Reclaiming old dump: Gaylord Brownfield may become site for concrete recycling business (10-17-2008)
By Chris Engle, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD — Elmer’s Crane and Dozer will invest $1.3 million and create 10 new jobs in Gaylord if plans for expanding its business go through.
     Additionally, the city’s former landfill on Milbocker Road could see a new life as the site of Elmer’s expansion of its concrete recycling operations and new taxes could be generated on a site that’s currently generating none.
     Elmer’s Crane and Dozer of Traverse City gained the support of local governments for the redevelopment project and made a loan application this week to the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and has plans to purchase the approximately 40-acre lot from the city.
     The Otsego County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA) made the application for the loan, which “will finance the environmental investigations that need to be done in order for Elmer’s to move on with their project,” according to Jeff Ratcliffe of the OCBRA.
     “I’m optimistic our project will be approved,” he added.
     Ratcliffe hopes to hear back on the loan application within the next one to two months.
     The DEQ loan of $492,550 would cover environmental assessments of the property; defining the risks associated with developing the property; installing topsoil as barrier above contaminants; and relocating some waste to another landfill during development. The loan would be paid back with captured tax money over 15 years. By that time, the property will be generating $53,960 in annual taxes payable to the state, county, city and local school district.
     The property is located in the industrial park in Bagley Township and is annexed as part of the city. It was used as a dump for household garbage until the early 1970’s, according to Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff.
     Elmer’s site plan includes one building and a parking lot at the southern edge of the site, with a majority of the property reserved for aggregate storage and concrete recycling. Elmer’s also will pay for installment of water and sewer utilities.
     A representative of Elmer’s could not immediately be reached. However, their environmental consultant, Mac McClelland of the engineering consulting firm Otwell Mawby of Traverse City, indicated the site would be used for crushing old concrete to make new concrete and gravel.
     “It would not be a good site to build a building on because of unstable soils,” McClelland said. “In this case it will be very appropriate for concrete recycling. This is a very good site for this particular application.”
     He added the one proposed building and parking lot will be constructed on a portion of the property that was not used as a landfill.
     Environmental assessments of the property must be made before any development takes place. Initial assessments found the site is not suitable for a drinking water well.
     County Administrator John Burt also is optimistic about the proposed development.
     “The county is supportive,” he said. “Anything that brings more jobs into the area is great and getting rid of contaminated property is a bonus. It’s a win-win.
     “I’m glad to see continued development in this area,” Burt added. “We’re doing better than other parts of Michigan.”

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OCEA annual meeting: State eyes development of ‘advanced energy’
(4-22-2008)
By Cathy Landry, News Editor, Gaylord Herald Times
OTSEGO COUNTY — Working toward a future where Michigan could be the leader in “advanced energy,” Doug Parks gave a glimpse at what the state is working on now to make this a reality and to bring jobs and industry diversification to the state.
     Parks, vice president of New Market Development for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), gave his presentation on what he calls “advanced energy” at the Otsego County Economic Alliance (OCEA) annual partnership meeting April 9 at the University Center in Gaylord.
     OCEA Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe also presented the alliance’s annual report at the meeting (see related story).
     Parks talked about how the state could tap into the renewable energy business — biomass (energy from plant and animal matter such as wood, crops, manure and garbage), solar, wind and hydro power — whether creating and storing the energy itself or manufacturing components to capture this energy such as making parts for wind turbines.
     Parks also said that the 200 acres set aside for a biofuel operation at the former Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant in Gaylord would be a good site for a gasification operation.
     Gasification is a process that converts carbon-containing material such as coal, petroleum-based matter (crude oil, high sulfur fuel oil, petroleum coke and other refinery residuals), gases or other material that would be disposed of as waste, into a synthesis gas composed of primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen which can be used as a fuel to generate electricity or be used as a basic chemical building block for use in the petrochemical and refining industries, according to the Gasification Technologies Council Web site.
     On a side note, Parks indicated that Mascoma Corp. of Massachusetts, which looked at the former G-P site for a low-carbon cellulosic biomass to ethanol company, is finalizing site locations in Michigan. The G-P site did not make the cut.
     “We did everything we could to make the G-P site work for Mascoma,” Parks noted. “It all came down to water, but it was by far the perfect site and we extended every effort.”
     Mascoma’s process required 2 million gallons of water a day. “We couldn’t get our arms around the current state of issues with water,” Parks said.
     Water will remain a key issue not just for Michigan, but for the world, Parks added.
     “Water will be the biggest issue,” he said. “Water cannot be replaced by any other source and in the 21st century, water will become more precious than petroleum as the have-nots take from the haves.”
     The Great Lakes possess 6 quadrillion gallons of water, Parks said, and Michigan will be looking to lead the way by working on renewable water technologies to provide jobs and preserve the Great Lakes.
     Parks noted that Michigan is in position to take advantage of the advanced energy business with its workforce, universities, wood resources and fresh water. And he is working closely with many entities in the state, including the OCEA, to capture these 21st century jobs and industries.
     In his remarks to the group of 69, Parks complimented Ratcliffe on his work with the OCEA. “He is the most hands-on, technically savvy economic development director I have worked with,” Parks said of Ratcliffe.

Alliance continues seeking new business to fuel county job growth
     OTSEGO COUNTY — The Otsego County Economic Alliance (OCEA) keeps striving to bring in new industry to continue growing Otsego County.
     During the OCEA’s annual partnership meeting April 9, Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe reflected on the past and looked to the future while making remarks on the OCEA’s 2007 annual report.
     Ratcliffe cited the loss of more than 200 jobs when Kimball Electronics closed its doors in 2007.
     While that closure was happening, however, Ratcliffe was working on the Georgia-Pacific (G-P) redevelopment, which is now on the horizon with the Glawe Companies of Alpena looking to open three wood products-based businesses at the site and employ about 160. Glawe plans to invest $46.5 million in the project.
     “We are working diligently to get that project closed,” Ratcliffe said at the meeting.
     Also, Ratcliffe said he is pleased to see the I-75 crossover project coming to fruition as well. Bids for the $13 million project were opened April 4, with M&M Excavating of Gaylord coming in with the low bid of $8.9 million, which will be checked by the Michigan Department of Transportation before being formally awarded within a month, Ratcliffe indicated, suggesting that work could begin in May on the project to raise I-75 and connect McCoy and Milbocker roads underneath. He said that he will continue to work toward getting ramps at the crossover in the future.
     Ratcliffe also observed in his talk that Otsego County’s employment dropped slightly between 2000-2006, which compared similarly with the neighboring counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet, with Emmet showing the greatest swings in employment due to the highly seasonal nature of jobs there.
     Ratcliffe noted that provate sector wages have shown a slight increase from 2000 to 2006 in Otsego County, which again shows a similar comparison to Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties.
     Visit www.gaylordheraldtimes.comto see the charts to which Ratcliffe was refering.

In 2007, the OCEA:
     • worked with the City of Gaylord on the Alpine City Center Streetscape project as well as assisting Kosch Properties with developing the site at the corner of South Otsego Avenue and Second Street, which houses the Alpine Oven restaurant, by securing and administering a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG);
     • administered a $1-million CDBG for the water and sewer project along North Ohio Street;
     • administered a $250,000-CDBG for the construction of an east-west water connection along McCoy Road from South Otsego Avenue to Dickerson Road;
     • received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant of $400,000 to assess the G-P sawdust sites to clean up the contamination; and
     • assisted on the update of the Otsego County Master Plan.

In 2008, the OCEA:
     • will continue to look to attract new industry and will work with the Michigan Economic Development Authority to secure a biofuel operation on 200 acres at the former G-P site;
     • retain and expand existing businesses;
     • build infrastructure;
     • plan and implement general community development projects and services; and
     • champion managed growth.

$8.9M low bid on I-75 crossing (4-9-2008)
By Cathy Landry, News Editor, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY — An $8.9-million bid by M&M Excavating of Gaylord for the I-75 crossover project came in as the lowest when the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) opened bids Friday.
     The exact amount of the bid was $8,919,548.42, according to Jeff Ratcliffe, Otsego County Economic Alliance executive director.
     The project is estimated to cost $13 million, with funding consisting primarily of a federal earmark with a percentage of matching state funds.
     Ratcliffe said that MDOT will now recheck the bids as part of normal procedure and if everything is fine with the M&M bid, MDOT will issue the contract.
     The rechecking process should take about a month and once complete, the contract will be issued. About 10 days after that, Ratcliffe added, work should begin on the project, which will raise the north and south lanes of I-75 to allow Milbocker and McCoy roads to connect in a continuous east-west road.
     The completion date for the project is Oct. 31, 2009, according to MDOT’s schedule.
     Ratcliffe is pleased that work on the crossover will begin soon after many years of planning.
     “Given that we started on this about five years ago, it’s great, it’s exciting” that the project is coming to fruition, Ratcliffe said. “Everyone that’s been involved is excited to see the project get to this point.”
     Ratcliffe said that more projects are on tap to improve Otsego County roads, including improvements to Krys Road from M-32 to McCoy Road; McCoy Road from South Otsego Avenue to Krys Road; and upgrading Milbocker Road as part of the Georgia-Pacific redevelopment plan.
     These projects include repaving, widening and drainage work.
     “These improvements will make a better road to support additional traffic we are receiving now, as well as support additional traffic down the road,” Ratcliffe noted.
     And there are future projects, Ratcliffe indicated, that are still on the table such as adding ramps to the Milbocker-McCoy crossover and a new crossing at South Wisconsin Avenue and VanTyle Road, which was one of the options presented in the I-75 East-West Crossing Study Report issued in July 2004.

A&L investing $2.7 million, adding 6-12 new jobs at site (10-10-2007)
By Cathy Landry, News Editor, The Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. — About two weeks after the community got the good news about the proposed redevelopment of the former Georgia-Pacific (G-P) complex to house cellulosic ethanol, advanced sawmill and wood pellet operations, another Bagley Township business is expanding
     A&L Iron & Metal Company will be making a $2.7-million investment in new equipment for its business.
     This investment will add six to 12 jobs at A&L, according to Otsego County officials.
     “We are on a roll,” Bagley Township Supervisor Bill Giles said. “Everything was negative for such a long time.”
     Giles said the township board Monday night granted a tax abatement to A&L on the new equipment. He indicated that as A&L adds this equipment, a list will come to the township with the price of the equipment, which then will determine the abatement figure. The abatement is to last 12 years.
     Giles said A&L officicals indicated it is shipping out 35 to 40 carloads of scrap metal a month on trains that come once or twice a week to the business.
     “Once we get (the G-P site) going again, the train will come four or five times a week,” Giles noted.
     Jeff Ratcliffe, director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, welcomes the expansion, which, he said, will be privately funded and is an additional investment of equipment related to A&L’s automobile shredding business.
     “It’s a positive indicator for our community for businesses in our community to expand,” Ratcliffe said.
     Calls to A&L were not returned by presstime.

Feasibility study under way at former G-P site (10-27-2007)
By Cathy Landry, News Editor, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. — Progress is beginning to be made on the proposed redevelopment project at the former Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant.
     A feasibility study is under way for the cellulosic ethanol, advanced sawmill and wood pellet operations proposed at the former G-P site that could create 165 jobs. Also, Bagley Township has applied to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for $885,250 in transportation economic development funding for improvements to Milbocker Road.
     Jay Niles, vice president of Business Development with Mascoma Corp., the Massachusetts-based low-carbon cellulosic biomass to ethanol company proposing to locate here, said Thursday the site feasibility study began about two weeks ago. He said the goal is to have the study finished in 60 days.
     “A feasibility study takes about 120 days typically, and we’re trying to do it faster than that,” Niles said.
     Mascoma Corp. has joined with local startup company Gaylord Lumber Products LLC, a small diameter hardwood sawmill, in the feasibility study, Niles said. A pellet company has not been named yet. Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe said Friday that he had no information that he could share at this time on this part of the project.
     Niles said he has been pleased with how the early phase of the feasibility study is going.
     “We’re working with Gaylord Lumber on the potential snyergies between the businesses,” Niles said. “We are taking into consideration the other businesses and see how we will work together to optimize the situation.
     “So far, it’s been a great process,” he went on. “We are excited about the industry and excited about Michigan. We haven’t looked everywhere, but we look to put multiple sites in Michigan.”
     The feasibility study is looking at infrastructure in the proposed plant area.
     “The types of things we look for are power, steam, water, roads and rail,” Niles said. “We ask other questions like is there enough water in the area? What is the price of electricity? Is the site serviced by rail? Can it receive large trucks? We make sure that all this rolls up into a viable economic scenario.
     “We are still in the information-gathering and analysis stage,” he continued. “We’re still getting information of pretty much everything and in some cases, we may need to go back and get more.”
     Niles said that Otsego County and Bagley Township have been helpful in providing information.
     “Things are moving well in terms of the information we need to get,” Niles noted.
     “We are making progress and getting the information that we are asking for. We are very happy with the information that has been provided in a short period of time. The county and township have been tremendously helpful and we are appreciative of that.”
     As for the Milbocker Road improvements, Ratcliffe said that a Category A application has been made to MDOT for funds which will be used to rebuild Milbocker from South Townline to Dickerson Road. A Category A request is for road projects related to target industry development and redevelopment opportunities, according to MDOT.
     “This will improve transportation access and that will be a benefit,” Ratcliffe said. “It will make Milbocker Road wider and safer. I anticipate they will be putting lots of trucks on it.”
     The Milbocker work also is connected to the I-75 crossing project, Ratcliffe said, and that by getting this preliminary work done, he hopes that bids for the crossing project can be opened in February.
     Ratcliffe also noted that a special public hearing of the Bagley Township Board is on hold until the feasibility study is complete. It had been tentatively scheduled for Oct. 31.

Bioethanol to Fuel Jobs Growth / Plan: Redevelop G-P Complex for Alternative Fuels, Products (9-29-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
In addition to the manufacturing jobs, the projects could create an additional 350 to 500 producer and transportation-related jobs throughout the Northern Michigan region and more than 200 jobs related to the construction and renovation of the facilities and infrastructure, stated the press release.
     “It certainly is a positive sign that our community is healthy economically that we can attract these type of businesses. I think ultimately one success will lead to other successes . It’s a positive factor we can now use to bring other companies here,” said Bob Kasprzak, executive director of the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.
     Two of the three companies involved in the redevelopment were identified in the release: Gaylord Lumber Products, LLC, a new small diameter hardwood sawmill; and the Massachusetts-based Mascoma Corp., a low-carbon cellulosic biomass to ethanol company. A yet to be named wood pellet producer is finalizing its project.
     “This project is exciting from the standpoint of its potential,” said Jeff Ratcliffe, OCEA executive director. “We have a lot of work yet to do to make it happen and a number of steps have to be successfully completed before it becomes reality, but the economic impact for our community region could be substantial.” Implementation of the projects is expected to occur over the next 24 to 36 months with construction of the sawmill possible as early as December.
     Several steps remain before the project can break ground, including the pending site purchase with G-P (see related story).
     As stated in the release, the effort creates the opportunity to transform the site into a “center of excellence” for the forest products industry allowing universities (see related story) and the private sector to collaborate in advancing biofuels and bioenergy from wood resources, improve feedstock harvesting and sustainability, promote sustainable forest management practices while developing next generation skills for the required workforce.”
     The redevelopment project has involved the close cooperation, coordination and assistance over the past 10 months by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the OCEA, University Center at Gaylord and several key State and Otsego County leaders and officials.

U-Center Could Play Role as Center of Biotechnologies (9-29-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - If the proposed redevelopment of the Georgia-Pacific
(G-P) site comes to fruition, the University Center in Gaylord is looking to become a center of biotechnology research and education.
     "Our objective is to try to make the University Center a center of excellence for biotechnology research through laboratories that when not being used for that research can be shared with University Center partners to provide science related undergraduate and graduate curriculum," said Jack Thompson, executive director of the Unviersity Center. "What we are (hoping) to do is to ideally look towards the development of a research facility connected as part of the University Center mission to focus on the sciences."
     Thompson said the redevelopment project is too preliminary to discuss specific details as far as the impact on the number of students or new programs and degrees offered as a result.
     "We need to wait for the plan to come together. As the private sector begins to ramp up, the educational center will ramp up (following those actions), Thompson said.
     In addition to the research and degree programs, the Unviersity Center is expected to work with the Otsego County Economic Alliance (OCEA) to provide education about the biotechnology field via events like informational sessions, explained Thompson.
     OCEA Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe credited the University Center with playing a role in bringing about the development proposal.
     "It was important in the process for highlighting our ability to be able to work with mascoma and Gaylord Lumber Products and our ability to provide a trained workforce and bring state university resources to Gaylord as needed," Ratcliffe said. As previously reported in the Herald Times, The University Center at Gaylord (including M-TEC at Kirtland Gaylord) reported approximately 1,200 students this summer enrolled in the nine colleges offering 80 classes, not including M-TEC courses or community education classes, at the Gaylord site, located on the grounds of the J. Richard Yuill Alpine Center.

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Gaylord RR line safe for now (7-21-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD — The 4.15 miles of railroad track running through Gaylord appears to be safe for the time being, as the Surface Transportation Board (STB) denied Lake State Railway Company’s petition to abandon the railway but left open the option for the company to file another petition.
     According to the decision available on the STB Web site, the board denied the petition seeking exemption to abandon the railway because the information provided was not enough to determine if abandonment was warranted.
     The rail line in question runs north of the I-75 viaduct near Poplar Drive, through the city limits north just past McLouth Road.
     “It appears (the STB) took the information we provided it and there was validity to the information provided. We hope Lake State will reconsider their decision to seek abandonment,” said Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, who opposed the petition.
     Lake State had filed the petition on March 28 arguing that continued operations over the line would not be profitable due, in part, to the closure of Georgia-Pacific, and that rehabilitation of the line to meet Federal Railroad Administration safety standards would not be satisfied by future revenues.
     Lake State also argued that the four businesses served by the line — Northern Energy Inc., Superior Well Services, Halliburton and Magnum Solvents Inc. — could receive shipments via truck deliveries from loading points relocated to other sites along its rail system, including the 2.5-mile spur constructed in 2006 through Georgia-Pacific’s property to serve A&L Iron and Metal Inc.
     Opposing comments to Lake State’s petition were filed by Northern, the city of Gaylord, and the Otsego County Economic Alliance.
     The Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources also had filed a request for imposition of a public use condition and issuance of interim trail use. Lake State also filed a reply to the city of Gaylord’s comments.
     In their opposition, Northern Energy argued that it would suffer serious economic consequences if rail service was removed and that truck transportation would not be a feasible option.
     The city of Gaylord and Economic Alliance both expressed concerns about the economic consequences for businesses along the track. The Alliance, particularly, argued that several sites along the railway line are available for business development and the 2.5-mile spur could stimulate increased traffic.
     In its decision, the STB reiterated that “the railroad has the burden of demonstrating that the continued operation of the line it proposes to abandon would be an unjustified burden on the carrier and on interstate commerce.”
      The decision also stated Lake State did not adequately address its current cost of continued operation and rehabilitation and that there was not enough information to support certain assertions or settle factual disputes between Lake State and those opposing abandonment.
     The denial of Lake States’ petition, however, does not prevent the company from “seeking a new request for abandonment authority that contains a more complete presentation and addresses the concerns identified here,” stated the board decision.
     Calls to Lake State representatives were not immediately returned to see if they would continue to pursue abandonment.

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Off The Record: Economic alliance makes a difference (5-19-2007)
By Jim Grisso, Publisher, Gaylord Herald Times
     In spite of all the doom and gloom about Michigan’s economy, I have to say I am impressed and proud of what the Otsego County Economic Alliance (OCEA) has accomplished in the past five years.
     Hey, the agency is only six years old.
     If there was ever a success story about benefactor for business, manufacturing, jobs and infrastructure in a small community, you need go no further than the OCEA. And it all happened in one of the most critical economic downturns the Gaylord area and Michigan have ever experienced.
     OCEA held its annual partnership meeting Monday at the University Center, and that’s when Jeff Ratcliffe, agency executive director, opened his basket full of goodies. About 65 who were in attendance got a view of what was in there, and they liked what they saw.
     It was filled with almost $60 million in new or expansion projects affecting 348 jobs.
     I like those numbers.
     They represent the agency’s involvement, either developing, assisting or facilitating, in $35,257,000 in private investment and $24,562,060 in public (taxpayer) funding over the past five years.
     You want to talk about jobs? The various funded projects created 217 new jobs and helped retain 131 existing positions.
     If you were to subtract 348 more jobs from our already declining labor force, where would that leave us?
     I have to make a confession. I happen to be a member of the OCEA board of directors, and the Gaylord Herald Times, along with 42 others, is proud to be a contributing partner with the alliance. You may think my comments are somewhat self-serving.
     I don’t take any personal credit for all this — it’s the entire board of directors, contributing partners with their financial support, the spirit of cooperation involving governmental and private agencies from far and wide and, last but not least, Jeff Ratcliffe, who serves as the point man out front as well as behind the scenes.
     If you don’t believe me, ask Tricia Kinley, director of tax policy and economic development for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. She was the keynote speaker at Monday’s luncheon, and I had a chance to chat with her afterward.
     She is very impressed with what OCEA has accomplished in a relatively short period of time: “I couldn’t believe what the alliance has done here in the Gaylord area.”
     And she gets around. Travels all over the state as well as other states.
     After hearing her talk, I came away thinking she knows her stuff.
    One very astute thing she said was interesting. As a tax expert, she explained the state of Michigan’s depressing tax dilemma this way: “It’s hard to explain the unexplainable.” Thank you very much, Tricia.
     While Gov. Jennifer Granholm claims the state has cut spending during her regime, Tricia says the reality is the budget has actually increased almost 10 percent in the past 10 years.
     There is light at the end of the tax tunnel, however, according to the chamber tax and economic guru. She thinks the partisan bickering featuring the Democrat governor’s palace, Democrat-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate may be behind us. Wouldn’t that be new and different.
     When she said that she peered over the podium in the direction of our two guys in the legislature — State Sen. Tony Stamas and State Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, both Republicans. They both assured me they’re trying like crazy to come up with a workable tax package ASAP.
     We’re counting on you, men.
     Regan Quaal, who is doing an outstanding job as OCEA board president (he’s as intense about this as he was when he was an all-state linebacker at Gaylord St. Mary a few years back), pointed to a number of positive factors that will keep the Gaylord area moving in the right direction guided by continued teamwork among governmental and private agencies.
     Oh yeah, we’ve lost a significant number of jobs in the last few years — 700, including 210 at Georgia-Pacific.
     In spite of this, Otsego County is still among the top population growth counties in Michigan (12th among 87 counties). That’s a good sign of the fact we’re still on solid footing.
     With the I-75 overpass opening up, possibly late in 2009, the continuing strong work ethic of Jeff, OCEA and others to get the G-P plant up and running in some capacity or another, combined with a number of other projects on the burner, our area will always be at the top of the leader board.
     We’ll gid er dun!

