Monday, October 29, 2012

Adult parade a challenge to photograph

A blurry parade shot from Saturday's parade shows the crowd.


 There are three challenges in photographing the Douglas Halloween Parade for Adults:

1: The lighting — or, more precisely, the lack of light. The event starts about 10 p.m. and despite the blazing street light and illumination from Beery Field, picture-taking can be tough for me. People are constantly moving, so I end up with a lot of blurred images. Asking people to stand still for a posed shot works, but I prefer action shots so people who see the pictures get a sample of what the event is like.

2: The crowd. Some folks said 5,000 or 6,000 people were packed into about four blocks. I conservatively estimated 3,000 people. My math was fuzzy after the first block or so where people could be eight to 10 deep because some the crowd moved with the parade — some fading into the parade itself then out again.

The crowd also becomes an obstacle at times, blocking quick movement around the route and some angles. The parade organizers were very nice to the media. We were allowed in front of the barriers to shoot, but some in the crowd quickly got impatient with having a large tall reporter in front of them. I had some people smack me on the back, telling me they couldn’t see and to get out of the way. Because of the darkness and my rudimentary camera skills, I did have to stay in one place longer than I was comfortable with, so I apologized and moved as quickly as I could.

Overall, the crowd was well behaved and respectful and the organizers had control all the time.

3: The costumes. Every year I am amazed at the creativity and work that goes into the costumes. My photos don’t do them justice.

In this election year, there were many costumes jabbing Obama or Romney. I didn’t use any photos of these for the paper or web. The parade is a perfect place for this expression, but I just want to stay out of the fray. You know if I used the Zomneys — a zombie Romney group — the paper would have heard cries of bias. Same for any of the Obama critics.

And this is a parade for adults. I stayed away from the overly sexual costumes. Each year I see a new use for balloons. No pictures of Gumby and Pokey in compromising positions or the Menstrual Cycle pedaling up Center Street. No video of leather-masked women on dog leashes.

They’re all OK for the parade and I wouldn’t censor a single costume — I just can’t see myself explaining to my editor that waist-high ring toss game.

Friday, October 26, 2012

A look back: Dog decontamination, buoy is back

A look back at some of the stories that made news in the last week:

Emergency workers and volunteers practice decontaminating a dog.


 • Area emergency workers learn how to handle pets in case of a radiation leak at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x346785873/-Dirty-dogs-get-decontaminated-in-radiation-drill

• Saugatuck Mayor Jane Verplank presides over her last regular meeting: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/community/blogs/Saug-Doug-All-Lake-Glenn-Ges/x1224698738/Saugatuck-mayor-completes-term-and-some-big-projects

• Fate of Saugatuck fireworks up in the air: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/community/blogs/Saug-Doug-All-Lake-Glenn-Ges/x1224698876/Sparks-in-the-air-over-Saugatuck-fireworks


Holland weather buoy returns to shore.
 • The Holland weather buoy is removed from Lake Michigan to an uncertain future: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x346785901/Future-of-buoy-could-be-sunk-without-funding

• Record-breaking heat on Thursday — then the cold comes: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1831583400/Holland-hits-record-high-of-80-degrees

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects record-low Lake Michigan levels in the next few months: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1831583715/Lake-Michigan-approaching-record-low-levels

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Sparks in the air over Saugatuck fireworks

A possible change in the Fourth of July fireworks in Saugatuck is causing some sparks.

The Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas has proposed taking over the funding and organization of the July Fourth parade and fireworks.


Spectators wait along Butler Street for the parade on July 4.
 The parade has been organized by volunteers including Linda Kinnaman for years. Kinnaman said she is stepping aside. Rotary plans to get marching bands or other music and seek donors to award prizes and trophies for floats or costumes.

Through this summer, money for the fireworks was collected by a volunteer committee. This July, organizers said they were running $5,200 short and were desperate. Only an 11th-hour plea kept the show from fizzling.

Members of Rotary approached the city council earlier this month to say the group could take over the parade and the fireworks.

“Rotary will take the leadership. We will ask for support,” Robin Bauer of Rotary told the council. Bauer has already been asking surrounding municipalities for support.

The council is interested in the proposal and asked City Manager Kirk Harrier on Monday to draw up a document spelling out how the partnership would work.

The support, though, came with some hesitation at the Oct. 18 workshop.

