taking place in the near future.
BI Christian Church Announcement-Holiday Bazaar
This year's Holiday Bazaar will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2013, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Letters with reservation information are available at Jean Kinsley's real estate office, the Community Center, and the District Library. Reservation forms must be returned by Monday, November 11, 2013. Telephone or personal contact reservations are not accepted.
In the tradition begun several years ago, the Beaver Island Food Pantry will be serving home-made soup for a donation.
Also, in the tradition begun several years ago, each vendor will donate an item for a drawing. Tickets for this drawing will be sold for 25 cents. Funds raised from this drawing will be donated to the Beaver Island Food Pantry.
There will be a few additions to the bazaar this year:
1. There will be a decorated Christmas tree just inside the door. If you bring a canned good to donate to the Food Pantry, you will get 1 free ticket for the drawing mentioned above. If you bring an unwrapped toy to put under the tree, you will receive 2 free tickets for the drawing. The donated toys will be given to Island children for Christmas. Other gift items placed under the tree will be gratefully accepted.
2. There will be an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" parade at 12:00. Prizes will be awarded in 2 categories: "Adult" and "Kids of All Ages". Winners will be selected by bazaar attendees.
3. There will be a table where young children can write and mail a letter to Santa.
4. Vendors will be participating in "Vendor Wars" (someone has been watching t o many "Storage Wars" episodes!) Bazaar shoppers will have an opportunity to vote for the most festive display table.
For more information, contact Judi Meister (2963) or Jean Kinsley (2856) or Judy Boyle (3189).
Mark your calendars! Plan to shop locally!! Some new vendors, some new items offered by returning vendors, baked goods, and birthday calendars!
"Lunch with Lyn" Was Today
Lyn Jenks, CEO of Charlevoix Area Hospital, hosted a luncheon on Beaver Island
President and CEO of Charlevoix Area Hospital held “Lunch with Lyn” on Beaver Island at the Shamrock Bar and Restaurant.
Ms. Jenks used this lunch as a great opportunity to discuss the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) and the Michigan expansion of Medicaid and talk more about the services offered at Charlevoix Area Hospital. The goal of this session was to have an open discussion about health care and how it relates to you as the patient.
The event took place Wednesday, October 16, 2013, from 11:30 am-1pm. The banquet style meal was provided by Charlevoix Area Hospital. This lunch was open to the public and all were encouraged to attend.
Approximately fifty island residents attended the luncheon at the Shamrock. The beginning of the luncheon had Lyn Jenks explaining what the luncheon schedule would be with lunch first, followed by a presentation, and ending with a question and answer period.
And lunch was served.
After the majority of attendees were ready to listen even though they were not done eating, Lyn Jenks got up to make her presentation.
True to her introduction, the topics stated at the beginning were completely presented and appropriate question and answer period was allowed. Lyn Jenks, CEO of Charlevoix Area Hospital and her Communications Coordinator, Katherine A. Forrester, posed for a picture after the presentation.
Video of this event available HERE
Knives, Swords and Lots of Gold Medals
Thanks to Dave and Sue Avery, five Beaver Island students were able to compete in their first Taekwondo tournament on Saturday, September 28, 2013, by Dave and Sue began as an afterschool program in 2012 and continued throughout the summer. The kids trained hard, breaking boards, sparring each other, and wielding knives and swords throughout their forms programs. Their hard work paid off when they came home with a total of 15 medals for the group. The group was comprised of two tenth graders, Sarah Avery and Ryan Boyle; two seniors Erin Boyle and Jewel Cushman and one seventh grader Forrest Avery. Forrest and Ryan won gold medals in events that qualify them to participate in the upcoming Junior Olympics. Congratulations to all and keep your feet and fists flying!
Bermuda sent its National squad to the tournament in Kalamazoo in order to qualify for its standings for national ratings. Because Forrest is a dual citizen, and won gold in forms, he is now a member of Bermuda's Junior Olympic Team and is eligible to compete in the World Cup and the Junior Olympic games.
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Around the Island
On Monday, October 7, 2013, BINN went around the island in the reverse direction on purpose. First was Fox Lake Road, then came West Side Road, Green's Lake, Green's Bay Road, West Side Road down to Iron Ore Bay and then back up the East Side Road including Lake Geneserath. This began in the morning on a sprinkling, but sometimes sunny day. Here are the results of the pictures taken by BINN.