Alliance on board with RR protest (5-5-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY — Citing a negative impact on local business and the economy, the Otsego County Economic Alliance last week filed a protest to Lake State Railway’s petition for abandoning 4.15 miles of track running through Gaylord.
     The alliance filed the 12-page protest April 24, about two weeks after the city of Gaylord also filed a protest expressing concern about the abandonment’s impact on the economy, including four local businesses currently serviced by the railway.
     Lake State Railway Company applied for the abandonment exemption on March 28 with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) claiming current traffic and revenue levels from the line made it unprofitable to maintain. Lake State also argued that money spent to maintain and operate that section of track could be better used elsewhere in the company.
     “We’re challenging the rationale on (some of their) reason for abandonment,” said Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe, who authored the protest document. “When we look at their numbers (regarding revenue and costs), we’ve challenged some of the assumptions behind those numbers.”
      The latest protest counters that the new rail spur built recently to serve A&L Iron and Metal has made up for some traffic lost due to the closing of the Georgia- Pacific (G-P) plant last March. The protest also argues the “pending” sale of the G-P facility would create more business on the railway. When asked about any “pending” sale, Ratcliffe reiterated there are parties interested in the site and the alliance believes it will sell in time.
     The protest also states that the loss of carload shipments from the abandonment could result in Lake State reducing its service even further, leading to eventual discontinuation of service to Gaylord. That potential loss would undermine the community’s effort at marketing its accessibility through a variety of transportation modes, states the protest.
     “If we continue to lose rail traffic coming into our community then our fear is it will give justification in the future to (Lake State) to cease operating altogether,” Ratcliffe said. He added he believes having rail service is a strong selling point to attracting future business.
     Similar to the city’s protest, the alliance’s protest expresses concern of the impact on the four businesses affected; Halliburton, Magnum Solvents, Northern Energy and Superior Well Service. The alliance’s protest suggests an anticipated increase in product costs for Northern could result in loss of customer base.
      In addition to the two protests, the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources expressed interest in interim trail use along the railway corridor rather than outright abandonment at the end of March.
     By statute, the STB has approximately 90 days after Lake State filed its petition for abandonment to consider the request, which means the statutory deadline for a decision would be about July 16.

$1.2-million project awarded to M&M Excavating (4-25-2007)
By Chris Engle, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD — With the job awarded to a local contractor, work on North Ohio Street is expected to begin soon.
     As the project gets under way, city officials will inform residents, school officials and others who use the roadway of likely disruptions in traffic.
     The North Ohio Infrastructure Project was awarded unanimously to M&M Excavating of Gaylord at Monday’s City Council meeting. Among the 10 bidders vying for the project, M&M Excavating was the lowest.
     “I’ve worked with M&M Excavating in the past, and they’re a very good contractor,” said City Manager Joe Duff. “They know what they’re doing, and we’re looking forward to a great project.”
     The project, tentatively scheduled to begin within the next couple of weeks, will involve a one-mile stretch of North Ohio Avenue, from Main Street to Fairview Road. Additionally, it will include about a 500-foot stretch of Sheldon Street, from Ohio to Sheldon Street Apartments.
     Sewers will be replaced during the project, as will curbing and gutters, sidewalks and road surface, among other aspects of the roadway.
     Estimated cost of the project is $1,231,759.60. Funding, according to the city manager’s report, comes from a projected $750,000 in street millage monies and $750,000 from a Community Developmental Block Grant from the state. The Otsego County Economic Alliance, which submitted the grant application for the city, will administer the grant, coming from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
     Also monitoring the project will be C2AE, a Gaylord-based group of professional engineering and technology consultants, which tabulated the cost of the project. C2AE is being paid $160,300 for surveying, design, bidding and construction engineering services.
     Before the project begins, M&M Excavating must submit insurance information to the city and provide the city with a construction schedule. City officials will meet with the contractor to discuss the project timeline before work begins.
     “This will give us a better idea as to how long it will take to complete the project,” said Duff, adding the city will meet with residents of North Ohio to inform them of utility outages which will occur during construction, and will meet with officials at North Ohio Elementary School and its transportation department.
     Duff described the roadway as a primary road which provides transportation to North Ohio Elementary School, the Alpine Soccer Complex and residential areas, and also serves as an alternate route to Otsego Memorial Hospital, the Otsego County Fairgrounds and Tendercare Gaylord.
     Projected date of completion is mid-October

'Renaissance Zone' Not in the Cards (4-11-2007)
By Chris Engle, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - Noting the city could not afford the loss of tax revenue, City Council took no action Monday night on a local industry's request to establish a Renaissance Recovery Zone.
     Officials with H&S Molding, a tool and die shop located in the Gaylord Industrial Park, requested the creation of a Renaissance Recovery Zone for its shop. The zone would provide for a tax abatement of between five and 15 years.
     Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff, in an interview Tuesday, expressed his concern about loss of tax revenue for the city.
     "With the loss of those tax dollars, together with recent approval of state revenue sharing cuts, we would be looking at annual revenue shortages of $14,000," said Duff, referring to a recent $7,000 cut in state revenue for the city. Granting H&S's request would mean approximately $6,800 fewer tax dollars annually for the city.
     The Michigan Renaissance Zone Act (Public Act 376) of 1996 allows the Michigan Strategic Fund Board to designate up to 25 tool and die Renaissance Recovery Zones. To qualify, shops must have the support of local government, have fewer than 75 full-time employees and have a collaborative agreement with other tool and die companies to strengthen business, among other requirements.
     Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, said H&S Mold was seeking to join the Northwest Michigan Tooling Coalition, a group of tool and die manufacturers working together to be more competitive in the market. Upon acceptance into the coalition and recognition by the Michigan Economic Alliance Corporation as a member of the coalition, the recovery zone would be estabished and H&S would begin receiving abatements.
     Todd Hancock, H&S Mold president who attended Monday's meeting, told council members tool and die companies across the state were going out of business. When contacted Tuesday, Hancock decline comment about his company's situation. Ratcliffe reiterated Duff's reason not to take action.
     "The council not taking action on the request was a result of bigger concerns about what is happening on the state level," said Ratcliffe, who described H&S Mold as a small, family-owned tool and die shop. He added, if the request were granted, H&S would apply the saved tax money to efforts of diversifying its customer base. The shop's primary work is related to auto parts, according to Ratcliffe.
     Councilman Steve Johnson was skeptical about granting the request, stating this would be the "tip of the iceberg" in providing tax abatements to businesses related to the auto industry.
     In an illustration of a proposed 10-year-tax exemption for H&S Mold Inc., the city would forego approximately $27,835. Council chose not to amend or make a motion on the resolution.
     Zone Quick Facts
     Companies located in a Recovery Zone do not pay: Single Business Tax, State Education Tax, Personal and Real Property Taxes, Local Income Tax (where applicable). Companies located in a Recovery Zone do pay: Taxes Mandated by Federal Government, Local Bond Obligations, School Sinking Fund, Special Assessments, Michigan Sales Tax.
     The state of Michigan reimburses intermediate school districts, local school districts, community college districts and public libraries where taxes are abated. The state of Michigan does not replace the tax revenue lost to the local unit of government or other taxing jurisdictions except those listed in the preceding sentence. - Source: Michigan Renaissance Zone Program Outline

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Ethanol Plant Still Possible (3-5-2007)
By Michael Jones and James Martinez, Staff Writers, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - As the first anniversary of the March 6 Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant closing approaches, officials are hopeful the facility will open again as ideas such as bringing in a cellulose ethanol plant remain options.
     Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer said he recently spoke with a team involved in negotiations to bring such a plant to that property. Elsenheimer said he became aware of the possibility after the party contacted his office in Lansing, informing him of their interest. He said he is not authorized to release any information on that company, but indicated in January a bid on the property had recently been made.
     "These are serious people. They have built or are in the process of building ethanol plants elsewhere. They see the potential of the property and they have a product that's in demand. They know we have a workforce to handle it. So I'm excited about the possibility," said Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe acknowledged there has been some general interest in the plant, but would not comment on any specifics surrounding the nature of that interest, such as the ethanol possibility.
     "I will repeat that there is continued interest in the plant since its closure a year ago," Ratcliffe said.
     "Even though we did have a lot of interest, we haven't had anyone willing to step up to the table and produce cellulose ethanol at the G-P plant," said University Center Executive Director Jack Thompson. Ideas like the cellulose ethanol plant and biomass energy reflect efforts by local officials to address the plant closing, which eliminated 210 jobs. One such meeting, led by Ratcliffe and Thompson, was held in April as economic development leaders discussed the feasibility of biomass energy production and using existing wood product resources to produce clean burning biofuel.
     Cellulose ethanol is the same as ethanol produced from corn or soybeans, but can be produced from a variety of cellulose biomass, including sawdust and wood chips.
     When asked about any plans to hold further discussion or brainstorming on such matters, Ratcliffe said he was unaware of any.
     "As far as I know there has not been any discussion. "We're just waiting. We are continuing to wait for G-P to get and accept an offer to be closed for the redevelopment of the property," Ratcliffe added.
     "I do see some hope. I know there are a number of companies who are interested in going into the G-P plant. There is no doubt in my mind that the factory will get redeployed, whether it's one business or several smaller ones who move in there," said Bob Kasprzak, Executive Director of the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.
     Hopes that Upper40, a wood pellet fuel production company, would purchase the plant apparently were dashed after G-P officials announced in January that the sale had "been terminated."
     Upper40 owner Chris Delusky had previously told the Herald Times he expected the sale to go through by mid-December 2006. Initially, Delusky had hoped to hire 40 employees with the workforce eventually expanding to 100 by the end of 2007.
     Delusky previously declined comment on the issue in January, but he indicated he was not surprised G-P had acknowledged the deal fell through.  Calls to Delusky on Thursday were not immediately returned.
     Calls to G-P also were not immediately returned.

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I-75 crossings design gets a green light (2-14-2007)
OTSEGO COUNTY - The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) gave the Otsego County Road Commission (OCRC) the green light to proceed with design of the I-75 crossover at Milbocker and McCoy roads last week, said OCRC Director Mike Roper.
     Officials are still optimistic on a spring 2008 start for construction of the crossover.
     "It's progressing. That's encouraging. So far we feel we're meeting our deadlines," Roper said.
     He confirmed that DLZ Michigan Inc., a design engineering firm with an office in Gaylord, will be drawing up the project whose design proposal is approximately $746,365. While that cost covers design, Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe told the Herald Times a budget of state and federal funds is tentatively set at $13,050,000.
     "We won't hear much from them until we get a little further down the road with the project," said Roper. He said the design process should take at least a couple of months.
    While Roper was not sure of exactly when the design would be complete, he said the OCRC needs to have the design for construction to MDOT in Lansing by September when the bidding process will take place.
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Commissioners Want Rail Saved: Pass resolution Opposing Spur
Abandonment (1-24-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - After initially tabling discussion of rail line abandonment earlier this month, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution opposing Lake State Railway's potential plans to remove approximately four miles of track running through Gaylord.
     "I think this is the right thing for the board to do. Rail service has very serious economic consequences," said commissioner Paul Beachnau at Tuesday's meeting. It was Beachnau's motion at the Jan. 9 meeting that led to the postponement of discussion. Beachnau told commissioners originally he did not have enough information on the issue and several agreed, leading to the delay.
     Tuesday, Beachnau told the board he felt comfortable supporting the resolution. He referenced a meeting he had with chairman Ken Glasser and Jeff Ratcliffe of the Otsego County Economic Alliance to discuss the matter. He also highlighted the opportunity to talk to representatives from Northern Energy, one of four area businesses impacted by the railway as shedding light on the issue.
     "We like to review things and have an opportunity to know what they're about. Obviously upon review this (opposition) is something that's good," said Glasser after Tuesday's meeting.
      As previously reported in the Herald Times, officials with Lake State and Saginaw Southern Railway are considering abandonment of the track which runs north of the I-75 viaduct near Poplar Drive thorugh the city limits out just past McLouth Road.
     Over the past few months, city and county officials have expressed concern about the impact on area businesses from the potential abandonment. In response, the city also passed a resolution opposing abandonment in December. Earlier this month, the city sent letters to various Michigan government officials asking for assistance in the matter.
     The board had originally postponed the matter until the Feb. 15 meeting, but according to Glasser, under board rules they are unable to delay a motion of postponement beyond the next scheduled meeting. He noted that the railway decision was one the commissioners wanted to address earlier anyway. Commissioners Allan Bentz and Lee Olsen were not present.

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I-75 Crossing Project Moves Toward Spring 2008 Start (1-3-2007)
By James Martinez, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - Officials continue to move forward on a single I-75 crossover project at Milbocker and McCoy roads with hope to start construction in spring 2008.
     Members of the I-75 Crossover Task Force are still working on the Milbocker crossover, which was approved along with a crossover at VanTyle Road and Wisconsin Avenue in a 2005 federal transportation bill. The possibility of completing both projects took a major hit when voters overwhelmingly rejected a five-year, .8-mill levy in August for the local share portion of the crossovers.
     Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff said at this time there are no plans to pursue the second overpass. "The state has indicated they would like us to focus on the south crossover at this time. Our initial hopes for the north crossing do not look favorable at this time."
     Further progress on the Milbocker crossover is expected in the new year. Task force member Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, expects a cost-sharing agreement between the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) and the Otsego County Road Commission (OCRC) to be in place in early February. This agreement must be in position before the crossing design process can start, Ratcliffe explained. Ratcliffe said the project has a tentative budget right now of $13,050,000 made up of state and federal funds.
     Another step furthering the project efforts occurred late last year. DLZ Michigan Inc., a design engineering firm with an office in Gaylord, was seclected by the OCRC following a recommendation by the task force, said Ratcliffe, clearing one obstacle holding up the design process.
     According to Ratcliffe, the task force reviwed six proposals, which followed Federal Highway Administration guideline for slecting an engineering consultant before making their recommendation.

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Abatement Hearing Set (2-17-2006)
City to hear Zaremba's request for tax savings
     GAYLORD - The Gaylord City Council has scheduled a Jan. 9 public hearing on an application by Zaremba Equipment Inc. for an industrial facilities exemption certificate that could save the company nearly $1 million in taxes. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in the County-City Building.
     If approved, the exemption will give the company a 50 percent savings for up to 12 years on its real and personal property taxes on a new 30,250-square-foot building under construction on Dickerson Road in the city's Air Industrial Park.
     Without an exemption, Zaremba's would be looking at an annual tax bill of about $160,406. With an exemption, the tax bill would be about half, or about $80,203, according to Joe Duff, Gaylord City Manager. Duff estmated the tax savings over 12 years would be about $962,000.
     Duff said that when Zaremba's opens it will return a total of 23 jobs and create an additional eight jobs.
     Zaremba's project is considered an industrial classification due to the fabrication and up-fitting of chassis and bodies at their facility.
     Zaremba's has invested about $7.7 million in its new buildiing that includes about $3.9 milliion for the cost of land and building improvements and about $3.8 million for the cost of machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures, according to its industrial facilities exemption application.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe has assisted in the preparation of the application.
     Zaremba Equipment Inc., originally founded by Walter and Chester Zaremba in the 1940's, had been the largest business in Elmira until it burned down in a spectacular blaze on Feb. 21, 2003. A bar and grocery, started in the early 1900s by Frank Zaremba, had first occupied the Elmira site.
     The new building is expected to be completed by March with furnishings and equipment in place by July, according to the application for an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate.

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State, Local Politicians Pow-Wow on Job Losses (3-8-2006)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - Fresh from a meeting Monday afternoon with Georgia-Pacific officials, Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer R-Bellaire stated, "It does appear these jobs are gone and are not coming back to the Gaylord area." Elsenheimer was at home in Bellaire when he received an 8 a.m. call from company officials announcing the closing of the plant. "The announcement was the first time this issue appeared on our radar.
     "Right now we are in the middle of organizing some kind of response for the workers, noted the legislator, who believes, based on population, losing 210 jobs in Otsego County is the equivalent of losing 10,395 in Oakland County.
     Responding to company concerns about high energy costs and the cost of raw materials as the resaons officials chose to close the plant, Elsenheimer stated, "We asked if there was anything we could do, or might have done to keep these jobs in Otsego County, and the answer across the board was "no".
     Elsenheimer has been working on unrelated legislation to ecourage the state to release more timber for harvesting from state-owned properties; however, he stated, "G-P officials stated it would not have made a difference in their decision to close this plant."
     Executive Director of the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Bob Kasprzak noted company holdings of four plants located in Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina. "These plants manufacture other wood products and lumber then use the byproducts, such as sawdust and scrap wood, to make particle board, rather than using full trees as they do at this plant."
     In a phone interview, Stamas added, "Of course our prayers go to the families who have lost their jobs today. We want them to know we are working diligently to come up with every tool and resource available from the state and federal government to help those affected by the closing."
     Tuesday morning Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe reiterated, "Our first concern is to make sure the G-P employees who have lost their jobs have full federal, state and local assistance, and we plan to provide assistance to suppliers and vendors who have also been hit hard by this plant closing."  Ratcliffe expects by the end of business on Tuesday to have a strategic plan for the community in place. "We expect to do a thorough assessment of the second tier of businesses, such as their supplier base and vendors affected by the closure," explained Ratcliffe. "Rather than speculate, I want to make sure the community has a clear sense of the impact to the area."
     "Our goal is to offset this closure by either explanding an existing business, or bringing a new company into the area." He sees opportunity in marketing a large industrial facility with infrastructure in place. Ratcliffe stated, "There are always positives that come from the negatives. When one door closes, another one opens."
     Gaylord Mayor Gladys Solokis stated after the press conference, "Otsego County residents have a reputation for helping one another. Now is the time to work together to help families so devastated by this news."

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'Unlock the Gridlock' Campaign Ready to Support Millage (3-22-2006)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Time is ticking on a five-year federal appropriations bill providing funding to build two new crossings over I-75. Crossing Task Force have their eyes on the clock and are betting Otsego County residents will support a millage now to complete project funding rather than waiting for the state to kick in its match.
     "We are looking for people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work on the effort to get this millage passed," said Otsego County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe, a member of the Task Force. The Task Force hosted a community forum Tuesday night.
     According to Ratcliffe, the $16.5-million project has received $12 million in federal funds for the crossover and interchange projects which the Task Force believes will reduce traffic congestion on M-32 (see sidebar). "That leaves $4.5 million in local matching funds needed for the project to proceed," noted Ratcliffe who expressed concern over the five-year time limit placed on the federal funding. "We are already into the second year of that period."
     "The clock is ticking on this project, and time is of the essence," said Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff. "The State of Michigan has not yet agreed to fund any portion of this project which is so vital to the state, so we need to get the ball rolling."
     "Although we continue to try for state funding to reduce or even eliminate the need for this millage, the chances seem unlikely," stated Ratcliffe. "If state funding does become available, we would reduce the length of the levy."
     In a phone interview Tuesday, Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer R-Bellaire stated, "I am trying to get this project out into the open as much as possible." Elsenheimer is hopeful Governor Granholm will agree the project must be approved this year.
     Although capturing the funding before the clock runs out is an important issue, Duff sees the matter of convenience to county residents as equally important. "We are interested in making life simpler for the people in this county," Duff stated. "We believe traffic on the M-32 corridor will be reduced by 15 percent once the crossovers are in place.
     "What that means is we are buying time for M-32...keeping it a viable corridor for years to come."
     The Task Force is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help with mailings, yard signs, phone calls, and everything else involved in a ballot initiative.
     "We hope everyone who is fed up with traffic in Gaylord will want to help," said Commissioner Ken Glasser.
     Duff hopes to fill spots in seven committees: fund-raising; presentation groups; creating brochures and question and answer material; yard signs; media relations; mailing list; and phone bank.
     "Once we set up the committees we will set a time to meet again, and report what we've learned," Duff reported.
     For further information regarding the kick-off, contact the Economic Alliance at 731-0288, or call Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff at 732-4060.
     I-75 Crossover: $16.5M
$16.5-million I-75 Crossover project includes an at-grade interchange at McCoy and Millbocker roads and an overpass connecting Wisconsin Avenue to VanTyle Road. The Crossover Task Force, made up of state, county, city and township representatives working together, received backing for the project from the U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Carl Levin, D-Detroit, who added it to the 2005-2009 $286.5-billion Transportation Budget. The bill, approved August, included a $12-million earmark for the two-part project.
     Local units of government will be responsible for completing environmental and engineering studies and securing funds for the 20-percent grant match. The grant is appropriated through the state transportation budget for specific project through 2009. During the remaining three years it is the governor's choice when to approve each specific project.
     Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed funding the project in 2006, indicating a desire to see the project worked through by the state Transportation Commission.
     In November, the Otsego County Commissioners approved the Task Force request to include a .9-mil tax levy on the May ballot in an effort to fund the local $4.5 million matching share.