Councilman Mark Bekken wanted to make sure that fundraising for the Fourth of July fireworks didn’t hurt fundraising for the Venetian Festival, held later in the summer. The three-day  festival also has fireworks. Money for the pyrotechnics of both shows was raised jointly.



Fun in the July 4 parade in Saugatuck.
A fear is people would give to the Independence Day fireworks and not have money left for a Venetian Festival display.

Rotary does not want to handle anything connected with Venetian Festival.

Councilman Barry Johnson was concerned that money raised for the fireworks stays with the fireworks.

A memo from Rotary handed out to the council on Oct. 18 said any amount raised over the $10,000 needed for the July Fourth fireworks would “be used to support future fireworks or other S/D Rotary activities, or to enhance the actual display.”

“I would not support this if funds raised went for other Rotary activities,” Johnson said.

Bauer said the fireworks money will only go to the display, nothing else.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Saugatuck mayor completes term — and some big projects

City Manager Kirk Harrier, right, describes the renovation to the zoning and assessing offices upstairs in Saugatuck City Hall on Monday night. From left are council members Henry Van Singel, John Porzondek and Jane Verplank.

Jane Verplank tapped the gavel Monday night to end her last full meeting as mayor of Saugatuck, a tenure she described as a time of finishing several major city projects.

Verplank will start the next city council meeting  Nov. 12, but will then relinquish leadership to whomever the council decides should be the new mayor. By tradition, the mayor serves two one-year terms.

She thanked city staff and council members — “You guys have been great,” she said.

Many key city projects wrapped up under her leadership, including the complete transfer of the 173-acre Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area to city ownership, the completion of the $4 million Blue Star Highway Bridge repair and $3.5 million road reconstruction program and the remodeling of city hall.

Verplank won’t be leaving the council. She, Mark Bekken, Barry Johnson and Bill Lint are seeking the four seats on the council to be decided in the Nov. 6 election. Terms are two years.

John Porzondek is not seeking re-election. On Monday night, he thanked all the people who helped serve his single term. He was elected in 2010.

“I will still be an earshot away,” he said. “I will find my way back.”

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Halloween parades ahead

Here’s a look ahead at some meetings and events this week:

Saugatuck City: The council meets at 7 p.m. at city hall, 102 Butler St. The agenda includes the 2011-2012 fiscal year audit review and the approval of the Sparkle Holiday Lighting ceremony on Nov. 23. For more information, visit http://www.saugatuckcity.com/index.php/city-council.

Tree trimming: Consumers Energy is holding an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Douglas City Hall, 86 W. Center St., about upcoming line clearing projects. A Consumers Energy representative will go over tree trimming plans. For more information, visit http://www.consumersenergy.com/content.aspx?id=1592

Allegan County: The board of commissioners meet twice on Thursday at the County Services Building, 3283 122nd Ave.

-- At 9:30 a.m., the planning session topic is a wellness presentation and a review of health insurance options for the county.

-- At 1 p.m., the commissioners will get the equalization report as well as look over fee changes at the animal shelter and discuss the next steps of a proposed settlement agreement from Georgia Pacific regarding the Kalamazoo River.

For more information, visit http://cms.allegancounty.org/sites/pages/Calendar/default.aspx and choose “Board Planning Session” for the 9:30 a.m. meeting or “Board of Commissioners” for the 1 p.m. meeting.





Last year's Saugatuck parade begins.
• The Saugatuck Family Halloween Costume Parade is 4 p.m. at Mason and Griffith streets.

• The Douglas Halloween Parade for adults is 10 p.m. at Beery Field.

Week in Review: More McClendon, debates

Families enjoyed last weekend's Goose Festival in Fennville.
• Despite the rain, folks enjoyed the Fennville Goose Festival:

Parade: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/photo/x781379932/Goose-Festival-Parade-in-Fennville

Goose Festival Idol: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/photo/x470404726/Community-sings-at-Goose-Festival-Idol

• Douglas city continues talks with Chef Container for a single trash hauler for the entire city: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x470406028/New-trash-contract-in-Douglas-won-t-be-ready-when-recycle-pact-expires

• Saugatuck Township Planning Commission hears plans for Aubrey McClendon’s development in the dunes along Lake Michigan: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2053808932/Second-plan-from-McClendon-sparks-debate-in-Saugatuck-Township

• Saugatuck Township planner removed from McClendon discussion: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2053808930/Lawsuit-fears-lead-to-recusal-of-Saugatuck-Township-planner

• Allegan County clerk candidates debate: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x470406624/Allegan-County-clerk-candidates-spar-over-election-training

• Candidates for the 80th District House seat debate: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x470406626/State-House-candidates-differ-on-tax-issue

Friday, October 19, 2012

More on recusal in McClendon hearing

Saugatuck Township Planning Commissioner Dayle Harrison speaks Wednesday about his recusal.