Miller's Marsh
Emergency Air Transport
The First Year
In the interest of providing information for the public, BINN had requested a profit and loss statement for the first year of emergency air transport by the Beaver Island Emergency Medical Service, the agency with the State of Michigan license for emergency air transport. This income statement has been provided. At the point in time that the BIEMS had completed its first complete year of emergency air transport, the following are the figures provided:
(click to view a larger picture)
This chart shows the income from BIEMS from August 2012, the beginning date of the licensed air transport to the beginning of August 2013. The chart provided shows that BIEMS received income for 60 ground ambulance transports making an income of $24,218. BIEMS received $45,786 for ten air transports, but paid out $30,390 to the air carrier. This works out to two-thirds of the income going to the air carrier and one-third of the income for the flights going to BIEMS for these ten flights. There were more flights than ten, but these are only the flights that have been paid by Medicare and insurance companies. There are several flights, with BCBS as the insurance company, that have been billed, but have not been paid as of the beginning of August 2013.
BIRHC SEEKS BOARD APPLICATIONS
The Beaver Island Rural Health Center is seeking applicants interested in serving on its board of directors. The board position will be filled at its annual meeting on Saturday, December 14, 2013.
Board terms are for three years and directors are not compensated. The BIRHC board meets on a Saturday morning every third month. Directors are expected to attend most of the meetings, either in person or by speakerphone.
Candidates should be team players who will champion the cause of the Health Center and be willing to contribute their time and talents to board activities, including fundraising. Full or part-time residents are encouraged to apply by letter to the BIRHC Selection Committee, P.O. Box 146, Beaver Island, MI 49782.
For more information, applicants may contact Managing Director Donna Kubic. Candidates should send or drop off a letter which states their interest and tells a little about themselves by the deadline of November 15, 2013.
HOLY CROSS PARISH MISSION
Father Tom Allender, S.J., from the California Provence of Jesuits, is coming to give a mission to all of us on Beaver Island beginning the first weekend of November.
All Are Welcome
Holy Cross Parish Seeks Nominations
How Long Will This Continue?
Editorial by Joe Moore
This information is based upon the 2000 census:
St. James Township has 20 square miles of land, while Peaine Township has 73 square miles of land. Peaine has 200% more area of land to serve by emergency services and other joint projects. St. James has 331 housing units, while Peaine has 410 housing units. Peaine has 24% more housing units. St. James has per capita income of $20,109 while Peaine has per capita income of $33,091. Peaine has 64% higher per capita income.
Why then does the St. James taxpayer have to pay 48.5% more in millage for property taxes than a Peaine taxpayer for all joint projects?
Over the last twenty years, Peaine Township has not levied over a million dollars in taxes that was levied as millage in St. James Township. Why is this fair? Why does a St. James Township taxpayer pay 48.5% more millage for every single joint operation including the BI Transfer Station, BI Fire Department, BI Emergency Medical Service, the Township Airport, and the BI Historical Society?
There was a seven year period where the Peaine Taxpayer paid more millage than the St. James taxpayer. This happened about thirty years ago. Doesn’t the last twenty years more than make up for these seven years that occurred more than twenty years ago? Just because St. James matched dollars for some of this seven year period, doesn’t the last twenty years of Peaine matching dollars make up for these seven years? St. James has had to settle for matching dollars for twenty years while Peaine only had to settle for matching dollars for seven years. St. James has had to deal with this 300% more years than Peaine.
Where would all these joint operations be if the Peaine millage had not been decreased for more than twenty years? Beaver Island will never know the answer to this question.
How many more years will the St. James taxpayer be paying more for the same joint operations? How many more years of the St. James taxpayer paying almost fifty percent more in taxes than the Peaine taxpayer for these joint operations?
Does the fire department serve all of Peaine Township? Does EMS serve all of Peaine Township? Doesn’t the history of the island include history of Peaine Township? Isn’t the Transfer Station available to every single taxpayer in Peaine Township? Isn’t the Township Airport available to a Peaine taxpayer just as much as to a St. James taxpayer? If this is one Island, then why doesn’t the Peaine Township taxpayer pay the same millage as the St. James taxpayer?