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Impact: $12 Million (3-22-2006)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     LIVINGSTON TWP. - Finally, the numbers are starting to roll in. About $12 million in annual payroll - nearly $8 million in Otsego County alone - will be lost as the result of this month's announced closing of the Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant and its effect on ancillary businesses.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe broke down recently compiled economic impact figures for legislators and approximately 50 concerned citizens at a townhall meeting at the University Center, Monday. The event was hosted by Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, and Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland.
     "The 210 direct jobs lost when the plant closed represent 13.5 percent of manufacturing jobs in Otsego County. Of those jobs lost, 74 percent of them were held by people who live in the county," explained Ratcliffe, as he outlined the figures to panel members including meeting hosts Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland; Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire; as well as Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Chairman Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, and Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, House Commerce Comittee chairman.
     Allen and Huizenga attended the meeting to hear testimony by those who wished to comment on how the G-P plant closing has affected them and the community. The legislators also pledged to aid Stamas and Elsenheimer to provide much-needed economic assistance to the area.
     "The plant closing represents $8 million in wages for G-P employees, at an average of $18 per hour," stated Ratcliffe who indicated the loss of wages for Otsego County workers to be $5.9 million.
     "In addition, vendors and suppliers of G-P have been forced to cut an additional 155 jobs since the plant closed," stated Ratcliffe, who compiled his information from responses to a survey sent to 600 Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce members countywide, as wll as data he has received from business owners.
     Second-tier job losses add another $4 million in payroll cuts, an average $12 per hour, $2 million from within the county, according to Ratcliffe. "One small business owner called today, he employs about 22 people," said Ratcliffe. "He doesn't know what to do. Ninety-five percent of his business was with G-P."
     Though Ratcliffe told the legislators he is looking toward the opportunity for future growth and expansion in Otsego County, he also expressed his concern over the loss of revenue suffered by Lake State Railway, and how that loss could affect A&L Iron and a proposed railway expansion project initiated in 2004.
     "A&L represents about 70 jobs and a $5-million investment to the community," Ratcliffe stated. Representatives of A&L Iron declined to comment when contacted by the Herald Times after the meeting.

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Tax Exemption Bill Passes Legislature (4-3-2006)
Gaylord Herald Times
LANSING - Legislation to help attract business to the Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant site has passed the Michigan House and Senate and awaits final approval from Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
     Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, co-sponsored Senate Bill 922, the Michigan Renaissance Zone Act, to permit thie modification of existing zones and the establishment of four new redevelopment Renaissance Zones. Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, co-sponsored similar legislation in the House.
     Under current law, property inside a Renaissance Zone is exempt from local property taxes, and the 6-mill State Education Tax, and the Single Business Tax. In addition, the state will be required to reimburse many of the property taxes lost as a result of these exemptions, including revenues to local schools, intermediate school districts, community colleges, public libraries and the State School Aid Fund.
     Stamas and Elsenheimer have written into the legislation a stipulation meant to apply specifically to the G-P site. "This term woudl apply to property in a township with a population of more than 5,500 located in a county with less than 24,000 that contains an industrial site over 850 acres with railroad access." Three other sites also included in the bill are located in Midland, Kent, and Montcalm counties.
     Last week, Elsenheimer, Stamas and Jeff Ratcliffe, Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director, testified before the House Commerce Committee on the legislation.
     "Sen. Stamas and I felt it was important to secure a potential Renaissance Zone for the G-P site in Otsego County," stated Elsenheimer in a phone interview early Friday. "This is an opportunity made available to Bagley Township, it does impact tax receipts, and in the end this is a local decision."
     If the bill is passed by the governor, Bagley Township Supervisor Bill Giles expects the township board will sit down with Ratcliffe and Elsenheimer for an explanation of exactly what this legislation means. "The board hasn't had a chance to talk this over yet," stated Giles. The lawmakers continue to work on legislation that will provide job retraining funds for the Kirtland Community College M-TEC Center to upgrade job skills for displaced workers and efforts to imrpove business transportation needs in the area.
     The governor has until mid-April to consider Senate Bill 922.

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MDOT, Local Officials Plan I-75 Crossover Tasks (5-1-2006)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - County, state, city, and township officials left the I-75 Crossover meeting Wednesday with lists of things to accomplish before they meet again. City Manager Joe Duff will secure appraisals for possible property acquisitions while Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) North Region Engineer Brian Ness heads to Lansing in an effort to secure authorization to raise I-75 over an "at-grade" crossing from McCoy to Milbocker Road.
     Until they have that information, officials are unable to decide what will become of the five-year, 9-mill levy county commissioners approved for the Aug. 8 ballot. The I-75 Crossover Taskforce hopes to pull enough information together to make an informed decision on probable land acquisition costs which are not covered by the $14 milliion in funding earmarked for the project. With a good working estimate in place, the taskforce will look closely at the proposed millage, and reduce the levy if possible, according to Duff, a member of the taskforce. May 23 is the deadline for changing or eliminating the proposal from the ballot.
     Wednesday's meeting was the Crossover Task Force's first since last week's announcement that the governor had proposed a state matching contribution of $2.4 milliion toward the crossover project. Last fall, the federal government earmarked $12 million for the project as part of a $286.4-billion federal transportation bill.
     "Until recently, MDOT would not consider an at-grade crossing," Ness told officials gathered Wednesday. Among them were Otsego County Road Commissioners Jack Deming and Don Huff, Otsego County Road Dept. Manager MIke Roper, MDOT Transportation Planning Specialist David Langhorst, county commissioner Ken Glasser, Gaylord City Councilman Joe Wambold, Sen. Tony Stamas' Gaylord District Representative Craig Ryan, and the Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe. Ness explained the department is now more receptive to the idea and attributes the reversal, in part, to the timeline set by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to break ground on the projects in 2007.
     According to Ness, MDOT rarely considers at-grade crossings, citing traffic safety concerns coused by raising the freeway.
     The possibility of raising I-75 over the McCoy/Milbocker crossing would be a more favorable option for local units of government for two reasons, explained Ness and Langhorst. If much of the work is done within the existing I-75 right of way, an environmental assessment would not be necessary since a study would have been completed when the freeway was built in 1965. Ness noted an environmental assessment could take more than a year to complete.
     In addition, at-grade crossings require less land acquisition since bridge ramps are constructed within the I-75 right of way rather than on approaching properties. The proposed crossing at Wisconsin and VanTyle calls for the connecting road to rise above I-75. Duff noted an appraisal is under way on the possible required property aquisitions. He hopes to have a good estimate of costs within the week. After that, participating entities will meet to define and designate preferred choices for the two I-75 crossings. The meeting time and place have not been set.

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Summer Jobs Give Extra Boost to Local Economy (6-28-2006)
By Peter Comings, News Editor, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - In the seasonal rite of spring, unemployment figures in northeast Michigan dropped to 7.2 percent in May as the area's resorts and golf courses opened.
     The 11 counties included in the reporting area not only benefited from lower unemployment, but also from an expanding workforce. The numbers might have been better yet, except for the March closing of Georgia-Pacific's particle board plant in Gaylord.
     "We haven't been able to get our hands around that yet," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance. "Twenty-six percent of (the employees) lived outside our county. The same thing with the supplier base. In terms of the local economy, it spreads it out more."
     "I know people went out and found jobs," Ratcliffe added. "I think we'll see people get back to work."
     Unemployment in Otsego County Rose to 7.1 percent, up from 6.8 percent in over 12 months ending in May.
     In April, the (Otsego County unemployment) rate was up 1.1 percentage point over the year," said Jim Rhein, Economic Analyst for the Michigan Dept. of Labor and Growth (MDLEG), noting unemployment for the 12 months ending in April had risen to 8.6 percent, from 7.5 percent in April 2005.
     "May was a positive month in many of Michigan's local labor markets. Seasonal gains in construction and tourism-related industries gave a boost to employment throughout the state," said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives. "Tourism and construction...it pushes everything." said Rhein.
     Jobless rate declines over the month were wide ranging, from 0.2 of a percentage point to almost three full percentage points.
     The Northeast Lower Michigan Region, the Upper Peninsula, and the Northwest Lower Michigan regions displayed significant unemployment rate declines of around two full percentage points or greater. The state's three northernmost regions registered large seasonal increases due to the onset of the summer tourism season. Combined, the three areas' total employment count grew by 16,000 over the month.
     Over the month, the state's northern areas reported the biggest percentage growth in labor force (see related story). All of Michigan's 83 counties recorded unemployment rate declines in May, with a relatively significant average decrease of 1.4 percentage points over the month.
     "I think overall northern Michigan as a region is holding its own," said Ratcliffe. "We are still subject to the overall stagnant state of the economy, but I just saw the 2005 population trends. They're still showing us a fast growthing community...Our economy continues to be buoyed by the energy industry especially with high energy prices."
     "Are we seeing new development, new companies locating?" Ratcliffe asked rhetorically. "Look at Main Street. How quickly do the storefronts fill?
     "We've got redevelopment on two sites; the Meijers is out there. The original Gaylord Industrial Park...There really isn't much land there to develop. I'm optimistic we're holdiing our own."

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Senate Bill Seeks to Keep Gaylord Mail Center Open (7-5-2006)
Gaylord Herald Times
     LANSING - A resolution urging Congress and the U.S. Postal Service to keep the mail processing plant in Gaylord was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs, said Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland.
     "Gaylord needs the mail processing facility to remain open," Stamas said. "If it were to shut down, it could result in approximately 100 people being unemployed or relocated. I hope my resolution can help make the United States Postal Service realize how much the Gaylord community needs the facility."
     Approximately 80 full-time employees would be transferred out of the region to other postal facilities if the Gaylord location closes.
     Stamas sponsored Senate Resolution 151, which urges the Postal Service and Congress to keep open the Gaylord location to avoid the negative eocnomic impact and a lower standard of postal service that will result from closure.
     "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Stamas for working ont his resolution," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, who testified in support of SR 151. "The Gaylord community has been hard hit in recent months. Our community not only depends on the mail processing facility for quick delivery of our mail, but for good-paying jobs as well."
     The Postal Service concluded an Area Mail Processing survey in April to determine whether or not to consolidate the Gaylord mail processing operations to the Traverse City Processing and Distribution Center, according to a Stamas news release. According to the Postal Service, the consolidation is being considered in an effort to reduce the $8-million deficit of the Greater Michigan Postal District, which includes Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
     SR 151 will now go before the full Senate for consideration. Working with Stamas, Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, has introduced House Resolution 227, which is identical to SR 151. District postal offices are expected to receive final word from Washington, D.C. this month.

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IDD Could Help Redevelop G-P Site (8-21-2006)
By Michael Jones, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - In an effort to make the former Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant more attractive to potential new development Bagley Township board members passed a resolution at their Monday meeting to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) in which they would offer tax abatements for new investment. The plant, which once employed more than 200 people, has been shut down since March.
     After holding a public hearing at Monday's meeting Supervisor Bill Giles, Clerk Jim Szymanski, Treasurer Mary Yager, and trustees Fred Burns and Richard Sumerix, approved the IDD designation for 250 acres occupied by the plant.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe said Tuesday the resolution established an IDD which would grant tax abatement for only new investment for up to 12 years for each investment within the district.
     "I think the primary area we would see any new development is in the existing G-P buildings," said Ratcliffe. "Developers would have up to six months from the time they initiate investment to file an application with the township for a tax abatement. At that time, all tax authorities in the district are notified of the request for an abatement and a public hearing can be held if requested by any of the taxing authorities."
     According to Ratclife, several potential investors have expressed an interest in developing within the IDD. "The next thing is to find a company to locate there," Ratcliffe said.
     Supervisor Giles said he hoped establishing the district would attract a potential buyer to the G-P plant. "Hopefully this will inspire somone to buy the property." The day after G-P announced the permanent closure of its Gaylord plant, Bagley Township officials filed a jeopardy assessment judgment with the Otsego County Register of Deeds requesting immediate payment of the $313,000 personal property tax owed to the township by G-P for 2005.
     The tax, based on all personal property on hand at the G-P plant on Dec. 31, 2005, is normally due the summer of the following year. In the event of a business closure tax laws allow a township to request payment in full immediately.

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SHOP TALK: Foundation, Paxton boost Economic Alliance(11-8-2006)
     Contributions: Foundation, Paxton Boost Economic Alliance
     · The Otsego County Economic Alliance has received a $3,000 grant from the Otsego County Community Foundation/Paxton Resources to support its business retention, expansion and attraction programs.
     "It's organizations such as Otsego County Community Foundation and Paxton Resource Fund that allow the alliance to play an active role in our community's growth," said Regan Quaal, Otsego County Economic Alliance chairperson. "Without their generous support, we would not accomplish all that we have."
     The Otsego County Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership with Gaylord and Otsego County with a goal to maintain economic vitality and stimulate economic growth while preserving the quality of life.
     For more information on the alliance, call Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director, 731-0288, or log onto www.gaylord-otsego.com.

A&L Iron to get new rail line: Business, government combine efforts on $2-million project (8-21-2006)
     BAGLEY TWP. - Armond Cassil Railroad Construction Inc. and subcontractor M&M Excavating have begun the construction of nearly three miles in new rail line to serve an expansion of A&L Iron and Metal Company on South Townline Road.
     The $2-million project is being done in partnership among Lake State Railway, Bagley Township and the Otsego County Economic Alliance.
     A&L Iron and Metal is completing the construction of $4.5 million in new facilities expected to create at least 25 new jobs. The rail extension starts adjacent to the former Georgia-Pacific facility and crosses that property northwest adjacent to an existing power transmission line.
     “Access to rail is key to their being able to expand at their South Townline and Milbocker location,” said Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Economic Alliance.
     “The closure of Georgia-Pacific complicated our efforts to secure an easement as well as our funding,” Ratcliffe continued. “However, through a team effort on the part of Sen. (Tony) Stamas, Rep. (Kevin) Elsenheimer, Lake State Railroad Company, Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) officials and the Alliance, we were able to resolve all issues, secure the easement and move the project forward.”
     The rail extension is scheduled to be completed by November.
     Project financing comes from a Michigan Economic Development Corp. Community Development Block Grant received by Bagley Township, an MDOT grant and loan, as well as direct investment by the Lake State Railway Co.
     “This project represents a tremendous community collaboration and our commitment to serving Otsego County's industry,” said Wil Gamble, vice president of operations for the railroad company. “Development of this infrastructure will be vital for ensuring continued positive growth and prosperity as well as preserving rail transportation in northern Michigan and increasing the safety of our highways.”
Gamble said the closure of Georgia-Pacific in March resulted in the loss of 85 percent of his company's traffic to Otsego County. Lake State now hauls approximately 20 cars into the county each month, serving Halliburton, Superior Well Service and Hager Distribution.
     “It won't take us back to the level of traffic we had when G-P was there,” said Gamble.
     The Otsego County Road Commission, in partnership with Bagley and Hayes townships, the city of Gaylord and the Economic Alliance, completed a $740,000 upgrade of South Townline Road in 2005 in support of A&L's expansion project.

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Growth Spurs New Jobs (10-11-2006)
By Frank Michels, Design Editor
     GAYLORD - The Gaylord City Council's approval Monday night of a tax abatement for Silversmith Inc. was good news for the company and for the local economy.
     Following a 7 p.m. public hearing, council unanimously OK'd a 12-year, 50-percent tax abatement that will save the company an estimated $85,089 in taxes. The incentives come as a result of Silversmith's investment of $539,017 in purchasing and equipping its new world headquarters on Milbocker Road and the company's commitment to create 26 additional jobs during the next two years.
     Silversmith, which manufactures and assembles monitoring and metering devices in Gaylord for the oil and gas industry, is a company on the grow, according to Mark Martin, Silversmith vice president of operations.
     Formed in 2003 by Dave Silver and Jack Smith, Silversmith has installed more than 2,000 well monitors now operating in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, Wyoming and Western Canada.
     The company has grown from local, "to national and to internatiional," Martin said. "And everything is 100 percent made here in Gaylord."
     Appearing before Council, Martin said the company's annual sales have grown from $800,000 when it started to about $5 million in 2006.
     The number of employees has grown, too, from nine to 22. According to the company's application for an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate and agreement (tax abatement), 26 new employees are to be hired during the next two years. The company recently added 14 of those new employees, pushing its workforce to 36. An additional 12 employees will be added. City Manager Joe Duff said the company had been located in a leased building in the Smith Commerce Park on Dickerson and West Otsego Lake Road before purchasing the former DWF Flower Wholesale building on Milbocker Road. The Milbocker location now provides the company with 7,000 square feet for office and assembly.
     Martin said 85 percent of the company's business is in Michigan, but its national and international sales are on the rise.
     Before Council's vote on granting the tax abatement, council member Russ Jann said the tax abatement was justified because of the number of new jobs and payroll being created by the company. Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe assisted the company in making application.
     The application now goes to the state treasurer for the issuance of the tax exemption certificate.
     Council Action In Brief
     -Council authorized engineering costs of $160,300 (12.1 percent of the project cost) for the design of the North Ohio Infrastructure Project. The total cost of the project is estmated at $1.5 million and will include total reconstruction from Main Street to Random Lane, including new sanitary sewer the length; construction of a new storm water retention basin; curb and gutter; storm drainage; and some water main replacement. The city learned last week it has been granted $750,000 in federal funding for the project and the city's $750,000 match will come from the 2007 streets millage. The grant funds were gained with the assistance of the Otsego County Economic Alliance (OCEA).
     -Council authorized engineering costs of 11.7 percent of the estmated $435,500 constructiion cost for the design of the McCoy/Milbocker infrastructure project, which will extend a water main from McCoy Road and Otsego Avenue west (underneath I-75) to Dickerson Road and Milbocker Road, where it will connect to another main. The city learned last week it has been granted $250,000 in federal funds for this project and the city will fund its local share with about $185,500 from the Water Dept. Repairs and Maintenance Accounts, and/or existing Capital Fee Funds Reserve. The grant funds were gained with the assistance of the OCEA.
     -Council scheduled a special meeting for Friday, oct. 27 at 1 p.m. to review bids for new $3.8-million city hall project. The deadline for bid submissions is Thursday, Oct. 26. "This will provide us with a first look at the project and guide us into hopefully approving the bids so the project can begin in November," said Duff.

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G-P: Interest in Plant, But No Deal (10-11-2006)
By Michael Jones, Staff Writer
BAGLEY TWP. - Although the sun set on operations of the Georgia-Pacific (G-P) plant more than eight months ago, displacing 210 hourly and salaried employees, company officials said an impending deal could bring a new dawn and, more importantly, jobs to the idled particle board plant.
     On Monday, G-P spokesperson James Malone said, "At this time we do not have an agreement with anyone, but I do know that we are close to a deal with a couple of parties. This would be great for the community." Malone, who said he was not involved in the sale of the Gaylord plant, was unable to comment on who had expressed an interest in the property.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe acknowledged Tuesday there was continuing interest in the plant. "Ever since the plant closed we have fielded much interest from potential clients, and we continue to see that interest here. It would be premature at this time to make any announcements about the sale of the facilities."
     Although local Realtor Dale Smith stated Monday a deal was close to being struck with a wood pellet manufacturer as a tenant of one of the G-P buildings, on Tuesday he deferred further questions to Ratcliffe and the Economic Alliance. Monday morning Smith reportedly had remarked on a radio show that a deal was expected to be announced later in the day regarding the sale of the G-P property.
     Ratcliffe and Malone said it was premature to say a deal for the G-P property had been completed.
     "I would be violating confidentiality," Ratcliffe said of his reluctance to provide details of any potential new uses for the idled plant. "Based on the level of interest we have had in the facilities, I would be hopeful that this time next year we would have someone in there."
     In August, to help make the G-P property more attractive to new development, members of the Bagley Township Board approved a resolution to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) which would offer tax abatement for new investment at the plant. The IDD designation includes only the 250 acres occupied by the plant. The township resolution would grant tax abatement for new investment for up to 12 years within the district.
     In a move which caught the community by surprise, the plant permanently shut its doors March 6, a step Malone said was necessary due in part, to the supply of particle board exceeding demand. Commenting in March, Malone said the company had been looking for the past year and a half at closing the Gaylord G-P location.

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Otsego County Economic Alliance brings investment home
     Gaylord, Michigan — The Otsego County Economic Alliance is currently undertaking a fund-raising campaign to raise $91,000 during the next three years in order to continue to implement its strategic plan.
     “The old adage that it takes money to make money is as true for the Alliance as it is for any business" said Regan Quaal, chair of the Alliance. “We are currently supported by 37 public and private sector partners, but we need a few more in order to maintain the level of services and efforts we are trying to provide. We have been working hard to support this community, but we also need our community’s support to keep at it.”
     Since it began operation in June 2001, the Otsego County Economic Alliance can document completed or underway business expansion, attraction, and community infrastructure projects that it assisted or developed that resulted in more than $21 million in private investment, more than $25 million in public investment, 500 jobs retained and 165 new jobs.
     Current projects being worked on may result in more than $2 million in new private investment, 160 jobs retained and potentially 120 new jobs over the next 12 months.
     “The Alliance is not in the business of creating jobs,” said Regan Quaal, chair of the Alliance. “Business creates jobs and they do that when they are successful. Our job is to do everything possible to keep our businesses here and keep them successful and growing. We are also working to locate new companies to our community. But to do all of this means solving problems, providing resources, building infrastructure and doing everything possible to make this an attractive, vibrant community with a high quality of life that will support a successful business. The $12 million federal earmark to solve our traffic congestion problems is just another tangible result of our work in this regard.”
     The Alliance, created by a task force established by the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce in June 1997, was incorporated in 2001 as a 501(c)(3), private-public economic development partnership. Its mission is to facilitate economic growth in Otsego County through a public/private partnership that maintains economic vitality and stimulates economic growth while preserving the quality of life.
     The Alliance is organized as a collaborative, community supported, full-service economic development organization.
     For more information on the Alliance, contact Jeff Ratcliffe at 731-0288.