When the almost 90 minute discussion to recuse Dayle Harrison from discussion about a proposed development along the Lake Michigan shore finished, Saugatuck Township Planning Commission Chairwoman Margaret Baker Conklin took the microphone.

“I’m sorry, Dayle,” she said Wednesday night.

The recusal topic occupied the first part of the lengthy meeting on a proposal by developer Aubrey McClendon to develop land north of the Kalamazoo River. It’s the second request before the township. The first is a set of variances being considered by the zoning board of appeals.

For more on the recusal, visit http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2053808930/Lawsuit-fears-lead-to-recusal-of-Saugatuck-Township-planner

The recusal request was filed Sept. 28 by McClendon attorney James Bruinsma and states Harrison is biased against the development.

“It’s about confidence in the decision-making process,” Bruinsma told the commission.

Harrison defended himself, first saying he did not have time to review all the accusations made in the letter, having just returned from being out of town.

Township attorney Ron Bultje cited an email dated Oct. 8 about the issue.

“Mr. Harrison was well aware of this quite sometime,” Bultje said, later adding, “I don’t believe his due process rights have been violated.”

Harrison said he should not be recused because “some developer has an ax to grind.”

Those words came back to haunt Harrison when Bruinsma used them as an example of the “personal animosity” Harrison has toward the development.

Harrison said the disputes in the past over the R-4 zoning that no longer exists.

“I have no bias in this matter,” he said, and can execute his duty as a planning commissioner.

Planning commission members, from left, Bill Rowe, Margaret Baker Conklin, Jim Hanson and Sandra Rausch.



Commissioner Jim Hanson joined the other board members — Conklin, Bill Rowe, Sandra Rausch and Joe Milauckas — in voting for recusal. Commissioner Edward Welk was absent.

“The applicant has the right of the appearance of a fair hearing as well as an actual fair hearing,” Hanson said, citing the planning commission’s bylaws.

Section 5.2 says: “If there is a question whether a conflict of interest exists or not, or if there is an appearance of a conflict of interest, the question or issue shall be put before the Planning Commission.”

For the complete bylaws, visit http://saugatucktownship.org/planning_zoning/default.html and click on “Planning Commission.”

The issue came down to another possible lawsuit. Bultje did not want planning commission decisions overturned in “a loser lawsuit” in court because of Harrison’s conflicts of interest.

“Mr. Harrison fails the impartial decision-making test,” he said. “I don’t think he can fairly judge the development application at this point.”

Recusal means Harrison cannot participate as a planning commission member in discussions and voting on McClendon’s plans. He is still a planning commission member and can participate in other commission activity.

In fact, Harrison spoke later in the meeting, saying the development plan needs adjustments.

“I’ll be back. I’ll meet with the board and see what we can come up with,” he said.

Letter

Here is the letter (without the footnotes) from McClendon attorney James Bruinsma of Myers Nelson Dillon and Shierk of Grand Rapids to Conklin. Attached were more than 90 pages of information:

Dear Ms. Conklin:

We are writing on behalf of our client, Singapore Dunes, L.L.C. (Singapore Dunes).

On August 24, 2012, Singapore Dunes filed with the Township Clerk an application for review and approval of a Site Condominium Project Plan under § 40-938(b) of the Saugatuck Township Zoning Ordinance. It is our understanding that review of the preliminary and final plans is conducted exclusively by the Planning Commission in accordance with the procedures set forth in §§ 40-938 – 40-940.

One of the current members of the Planning Commission is Dayle Harrison. For the reasons set forth below, we object to his participation in any review of, deliberation regarding, or decisions relating to the preliminary or final site condominium project plans, including any participation at the public hearing set for October 17, 2012. Mr. Harrison has engaged in a course of conduct, both directly and through various organizations, demonstrating that he will not, or likely will not, give fair consideration to Singapore Dunes’ application. We believe that he will instead seek to use the regulatory process as a pretext to create additional expense and delay for Singapore Dunes, and ultimately to obstruct the lawful exercise of Singapore Dunes’ private property rights.