New Trail Created at Barney’s Lake Nature Preserve on Scully Addition
BEAVER ISLAND - On September 23-24, Little Traverse Conservancy staff and ten island volunteers constructed a new 0.75 mile-long trail linking Barney's Lake Road with the Kuebler Trail through the new Scully Addition to the Barney's Lake Preserve.
In addition to the basic task of clearing the route of living and dead vegetation (including large fallen trees and juniper thickets, and raking the pathway clear of leaf litter), work at Barney’s Lake Preserve also included clearing a naturally-surfaced parking area big enough for about four cars, installing trail map signs at three strategic locations, bench-cutting several sections where the trail traversed steep side-slopes, and painting blue trail marking blazes along the way to permanently mark the trail. The section of the Kuebler Trail that runs through the preserve was cleared of deadfalls and overhanging branches.
The new trail runs through several different vegetation covertypes and landforms, highlighting the beautiful diversity of this now 285-acre preserve. The east half is flat, but the west half runs through beautiful high wooded sand dunes, and includes views of Barney's Lake."I’ve already heard a lot of good feedback about this trail segment," said the Conservancy’s Director of Stewardship Doug Fuller.
Subsequent phases of trail work at Barney's Lake may include a new trail segment to the Barney's Lake shore, the Lake Michigan shore, or to the top of Bonter's Bluff. However, Conservancy staff will be determining both the need for and feasibility of these trails through additional site assessment and input from local residents and LTC’s Beaver Island Steering Committee before actual construction.
For more information about this preserve or any other Conservancy nature preserve, please contact the office at 231.347.0991. Updated nature preserve information can be found on the Conservancy’s free smart phone app (see download links below) or on our website at www.landtrust.org where an interactive service area map of all Conservancy preserves can be found. We encourage preserve users to send us feedback!
Since 1972, the Little Traverse Conservancy has been working as the oldest regional, non-profit land trust in Michigan. With the support of more than 4,100 members, the Little Traverse Conservancy works with private landowners and units of local government to permanently protect ecologically significant and scenic lands from development. Since it was founded, more than 50,000 acres and 125 miles of shoreline along our region’s lakes, rivers, and streams have been set aside to remain in their natural state within Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties. In addition, more than 4,000 young people participate in a Conservancy environmental education outing every year. For more information about the Little Traverse Conservancy and land protection options for your land, please contact their office at 231.347.0991 or visit www.landtrust.org. Check out our new FREE nature preserve app available on Google Play or the Apple App Store!
Michigan Student Service Award Recruitment for 2013/2014
Char-Em United Way’s Volunteer Connections works to promote and connect people with volunteer opportunities in our community. In an effort to promote volunteerism and civic engagement, Char-Em United Way’s Volunteer Connections recognizes those students who have shown outstanding dedication to their communities by awarding them the Michigan Student Service Award. Students involved in the Michigan Student Service program over four years will complete and document 400 hours of non-paid community service that meet a recognized community need, under the auspices of a nonprofit organization, government program, community group or school. All students are awarded a medallion and a certificate of distinction signed by Governor Snyder. These awards are presented during the end of the year awards ceremony at each school.
Students who become involved in volunteer work will achieve a more positive sense of well-being and purpose, and will become active in their communities as adults. Char-Em United Way is committed to helping students achieve this. Students can submit hours to Char-Em United Way for tracking to Lisa Luebke at info@charemunitedway.org
Benefits to MSSA are:
- Medallion of Distinction to wear at graduation
- Certificate of Distinction for Commitment to Service
- Community-wide recognition for the time and effort you gave to make a difference in the lives of others in your community
- Learn new skills
- Network with others
- Build your college application
- Build your scholarship resume
- Build your resume
For More Information on the Michigan Student Service Award, contact Susan George, MNA Civic Engagement AmeriCorps*VISTA Char-EM United Way 231-487-1006
District Library Special Meeting
The Beaver Island District Library Board met for a special meeting this morning, 09/30/2013, to determine the district millage rate to be levied for the April 1, 2014-March 31, 2015 fiscal year. There was a lengthy discussion of the budget and the programs to be offered in the future. the final resolution that was passed was to levy .8500 of the 1 mill voted millage. This represents a decrease of millage for the district library. Although decrease does not represent a large decrease, the library board was more interested in getting a one year period of time completed under the new library director, and interested in an expansion of library activities.