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Project OK’d in Senate transportation bill
By Mary Jergensen, Staff Writer
     WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate approved, Friday, and sent to the president a $286.4-billion transportation bill that will provide more than $1.123 billion annually to fund transporation projects in Michigan, including $12 million for “the construction of an at-grade crossing and I-75 interchange to reconnect Milbocker and McCoy Roads, and an new overpass to reconnect Van Tyle and South Wisoncisn Roads.”
     The joint announcement came Friday from Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Carl Levin, D-Detroit.
     Heavy congestion at the M-32/I-75 interchange precipitated the need for the project. A local task force has been working to secure support and funding since the beginning of the year, according to Otsego County Board of Commissioners Chairman Paul Beachnau.
     “This just goes to show what can happen when an entire community, townships, county, city, and state all pull together for the good of the area,” Beachnau said. “It is the spirit of cooperation which makes Gaylord the envy of other communities throughout the state.
     Gaylord Mayor Gladys Solokis received word from Stabenow’s media consultant early Friday confirming the bill had passed. “I am so excited to think it came so fast,” stated Solokis. “It is gratifying to realize that the lawmakers realize our problems up here." Solokis noted she had recently heard U.S. Representative Bart Stupak explain funding for significant road projects is available, it just needs to be requested.
     "We asked and we received," Solokis joyfully remarked.
     Neither STabenow's nor Levin's office was able at press time to offer details as to when the funding would be appropriated in the schedule which runs through the fiscal year 2009. "This is very new information and we are not sure what it all means yet," stated Stabenow's Media Director Dave Lemmon.
     Locally, Otsego County Road Dept. Manager Mike Roaper had not received official word Friday, but believes the Senate approval is a great boost to the proposed crossing project.
     "I am not sure what this means as far as what the county's share of the project might be," surmised Roper, who expects to have details soon regarding whether the county's portion of existing and future road projects, such as the resurfacing of Old 27, Dickerson, and projected work on Krys Road, will count toward the local matching funds.
     "We have successfully gotten funding for this project approved through the House, and Sen. (Tony) Stamas is working diligently to get it through the Senate," state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire.
     "With the federal funding, it looks like the governor will have some tough choices to make regarding funding for this project. I see no reason why this project should not be fully funded, and I strongly encourage Gov. Granholm to invest in the northern Michigan's furture growth and development."

Growth, Incomes on the Rise in 2005 (1-12-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
County becoming regional shopping destination
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Based on a diverse economic infrastructure of manufacturing, wholesale and distribution, the oil and gas industry, and tourism, Otsego County's economic forecast for 2005 is sunny with scattered clouds, concluded Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance.
     "Populations are growing rapidly in many rural northern Michigan counties, including Otsego, and with that incomes are also going up," Ratcliffe reported. "The market is saying this area is an attractive location for retail complexes, and the good news is that retailers don't build unless the numbers make sense. Gaylord will draw from multiple counties in a 30 to 45 mile radius."
     Executive director of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, Bob Kasprzak sees the expansion of new non-retail business as a must to balance the local economy and give the area youth jobs to come back to once they complete their college education. "Manufacturers believe this area offers a great lifestyle and a highly motivated, educated work force. That makes Otsego County very attractive to potential employers," he said.
     While both Ratcliffe and Kasprzak agree the greater Gaylord area has much to offer potential businesses, Kasprzak believes the economy is driven by tourism which makes the economic forecast literally dependent on the weather.
     "If we have a good winter and a great snowmobile season, the tourist money will trickle down into the community. Tourists spend money in restaurants and hotels, who in turn buy office supplies and gas from local suppliers where the money gets to the local work force," Kasprzak noted. "We have had a great start to the season so far."
     The down side to the economy according to Kasprzak is the instability in the oil and gas market. "The risks we face is fuel costs as it relates to tourists. People may tend to be more cautious with their travel dollars," Kasprzak explained.
     Also wary of reaching a retail saturation level, Kasprzak is concerned about whether Otsego County's current population can support the projected growth in 2005. "With the Old Navy and other retailers coming into the mall area, I wonder how that will affect current businesses, he questioned. However, like Ratcliffe, Kasprzak does see the county becoming more of a retail destination supporting more than just Otsego County.
     "Our downtown is very vibrant with a nice mix of businesses and a low vacancy rate," noted Ratcliffe. "Activity is starting to pick up here, whereas other parts of the state aren't seeing a lot of activity."
     We are looking forward to a pretty good year," Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff agreed, hoping new development prospects will be set in place by spring for the city's new 240-acre industrial park one mile west of Dickerson Road on Milbocker Road. Crossroads Industries recently purchased two lots in the new industrial center and plans to relocate it's center there by May.
     In addition to the budding economic expansion, Kasprzak also continues to hope for an expansion at the airport. "The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will be forming a task force to bring commercial air service to Otsego County," he remarked. Although Northwest Airlines (NWA) is bound by a contract with the state of Michigan to bring air service to Gaylord by the year 2117, Kasprzak hopes to make the process a reality much sooner.

We aren't sure whether it will be NWA or another carrier that will come in here, but we hope to pull together a strong panel of business leaders who can make this happen," he said.
     The Otsego County Airport completed the widening of the east-west runway three years ago, and hopes to extend the north-south runway by 1,000 feet in the near future. "We will need to build a new terminal building," noted Kasprzak who believes part of the task force's primary focus will be to find fudning for that project.

Construction, real estate industries good, but could be much better
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Two additonal components of the 2005 economic forecast are the construction and real estate industries.  According to Kirk Johnston, President of the North Central Michigan Home Builders Association, "All the pieces are in place for a strong year, but builders are not seeing a great demand yet.
     Mortgage rates, property values, and the overall economic indicators are showing recessional recovery.   The new-construction market has been sluggish for about two years," stated Johnston, who indicated Michigan and other industrialized states are traditionally slower to recover.
     Betting on the recovery, Johnston is currently working on some speculative construction projects.  "We wouldn't take that risk if we felt the market wouldn't support it," he said.
     Johnston chalks up the as-yet sluggish market to the high price of fuel and lumber prices which have increased more than 30 percent in the last two years.   The recent hurricanes in Florida, the rebuilding of Iraq, and tariffs on Canadian lumber have all ocntributed to the increase in building material.
     "Although labor prices are steady, I don't see material prices getting back to the low cost levels of two or three years ago," he continued. "With 30-year fixed mortgages at a rate of 5.84 percent, it is a very good time to buy or build. We are hoping to have a good year."
     While builders are hoping to see their businesses turn around, real estate agents have already noticed a recovery. "The real estate market was up dramatically in 2004," stated Bill Blaker from Blaker Realty who confirmed Otsego County year-end totals would exceed 385 houses sold in 2004, up 23 percent from 2003 when 314 houses were sold. "The market rebounded very well despite the current county inventory of 477 homes for sale."
     Blaker said the median house price in 2004 dropped to $116,900 from $121,000 in 2003 and $125,000 in 2002. "While we continue to have a buyers' market, I can see that turning around," he said expectantly, noting his belief the real estate market in Otsego County is driven by the Metro Deteroit market, with retirees buying retirement homes, and many who are employed in southeastern Michigan manufacturing industries purchasing vacation homes in this area.
     "I like to see one house a day sell in Otsego County and we did better than that in 2004. We are currently working through the existing inventory, and I believe things will turn around in 2005, Blaker stated.
     Todd Gregory, community president with Citizen's Bank in Gaylord, has watched the prime lending rates increase from 4.00 percent at the beginning of 2004 to 5.5 at the end of 2004. "Indicators show the nation coming out of the recession and entering into a time of more money, higher wages, and less unemployment," he shared. "This area will grow as the market allows."

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Plan For Polluted Sites Gets Approval (2-23-2005)
By Sheri McWhirter, Staff Writer, Record-Eagle
Nine-member board has yet to be appointed
     GAYLORD - Tax benefits soon will be available for investors in Otsego County willing to develop brownfield sites.
     County commissioners on Tuesday established a Otsego County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority but did not appoint any members.
     The nine-person authority board will organize and adopt bylaws before reviewing development proposals for brownfields - sites where previous industrial or commercial activity polluted the environment.
     "The goal is to bring up sites that are not being developed because of contamination that may exist," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance.
     Costs for environmental assessments and any remediation work would be paid by the authority through loans or bonds, and repaid through tax-increment financing agreements with the developer. Local taxes collected on the increase in property value would be diverted to the authority until the debt is paid.
     Afterward, taxes would go to local government.
     "It's good environmentally because if we get a site and it needs to be cleaned up, we'll have the money to do that. Then it can be developed," Ratcliffe said.
     Darlene Van Dale, environmental specialist with the state Department of Environmental Quality in Gaylord, said the DEQ must sign off on projects that want to use school taxes in the tax-increment financing agreement. She said there are more than 200 brownfield redevelopment authorities in Michigan that work to develop "functionally obsolete property."
     Developers would first approach the brownfield authority for project approval before seeking the consent of local governments. The Otsego County Board of Commissioners will have the final say over brownfield projects.
     Erm Backenstose was the only commissioner to vote against establishing the authority. She said she opposes tax-increment financing agreements for commercial developments.
     Ratcliffe said brownfield sites would not be identified in the authority's general plan but would be considered individually when proposed by developers. He said there are many oil and natural gas industry sites throughout Otsego County that are no longer in use and would be ideal for brownfield redevelopment.

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City in line for $875,500 grant (3-2-2005)
By Frank Michels, Design Editor
     GAYLORD - A $1.25-million city of Gaylord infrastructure improvement project that will include new water and sewer lines and reconstructed roadways will likely receive an $857,500 boost.
     City officials learned on Friday their notice of intent for Community Development Block Grant in that amount has been approved by the state, meaning the city can file a formal application. City manger Joe Duff said he "feels comfortable we are going to meet all grant application requirements." He said the Michigan Economic Development Corp. only asks for formal applications for projects it intends to fund. Duff said the city will have to conduct a public hearing; get clearance from the state Historical Society to ensure nothing of historical significance is destroyed or damaged; and receive environmental clearance before receiving final approval.
     The funds come from the federal government and are passed through the state to local governmental units.
     The city will add $400,000 from its local streets millage to the grant for the total estimated project cost of $1.25 million, according to Duff.
     "We'll be able to do both the water and sanitary sewer lines and get the roads reconstructed as well," he said. Streets included in the project:
     North Hazel Avenue (Main Street to Berkshire Lane);
     East Petoskey Street (North Hazel Avenue to Hayes Road);
     North Elm Avenue (Huron Street to East Mitchell Street);
     East Mitchell Street (North Elm Avenue to North Hazel Avenue).
     Duff said the project is necessary because the water, sewer and storm sewers are about 50 years old and deteriorating and undersized. He said the project will benefit not only the residents directly served, but the entire community by improving overall water-system pressure and increasing systemwide fireflows. The replacement of the undersized water mains will increase fire flows ranging from 350 gallons per minute to 3,300 gallons per minute throughout the entire city.
     Additionally, improved storm sewers will substantially reduce the infiltration of groundwater into the general city sewer system, thereby extending the life of the city's wastewater treatment system. Duff credited the persistence of the Otsego County Economic Alliance and its director, Jeff Ratcliffe, for securing the grant.
     The grant application last year did not receive funding, but a resubmitted application was approved by the state's Economic Development Corp.
     Duff said the project cost is equal to the funds generated by the local streets millage for two years. Each year the millage generates about $650,000. Typically, Duff said, when the city reconstructs local streets, it also improves the underground utilities such as water lines and sewer lines.
     Funds for such projects, according to Duff, may not be available much longer, because under the Bush policy, funding is being dramatically curtailed. "These funds probably won't be available in the next few years. It's like the window of opportunity is beginning to shut."
     The City Council has scheduled a special meeting Monday to re-examine its plans for other future local streets projects. That meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

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Corwith Preapplication Grant OK'd for $981,500 (3-2-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - A preapplication for a $981,500 grant for a Corwith Township road project has won approval. Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, received word of the preapplication approval for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to finance a crush and shape repaving project on a 4.24-mile stretch of Old 27 between Whitmarsh and Thumb Lake Roads.
     "Once the preapplication is approved a formal application must be submitted," explained Otsego County Road Commission Director Mike Roper late Tuesday. "It does not mean the grant is guaranteed, but it is an encouraging sign."
     The project represents a partnership between federal, state, village and township governments working together and pooling funds to complete the project. If approved, the $1.2-million price tag will be shared by the CDBG grant, with the remainder of the funds coming from the Village of Vanderbilt ($20,000), Corwith Township ($123,000) and the Otsego County Road Commission ($100,000).
     "The CDBG funds are for public works projects in communities where 51 percent of the population has either moderate to low income," stated Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe, confirming Corwith Township, the Village of Vanderbilt and Gaylord all qualify for this type of grant. Final approval for the grant may come as soon as April at the next Strategic Fund Board meeting, according to Craig Ryan, spokesman for Stamas.

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Townships Plan Summer Roadwork (3-26-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Bagley Township Supervisor Bill Giles and Hayes Township Supervisor Mary Sanders have worked together with the Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe, the city of Gaylord and the Road Commission to secure funding for a resurfacing project to bring south Townline Road up to Class A status to allow for heavy semi-trucks.
    "I was glad to see everyone work together on this project," remarked Giles who added, "There are a few other projects which will also require cooperation, like the I-75 overpass study."
     The total cost of the resurfacing project is $864,000 with the county paying $164,000, the remaining $210,000 in matching grant funds to be divided equally among Bagley and Hayes townships and Gaylord.
     "Hayes Township doubled our road construction budget this year to pay our fair share of the South Townline Road project," Sanders added. "We knew these projects were coming so we planned ahead accordingly."
     Corwith Township Supervisor Vernon Kassuba also worked with Ratcliffe, the Road Commission and the village of Vanderbilt on a project plan to resurface Old 27 from Whitmarsh Lake Road to Thumb Lake Road. The $1.4-million, 4.24-mile project will be funded by a federal community development block grant that requires a 20-percent local match. Corwith Township's share of the matching funds is $123,000, with the village paying $30,000. The remaining $100,000 will be paid by the county Road Commission.
     "I am happy the Economic Alliance stepped in to secure the funding on this project," said village President Elizabeth Haus. "Old 27 is in rough shape and I will be happy to get it done." About one-and-a-half miles of the project runs through downtown Vanderbilt.

2005 Road projects by township
     The current list of proposed Otsego County Road Construction projects is as follows according to Otsego County Road Managing Director Mike Roper:
     -Bagley Township: Work will be done on South Townline Road, between M-32 and Milbocker. The project will include leveling the hills, gravel, pavement, and bring up to Class A standards;
     -Charlton Township: The Bear Lake subdivision, paving road to re-route water;
     -Chester Township: Meadow and Cargas roads will be seal-coated;
     -Corwith Township: Intersection of O'Rourke and McGregor, and Sturgeon Valley and Airport intersection paving; Resurfacing Old 27 from the southern township line at Whitmarsh Road, north to Thumb Lake Road;
     -Dover Township: No projects planned;
     -Hayes Township: South Townline Road project; seal coat Mt. Frederic Road; Hayes Tower Road between M-32 and Old Alba repaving project, crush, shape, and pave;
     -Livingston Township: New deck on Congdon Road bridge;
     -Elmira Township: No projects are scheduled for this construction season;
     -Otsego Lake Township: Resurfacing Hatch and Kellogg Drives; and
     -Gaylord: Resurfacing Old 27 from M-32 south to the I-75 interchange.

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Infrastructure Grant a Step Closer (3-30-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
City seeks $867,000 in funding to upgrade water, sewer systems
     GAYLORD - Gaylord City Council is in the final stages of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposal that could net $867,500 toward a $1.4-million Northeast Infrastructure Project.
     City Manager Joe Duff advised the council at its regular meeting Monday. "The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has accepted the city's notice of intent to apply for the CDBG funds and the city has now been invited to submit a final grant application for the project."
     Included in the city's proposal are improvements to the sanitary and storm sewer system as well as water main, curb and gutter, and street improvements to several sections in the northeastern residential area of Gaylord. "By replacing the sanitary sewers and installing new water mains, the water pressure in that area, as well as the rest of the city should improve significantly," explained Duff.
     Areas affected by the construction are: North Hazel Avenue, from First Street to Berkshire Lane; one block of First Street between Hazel and Maple avenues; and one block of North Elm Avenue between Huron and Mitchell streets. The project also includes East Mitchell Street from North Elm Avenue to North Hazel Avenue and East Petoskey Street, between North Hazel Avenue and Hayes Road.
     If the application is approved, Duff expects to see the project begin as early as June with the project completion date to be 120 days later. The city expects to pay just less than $550,000 for its share of the construction costs.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe assisted the city with the application portion of the project.

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Otsego County Communities Receive Coordinated Land-Use Management Grant (5-25-2005)
Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - The future of land-use management in Otsego County got a boost with a recent award of a $65,000 Partnerships for Change grant. The grant will provide planning and technical support for an expanding effort to manage urban sprawl, encourage urban redevelopment, and coordinate land use throughout the county.
     Managed by the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) of Traverse City, the Partnerships for Change program is sponosred by the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Society of Planning, and Michigan State University Extension. The statewide program is designed to help cities, townships, and villages work together on cooperative planning projects that help protect cultural and natural resources.
     Otsego County beat a number of other Michigan applicants to win the prestigious grant. Partnerships for Change is a competitive program, providing grants of professional planning and technical assistance to only a select few communities in Michigan this year. In fact, only four communities have received these grants thus far.
     The grant proposal was prepared as a joint effort by Otsego County, the city of Gaylord, the village of Vanderbilt, and all nine townships within the county; Bagley; Charlton; Chester; Corwith; Dover; Elmira; Hayes; Livingston; and Otsego Lake. Such intergovernmental cooperation is considered essential to managing suburban sprawl and combating the decline of urban centers, according to the Partnership for Change program sponsors.
     Joe VanderMeulen, executive director of LIAA, praised Otsego County's community leaders for having great foresight in planning to improve recreational resources and preserve open space.
      "There's been a lot of talk about urban sprawl in recent years," VanderMeulen said. "People are concerned about issues such as traffic congestion, the loss of farmlands, and the preservation of natural resources. Townships, cities, and villages must work in partnership to control these problems while building better communities. The Otsego County communities will be helping to show others the way."
     The Otsego County multi-jurisdictional effort was spurred on by previous planning efforts establihsed under the Otsego County Interjurisdictional Growth Management Initiative. The initiative was established by the Otsego County Economic Development Alliance (OCEA) in response to strategic planning efforts which found there was strong communitywide sentiment that growth and development throughout the county was occurring in a manner without completely taking into consideration its impacts on the environment as well as community feel.     Otsego County Director of Land Use SErvices Richard Edmonds stated that the Partnerships for Change grant will provide Otsego County with the tolls and the professionals needed to help create a quality Master Plan and to take the first great strides toward Joint Planning Cooperation between the City of Gaylord and the surrounding Townships.
     The grant awarded to the Otsego County communities will provide assistance to the county in the update of the countywide master plan. In addition, the grant will provide assistance in the development of an Urban Growth Area involving Gaylord and portions of Bagley and Livingston Townships. An Urban Growth is a land-use management tool that allows a unit of government to designate a specific area in which development will be directed based upon the efficient use of existing infrastructure systems. Areas outside of the boundary typically do not receive sewer and water serevices, encouraging low-density development and the preservation of open space and natural resources.
     A community project kick-off meeting will be held June 8, at 6 p.m. at the University Center located at 80 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord.

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Vandy Board Recommits to Alliance (6-11-2005)
By Nicole Laskowski, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     VANDERBILT - In a 6-to-1 vote, the Vanderbilt Village Council Monday night approved a three-year committment of $200 per year to the Otsego County Economic Alliance. Council member Ernest Schuster voted against the motion.
     Although the village had previously supported the project in concept, it made no monetary commitment to the project in 2004 because, according to Village President Elizabeth Haus, no one from the Alliance approached the council.
     As Otsego County continues to grow, the Alliance, a nonprofit organization, hopes to aid in development by dovetailing master plans from each of Otsego County's nine townships, the village and the city of Gaylord while maintaining a quality of life and the county's identity.
     "One County, One Vision creates growth management initiatives designed to bring about a more coordinated and cooperative approach to land use planning and development by starting with a countywide vision for land use and development," Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Alliance, said Tuesday morning.
     In January, the Alliance partnered with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, helping coordinate an effort among Corwith Township, Vanderbilt and the Otsego County Road Commission to apply for a state and federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to crush, reshape and repave a 4.24-mile stretch of Old 27 North from Whitmarsh Road to south fillage limits and from the north side of the village to Thumb Lake Road.
     The grant for $981,500 was supported by a 20-percent match from Corwith Township ($123,000), Vanderbilt ($20,000) and the road commission ($100,000).
    "We're working toward more coordinated planning efforts because land use doesn't stop at the boundaries," said Ratcliffe who added that the Old 27 North project is currently being designed.
     "The Village has committed that we would tweak our ordinances and master plan to blend," said Haus in an interview after the meeting. "But I do not believe in chucking the ordinances that Gaylord, Vanderbilt or any township planning commission put together and allowing the county to make decisions. The county has made too many mistakes on its own, and until they show due diligence, we'll handle our zoning on our own."
     In other business:
     -Vanderbilt Area Youth Sports Programs (VAYSP) approached the council for use of the concession stand on Tuesday and Wednesday nights starting June 14 to organize a fundraiser during the games.
     -Corwith Township will buy two sets of bleachers and donate them to the village for the Vanderbilt ball fields.
     -Amy Christmas, the village clerk, is working on organizing the Pigeon River Festival for July 30. Anyone interested in volunteering can call the Village Hall at 983-4244.

