per di·em
adjective /pər ˈdēəm/
|
With an understanding of what per diem is, we will revisit
that term later.
The September 4, 2012 Mullett Township Board of Trustees
Meeting was well attended with the Supervisor Elect Mary Ann Gale and some
members if the Topinabee Development Association, notably Tom O’Hare and David
Ogg in the audience.
Mullett Township Resolution #10 was formally approved
supporting the $120,000 Mullett Township taxpayer funded match contributing to
the $400,000 total cost of the Topinabee Beach Front Park.
David Ogg stated that surveyor Brian Fulford in cooperation
with Fleis and Vandenbrink will be doing a Boundary map survey for the project to
clearly define what is included in the park project and what remains to be part
of the Topinabee Development Association’s Streetscape project.
David Ogg was also approved by Mullett Township Board motion
to act as “project coordinator” for the park, empowered to make decisions on
the project and report said decisions to the Mullett Township Supervisor.
Patty King, acting as a private citizen, presented her petition
to “Save the Swings” to the Board. The swings, funded and installed originally by
the Topinabee Athletic Club have been an integral and well loved feature in the
park. The petition has received huge support from both residents and visitors. The
swings, accommodating all ages, enjoy heavy use by children, families, and virtually
all ages. The Topinabee Development
Association’s park design scrapped this popular feature in favor of aesthetics.
Hopefully, with the support of the Mullett Township Board, this big, all age swings
fixture can be saved and relocated to another area of the park after the MNRTF
project is complete.
Supervisor Elect Mary Ann Gale stated an email received from
Bill Elliot applauded the recent improvements for Boy Scout Park in east Mullett
Township. Ms Gale asked about signage to direct the public to the park and Bill
Morgan stated the new sign does say ‘public welcome”.
This blog coordinator presented the Board with a letter
protesting further “wild cat” commercial pole barn development in the historic,
residentially zoned Jen-Lu Clair subdivision in Topinabee. The letter, signed
by more than 20 local residents, addressed to the Cheboygan County Planning and
Zoning Appeal Board outlines the falsely secured variances previously attained by
a James Haslock resulting in the construction of 5 pole barns, negatively
impacting both the character and value of an established neighborhood.
The Board approved a motion opposing further pole barn
development that is clearly commercial use, being rented or sold for profit after
construction. A Board member will attend the next Cheboygan County Planning and
Zoning Appeal Board meeting to voice this opposition. Mullett Township Clerk Rachel
Osborn was the sole dissenting vote on this motion.
Trustee John Brown stated that the Oak Hill Cemetery Board,
whose meetings he attends regularly, had formally approved it’s ordinance and
was now working on new rules for cemetery use. Supervisor Elect Mary Ann Gale
was asked by the Board if she wished to attend the scheduled meeting. She replied,
yes, thank you, how many Mullett Township Board members are attending?
per di·em
adjective /pər ˈdēəm/
|
The answer, apparently, is all five Board members. Ms Gale received an eerily silent response and
stated if this requires 5 per diems for this one meeting, just give me a report
after you all attend. The Board has already found a “hot button” to push with
Ms Gale and this blog concurs with her. Our Board members see earning money by attending
meetings as a gift from the taxpayer and a solid second income. They receive a stipend, I have never asked how
much, plus mileage to attend everything from necessary meetings to meetings
more clearly defined as for personal monetary gain only.
The annual double dip by the Cheboygan Count Humane Society was
introduced as our “contribution” to the Cheboygan Count Humane Society.
$750.
It is not the amount of the contribution, but the fact that animal control and
the shelter are funded and controlled by Cheboygan County and its commissioners.
Mullett Township has NO animal control ordinance or authority under law to give
$750, or 75 cents to the Cheboygan Count Humane Society. Board members stated
that Mullett Township residents receive excellent service from the Cheboygan
Count Humane Society, inferring the service would be less if we didn’t pay this
protection money. One member even stated the staff is poorly paid and needs the
extra funds to survive. The 2010 IRS Form 990 reports total funding for the hard
pressed Cheboygan Count Humane Society was $396, 094; and they spent almost all
of it. Mullett Township’s $750 “contribution” is less than 2/10 of 1% of their
income.
We should be so broke.