We request that Mr. Harrison recuse himself from participation; and, if he refuses to do so, that the remaining members of the Planning Commission consider the question, vote to disqualify him from participating, and take steps to ensure that he does not participate in or disrupt the proceedings.

Requirement that Singapore Dunes be afforded Due Process

The Planning Commission’s consideration of a site condominium application is an administrative proceeding. In such a proceeding, Singapore Dunes is guaranteed certain due process protections under the federal and state constitutions. Among these due process protections is a hearing before an unbiased and impartial decisionmaker. The decisionmaker must be free from not only actual bias, but also the appearance of bias. Here, there is abundant evidence of both actual bias and the appearance of bias by Mr. Harrison.

Mr. Harrison’s Affiliation with the Kalamazoo River Protection Association and the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance

Over the past several years, Mr. Harrison has been enmeshed in other matters with Singapore Dunes, both individually and through two aligned entities, the Kalamazoo River Protection Association (KRPA) and the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance (SDCA). The activities of Mr. Harrison, the KRPA, and the SDCA are so overlapping and comingled as to be indistinguishable from one another, at least with respect to Singapore Dunes’ property interests.

There can be no dispute about the connection between Mr. Harrison and these entities. Mr. Harrison is the founder, President, and resident agent of the KRPA, and the KRPA is in turn one of the founding organizations or “incorporators” that make up the SDCA — an alliance of six local organizations. Mr. Harrison personally prepared and filed the SDCA’s articles of incorporation, and Mr. Harrison has acted as an environmental and legal consultant to both the KRPA and the SDCA. Over the past two years at least, the two organizations have shared common legal counsel, filed joint submissions in pending court matters regarding Singapore Dunes, filed joint applications with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality regarding Singapore Dunes’ land, and have otherwise coordinated (and lobbied state legislators and state agencies) to oppose efforts by Singapore Dunes to vindicate its constitutional and private property rights. As Mr. Harrison is President of the KRPA, we would expect that all of these actions were taken with Mr. Harrison’s active knowledge and support.

Examples of Mr. Harrison’s bias against Singapore Dunes and the exercise of its private property rights

The inability of Mr. Harrison to preside over the Singapore Dunes’ application is demonstrated by several examples.

First, Mr. Harrison has prejudged the site condominium application. Even before the application was filed, in a posting dated August 8, 2012 on the SDCA’s website, the SDCA derided the site condominium application as “blackmail” by Singapore Dunes. This posting included the further misrepresentation that a site condominium application under the Township Zoning Ordinance is not a lawful option for Singapore Dunes, but is to be treated by the Township decision-makers as “threats and intimidation to get special treatment.”

These misrepresentations demonstrate that, through his organizations, Mr. Harrison has abandoned any pretense of neutrality, does not recognize that Singapore Dunes has the same rights as other property owners, and will continue to work to unlawfully interfere with Singapore Dunes’ property rights.

Second, Mr. Harrison has been directly adverse to Singapore Dunes in related matters that preclude fair treatment of the pending application. As the Planning Commission is aware, Singapore Dunes recently entered into a settlement agreement with the Township that included entry of a consent judgment. Mr. Harrison and the SDCA and KRPA not only opposed settlement of the litigation, but they have been unrelenting in their disparagement of Singapore Dunes and its efforts to restore the private property rights that were improperly taken away by the R-4 Zoning classification that has been enjoined by the Court.

The KRPA and SDCA jointly made filings with the United States District Court in opposition to the consent judgment that was approved by the Court. In those and prior filings, the KRPA and SDCA falsely accused Singapore Dunes of implementing a “plan to illegally rezone Plaintiff’s property;” they falsely accused Singapore Dunes of “attempting to evade the Township’s lawful planning and zoning process;”  and they falsely accused Singapore Dunes of taking “measures to exert financial and emotional pressure on the Defendants and Saugatuck Township area residents.” These false statements were accompanied with hyperbolic personal and petty insults — “bullying billionaire,” “sling[ing] mud,”  “colluding”  — not remotely suited to a serious, or fair, consideration of the issues. This course of conduct renders Mr. Harrison utterly unfit to discharge his duties fairly and without bias with respect to the pending site condominium application.