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I-75 Crossing Money On Its Way (8-13-2005)
President signs transportation bill
Gaylord Herald Times
     CHICAGO - At a Caterpillar Inc. plant outside of Chicago, President Bush signed a $286.4 billion transportation bill into law Wednesday. The bill provides funding for projects across the nation including the I-75 crossover project in Otsego County.
     Locally, four projects were tapped to receive funding from the six-year transportation funding bill. Five million dollars of "high priority" funding was secured for the I-75 crossing project to construct an at-grade crossing and I-75 interchange to reconnect Millbocker and McCoy Roads and construct an overpass to reconnect VanTyle to South Wisconsin Road in Gaylord.
     Another $7 million for the project was also encumbered under the Transportation Improvement category.
     A project to resurface and widen Parmater Road received $294,400. In Montmorency County, the proposed reconstruction of County Road 612 from the west county line to County Road 491 received $640,000.
     "This is awesome news," stated Otsego County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Paul Beachnau. "This will be a wonderful project not only for Otsego County but all of Northern Michigan."

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Levin Meets With I-75 Crossover Group Over $12 Million in Federal Funding (9-7-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer Gaylord Herald Times
     I-75 crossover need 'urgent', says Levin
     LIVINGSTON TWP. - U. S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, and state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, on Friday tempered the celebration of the recent federal Transportation Bill's allocation of $12 million to two proposed I-75 crossovers in Gaylord.
     The two met with members of the Otsego County I-75 Crossing Task Force at the University Center to lend advice and discuss the importance of the project for Michigan.
     "The timing was right on this project, the presentation was essential to effectively communicate the urgent need the community has for these highway crossings," Levin told a group of about 20 city, county, state and federal officials. "I have never in my 25 years in government seen anything move so fast."
     The $12 million grant is to be used for the construction of an at-grade crossing and I-75 interchange to reconnect Milbocker and McCoy Roads, and a new overpass to reconnect Van Tyle Road and South Wisconsin Avenue.
     "The good news is great news in terms of the dollars earmarked for this project, but now you have to determine how to make your case with the state," said Levin, referring to the possibility Gov. Jennifer Granholm could chop the budget liine item for funding this project this year.
     If the line item was removed fromo the 2006 budget, it could be revisited for the 2007 budget year.
     "I expect this line item to go before the governor, but I cannot say whether she will approve the project," Elsenheimer commented. "The governor has several tough choices to make on this new budget, and she may just feel politics has gotten ahead of the engineering on this particular project."
     "Typically, a group comes up with the idea, they get the engineering done, do the environmental studies, and then look for funding," Elsenheimer stated. "Though we have some proposed designs for these crossings, the actual engineering is not in place, and I am afraid the governor may choose not to approve funding this year, until more of the field work has been done. I just don't want to leave the message this project will get done this year."
     Levin, though not aware of the matrix steps which need to be accomplished as the group of local, state, and federal transportation departments begin to undertake the actual planning phase of the work, expressed the importance of keeping him informed of the timeliness and milestones set forth. "We will do what we can to facilitate this process," Levin assured. "Frankly this thing has to work. We had to say no to so many other people in order to get the funding for this approved."
     At the end of the meeting, Elsenheimer suggested reducing the task force to a group of stakeholders to move forward in the planning, engineering and funding process. Although the members of the group were not designated at the meeting, Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff expects the group to consist of representatives from the city of Gaylord, Otsego County, Otsego County Road Commission, Otsego County Economic Alliance, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) and the Michigan Dept. of Transportation.

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Gov. Vetoes I-75 Crossover Funding (10-5-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer Gaylord Herald Times
     LANSING - Although funds for two crossovers could have been budgeted for 2006, Otsego County drivers eager to see relief from traffic congestion along M-32 at I-75 will have to wait at least one more year for project funding to be made available by the state.
     Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed funding for the I-75 Crossing Project "because project selection decisions should be made by transportation professionals at MDOT (Michigan Dept. of Transportation)," according to a press release her office issued Friday.
     Both the state House and Senate endorsed funding the crossover project, which includes an interchange at McCoy and Milbocker and a crossover from VanTyle to Wisconsin. The project made news this spring as local and state governmental groups joined together to convince U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, and Carl Levin, D-Detroit, of the urgent need for the project. With support on the federal level, the project squeaked onto the President's historic $286.5-billion 2005-2009 Transportation Budget approved in August. The bill included a $12-million federal grant for funding of the $17.5-million price tag for the two Gaylord crossings.
     Stabenow stated Friday, "I am committed to the construction of the I-75 crossover in Gaylord and worked to include funds for this important project in the federal transportation bill. I will continue to work with the community so that Gaylord can secure the necessary matching funds to make the I-75 crossover a reality."
     Local units of government will be responsbile for completing environmental and engineering studies and securing funds for the 20-percent grant match. The $12-million grant was earmarked by Bush for the Gaylord I-75 project specifically, according to Levin, However, that amount is appropriated through the state transportation budget for specific projects through 2009. During this four-year period it is the governor's choice when to approve each specific project.
     "There is no question this project is going to happen, it is now just a matter of when," state Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, said Monday. Stamas hopes MDOT and the local task force will work together to get the details of the project ironed out in time for next year's budget session.
     "I am disappointed but not surprised by the governor's actions," commented state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, Monday. "We have seen her veto several important northern Michigan projects in the past, including the Lincoln Bridge in Cheboygan and the snowmobile crossing at I-75. Now we can add the Gaylord/I-75 crossing project to that list."
     Although it appears the governor may have closed the door on funding the crossover project this year, there still may be a glimmer of hope. According to the press release, the governor will recommend an "immediate supplemental" to restore the vetoed funds without earmarks.
     "While there is a federal earmark to (the project), there is a state match to it," Greg Bird, director of communication with the state Budget Office, stated Tuesday. "The reason the governor vetoed the road projects was because earmarking these projects in a budget bill went outside the process of how we feel road projects should be decided upon. The Transportation Commission, they're the governing body that decides these projects. They receive their input from transportation experts in the state. That's what the governor has asked to be done, that the Legislature act and use supplemental appropriation to appropriate the money without specific earmarks so the normal process can take place."
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Director and task force member Jeff Ratcliffe remained optimistic about the crossover stating, "We're still waiting to hear how MDOT is going to proceed in light of the governor's veto," he said.
     "The fight is not over," Elsenheimer agreed. "We have only just begun. Local, state and federal agencies have bought into this project, now is the time to convince the governor that it has merit."

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Workshop on 'Cluster' Sewers (10-5-2005)
Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - The Otsego County Economic Alliance, in partnership with the Otsego Conservation District, and Huron Pines RC&D, is hosting an Oct. 18 forum on the use of decentralized, or "cluster" sewers. The forum will feature a panel of state and regional experts at 6 p.m. at the University Center at Gaylord.
     Communtiy leaders and residents will have the opportunity to explore the alternative use of cluster sewers as a cost-effective sewer system to mitigate the impact of development on inland lakes and other situations where residental development and soil conditions present challenges to the environment and limitations on higher density development.
     The panel will include Dr. Ted Loudon, professor emeritus, PhD, P.E. Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University; Scott Kendzierski, director of Environmental Health, Northwest Michigan Health Agency; and Bret Gourdie, principal, Gourdie Fraser & Associates. Expected, but not yet confirmed, will be an expert from the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality and a respresentative from a community that has utilized cluster sewers.
     The panel will cover issues of when and where cluster sewers are appropriate; how they work; cost; oversight, maintenance and administration.
     The forum, said organizers, is designed to provide residents with information and ideas on an alternative to traditional big pipe municipal sewers and on site septic systems.
     We encourage everyone and anyone who has an interest in the quality of their lakes and environment to attend this forum," said Patricia Osburn, administrator of the Otsego Counservation District.  "This is an opportunity for not only Otsego Lake, but all inland lake communities trying to balance lake living with preservation and improvement of water quality to learn about an alternative sewer treatment approach."
     With traditional sewer systems assessments well more than $10,000, cluster sewers can offer high-quality treatment without the high price tag, claimed organizers of the forum.
     Further, they said, such systems required less invasive construction (collection lines can often be directionally drilled); have the ability to pinpoint sewer exactly where it is needed (without the burden of requiring new users on the system each year); may be designed for flexibility for more open space, water reuse, and more.
     "With the (recent) decision by the Bagley Township Board to dissolve the special assessment district regarding the Otsego Lake sewer system, we as a community need to look at another approach to help address this issue" said Regan Quaal, Chairman of the Otsego County Economic Alliance.  "We hope that this forum will allow residents and leaders an opportunity to work together to come up with a feasible new direction to address the water quality of Otsego Lake and other area lakes.  The health and development of Otsego Lake, as well as other lakes, has real short- and long-term economic implications for our community. As an economic development organization it is our duty to the community to help address this issue."
     For more information on the forum, call Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Economic Alliance, 731-0288.

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Groundbreaking for Independent Bank Building (11-9-2005)
Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - Joined by city and economic development officials, representatives from Independent Bank broke ground last week on a new $3.2-million Main Street branch building complex that will replace the present bank structures on the site.
     "It was a beautiful day for a groundbreaking", said Christopher Hebel, a member of the bank's administrative team. "We were very gratified to have representatives from city government, the architect, the contractor and members of the community who came out to see the beginning of something incredibly special downtown."
     Demolition is scheduled to start by Friday.
     "The contractor has already begun grading along Indiana Street," said Hebel. "That will become a temporary parking lot for our staff."
     Building completion is anticipated in late April or May.
     The planned new main bank branch building, designed by Todd L. Seidell, architect of Gaylord, will feature a four-story Alpine-style clock tower facing norht along M-32.
     The new, one story 13,000 square-foot building will be located at the corner of M-32 and South Illinois. An Independent Bank building currently located just west of the present main branch will be demolished to make space for the new building. The present main branch building will then be demolished after the new building is completed.
     A new parking lot will provide space for 76 vehicles, including four handicap spaces next to the bank building. Motorists will be served by five drive-through banking lanes.
     The site plan also incorporates elements of Gaylord's streetscape, such as ornate street lights.
     An additional 10 jobs will be created at the bank as a result of the redevelopment, increasing the number of employees at the Gaylord branch to 37. Independent Bank operates more than 100 branch offices in the state and is based in Ionia.

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2 Millages OK for Aug. Ballot (11-9-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     Sportsplex, I-75 Crossover Millages on Aug. Ballot
     LIVINGSTON TWP. - Otsego County Commissioners gave the nod for two separate special interest groups to place millage proposals on the August 2006 ballot. Millages for local I-75 crossover funding and a two-part Sportsplex issue will appear on the summer ballot.
     Backed by about 25 supporters, Otsego County Sportsplex Executive Director Bill Michaels, addressed the board at its regular meeting Tuesday with a Sportsplex expansion proposal. Michaels offered the board a glimpse at the 56,000 square-foot multipurpose expansion proposed to include an indoor soccer field and room for four tennis courts.
     Michaels asked the board for a two-step millage request in a February 2006 election. The first step is a 3-mill operating levy for the next 20 years. The current .3-mill operating levy is scheduled to expire at the end of 2005. "We aren't asking for more money to keep the Sportsplex operational, we are asking for the same amount to keep the cost of using the facility more affordable to everyone in the county," he explained.
     The second part of the millage proposal Michaels requested was for a .55-mill, 20-year levy to "construct, furnish, and equip an addition to the Otsego County Sportsplex," Michaels told commissioners the millage, in fact, is .24 mills lower than the current millage of .79 voters approved for the initial building of the $7-million facility. The levy will expire at the end of 2006.
     Among the supporters of the expansion Tuesday was Mason Buckingham, who conveyed the importance of keeping building costs down. "We have been advised by contractors the sooner we begin this project the cheaper the project will be." He pointed to the rising cost of building supplies following Hurricane Katrina as a reason for the board to consider a February millage election.
     Additionally, Dr. Patricia Duley noted the poor physical condition of Michigan residents. "Otsego County could be a leader in positive change," she stated. "There are no other indoor facilities in the area. I know people from Petoskey and Harbor Springs would drive to Gaylord once a week to play tennis inside."
     Commissioner Allan Bentz addressed the board following the presentation. "A millage like this should be put to all the voters, and in February there are many Otsego County residents out of town." Bentz amended the proposed two-step millage plan to be placed on the August 2006 primary election ballot rather than the requested February election.
     Commissioners Bentz, Lee Olsen, Mike Hyde, Clark Bates, Chairman Paul Beachnau, Ken Glasser, Doug Johnson and Paul Liss approved the request to place on the ballot the .3-millage renewal for the Sportsplex. Commissioner Erma Backenstose opposed the motion.
     Likewise, Bentz moved to place on the August 2006 ballot the Sportsplex expansion plan millage. Commissiioners Johnson, Glasser, Beachnau, Bates, and Hyde voted in favor of the levy; Olsen, Liss and Backenstose opposed it.
     Following the meeting Michaels stated, "I am pleased with the opportunity to bring this matter before the voters."
     In the other millage discussion, I-75 Crossover Task Force members, Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff and Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe also requested permission from the board to place a five-year maximum .9 mill levy on the August ballot. "This levy would fund the 20-peercent local match required to obtain the federal funds dedication to accomplish the goal, stated Duff.
     Beachnau questioned Duff how the levy might impact future funding on a state level. Duff responded, "We feel very strongly a millage would allow community committment to this project. With full community support, I believe the state and the Michigan Dept. of Transportation will bring funds to the table as well."
     The Crossover Task Force began in April working toward the goal of securing funding for two additional I-75 crossovers in Gaylord. Armed with a DLZ, Inc. report indicating the emergent need for alternative routes around the city to avoid gridlock along the M-32/I-75 corridor, the group took its request to state and fedeeral legislature. The project made it into the federal transportation bill, receiving a $12-million grant.
     Calling the federal earmark a miracle, Glasser urged the board agree to put the issue to go before the voters. "If this millage is passed, the state would have no reason not to release the funds for this project."
     Liss, however, opposed that. "We are overtaxing and overburdening our constituents and I believe it is time we commissioners stand up and reject some of thse millage requests."
     Liss was the lone vote of dissent to place the issue ont he August 2006 ballot.

     Vandy Council Questions Proposals

          VANDERBILT - Otsego County Commissioner Paul Liss attended Vanderbilt's council meeting Monday night meeting to introduce and discuss two county millages.
     -The I-75 crossing. Otsego County is considering a request for a .9 mills over five years in order to raise $4.5 million as a 20-percent match on $12.5 million in federal funds approved for use in building two additional I-75 crossings in Gaylord.
     "The state will not be providing any funds earmarked for local projects," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, indicating his information was from the Michigan Dept. of Transportation.
     "If we vote this in, we're not going to be seeing money from the state," said Liss referring to Gov. Jennifeer Granholm's line item veto for the I-75 overpass. "This is just another example of northern Michigan getting the short end of the stick."
     "If Vanderbilt had money from the millages tacked on every year," said Village President Elizabeth Haus, "we'd have a lovely community building."
     Village residents are taxed 8.9 mills every year by the county.
     -The Otsego County Sportsplex. The county is considering a proposal for .55 mills over a period of 20 years for additions in Sportsplex like indoor soccer fields and tennis courts. (The request is actually a two-part question; see related story).
     "We're spending so much money already on the Sportsplex," said Council Member Ron Bush. Currently, Vanderbilt pays into township taxes that include a Sportsplex millage.
     "Only one class from Vanderbilt can use it per semester." said Haus. "And we don't have a hockey team we can go and watch unless it's peewee. So no."
     I'd rather pay for the highway before the Sportsplex," said Council Member Ed Posgate.
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Vandy council approves tax abatement district for future village industrial development (11-16-2005)
    VANDERBILT - The Vanderbilt Village Council unanimously voted Nov. 7 to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) in the village, which was effective immediately.
     The IDD is comprised of 43 acres already zoned for industrial use, an area that already includes H&H Tube Manufacturing Inc., Van Products, the Old Pallet Mill and Dozer Construction Inc.
     The proposed IDD will provide an incentive to new industry warehousing and distribution companies through the abatement of real and personal property tax for up to 12 years. Already established companies existing within the district are eligible for abatement on building or equipment additions.
     According to Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, the district is primarily for manufacturing companies and the activities related to manufacturing.
     “This is an offering of an incentive by a local government to a company. It doesn't affect any other transactions,” said Ratcliffe. “The local Industrial District doesn't change anybody's taxes now and doesn't change the taxable property.”
     New businesses or businesses expanding within the established district will make an application to the local government, in this case the village, for the abatement.
     “We have an existing company very interested in this,” said Ratcliffe, although he added that he was not at liberty to reveal the industry.
     Community members present at the meeting showed support for the district. But one was concerned about attracting more than businesses to the village.
     “We don't want to have people come in and get their tax abatement and use us,” said Michael Blackman. “We've got to clean up our own act if we want people to come live here ... I just think there are some other things that should be looked at too.”
     Village President Elizabeth Haus said she was aware of the important role the industries like H&H Tube Manufacturing, Unipro and Van Products have in the village.
     Carol Quigley, owner of Van Products and Unipro, had considered selling both plants in Vanderbilt where 160 people are employed. She has since decided against that idea.

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State Still Open to I-75 Talk (12-3-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Whether or not the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) will financially support the two proposed I-75 crossings in Otsego County was the chief concern amoung the nearly 60 people attending MDOT's Listening Session Tuesday evening at the United Way building.
     MDOT will host similar sessions around the state to provide Michigan citizens a chance around the state to review a draft of the department's Five-Year Transportation Program, which does not include the crossover project.
     Otsego County Road Commission Manager Mike Roper recently returned from a governmental partnership seminar; asked MDOT Director of Communications Benjamin Kohrman about the obvious omission. "We have been surprised by $12 million of federal money with a five-year time limit. How do we get on the list? Who do I need to talk to?"
     "The governor and MDOT support this project," Kohrman was quick to respond. "It could go forward in 2007 and maybe even sooner if the Legislature will pass a supplemental budget bill resolving MDOT fund cuts and road funding without specific project boilerplate."
     Kohrman repeatedly placed the blame for the governor's line-item veto of the crossover project and 21 other statewide road projects on the shoulders of the Legislature. "The precedent has been set by the last four governors to veto specific road projects written into the budget," stated Kohrman, who insisted the process is the only way to keep equity in the road building process. "This keeps the five largest counties from sucking up all the transportation dollars," he continued.
     Kohrman used the term "legislative mischief" as he reiterated what he believed to be a legislative error of including the project in the state budget process.
     Otsego County resident Walt Nowicki remarked, "Does the state understand how hard this community has pushed for these very essential overpasses? It's unfortunate it got caught in the policies in Lansing."
     Nowicki's sentiment was echoed by several other residents, including Otsego
Club owner Keith Gornick who told MDOT personnel, "The state has lost hundreds of manufacturing jobs, and they aren't coming back. It's about time for the governor to focus on the three-quarters of Michigan that are still viable...where people are still investing." Gornick was speaking about northern Michigan and the agricultural and tourist dollars the area generates.
     Following the meeting Gornick commented, "Many business owners bend over backward to offer a great product and grow revenue which helps the entire state. To have the state ignore us and choke off that growth is very discouraging." Gornick said he believes MDOT officials were caught in the "northwoods dodo effect - they think we are just sitting up here without a clue what we are doing."
     In a written statement to MDOT, Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff asked, "Will the state of Michigan assist our community in funding these improvements?"  Duff and other Crossover Task Force members noted, "We have secured $12 million in federal funding, but at this time there has been no state commitment for funding this project."
     Wednesday Duff noted, "This project is dog-gone important for the entire region, and I believe we delivered that message."
     Throughout the meeting Kohrman continued to deliver the MDOT mantra: "The governor and MDOT support this project, which could move forward before 2007 if the legislators pass the supplemental budget bill." He encouraged Otsego County citizens to ask their legislators to restore the MDOT funding cuts.
     Craig Ryan, aid to Senator Tony Stamas took exception to Kohrman's message, noting political finger-pointing is unnecessary. "Together we need to stay at the table and move this project along quickly."
     Chairman of the Otsego Planning Commission Tober stated Wednesday, "We need to move forward and think positive about this project. One way or another Otsego County will make it happen."

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Guest Column: A Step Toward Growth, Protection (12-7-2005)
Gaylord Herald Times
     Imagine local governments joining forces to guide economic development, manage growth, and protect natural resources. That might seem like a pipe dream throughout much of Michigan. But the Gaylord community has begun to make it a reality.
     Responding to concerns over rapid and uncoordinated development as well as the loss of farmlands and open space, planners and public officials have begun taking a wider view in the Gaylord community. This week, city and township officials began a rare effort to improve coordination and cooperation in land use planning across their boundaries.
     Bagley Township, the city of Gaylord, Livingston township and Otsego County formed northern Michigan's first Intermunicipality Committee for Cooperative Land Use Planning. Each of the municipalities adopted formal resolutions about a month agao and each government appointed three representatives to the committee.
     Nov. 30, the new intergovernmental committee met for the first time, electing a chairprerson and getting right down to work considering potential cross-border conflicts in zoning districts and a project to develop urban design guidelines.
     The Gaylord Area Cooperative Planning Committee, consisting of representatives from the City of Gaylord, Livingston Township, Bagley Township, and Otsego County is charged with studying problems of mutual interest and concern, including land use planning, public services, transportation, and growth management.
     The committee was established with the assistance of the Land Information Access Association (LIAA), a nonprofit community service organization based in Traverse City, LIAA's committee support work is paid for by a grant from the Partnerships for Change Progrm. The Partnerships for Change Program was developed by LIAA in conjunction with the Michigan Townships Association (MTA), Michigan Municipal League (MML), Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) to help cities, villages, and adjacent townships develop a cooperative approach to the preservation fo natural and cultural resources throughout their greater community. LIAA is also working with county officials and local jurisdictions on revising the Otsego County Comprehensive Plan.
     The estalbishment of the new committee comes on the heels of several discussions throughout the County concerning growth management and land use change, including the 2004 Otsego County: One County/One Vision Report. The report documented broad public interest in managing regional development.
     Randy Stults, an Otsego County planning commissioner and committee member ,believes the new committee's focus on regional growth is its primary asset. "Regional planning is what's needed for consistent, managed growth in Otsego County."
     Representatives from the county and the participating municipalities have been meeting for several months to discuss specific growth management issues. Becky Curtis, Gaylord City Clerk and a committee member, believes the new committee will provide a proactive approach to regional land use planning. "We are very excited to have this opportunity to work with our surrounding townships to develop one vision for the community."
     Ken Arndt, a Bagley Township planning commissioner and chairperson of the committee, believes the new committee will provide a unique format for each jurisdiction to communicate openly about common land use issues. "This group is really about cross talk among local governments. If we've had any issues in Otsego County, they've been communciation and this related to committee aims to solve these problems first."
     The next meeting will be 5:15 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Chamber Room of the County-City Building. All meetings are open to the public and public comment is encouraged.
     -This information was provided by the Land Information Access Association in conjunction with the Joint Land Use Planning Committee.