Fifty Shades of Smoke
The mornings are cooling down, aren't they? The cat curls up into a ball on the end of the sofa. The dog stays on that old blanket under your bed a little bit longer. The floor chills the bottoms of your bare feet, and the hair on your arms lifts to cool sunlight shining through the kitchen window. You look into your loverʼs over the table, through the steam from a hot cup of coffee. Your eyes lovingly communicate a shared thought, your finger tips touch, and you both jump up to race to another room to.....
the woodstove's cherry red chimney rattling, popping roar. You smell intense heat and dense smoke erupts, settling down onto and into the new living room furniture, including the sofa recently vacated by your frightened feline. Duke the dog shoots out between your legs through the kitchen door. What is happening? Well, the burning creosote that had built up inside the stove pipe from last winter's fires has ignited and is now burning at extremely high temperatures which threatens to warp your stove pipe, crack the masonry chimney, as well a damage the wood burner itself making it useless. The intense heat also threatens to ignite combustibles in your walls and ceiling, as well as the roof rafters.
You both race from the house leaving behind the squawk of new smoke detectors and call 911, and you remember that it takes 10 to 20 SECONDS for the mainland 911 operator to answer calls from Beaver Island. Don't hang up. When dispatch answers, you tell the operator your location, that every one is out including the dog and cat, where the seat of the fire is located and YOU STAY OUTSIDE. The Beaver Island Fire Department will enter your home, eliminate the heat source and haul your ashes OUTSIDE, and check and stop any fire spread in the walls and rafters. However, it isn't a tidy process; drywall sheets have to be torn down, water is squirted into the places where it's hard to reach, and the black ashes left get tracked around by heavy, wet fire boots.
This time, however, the fire is stopped in the chimney. The BIFD firefighters managed to keep most of the drywall intact, prevented the fire from spreading to the roof, and kept most of the hauled ashes in the bucket. Only some chunks of drywall, wet batts of insulation, a tipped over antique table, and black, muddy bootprints disturb the room. Unsettled, you and your beloved sit down to the now cold cup of coffee in the now
smoky afterglow of a Beaver Island morning. Your shared thought returns.
"We better get down to McDonough's Store and borrow (rent free) the chimney cleaning rods and brushes."
Well, the thought was a day late and a dollar short this time, but NOW is the time to clean your chimney before the cold weather settles in. And, if you don't know how or need help with the task, ask any Beaver Island firefighter, and he or she will be glad to help you out or direct you to someone who can.
Please Practice Safe Chimney. Your fire department thanks you. -- Jim Stambaugh
BICS Basketball Schedule
District Library Creating Young Adult Area
With the hiring of a new library director and the summer season past for 2013, the ideas of director Patrick McGinnity related to the creation of a young adult area are almost completed. Last weekend a wall was removed and changes to the area that used to house a copy machine and one computer were made. As you can see in these photos and in the video, the area has been transformed and will soon be complete.
Director Patrick McGinnity shows the new Mac monitor screen, the focal point of the area
A table an stools are right under the monitor
The comfortable chairs and a view of the area.
Video of Patrick McGinnity Introducing the Young Adult Space
Historical Society Seeks Members
St. James Township Fishing Pier and Boat Launch Drawings
These were the first drawings presented as options by the engineer for the water side of this project.
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This is the parking area suggested for the boat launch portion of this project
This was another option based upon the some suggestions made at the special meeting.
Beaver Island Township Airport Project
Site Plan
Several Subscriptions Have Expired in October
Several family and business subscriptions expired in June and others expire in July. . This is a reminder to those that wish to renew online. If you do renew online using a credit or debit card, and the Paypal SUBSCRIBE button, BINN will automatically make a donation of $10 in your name to the Beaver Island Food Pantry. If you are not sure when your subscription expires, please email the editor at medic5740@gmail.com, and your subscription expiration will be included in a return email.
SUBSCRIBE or Renew
Donate to the Live Streaming Project
The Live Streaming Project includes BICS Sports Events, Peaine Township Meetings, Joint Township Meetings, and much more.
Your donation may allow these events to be live streamed on the Internet at http://beaverisland.tv