Third, Mr. Harrison has worked behind the scenes to interfere with Singapore Dunes private property rights. In 2008, the KRPA surreptitiously filed an application with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality seeking to impose, involuntarily and without notice to Singapore Dunes, an “environmental area” designation on Singapore Dunes’ land specifically to prevent “housing developments,” which the KRPA deems to be unsuitable in this stretch of the Kalamazoo River. Mr. Harrison also initiated an effort with the DEQ to redraw the critical dune area boundaries in Saugatuck Township to encompass additional acreage of Singapore Dunes’ land, again without notice to Singapore Dunes. When Singapore Dunes sought to repair and maintain the failing seawall on its property, Mr. Harrison opposed the permit application of Singapore Dunes, stating that such maintenance was at odds with “preservation of the Shoreline and Dunes.” These strategies, “to use the various administrative, permitting, and review processes…to minimize or eliminate development on the former Denison property,” were announced by Mr. Harrison’s organizations in 2007. They promised then a multi-year, multi-faceted effort “to preserve the former Denison property,” without regard to the private property rights at stake, and they have engaged in a non-stop campaign ever since to interfere with those rights.

Finally, Mr. Harrison has personally made inflammatory and false accusations regarding Singapore Dunes in the media in an effort to prevent Singapore Dunes’ lawful exercise of its property rights. As just one example, after Singapore Dunes lawfully sought review in the Michigan Tax Tribunal of the real property tax assessments on its property, and despite the fact that two independent appraisers (one of whom was hired by the Township) agreed that those assessments were too high, Mr. Harrison wrongfully accused Singapore Dunes of refusing to pay its fair share of taxes and seeking a “bailout” from the Township.There is no possibility that Mr. Harrison will function as a fair decisionmaker, and there is no possibility that the public can have any confidence that he will be acting within the bounds of the law and not on the basis of personal animus.

We expect that Mr. Harrison’s organizations will respond to this recusal request with a new round of insults toward Singapore Dunes and with yet another allegation that Singapore Dunes is seeking to “bully” the Planning Commission. But the opposite is true. No matter how stridently certain members of the public may disparage Singapore Dunes, Singapore Dunes is entitled to the same fair treatment under the law as any other landowner. Indeed, the Township agreed to the entry of, and is bound by, a consent judgment to ensure that Singapore Dunes will be treated fairly and will not again be singled out in connection with its land use rights. Singapore Dunes has every expectation that the Planning Commission will abide by the terms of the consent judgment.

The recusal of Mr. Harrison is a necessary first step in ensuring fair treatment, and his recusal should occur at the outset of the proceedings on this site condominium application, immediately prior to consideration of the application itself.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

The week ahead: More McClendon, candidate forum

Here’s a look ahead at the coming week:

Saugatuck Board of Education: Meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the high school, 401 Elizabeth St. Agenda unknown.

Douglas City: The city council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall, 86 W. Center St. On the agenda is more discussion about choosing Chef Container as a single waste hauler for the city. A letter from competitor Arrowaste, the low bidder, says the company is prepared to negotiate the price. http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x233633715/Douglas-negotiating-with-Chef-Container-for-single-hauler-trash-service

Candidate Forum: From 7-8 p.m. Oct. 16, at Fennville High School, 5 W. Memorial Drive, candidates for Allegan County clerk will take questions. Democrat Julie Cowie is challenging incumbent Republican Joyce Watts for the position. The two candidates for 80th District State House incumbent Republican Bob Genetski and Democrat Stuart D. Peet will also participate.

Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority: The board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Douglas City Hall, 86 W. Center St. On the agenda is a dredging plan presentation by Greg Weykamp of Edgewater Resources.

Saugatuck Township Planning Commission: A special meeting to look at development plans from Aubrey McClendon is 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s Church in Douglas. These plans are different than the variances proposed before the zoning board of appeals. Visit saugatucktownship.org and under “News” click on “Planning Commission — October 17, 2012” or uner “News,” click on “PC Appliaction — Singapore Dunes LLC.”

Saugatuck City: The city council meets in a study session at 4 p.m. Thursday at city hall, 102 Butler St. The agenda comes out a day before the meeting.

