Agenda items from the meeting.
The public comment was brief consisting of TDA President Mary O'Hare advertising the Topinabee Development Association's home tour and Brian Callaghan mentioned his work on the Topinabee Community website and his efforts to showcase "new" people in the community. I viewed the page and read left to right, TDA, Welcome ....TDA... pat on the back, and the misinformation that Topinabee is the only town around the shoreline of Mullett Lake. We know Mullett Lake Village has a Post Office, a golf club, a marina and a DNR launch, and a lot more residences than Topinabee. Not a town? Aloha? Granted, no Post Office, but a historic village like Topinabee with a year round market and, oh my, a Michigan State Park. Guess the TDA only recognizes towns they can see from their backyard.
Supervisor MaryAnne Gale loves short, supportive "public comment" and usually dismisses all other comment with a wave of her hand and " I don't believe that", "we're not dealing with that now", "it's not on the agenda" or a similar dismissive remark. I am sure this public comment period met her standards.
Attorney Tim MacArthur read excerpts of the preliminary draft of Mullett Township's proposed Blight Ordinance. There was interaction between Mr MacArthur and the Board, and Trustee John Brown came prepared with a series of questions. The public was noticeably excluded from questions or comments on the proposal. The problem with blight is real, but it is apparent this ordinance will become the ten pound hammer driving in a spike when a thumb tack might have worked. Items mentioned that are far beyond the stated intention to clean up rubbish and trash are stored firewood, stacked versus piled, one season's woodpile, and parked RV's used seasonally. It's gong to be a mess. As it is Mullett Township, it will be an expensive mess.
Other business was the Board approval to pay for the snow fence and T-posts that will be used to close the Topinabee Beach Park this winter and prevent all public access to or from Mullett Lake on this piece of publicly owned property. Cost estimates were $1,200 for plastic snow fence and 90 T-posts at $4.65 each. Home Depot shows 100 ft of snow fence costs $46.65. Is the township buying 25 x 100 foot rolls? Whatever. That's $1,600 plus an unknown labor bill simply to preserve the TDA's pretentious faux finished sidewalks. Add next spring's labor cost to remove the fencing and posts, then ask the Board why needed community improvements cannot be funded and why a $400,000 plus "improved" park is now closed for the winter.
Another agenda item dealing with additional park costs, a 90 day past due $1,700 M & M Plumbing bill, charging for a rework of non-code compliant plumbing done on the park water feature/drinking fountain was approved to be paid. Oh wait, the Board can't pay it as billed. The bill was made out to Mr Tom O'Hare, our Chairman of the Board. How did that happen? The TDA has had NO involvement in the work on the park.
Has the blurry line between who runs Mullett Township been finally crossed? If so, please direct all future "Streetscape" bills to Mr Tom O'Hare c/o Topinabee Development t Association.
Another agenda item dealing with additional park costs, Fleis and Vandenbrink's addendum bill for $15,000 plus was dealt with in MaryAnne Gale fashion. "I don't have time" and "I want to see this done" as the Board added more $$$ to the pile of taxpayer $$$ already wasted on the TDA park.
SPOILER ALERT-SPOILER ALERT-SPOILER ALERT
The last 5 minutes of this public meeting is not rated for public meetings. Supervisor MaryAnne Gale attempted to exert her power despite Clerk Rachel Osborn's efforts to handle an unforeseen emergency situation. As this blog has previously been accused of dispensing half-truths, whatever that is, here is a link Supervisor MaryAnne Gale speaks out.
Sympathy cards and messages of support may be directed to Clerk Rachel Osborn, the victim of this unwarranted public hissy fit by Supervisor MaryAnne Gale.
ADDENDUM: As approved by Mullett Township Board motion at the suggestion of Supervisor MaryAnne Gale
December 4, 2012
"Motion to approve spending limits of $500.00 for the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustees without board approval per month except for work involving any one of the board members' own labor, offered by Dennis Dombroski and seconded by John Brown. Motion passed."