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Village OKs Brownfield Resolution (12-7-2005)
By Nicole Laskowski, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     VANDERBILT - On Monday night, the Vanderbilt Village Council unanimously voted to support a Brownfield Redevelopment resolution.
     According to the State of Michigan Web Site, "Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or underused industrial and commercial properties, often in urban areas, where expansion or redevelopment is hindered or complicated by real or perceived environmental conditions."
     "Otsego County established a countywide Brownfield Redevelopment (Authority)," said Executive Director of Otsego County Economic Alliance Jeff Ratcliffe. "The committee allows the community to focus on addressing some of the brownfield sites that are contaminated or potentially contaminated industrial or commercial sites."
     The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will apply for a $200,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to "inventory, characterize, assess, conduct cleanup and redevelopment planning and community involvement related to brownfield sites."
     Ratcliffe said state and federal grant funds will be used to determine which brownfield sites to choose. From the sites identified, the authority will select a handful, based on community input, and proceed with Phase I or a historical evaluation of the site. And, if necessary, Phase II or a soil and water investigation.
     "We'll have it done and ready so that sites won't have to incur additional costs," said Ratcliffe and, he added, will release new developers from liability.
     Ratcliffe also infomred Vanderbilt Village President Elizabeth Haus the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) could be used toward the hopeful village sewer project.
     Haus will meet today (Wednesday) with the owners of the property the council would like to option for the sewer facility, an option that forced the village to shuffle funds around in order to cover the $1,500 binder on two 40-acre parcels. Until then, the village cannot complete the USDA Rural Development (RD) grant.
     In other actions, the board voted unanimously to rezone four plots of land in the village based on the recommendation of the planning commission. Two parcels on the north side of town near H&H Tube and the Old Pallet Mill were rezoned as manufacturing. Two parcels of land on the southwest part of the village were rezoned as residential.
     "The changes coincide with the master plan of the village, " said planning commission member Herman Hawn.
     The village is suing the owner of two dilapidated houses on the east side of Main Street between Maple and Cedar. The summons was filed Nov. 21. The owner has 28 days to file an answer with the court.

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Decked out and ready for action
     GAYLORD - Business owners who enjoy such things as paved pedestrial walkways, decorative streetlights, and wooded parcels will love the new Gaylord Industrial Park.
     Not only does this park feature these items, it has curbed streets and a landscaped park entrance that invites guests into this development.
     The Park was completed in June 2004 and is a municipally owned industrial and business park. It's located 1.4 miles away from I-75 and M-32, and is adjacent to the Gaylord Regional Airport.
     Ready for development are a little over 100 acres, divided into parcels large enough to accommodate businesses both large and small. An additional 140 acres are available for future development.
     Each lot in the Gaylord Industrial Park is serviced by three-phase power, municipal water and wastewater, CATV, Verizon telecommunications, and natural gas. Several well-manicured storm retention basins scattered throught the park handle all the roadway storn water.
     The City of Gaylord constructed this industrial park in 2003/2004 with just over $3 million. The City partially funded this project with a grant of $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. Employees of Gourdie-Fraser of Traverse City were the design and construction engineers on this project and J&N Construction, Inc. of Gaylord performed the construction.
     Current activity in the new industrial park includes the Crossroads Industries building, which is a 30,000 square-foot packaging and manufacturing operations that occupies a four-acre parcel. Crossroads plans to begin operations at the facility this month.
     The 100-acre park is designated as an Industrial Develoopment District which allows the City to offer tax breaks to qualified businesses desiring to build in this park.
     City Manager Joseph Duff believes the new park's unique setting with nearly three miles of walkways, trees, landscaped entryway, decorative lighting, and curb and guttered streets will be a big plus in attracting new businesses.
     "(It's) one of the most unique industrial parks that you'll find anywhere. We've built this complex to allow for both commercial and industrial users."
     Prices are $35,000 per acre for the 39 available lots in the park.
     For more information, contact Duff (989-732-4060) or Ratcliffe (989-731-0288). BN
     Source: Northwest Michigan Business News

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A Future Vision for Otsego County (1-21-2004)
By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Infrared voting devices, computer simulations, and an atmosphere of tolerance and respect will be part of the county's managed growth initiative, according to the consultants the Otsego County Economic Alliance hired to conduct the initiative.
     Russ Clark and Susan Olson of R. Clark and Associates, along with Keith Charters, an independent consultant, spoke to local government representatives and members of the economic alliance at the first organizational meeting for the initiative Monday.
     Charters opened the meeting by commending the economic alliance for securing a $95,000 grant from People and Land, the land use division of the Kellogg Foundation. Charters sits on the advisory board for People and Land.
     "Your grant application stated that this would be a coordinated, collaborative, intergovernmental approach; it was those words that got you this grant," Charters told the group.
     The grant was written by economic alliance director Jeff Ratcliffe with help from Olson, who is a planner with R. Clark and Associates. Charters said he didn't vote on the grant application, but added, "It didn't hurt that I am on the advisory board."
     After two more organizational meetings, the consultants will hold "visioning" sessions in five different county locations, where citizens may help create a vision of how they want the county to look in the future.
     Technology will play a significant role to help in the process. Olson explained how photos showing different styles and types of development will be shown on a screen, and participants can use a hand-held remote control with an infrared beam to indicate whether they like it or dislike it.
     Allen Bentz, who serves as both county commissioner and planning commissioner, asked the consultants to do computer simulations of what wind turbines would look like in the county's rural areas.
     "Wind turbines are a big issue here," Bentz said, adding that if people knew what they would look like, it might help resolve the issue.
     In order to prepare for future public visioning sessions, Charters asked the audience to name hot land-use topics. Wind turbines were mentioned several times, along with fragmentation of agricultural and forest land; development on M-32 west; redevelopment and revitalization of the central business district; maintaining community character; county infrastructure; encroachment of commercial development on rural areas; and deforestation.
     More organizational meetings will be held in February and March, with the goal of developing a marketing plan for the project to ensure maximum participation, and to identify all the groups, organizations, and individuals who have a stake in land use, so they can be encouraged to attend the sessions.
     Visioning sessions will start in April, and the project will be completed by September.
     Terms of the grant require that citizens representing all interests are involved with the visioning sessions, and that the final report leads to implementation of a land use plan.
     "You've got to make this happen, not come up with a plan that gathers dust on a shelf," Charters said.
     Implementation will rely on developing a plan that is acceptable to the community.
     "If the citizens don't buy it, it will never go anywhere," Charters said.
     County administrator Denise Koning said that neither the private consultants nor the economic alliance will have the final say in a master plan.
     "Implementation is a county function," Koning said. "We will welcome any help with recommendations, but adoption and implementation will be done by the county."

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Traffic Study, Phase 3 (2-4-2004)
By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - Forget bypasses and a new interchange. The solution to Gaylord's traffic congestion will likely be found with less dramatic, and less expensive, fixes.
     DLZ - the transportation planning company hired by the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) to prepare a traffic study - is entering the third phase of its traffic study project, the phase that weighs possible solutions with probable costs.
     DLZ manager Wes Butch reported that five alternative plans have been developed by the company and the technical steering committee, comprising township, city and county officials. Three alternatives include I-75 crossovers, one includes a new interchange, and the fifth includes intersections and road improvements without a new crossover.
     "Another interchange between the north and south interchanges is the least likely alternative, there are significant obstacles to it," Butch said.
     The company will now use a computer simulator to plug in the elements of the five plans and see which one works the best.
     Each of the plans contains intersection improvements, upgrades to signals, and road modifications.
     "A bypass is not one of the options," Butch said. "We are looking at alternative routes for truck traffic, but not with a high-end road capacity. We're looking at how we could use local roads to get them to another I-75 crossing."
     Three locations were deemed the best spots for I-75 crossovers: On the north side, the proposal is to connect Five Lakes Road with Fairview Road; a second option is at Grandview Road with Van Tyle Road; and the third is connecting McCoy Road to Milbocker Road.
     Another solution to traffic congestion is to improve access management by eliminating unnecessary driveways that open onto major roads, or create internal service drives where possible. Modern roundabouts placed at appropriate intersections is another possible improvement.
     Computer modeling will show consultants which traffic solution, or combination of traffic solutions, works best.
     "It's not a foregone conclusion that there will be a crossover," Butch said. "The fifth alternative is minimalist, and doesn't include a crossover. It will test whether or not a crossover is really needed."
     The next public information meeting to discuss results of the computer modeling will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 at the University Center.

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A&L Iron Receives State Grant (2-28-2004)
Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - State Sen. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, and Rep. Ken Bradstreet, R-Gaylord, announced this week that Bagley Township will receive a $255,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
     "This grant will allow A&L Iron and Metal to expand, creating more job opportunities for residents," Stamas said. "This is a great opportunity for our community."
     The grant will be used to finance the construction of a new rail line extending to A&L Iron and Metal Inc. The company will spend $4.5 million on the construction of a new shredder facility. The contribution from Bagley Township totals $25,500. The railroad company - Lake State Railway - will invest approximately $682,300 in the project, and an application for $962,805 has been filed with the Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT).
     The project is expected to create 25 new jobs.
     "I'm glad the MEDC and MDOT decided to help fund this project," Bradstreet said. "New job opportunities will help the residents and economy of Bagley Township."
     A&L Iron and Metal Inc. is a metal feedstock processor. The business collects, processes and transports scrap waste metal from regional stamping plants and independent haulers for use by foundries in northern Michigan as well as the Detroit and Chicago areas.
     "This project came about through cooperation with multiple industries and numerous governmental entities," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Otsego County economic coordinator. "It was a great cooperative approach to economic development."

A&L Iron railroad project gathering steam (3-17-2004)
By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - A rail extension project for A&L Iron is gathering steam, with community support and a portion of the funding already in place. A&L Iron in Bagley Township is seeking a rail extension to its location at 2000 Milbocker Road so that it can expand its metal-shredding operations. Otsego County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe explained that A&L intends to buy a $4.5-million metal-shredding facility. It will need rail service to move metal in and out of the company.
     The rail extension project will cost $1.9 million, funded through grants and loans. The company anticipates hiring 25 new employees when the expansion is completed. Funding for the rail project will come from several sources. Bagley Township sponsored a request for $255,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which has been given preliminary approval.
The remaining cost of the project will be funded through two different loans from MDOT, with the Lake State Rail Company applying for the loans.
     Ratcliffe expects notification of grant and loan approvals by the end of this month.
     "Our goal is to get funding in place and get this under construction by the end of this year," Ratcliffe said. The rail project needed support from the Otsego County Road Commission because it will cross three roads: Dickerson, Plywood and Milbocker roads. The project also needed cooperation from Georgia-Pacific, since the rail line will cross its property. "It's been a really good, collaborative effort with Georgia-Pacific, the road commission, Bagley Township and A&L," Ratcliffe said.
     Another benefit of the rail extension, Ratcliffe said, is that the proposed route will bring rail service very close to the undeveloped portion of the new city industrial park on Milbocker Road.
     This is the third infrastructure project that the economic alliance has coordinated since its inception in 2000. The alliance assisted with road expansion for Cooper Standard and road improvement for Beaver Creek Resort. Three miles of West Otsego Lake Road, leading to the resort, will be improved this spring.
     "A&L needed infrastructure to help their business, but in this case they needed rail, not roads," Ratcliffe said.

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One County, One Vision (9-8-2004)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     "Collectively, Otsego County residents envision their rural northern Michigan community to be a place where housing is affordable in attractive, safe neighborhoods. Students can....stimulate their minds and/or bodies. Residents have....meaningful employment opportunities....and....enjoy the region's cultural and recreational activities after work."
            - The summary of Otsego County: One County, One Vision
                    1st in a series of stories

     LIVINGSTON TOWNSHIP - That wish-packed paragraph summarizes the findings of the visioning theme summary "Otsego County: One County, One Vision" which Sue Olsen of R. Clark Associates Inc. shared with community leaders.
     "This may be the end of our part of the visioning project," commented Olsen, "but it's the beginning of your part in the vision planning for Otsego County" she told the approximately 40 individuals representing townships, county and state government bodies and a handful of private citizens who met last week to hear the results of the summer-long visioning process.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe hired R. Clark Associates to assist Otsego County business and governmental leaders in developing a visioning plan for the county for the next 20 years.
     The project was funded by a grant through the People and Land organization, which is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
     Olsen explained that as the county gets closer to developing a master plan, it will need to build verbiage into the current zoning ordinance.
     "Land-use decisions need to be augmented by the teeth of the law. The zoning ordinance is where the teeth are," explained Olsen. "If a plan is not supported by the zoning ordinance, it is not going to happen."
     The Visioning Theme Summary Olsen presented was compiled by information received from the five visioning sessions held throughout the county over the summer. Data was collected on six visioning themes - how residents play, work, learn, live, and get around and grow - at brainstorming sessions, which were open to the public. Once the data was collected, Olsen compiled the informatiion for the final report.
     Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff stated, "The visioning plan is right on for the city of Gaylord. It is an indication the public is ready to take the next step to better growth throughout the city, county and region."
     Livingston Township Planning Commissioner Mike Mang indicated the need to take the "next steps sooner rather than later. There is work that needs to be done on the county master plan and zoning ordinances to match up with the visioning that has gone on."
     "We want to update the county's master plan and zoning ordinance individually, while looking at what the city is doing on land that abuts the county," stated county land-use director, Richard Edmonds. "We are trying to work together with the city and townships to compare master plans and zoning ordinances so they mesh, so we have good joint planning at the seams."
     Those at the session agreed time is needed to review the results of the study before gathering for another public meeting. Ratcliffe agreed, scheduling a meeting for this month to discuss recommendations and determine the next steps to be taken in this visioning process.

Otsego County: One Vision
     The top 10 strategic actions, as determined by the public voting at the June visioning sessions. The actions are listed, from among 40, with No. 1 being the most desirable.
     1. Improve recreation in Otsego County by assessing the availabiity and need to improve bike paths, county recreation facilities, cultural facilities, public access to waterways, snowmobile trails, etc.
     2. Ensure a Master Plan that sustains the attractiveness of the natural environment. Protect the aquifer and water quality and conserve woodlands and agricultural land by promoting sustainable tourist activities in specific areas while preserving the right of property owners.
     3. Encourage the use of infill, adaptive reuse (of empty big-box buildings) and brownfield development techniques/philiosophies to minimize sprawling development in Otsego County.
     4&5. Development in Otsego County should conform to design guidelines, especially in commercial districts, as determined by county residents to ensure residents get the type of development they prefer.
     6. Address traffic circulationt hrough improving access management, synchronizing streetlights, repairing streets, and maintaining roadways - especially in winter.
     7. Preserve the "small town" feel through maintaining and/or creating walkable, pedestrian-oriented central business districts in Gaylord, Vanderbilt, and the other villages (with parking behind the buildings); moreover, downtown development and redevelopment in Gaylord should be consistent with the Alpine theme.
     8. Pursue a development policy for Otsego County by recruiting companies which offer meaningful employment to Otsego County residents; encourage sustainable, environmentally-friendly tourism; investigate methods of assisting local businesses to remain competitive, maintain a diverse employment base; promote living-wage jobs.
     9. Implement landscaping ordinances in commercial and high-density residential districts.
     10. Provide for coordinated development in Otsego County through updating and enforcing a clear and consistent countywide zoning ordinance, inter-county collaboration among elected officials will improve the quality of development within Otsego County. Enforcement will help protect property owners by minimizing conflicting land use across township borders, granting special-use permits, and nuisances.

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Our View: City Hopes Michigan Shares Its Vision (9-22-2004)
The Gaylord Herald Times
     Vision backed by ambition breeds success. Vision is something the city of Gaylord and its administrators do not lack, keeping in mind obvious needs such as clean water, road improvements along heavy traffic routes, and improving local streets for pedestrians.
     Now the city is undertaking the task of grant writing, hoping to snare $1.6 million in grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to address all three. The cost to the city would be a paltry $600,500 by comparison.
     The city, with help fromt he Otsego County Economic Alliance, has filed its notice of intent to apply for the grant, indicating it would add a new well to Gaylord's water system, upgrade Dickerson Road, and improve five blocks of city streets to include new water and sewer lines.
     Gaylord is just one of 70 communities applying for money from the $30 million pot. But if past success is any indication, success will breed success. For a decade, city residents have supported a millage generating money to improve local streets. Four years ago the city finished an expansion of its wastewater treatment facility. Special interest groups find themselves petitioning city government for a bigger piece of that. Most recently, the city shared in the expense of widening Dickerson Road in the area of the Edelweiss Village Shopping Center.
     There is ample evidence the city is invested - literally and figuratively - in its future.
     That vision, supported by great ambition, should go a long way toward the city being awarded this grant.

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Ratcliffe: 'I think good things are ahead for Gaylord' (9-22-2004)
The Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - Area business leaders say they are not worried about the pending sale of Cooper-Standard Automotive, a division of Findlay, Ohio-based Cooper Rubber & Tire Co. Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Kasprzak and Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, each noted such transactions are commonplace. Standard Products was purchased by Cooper Rubber & Tire Co. in 1999.
     "I think you find as many mergers as you do divestitures of companies," said Ratcliffe. "They'll purchase a business or company because that's their business' strategic direction at that time. The economic circumstances change and they change their strategic direction."
     The Gaylord plant employs 240 people.
     "We've known about the intention of Cooper Rubber & Tire to sell the automotive division since the first of the year," said Kasprzak. "We didn't know who would surface (as a buyer). As it turns out, it's a capital investment group. It remains to be seen what the effect will be on a local plant. It is premature at this point to know what will come of it. We're hopeful the plant here will thrive under the new owners."
     Kasprzak cited the recent corporate split between Ford and its parts company, Visteon, as just one other example of how this dynamic plays out.
     There have been many of these kinds of acquisitions or sell-offs in the automotive parts market place," he offered. "If memory serves me right, Cypress recently did an acquisition on the DANA Corp."
     The Cypress Group, one half of the capital partnership purchasing Cooper Standards Automotive, announced in July it was buying Dana Corp. of Toledo, Ohio for $1.1 billion in cash.
     "I think good things are ahead for Gaylord. The community has continued to invest in itself. The entire community is working all the time at its economy," said Ratcliffe. "We have a brand new industrial park. "We've been working with local governments to make infrastructure investments. We're constantly working with our existing industries to keep them expanding. I think that's crucial at this point for the community to express its support for that plant."

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Visioning Group Sees Big Box Buildings' Reuse A Top Priority (9-25-2004)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
One County, One Vision

Editor's note: This is the third in a series of stories taking a closer look at the recently released summary of Otsego County: One County, One Vision.

     OTSEGO COUNTY - Otsego County Land Use Director Richard Edmonds hopes to create a joint planning commission with representatives from Bagley, and Livingston townships, Gaylord and Otsego County working together to construct a framework the entire county can build on.
    "The purpose of the joint commission will be to review specific projects within a defined area and make sure the purpose and types of business comply with the
desires of the community," explained Edmonds.
     Developing design guidelines and the reuse of "big box" buildings were prevailing concerns for participants in the visioning sessions held in June and July across Otsego County. Residents who participated in the process conducted by Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, and funded by a grant from People and Land of the W.K. Kellogg Corporation, were concerned about the number of vacant buildings in the area, and wanted to see incentives given to fill them with new business.

Columbus, Ohio-based Big Lots! will soon open a 40,000-square-foot store at the site of the old Wal-Mart on West Main Street. Bob Kasprzak, executive director of the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce noted, "Wal-Mart Corporation has an entire department devoted to sub-letting property which they are no longer using."

Another concern of the visioning group is the in-fill of development into a consolidated business district rather than spreading or sprawling into residential areas. Along those same lines, meaningful employment opportunities and assisting local companies to keep a competitive edge also ranked in the top 10 priorities set in place.
In holding to the "One County, One Vision" theme, the joint planning commission could also determine a uniform sidewalk, and street light setback which would give the separate areas of Otsego County a seamless look. "When someone asks where I work," stated Edmonds, "I say I work in Gaylord even though I actually work in Livingston Township. It's all basically (Otsego County) and the people like the idea of one vision for the community."

Otsego County Planning Commission chairman Don Tober sees in-fill as a way to fill up existing vacant areas within the greater-Gaylord business district. "We will have to change the ordinance to reflect the desire to use in-fill whenever possible," he said. Tober sees value in offering some type of tax incentive to encourage that internal growth.

He added, "We need to dream up some way to encourage use of existing structures. Part of the problem is that the property owners believe they are selling gold, when all they really have is copper.

Kasprzak agreed with the need to offer tax abatements to lure businesses to the area. "Many of the national chains have their own templates for their buildings. These companies find it more beneficial to use their own buildings than use an existing structure. Kasprzak continued, "We need to find other businesses who are willing to reuse an existing structure and offer them an incentive to locate here."

Kasprzak also believes some of the older properties are sitting empty because of the price being asked for them. "Developers own a piece of property and they lease it to a business. When that business relocates, they still have to pay the lease on the building. It is often easier for the developer to let a property sit vacant and continue to collect the rent, than to find another renter."

"The joint planning commission would review all proposed projects for use types, future employment opportunities, aesthetics, landscaping, compliance to the local Alpine theme, in fact every aspect of the development," stated Edmonds.

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Bagley Twp. Board Tables Endorsement of County Visioning (10-16-2004)
By Michael Jones, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - Township trustees voted Monday to table until their November meeting the adoption of a resolution in support of the Otsego County Economic Alliance's strategic visioning process, allowing members of the board and the planning commission time to study the recently completed visioning report more carefully.
      Bagley Township Planning Commission member Ken Arndt expressed a concern with approving the Economic Alliance's visioning plan prior to the county completing an update of its master plan and zoning ordinances.
     "I would be worried about the possibility that there might be more restrictive zoning restrictions which come about as the result of decisions being bsed on the vision plan," Arndt said. "We need to get the master plan done first and then get the strategic vision plan in place."
     Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe, who attended Monday's township baord meeting, said the resolution is designed to keep the visioning process moving forward and is intended to be used as a tool in updating the county master plan.
     "We want to keep the community energized and focused on using the information we received from the county visioning session we had earlier this year," Ratcliffe said.
     In other business, township supervisor Shirley Jenkins informed the board of results of a recent traffic study completed on Charles Bring Road between Old 27 and Michaywe Drive.
     Jenkins said the survey, completed Aug. 12, showed the three-quarter-mile strech of road to be the businest roadway of several sections of roads surveyed by the Otsego County Road Commission.
     With the available survey information and current poor condition of the roadway, Jenkins said the road commissiion would like to improve and resurface the road next summer.
     She said road commission manager Mike Roper indicated the cost of the road work would be approximately $138,000, of which the county would pay half.
     There is also the possibility, Jenkins said, that the Michaywe Homeowners Association might pay part of the cost, with an estimated cost to the township of around $35,000 for its share of the road work.

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Bagley Board Postpones Visioning Endorsement (11-13-2004)
By Michael Jones, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - For the second time in as many months, Bagley Township trustees tabled a vote Monday to adopt a resolution in support of the Otsego County Economic Alliance's "One County, One Visiion" strategic visioning process.
     By postponing any action until the Dec. 13 board meeting, Bagley Township is the only remaining township which has not adopted a resolution in support of the Economic Alliance's visioning plan for the county.
     Alliance executive director Jeff Ratcliffe said Tuesday the decision by Bagley Township to postpone their vote should not delay or impede the visioning process. "You would like to be able to have some control over how quickly things happen at a governmental level, but you can't and you just move on the best that you can."
     Citing a concern that the process and subsequent countywide master plan to be developed, in part, based on results of several countywide visioning sessions, could undermine local township control, supervisor Shirley Jenkins cautioned board members, "I worry about it undermining decisions made by our planning commission. I want this board to be very aware of what we would be giving up if we support this resolution."
     Township planning Commission member Ken Arndt, in support of Jenkins, said, "I'm concerned it will circumvent the authority of the local townships and I think before we vote in support of it we need to let the visioning committee know we have to have some assurances we will be able to look at the plan before it goes to the county commissioners for their approval."
     Incoming township supervisor, Bill Giles, said he had attended several visioning meetings and voiced his concern that the visioning commitee did not seem to be sure of its direction. "I'm not sure I know what this organization is about or if they know what they are about," he shared.
     Asking that the board delay a vote on the visioning resolution, township treasurer Mary Yager, who had also attended several of the county visioning sessions and subsequent followup meetings, made a motion to table adoption of the resolution.
     By a 5-0 vote the board tabled the resolution until their December meeting.

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City Council Members Join Bagley In Road Project (12-15-2004)
By Frank Michels, Design Editor, The Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - The city may seek to turn $176,500 in local road funds into $898,500 of new road construction to reconstruct one mile of Center Avenue and nearly a mile of Dickerson Road.
     "I think that's a pretty good return for the city if it can spend $176,500 and get a total of $898,500 in road work," Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff said at Monday night's City Council meeting.
     The city has already received funding from the Michigan Dept. of Transportation's (MDOT) federal urban aid program for up to $370,000 for the Center Avenue project.  And the city, in partnership with Bagley Township, may seek an additional $352,000 through a federal urban aid grant."
     The Bagley board approved a resolution Monday night to be the grant applicant for funding of the Dickerson Road improvements in cooperation with the city of Gaylord.
     Duff told council members on the advice of MDOT, the application for the Dickerson Road Project should come from Bagley Township and the city of Gaylord in concert because most of the low-to-moderate income people who will benefit from the road improvement live in the township, a requirement for the federal funds. The city, not the township, will cover the local share of the project, now estmated at about $100,500, because the road is within the city limits, according to Duff.
     "Bagley would be a 'passthrough' agency for the project grant funding," Duff said.
     The Dickerson Road project will include reconstruction and widening the roadway to three lanes from the south edge of the Edelweiss Village shopping center south to VanTyle Road.
     The Center Avenue project will include resurfacing from curb to curb from M-32 north to McLouth Street at the north city limits.
     The city's Road Committee is expected to meet Thursday to discuss both projects. Larry Fox of Capital Consultants, Inc. is preparing preliminary cost estimates.
     The state will make a decision on what projects to fund by the end of February.
     Duff said the city already was committed to spending about $33,000 to create a left-turn lane for use by Mayfair Plastics employees on Dickerson Road.
     "The question is whether we (city) should go ahead and make application (for Dickerson Road) and find two pots of money or take the funds we now have (for Center Avenue) and dedicate them to Dickerson Road," Duff said.
     "And if we're notified in March that the Bagley Township grant request for Dickerson Road has been approved, then we could carve another $105,500 from local road funds to allow us to do both Dickerson and Center. Both roads are local streets and will both require attention; if not now, then sometime in the future. So I think we have to take advantage of available funding."

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Bagley Board:
Dickerson Road 'Urban Arterial Roadway' (12-15-2004)
By Frank Michels, Design Editor, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - Bagley Township board members voted Monday in support of a request from the city of Gaylord asking for the township's cooperation and assistance in applying for a Community Development Block Grant for road improvements on Dickerson Road.
     On behalf of the city, Jeff Ratcliffe, Otsego County Economic Alliance Director, told board members the $461,000 project would provide funds to widen to three lanes and pave Dickerson Road between the new light at the Edelweiss development and VanTyle Road.
     According to Ratcliffe, due to an increase in traffic volume since the opening of the new Wal-Mart SuperCenter and adjoining stores at the Edelweiss shopping development, the segment of road was recently reclassified by the Michigan Dept. of Transportation from an urban collector to an urban arterial roadway.
     Ratcliffe also noted the block grant public works funds could only be used to benefit communities which meet a census criteria of 51 percent of residents directly adjacent to the proposed road project falling into a low- and moderate-income level.
He explained that in this instance, the main beneficiaries of the road work would be residents west of Dickerson Road in Bagley Township who would utilize Dickerson Road.
     The township would seve as the applicant and fiscal agent for the grant, while the city would manage and cover all costs of the project in the event the grant application is successful.

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Bagley Finally OKs County Visioning Plan (12-18-2004)
By Michael Jones, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - "And then there were none." After Bagley Township trustees voted Monday to adopt a resolution in support of the Otsego County Economic Alliance's visioning plan, it brought to zero the number of townships which had not voted to support the county strategic visioning process.
     After tabling the issue at their October and November meetings, Bagley board members voted 4-0, with board treasurer Mary Yager abstaining, to pass the resolution.
     In November, township planning commission member Ken Arndt expressed concern that support of the visioning process could circumvent the authority of local townships and cautioned the board to have assurances from the county that this wouldn't happen.
    "After spending a good part of last week reading about it, I would have to say it's starting to make sense to me," new township supervisor Bill Giles said Monday of the visioning report. "From what I understand, it's to be used as a tool to make decisions, not that we have to use it if we don't want to."
     Yager asked the question that if the report is only to be used as a tool, why a resolution of support was necessary from the board.
     Otsego County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Ratcliffe responded, "We just want to make sure everyone is still on board with the process and is still connected."
     In other business, Giles made several township appointments, including filling two spots on the planning commission to replace George McCutcheon and Kim Wagar who have resigned. Dave Thorley and Dave Parsell joint current commission members Richard Sumerix, Ken Arndt and Jim Schwandt. Arndt was appointed to represent the township on the Otsego County Planning Commission.
     Giles, who replaced former township supervisor Shirley Jenkins on the fire board, also reappointed Don Butcher, Arndt and Schwandt to serve on the board of review for 2005.

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     County Approves Consultant for Administrator Search (1-15-2003)
By Mark Beardslee, Gaylord Herald Times staff writer
     GAYLORD - Ross Childs, former administrator of Grand Traverse County, has been selected by the county board of commissioners to spearhead the serach for a new administrator for Otsego County.
     A search committee, consisting of commissioners Paul Beachnau, Ken Glasser and Lee Olsen, County Treasurer Erma Backenstose, County Clerk Evelyn Pratt, Otsego County Bus System Manager Cle Leask, Airport Manager Dave Schuster, County Coordinator Lambert Chard and citizen-at-large Jack Thompson made the recommendation to the full board at Tuesday's meeting. The board unanimously approved the recommendation.
     Childs' $8,800 fee and anticipated $2,000 in expenses will be paid for by the Otsego County Economic Alliance, which has lobbied the committee to select Childs based on his vast experience conducting such searches for Michigan counties and the fact that he has county administration experience himself.
     "The Economic Alliance has assured us that these funds would not come out of the alliance's budget," search committee chairman Beachnau said at Tuesday's meeting. When asked by a concerned citizen where the money to pay Chiilds will come from, Beachnau said it was his understanding that the alliance will raise the funds specifically for this purpose.
     "We spent about an hour and a half with Mr. Childs going through his process for searching for an administrator," Beachnau continued. "We were very, very impressed.  He is very meticulous, very involved, very detailed."
     Glasser, who is chairman of the personnel committee, explained that once the search is narrowed to the final candidates, all commissioners will be involved in interviewing them, not just the search committee members.
     "The decision on who gets hired will be solely the responsibility of the board of commissioners," board chairman Olsen clarified.
     Glasser also indicated that while the Economic Alliance will pay Childs, the county will reimburse interviewees for their expenses. Further, Glasser requested that a committee of the whole be convened to discuss an assistant administrator position. That meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. in Room 212 of the County-City Building.

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Letters to the Editor: Zarembas Thank Community (3-22-2003)
Gaylord Herald Times
     To the Editor:
     Our families suffered a devastating loss when our business and our livelihood went up in flames on Feb. 21.
     We are still in shock and have been very busy since that day trying to make plans and put the pieces of our lives back together. We have also had plenty of time to gather together and count our blessings.
     Yes, we have lost a great deal, but it was only by the grace of God that there was no loss of life or serious injury to anyone who was in or near Zaremba Equipment when the fire occurred. For this we will always be thankful. It is frightening to think what could have been but, fortunately, the worst did not happen. A building can be replaced, but our employees, friends and family cannot.
     We are overwhelmed by the incredible response to our tragedy by friends and strangers alike, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people and organizations that came to our aid on that day.
     Our deepest gratitude to Ken Figiel and the Elmira-Warner Fire Dept., David Duffield and the Otsego County Fire Dept. and to all of the firefighters from Mancelona, Boyne Falls, Alba, Hudson Township, Boyne City, Otsego Lake Township, Vanderbilt-Corwith, Frederic Township, East Jordan, Charlevoix and Lakes of the North.
     We will always be grateful to you for working so long and hard to bring the fire under control.
     Special thanks to Jack Deming and the crew from the Otsego County Road Commission, to Kitchen Farms for supplying water to help drown the blaze and to Mark Kurth of J&N Construction for the use and operation of their excavator. We would also like to express special thanks to Jon Deming and the Otsego County EMS crew for their vigilance and compassion, particularly Henry Erber and Wayne Robinson, who went above and beyond the call of duty.  And let us not forget the officers from the Michigan State Police, Antrim County Sheriff's Dept. and Charlevoix County Sheriff's Dept. who helped maintain control and traffic from all directions. You are all true humanitarians and a credit to your communities.
     Our sincere gratitude also extends to the businesses who supplied food and beverages to nourish the tireless emergency personnel and volunteers: Ellen (Ma) at the Elmira Inn, Donny at Pat & Bud's Grocery, Subway of Gaylord, Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse, Mancino's and the Salvation Army volunteers who distributed the food and offered a helping hand where needed.
     Last, but certainly not least, to Johnson Oil for supplying fuel for the fire trucks, Brecheisen Diesel for use of their repair facility, to North Central Construction Inc. (NCCI) for the use of their job trailer which now serves as our temporary office, CenturyTel for so promptly getting our phone lines up and operational, Jeff Ratcliffe of the Otsego County Economic Alliance and Cle Leask along with Otsego County Bus System Board for all their help in getting us into a temporary facility, just to name a few.
     To all of our friends, neighbors and business colleagues who offered support too numerous to mention here, we want you to know how comforting it was to have your support.
     We have been reminded once again of how much we all need each other, and what community really means.
     So many people reached out to us and touched our lives and our hearts in a way we will never forget.
     May God bless all of you as He has blessed us.
     Walter & YVonne Zaremba, Dolores Zaremba, David Zaremba, James, Frank & John Zaremba and families, Elmira Twp.

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Koning's The One: County Board Chooses Woman for Administrator
(4-19-2003)
By Mark Beardslee, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - The Otsego County Board of Commissioneres voted 6-1 in favor of a motion to offer the new post of county administrator to Denise Koning, currently the administrator of Wexford County.
     The motion, offered by Commissioner Paul Liss, included a provision to pay Koning $62,000 annually plus a benefit package to be determined by contract negotiation.
     Administrative search committee chairman Paul Beachnau said that the contract would be negotiated by the county's civil counsel, personnel committee chairman Ken Glasser and Ross Childs, the administrative search consultant who was hired by the county to help locate an administrator.
     Only one point separated Koning and the other final candidate, Christopher Olson, when Childs tabulated the commission's scoring results from interviews held last Saturday. Childs said he had never seen such close results.
     "The consensus of the board was that they were wonderful candidates," Beachnau said. "I think either one of them would do a great job for the county."
     After the meeting, Liss explained his motion. "What struck me about Denise was her experience; she's an administrator now and also her experience at state and federal government and in the court system." He said her judicial branch knowledge could be advantageous considering Otsego County's unique tri-county circuit court system, and that her contact within higher levels of government would likewise be advantageous to the county. He also cited Koning's communication skills, her idea of reporting to the board with weekly newsletters and her intent to meet with township representatives on a regular basis as reason for his motion.
     "We're awfully excited to begin working with Denise," Beachnau said, cautioninig that the decision would not be final until a contract is signed. Liss echoed Beachnau's sentiment that both finalists were strong candidates, adding that if negotiations with Koning were to fail, "I would not hesitate to hire Chris Olson."
     Reached at her Wexford County home, Koning said, "I'm honored that they selected me to be their first administrator. I look forward to a swift and smooth negotiating process and getting to Otsego County as soon as I can. I'm hoping we can make a smooth transition from county coordinator to administrator and from one person to another."
     No start date has yet been established for Koning.
     The lone no vote came from Glasser, who declined to explain his vote. He said only that he fully expects to work well with Koning.
     Commissioner Doug Johnson was absent and Commissioner Allan Bentz abstained because he was not present for the interviews.

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Bagley Seeks State Funds for West Otsego Lake Drive (6-11-03)
By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     BAGLEY TWP. - The Bagley Township Board of Trustees took the first step toward getting funding for major improvements to West Otsego Lake Drive at its regular meeting Monday, June 9.
     The board voted to submit a Notice of Intent to apply for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $125,350.
     Beaver Creek Resort may be the driving factor that brings in funding for the West Otsego Lake Road project.
     Under the terms of the grant, funding is hinged largely on destination tourism - the destination in this case is Beaver Creek Resort, which is spending close to $2 million to expand the resort, and will increase its staff by 13 people, according to Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance.
     Bagley Township is working with the Otsego County Road Commission and the Otsego County Economic Alliance to secure the total funding needed, about $876,000.
     Ratcliffe spoke to township trustees at their Monday meeting to explain the process and the proposed funding plans. If all the pieces fall into place, he said, the funding will come from:
     -Michigan Department of Transportation, Small Urban Program: $375,000
     -Community Development Block Grant: $125,350
     -Bagley Township: $176,000
     -Otsego County Road Commission: $200,000
     Neither Bagley Township nor the county road commission has officially committed to their shares; the figures are preliminary. If funding is secured, the proposed road construction project would begin in 2004, improving West Otsego Lake Drive from Dickerson to Lake Manuka Road.
     In other business, Bagley Township trustees voted to annex a 1.8-acre commercial piece of property, located at the intersection of M-32 West and McVannel Road, to the city of Gaylord. The agreement is called an interlocal agreement, which means that the township will enter into a contract with the city for 50 years, during which time the city will pay 1.5 mills of the property's taxable value to the township every year. Prospective buyer Robert Spragg wants to open a car wash on the property, and needs municipal water and sewer to support the business.
     The city of Gaylord will host a public hearing regarding the mutual annexation at its meeting Monday, June 23. If the annexation is approved by the city, any objectors living in the township or city have 45 days after the city's approval to file a petition to fight the annexation.

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Growth Initiative Gets $95,500 Grant Boost (12-3-2003)
By Laurie Lounsbury, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     OTSEGO COUNTY - County residents just received a holiday gift that ranked second on their "most wanted" list.
     A $95,500 grant was awarded Monday to the Otsego County Economic Alliance to pay for the managed growth plan, now being called the Otsego County Interjurisdictional Managed Growth Initiative. According to community input given at three public forums, managing growth ranked second in residents' top priorities for the county.
     "This is great news," said Jeff Ratcliffe, executive director of the economic alliance. "The granting organization gave us $6,000 more than what we asked for, so we'll have the money to evaluate the process."
     The granting organization is People and Land, a project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, created "to enable people in Michigan to live in diverse, healthy communities that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable," according to its mission statement.
     Although Ratcliffe, who wrote the grant request with assistance from Sue Olson of R. Clark and Associates, asked for $89,500, they were given an extra $6,000 so the visioning process and planning and zoning revisions could be properly evaluated.
     The grant couldn't have come at a better time according to members of county government.
     "We're very pleased, this will dovetail right into our master plan revision. It's very timely," said Ken Glasser, who serves on the planning commission.
     Planning Commission chairman Don Tober was also enthusiastic about the news.
     I'm so happy to hear about this, it's just great," he said. "This should spell good things down the road for the county and the people who live here."
     Since the economic alliance is the official grantee, the decision is theirs as to who will be hired as managed growth consultants, and when the process will begin.
     "The alliance is going to move forward with the people we've already talked to (R. Clark and Associates and Keith Charters)," Ratcliffe said. "We have to get moving on this because it all has to be completed by Aug. 31, according to the grant terms.
     "It will make for a very fun year coming up," he added.
     The entire managed growth project is expected to cost $132,000. The grant will pay for the first two phases of the project.
     "The remaining portion of the project has to do with developing the tools for implementation," Ratcliffe said. He added that two of his grant applications are still pending, so the entire managed growth project could be funded through grant money.

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    Making a Move (Marble manufacturer going to Gaylord) (5-8-2002)
By Dan Sanderson, Record-Eagle staff writer
     Gaylord - A Montmorency County manufacturer of custom marble kitchen and bathroom units will begin manufacturing a new line of products in a rehabilitated plant here later this year.
     Marble Era Products Inc. has been making marble sinks, vanities, showers and other items in Hillman, about 50 miles east of Gaylord, for 23 years. Company president Dave Bickley said 95 percent of his business is for custom marble units distributed throughout the state and the Midwest.
     "If you can draw it, we can make it, and that's kind of been our motto," Bickley said.
     Now Bickley has obtained the exclusive distributorship for Michigan for CompacMarble, a engineered stone product from Spain that is made up of 95 percent natural marble and a blend of resins.
     Rather than molding the products, CompacMarble is imported in slabs to be cut and shaped at Marble Era Products. The product has been used commercially since 1985, but only became available for residential use in the United States for the first time last fall.
     "It's similar to what I do, but it's different." he said. "I figured if there's somebody I have to compete with it should be myself."
     Bickley will locate his new operations in a building in the Gaylord Air Industrial Park, which was built for K-Byte in 1984. K-Byte, an electronics manufacturer now called Reptron Manufacturing is still in operation just west of the former building. Bickley had the option to build a new plant in Hillman, but decided to base his new production facility in Gaylord because the former K-Byte buildinig is located in the I-75 corridor. Bickley uses Williams Distributing of Grand Rapids to ship his products to lumber yards, bathroom and kitchen furnishing stores and 13 retail outlets Williams operates. The round-trip to Gaylord from Hillman is two hours, but it takes two hours to load a semi tractor trailer.
     "They're in the I-75 corridor five days a week," Bickley said. "Hillman's done right by me all these years, but I'm looking at a transportation aspect and distribution aspect for my product."
     Initially, Bickley will employ 10 people at the Gaylord plant. He eventually hopes to expand to three shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
     The Gaylord City Council will hold a public hearing Monday to determine if the property Bickley intends to buy will be established as a "plant rehabilitation district," an economic development tool used to return obsolete buildings back into production. In return for his investment into the building, the city council will give Bickley a tax abatement.

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Cooper-Standard Eyes $3M Upgrade (3-25-2002)
By Peter Comings, Gaylord Herald Times staff writer
     BAGLEY TWP. - Scott Keys, Plant Manager for Cooper-Standard Products in Gaylord, is ready to tool up $3 million in new equipment over the next two years as the company has been awarded job bids for rubber seals on five different cars and trucks. Most recently it was announced the Gaylord plant will begin production of seals for new lines of Cadillac, Corvette, Chevy Blazer and S10, and Ford F150 in 2003; and new lines of Ford Mustang and a small sport utility vehicle in 2004.
     The new jobs could mean the addition of as many as 50 employees to the hourly staff over that time.
     "We're currently tooling prototype parts," said Keys. "The first one we launch is the GMX 215 (Cadillac) which launches in the spring. These programs were awarded over a considerable length of time. We actually here in Gaylord have been failry lucky in that we have a number of different programs so that being down doesn't hurt us as much as some other places."
     Cooper-Standard's Gaylord plant on Alpine Road employs 167 hourly workers and another 38 salaried staff currently supplying parts for 17 different programs. Sounding optimistic, Keys still cautioned the projected additional of 50 jobs was only an estimate.
     "It's very much a moving target. But if things didn't change at all we're looking at 50 more jobs in the building. You're constantly adding and deleting," he advised.
     While not directly connected to the announced job additions, next year's job starts will likely coincide with improvements to Alpine Road and Old 27 if Bagley Township and the Otsego County Road Commission are successful in their applications with the Otsego County Economic Alliance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) for $404,000 in grant money. The MEDC already has approved the apllicant's notice of intent.
     Bagley Township and the road commission would split the $81,000 local match of an eventual grant. Work on the roads could include an extension of the existing southbound second lane ending at Preston Feather on Old 27 and adding a right-turn lane, northbound at Alpine Road.
     "This road has been a problem out there for quite a while," said Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, "It's old and breaking up."

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Bagley Eyes Old 27 Upgrade (2/9/2002)
     BAGLEY TWP - Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe will seek formal approval Monday night from the Bagley Township Board for a proposed $404,000 Old 27 road improvement project.
     The township board gave its preliminary nod of approval last month to the project that will seek grant state funding for up to 80 percent of the costs.   Ratcliffe said Bagley Township and the Otsego County Road Commission would split the remaining 20-percent cost, estimated at about $80,000.
     The preliminary plan proposes adding one additional southbound lane to Old 27 South from Preston Feather south to about Deerfield.com, a turn lane for accessing Alpine Road and upgrading Alpine Road - which services the Cooper-Standard and Mark One plants - to a Class A road, according to Ratcliffe. He said the increased traffic on Old 27, due to population increases and commercial and retail development, has made access to and from Alpine Road difficult and dangerous.
     Bagley Township Supervisor Shirley Jenkins said Thursday Ratcliffe will appear before the township board Monday seeking a formal resolution of support for the project. "Passage of the resolution will be the first step in making application for state grants. The resolution will be the township's formal commitment for the process to proceed," Jenkins said.
     While no formal vote was taken at January's township meeting, board members and Jenkins all expressed their support for the project and the township's willingness to contribute $40,000 toward the project. Road commission manager Mike Roper said the road commission has passed a resolution committing $40,000 to the project.
     Ratcliffe said if the township agrees to pursue the grants funding then an application would need to be submitted later this month.   The goal is to begin construction in the summer, but that would depend on state grant approvals.
     Under the plan, as outlined by Ratcliffe, the township would be the grant applicant and the road commission would have primary responsibility for oversight of design and construction issues. Ratcliffe said his role would be to coordinate with the road commission in preparation of grant applications as well as project implementation and grant administration on behalf of the township.

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Charlton seeks streetscape grant for M-32 in Joburg (12-21-2002)
By Mark Beardslee, Gaylord Herald Times staff writer
     JOHANNESBURG - Charlton Township officials, with the help of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, are pursuing a Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) Enhancement Grant to improve the roadside along M-21 in Johannesburg. The township already has agreed to dedicate $55,000 to the project, the total cost of which remains uncertain.
     Township clerk Ivan Maschke said the project has an estimated cost of $371,000, but Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance, who is assisting with the grant application process, said there is no final project cost as of yet.
     "Of that $371,000, we would foot the bill for $55,000, so we're waiting for word on that one," said Maschke, who indicated that an earlier application for a Community Development Block Grant grant had been rejected. He said the MDOT grant was applied for in September of this year.
     While Ratcliffe disputed the $371,000 figure, he confirmed Charlton Township has agreed to put $55,000 toward the project. He said the MDOT Transportation Service Center (TSC) in Grayling is "not only supportive of the project; they will be making the application." This is because the grant funds come from the federal government and are administered by MDOT. Essentially, one MDOT office is applying for a grant from another office.
     The TSC is even willing to provide 20-percent matching funds for the project.
     Ratcliffe estimates the total project cost will be in the range of $350,000 to $500,000 and that the project would be done in 2004 "at the very earliest," indicating that much of the uncertainty is due to the fact the state is in transition between gubernatorial administrations.
     Still, Ratcliffe is optimistic the grant application will be accepted. "We are going to make the best application we can. We're working very closely with MDOT on this. It's on a state trunk line. A major reconstructiion of the road is on tap for next year. That will provide an impetus for this project."
     If the grant is approved, construction would include putting in sidewalks, decorative lighting, trees and benches on both sides of M-32 from the post office, around the curve and south to the Johannesburg-Lewiston School, according to Maschke. Maschke indicated power for the lights and maintenance of the streetscape would be the responsibility of the township once the project is completed.
     Maschke added that at a recent public hearing most area residents seemed to be supportive of the project. He said letters of support have been received from business people, such as the Eastport Group, Jim and Donna Quandt and Sklarczyk Seed Farm as well as from governmental entities, including the county road commission and Chester Township.
     "If it doesn't work out, we'll try to find another way to fund it," Maschke said.
     Ratcliffe said the township's $55,000 would go to pay for items the grant does not cover, such as burying electrical lines and erecting signage.
     "We have a very good, viable project," Ratcliffe concluded. "There are no guarantees, but we're going to put our best foot forward. The township has been very enthusiastic about the project."

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Officials Take Step Toward New I-75 Crossover (3-16-2002)
By Peter Comings, Gaylord Herald Times staff writer
     GAYLORD - The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) has taken the task of seeking state grant money to study the feasibility of building another I-75 crossover in the Gaylord area to ease traffic congestion and accommodate plans for continued growth in the community.
At a meeting of city, county and Michigan Dept. of Transportation (DOT) officials last month it was agreed to attempt to place the project into the state's five-year road and bridge construction program for consideration. From applying for the study grant to including the project in the plan, officials sitting around the Gaylord City Council table Thursday agreed some of them might not be around by the time the project is ever started.
     Anyone waiting in the half-mile line of traffic on eastbound M-32 waiting for the stoplight at Dickerson Road may already have the answer the DOT needs.
     "I'm sure it will be many years down the road before the bulldozers start working," said Rick Deuell, NEMCOG community and natural resource planner. "I think the DOT looks for (study grant applications) some time in May." A preliminary response could be expected by July. If NEMCOG receives the grants the feasibility study itself could take as long as 18 months to complete.
     Eastbound traffic on M-32 under I-75 is expected to experience some relief from daily bottlenecks this spring as DOT has announced plans to widen the left-turn lane onto the entrance ramp to northbound I-75. Roughly 24,000 vehicles a day use the intersection creating massive waits tying up the inside eastbound lane of M-32. The DOT renovated the surface under I-75 10 years ago and three years ago finished the southbound loop ramp.   This year the agency received $75,000 in safety funds and $195,000 in Rehabilitation and Reconstruction money to complete the project. There are no planned projects for the I-75 overpass in the DOT's current five-year plan.
     Design work has been ongoing for the last two months for the widening construction project, which is slated for completion by Memorial Day.
     Gaylord City Manager Joseph Duff said discussion about a crossover flared four years ago when improvements were being planned for M-32 west of Gaylord.
     "Those improvements included McVannel and Murner signalization," said Duff, suggesting a future extension of McVannel Road to VanTyle. "The DOT said the key thing is to get the McVannel light in."
     With the thought of building a bridge between Milbocker and McCoy roads also came engineering concerns. The bigest issue, according to Mike Roper, manager of the Otsego County Road Commission, is the proximity of Dickerson Road to I-75.
     "Dickerson is too close to I-75," said Roper. "It's too steep to cross and come back down to Dickerson. It got put on the back burner after that."
     Last summer the issue surfaced again when the Otsego County Economic Alliance hired director Jeff Ratcliffe.
     "I was doing retention (conversations on the status of area businesses) calls and it was becoming clear this was a major issue," said Ratcliffe, ticking off the names of three different trucking companies in the city's Air Industrial Park, Georgic-Pacific, and the city's new industrial development as just some of the pressures for increased access. Otsego County also has immediate plans to upgrade one runway at the county airport for heavier traffic and several large-scale commercial site plans have been approved for retail development on M-32 West.
     With the plan we'll be able to look at where the traffic is coming from and where it's going," Deuell assured. "The DOT will then need to seek funding too, but we need to determine the scope of the study. There aren't the hard facts yet to justify the project. You need to document what's there."

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Forum Explores County Management Options(10-19-2002)
By Mark Beardslee, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - Should Otsego County change its current form of governmental management? How much authority and money should be given to a future manager? How involved should the elected board of commissioners be in day-to-day managerial decision-making and how much power should they delegate to a manager? What role should committees have in the policy-making process?
     These and many more questions were bandied about at an informal public forum attended by about 75 people Wednesday evening at the University Center. The forum was the second in this season's Autumn Lecture Series.
     The panel, consisting of Jackson City Manager Warren D. Renando, Delta Township Manager Richard Watkins and Marquette County Administrator Steven Powers, shared their experiences and ideas with the audience, which consisted of concerned citizens as well as many local officials, both elected and appointed. They also responded to direct questions from the audience.
     The county management issue has drawn increased attention as Otsego County Coordinator Lambert (Lanny) Chard approaches retirement in February, according to board chairman Doug Johnson.
     Of the forum, Johnson said, "I think they pointed out to me a lot of the things we're doing right and things we could sharpen up on." He said he was particularly intrigued by Marquette County's use of Committees of the Whole in place of a wide array of standing committees.
     Renando opened the forum by explaining the political origins of municipal management and the desire to emulate the structure of corporations, which are led by a board of directors but managed by a chief executive officer who serves at the board's pleasure. "The nice thing about managers is that they are apolitical," he said. "Political neutrality at the top is very important."
     Watkins noted that the common fear that an appointed manager may usurp power from an elected board is usually unfounded because municipal managers are ultimately answerable to that board. He stressed that elected officials should provide political leadership and that managers should simply provide information to the boards so they can make better decisions. Watkins concluded, "What a manager does best is pull people together."
     Powers stressed only three options are available for county management. First, there is what he called the commission option, which is what Otsego County has right now, with a cordinator, board secretary, administrator, director of governmental operations or "any other title the board chooses," whose job it is to perform whatever duties the commission assigns.
     A second option is that of comptroller, a more narrowly defined positon to whom some duties of the county treasurer and clerk can be designated.  A comptroller usually specializes in financial oversight and budgeting.
     The third option is that of an elected county executive - currently utilized by only three Michigan counties - which all three panel members agreed is the worst option because it separates the legislative power of the board of commissioners from the administrative power of the executive, whose respective agenda may differ, leading to stagnation. "I do think having a professional administrator is an effective way of managing a county," Powers said. "I'm not here to tell you what to do. It's a policy decision that must be made by the elected commissioners."
     Jim Grisso, publisher of the Herald Times and moderator of the forum, asked the panel about the difference between a county administrator and a county coordinator. Powers responded that there basically is none, that it is up to the board of commissioners to determine precisely what a county manager's job description - and title - will be and then go out and find someone with the necessary credentials. Renando emphasized that the board should be willing to provide a high salary for a high-quality manager.
     Commissioner Ron CHavey, a member of the personnel committee, said there is interest in placing assistant coordinator Karina Bak in the position. "She's done a great job with human resources," he said. Johnson added he does not feel under any pressure to make a new appointment, stating that Bak is available for now. Also, Bak's current position has been targeted to be cut out of the 2003 budget.
Bak affirmed she is interested in the position and does plan to apply for it when the opening is announced. She said she has been told by Lee Olsen, chairman of the finance committee, that "there will be two people in the coordinator's office until Lanny retires and there will be one person after he retires and that's how it's budgeted." Of her own candidacy for the job, she said, "Honestly, I really don't know what they're planning to do."
     "Having Karina in there has been a real plus because it would be difficult to have (Chard) retire and not have anyone who is familar with the office there," said Chavey.
     Chavey said of Chard, "He's done a great job of keeping us informed and up-to-date with statutes. He has done a great job as a coordinator/administrator. WE need to find a person who can replace Lanny and continue to build the strength of the county. I think we need a strong individual who can bring all the departments together for better collaboration and coordination of the budget."
     Asked what kind of changes should be made for the position, Chavey said, "I think we have to (expand the position) because we've grown so much and the commissioners being part-time need the support of a good coordinator. We're going to have to go out and spend $20,000 to $30,000 more for a replacement for Lanny. A good coordinator can save you some money. The question is, will the person pay for himself? Lanny has saved this county a lot of money. Plus, he has not been paid what he's worth."
     He said the position can pay for itself by making "more effective use of all the resources that we currently have."
     Johnson agreed that the position can pay for itself, saying, "We became 20 times more efficient when Lanny was hired."
     But Johnson said he was not sure if the county would have to pay more to replace Chard. "The key is that the board as a whole has to agree. We need to delegate what we want that person to do and stand behind him or her. I don't think as a board we have had an opportunity to put together an updated description of what we want."

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For County Government: Eyeing Options for Management (9-30-2002)
By Mark Beardslee, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     GAYLORD - The Otsego County Economic Alliance Board of Directors approved unanimously a resolution Monday encouraging the Otsego County Board of Commissioners "to explore establishing a strong county manager form of administration" and "that the current county coordinator's pending retirement could provide the county with an excellent opportunity to explore alternative models of county government."
     It is a question that has not been deeply explored thus far by Otsego County government in its budget considerations, but discussion about the possibility of altering the form of county management has begun and a public forum on the issue has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the University Center in Gaylord.
     "We feel it's a good opportunity now to actually examine whether there should be a manager like in the city," said Regan Quaal, chairman of the board of the Economic Alliance. "It's a good time to look at this."
     Economic Alliance board member and county commissioner Ron Chavey said in his opinion, it would be beneficial for the county to hire Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff as city/county manager along with deputy managers for the city and the county, saying it would be more cost-effective in the long run and would bring more talented individuals into government. "It would improve the overall intergovernmental operations," he said. Chavey admitted that creating such a position would be expensive, but noted replacing county coordinator Lambert Chard will be costly at any rate.
     The alliance's resolution reads that efforts to bring managed growth and development to the county "would benefit from a manager position that would function similarly to the city of gaylord" and that such a position would strengthen the county's "overall ability to support the existing economy and attract new industry."
     The Economic Alliance Board of Directors consists of Quaal; Vice Chairperson Jack Thompson, Executive Director of the University Center; Treasurer John Kluck, President of First National Bank of Gaylord; Secretary Mary Sanders, Hayes Township Supervisor; Chavey; Duff; Dan Forcier, President of Force Energy; Dale Gehman, with Telephone Support Systems; Chris Hebel, Executive Director of the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce; Pete Hembrough of Consumers Energy; Ted R. Bott of Marsh Ridge; Jack MIddleton, executive Director of the Otsego County MSU Extension; and Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director of the Economic Alliance. Kluck, Forcier and Bott were not present at the meeting and did not vote on the resolution.
     The resolution was forwarded to the county's personnel committee, which met Tuesday morning. Chavey, who is chairman of that committee, said members voted to hold the public forum.
     Chavey said the county board needs to make a decision on the position promptly because of Chard's impending retirement, expected sometime between January and April of next year.
     He said he voted in support of the Economic Alliance's resolution because he believes it is vitally important to receive public input on the matter. "The forum will help decide whatever the public wants," said Chavey. "We need to hear from the community."
     The public forum will be held as part of the University Center's autumn lecture series. The forum is open to the public, but RSVP is requested by calling 705-3700. Speakers Warrent D. Renando, City Manager of Jackson; Richard Watkins, Manager of Delta Charter Township; and Steven Powers, Marquette County Administrator, will comprise the panel to address the question of "Options for County Government Administration - Where Do We Go From Here?" Herald Times Publisher Jim Grisso will moderate the panel.
     Michigan Public Act 139 of 1973 grants broad powers to county commissions and provides that an appointed county manager "shall be the administrative head of all county departments not headed by elected officers." It does not provide a specific job description, stating county managers "shall be appointed on the basis of merit only" and that they "shall hold office at the pleasure of the board."
     Further, Michigan law charges county commmissions to determine the job description for such managers and provides for two alternative positions.  The first is a county controller, whose statutory responsibility under Michigan law is to be the "chief accounting officer of the county having charge and supervision of the accounts and accounting over every office, officer and department of the county." The second is an elected county executive, utilized in Michigan only by Wayne, Oakland and Bay counties. For each of these positons, salaries are generally much higher than for county coordinators.

I-75 Crossing Challenge - Relieving gridlock: Local, state, federal officials search for solutions (5-2005)
By Mary Jergenson, Staff Writer, Gaylord Herald Times
     LIVINGSTON TWP. – “How do we secure the $17.5 million needed to fund the I-75 Crossover project?”
     That was the question Otsego County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Ratcliffe and Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff posed to more than 50 local, state leaders and representatives of federal leaders Friday at a special presentation by the I-75 Crossing Task Force.
     “The purpose of today’s presentation was to develop a larger partnership by bringing federal and state stakeholders to the table, outline our planning process and results, discuss specific projects with their costs and determine what we will need to do to secure federal and state investment for the proposed project,” noted Ratcliffe, who explained the need for two additional I-75 crossings between U.S. 27 and M-32 interchanges.
     The task force which includes representatives from the city of Gaylord, Livingston, Hayes and Bagley townships, Otsego County, Otsego County Economic Alliance, Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) and the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, began preparing for Friday’s presentation back in November when they assembled to review the I-75 East/West crossing study prepared by DLZ Michigan.
     “We did not want to let the plan sit on a shelf somewhere, " stated Ratcliffe, who was instrumental in pulling the group together to develop and prioritize the study’s recommendations and strategies as a means to accomplish those tasks.
     To pay for the crossing, the task force is banking on tapping into local funds in conjunction with existing state programs, such as the MDOT Small Urban Programs, MDOT Category A, and Community Development Block Grants. However, they also believe the crossings will require federal assistance to fund the nearly $17.5 million total price tag of such a project.
     Harold Chase, representative for U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and Brandon Fewins, regional manager for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow emphasized the need for community support, in the form of a letter-writing campaign. Heather Grobaski, congressional aide for U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, agreed, and like Chase and Fewins, vowed to bring the matter to the attention of her employer.
     Chase noted the timing of the presentation was a little late to be included in the Senate’s six-year appropriations budget to be presented for vote next week, but noted it could be on tap for next year’s request.
     Self-proclaimed “wet blanket” Andrew Irwin, manager of the Project Planning Section of MDOT, noted “The Governor is set on preserving our current rods system and brining 90 percent of existing roads up to good condition,” he said. “With that in mind, she has put a moratorium on more than $675 million in capacity improvement spending.” Which means the I-75 crossing project, which is not included in that backlog, will have to wait a while until state funding becomes available.
     Irwin suggested to the task force, “Perhaps this is time to marshal your forces, and focus on one project. Many other communities have bitten the bullet and bonded for projects, allowing the community to pay for it on their own."
     Gaylord City Manager Joe Duff remarked, “We understand this is not the best time to look for funding, everyone is feeling a pinch. What we are trying to do is take the necessary steps now, so we can take advantage of funding when it becomes available in the future.
     “This group isn’t going anywhere, and we are confident this project will happen,” continued Duff. “It’s just a matter of getting into the queue.”

The Study
     Noting the strong community motivation as a driving force behind the project, Ratcliffe praised community leaders who were adamant about solving the morning rush-hour and weekend traffic congestion around the M-32 and I-75 interchange.
     Citing the construction of I-75 in the 1960s, a 56-percent population increase over the last 20 years, the development of two industrial parks and major retail outlets as problems which needed to be addressed, the task force set about finding a solution to three questions which were: “How to lessen congestion? How to improve access for industry? How to maintain the uncongested ‘up north’ feel of our community,” Ratcliffe explained.
     Wes Butch of DLZ Michigan gave the group a brief history. “Our two goals were to clearly identify existing and future traffic problems related to east/west travel across I-75, and to recommend short- and long-term solutions, and provide recommendations for road improvement funding.”
     “The study,” explained Butch, “looked at both high and low community growth scenarios, composition of traffic and how it is different from the area norm. We also looked at access management, which includes driveways and secondary road access to main through roads."
     According to Ratcliffe, local roads slated for improvement to support the crossings include South Townline, Milbocker, McCoy, Krys, Dickerson and North Otsego Lake for the south crossing; and McVannel, Van Tyle, Wisconsin and Dickerson for the north crossing.
     Although the stuffy originally called for a cloverleaf style exchange at the Milbocker-McCoy crossing, the task force requested a second closed-diamond design, including an at-grade crossing, where I-75 would travel over the east-west roads.
     “We believe this crossing would be less disruptive to the existing businesses, maintain existing roadways, represent better use of land, allow commercial traffic direct access to industrial parks and growing Old 27 commercial areas, creating an alternate route for commercial traffic,” said Ratcliffe.

For More Information Contact:
Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director
Otsego County Economic Alliance
1062 Cross Street | Gaylord, MI 49735
(989) 731-0288 | (989) 731-0289 FAX
jeff@gaylord-otsego.com