Hamilton Idol: The talent competition is 7 p.m. Saturday at Hamilton High School. For more information, visit hamiltonidol.com.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Week in review: Consolidation, McClendon

State Boundary Commission Chairman Dennis Schornack, left, talks about consolidation on Wednesday in Okemos.
• Two long-simmering issues in the Saugatuck-Douglas area began to cook a little faster this past week:

The State Boundary Commission approved consolidating Saugatuck and Douglas cities — not Saugatuck Township.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x233634802/State-OKs-Saugatuck-Douglas-consolidation-more-steps-ahead

The Saugatuck Township Zoning Board of Appeals held the first public hearing on plans for development of 310 acres of duneland north of the Kalamazoo River.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x781379115/Points-of-view-put-McClendon-land-issue-in-focus

• The city of Fennville is starting its own police department — albeit a one-person operation.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x738673053/Fennville-starting-its-own-police-department

• As the elections approach, don’t forget to check out the Allegan County races.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/2012-elections

• Saugatuck city is now overseeing a $450,000 endowment for the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x233634073/Saugatuck-City-now-responsible-for-450-000-natural-area-fund

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Consolidation Comments

Local leaders and representatives sit before the State Boundary Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Okemos. From left are Andy Mulder. attorney for the Consolidated Government Committee; Travis Randolph, chairman of the Consolidated Government Committee; Bill LeFevere, city manager of Douglas; Jane Verplank, mayor of Saugatuck; Bill Hess, Saugatuck city councilman; and Kathy Sturm of the Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities.

 The fate of Saugatuck and Douglas cities and Saugatuck Township was discussed for about 50 minutes on Wednesday in Okemos by the five-member State Boundary Commission with some comments from local residents and attorneys. Here’s a few things that were discussed that were not mentioned in The Sentinel article ( http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x233634802/State-OKs-Saugatuck-Douglas-consolidation-more-steps-ahead ) :

Film festival, Haworth

Travis Randolph, chairman of the Consolidated Government Committee, the group that petitioned for the consolidation of the three governments, pointed to two recent business announcements as reasons for consolidation — the departure of the Waterfront Film Festival from Saugatuck to South Haven and the closing of the Haworth plant in Douglas.

• Waterfront Film Festival: “The organizers cited more united community support in South Haven and better facilities,” Randolph said about the move.

• Haworth: “In addition, the largest employer in the community, Haworth, announced it will close its Douglas plant in 2014 with the loss of more than 100 jobs (Oct. 10, 2012),” he said.

Saugatuck Mayor Jane Verplank responded to the implication that a combined community could have kept the film festival within its borders.

“The Waterfront Film Festival left us because they needed financial backing. South Haven offered them $50,000. ... It has nothing to do with consolidation,” she said.

Here’s the story: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122660/Waterfront-Film-Festival-moving-to-South-Haven

Douglas officials did nor respond to the implication Haworth left because the communities were not united.

Haworth’s stated reasons for the closure are linked to consolidation, but not the municipal kind. The furniture maker is consolidating production at its area plants, moving fabrication lines from the steel components plant in Holland to Big Rapids. The space at the Holland plant will then house work now done in Douglas.

Here’s the story: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/topstories/x2107489913/Haworth-to-close-Douglas-plant-in-2014-shift-lines-to-Holland



Members of the State Boundary Commission and state officials at the hearing Wednesday, Oct. 10, in Okemos. From left are Commission Chairman Dennis Schornack, Kevin O’Brien of the Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation, George Grieg of Allegan Township and Samuel Dykstra of Wayland.
Opposition

Boundary Commissioners Cameron Priebe opposed the consolidation. He said the merger was being imposed on the community by Lansing, pointing out that the original petition called for all three communities to merge, then the boundary commission told the Consolidated Government Committee to consider a limited part of the township, then none of the township at all. He called the consolidation “a moving target.”

“We, this board, i.e. Lansing, chose to make it the two cities,” he said.

State Boundary Commission Chairman Dennis Schornack disagreed with Priebe.

He told representatives from the cities of Saugatuck and Douglas that he knew they would oppose consolidation.

“We don’t expect two mayors to get together and decide who’s out of a job,” he said.

Boundary Commissioner James Stewart said he was not confident the elected officials at the Wednesday meeting accurately represent their communities.

Schornack also said people in the township will oppose consolidation so the boundary commission would not “include one square inch” of the township in a consolidation, though he expects the new city to annex the land around the mouth of the Kalamazoo River.

“This is not Lansing dictating to residents,” Schornack said, because residents will get to vote.

Process

Both the Consolidated Government Committee and the opposition group Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities both say they will circulate petitions calling for a referendum on the merger, but there are a few more steps before that happens.

A draft report of Wednesday’s meeting is being drawn up by Kevin O’Brien of the Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation. The commissioners will look over the report at their November meeting and adopt the report and send it to the head of the state Licensing and Regulatory Affairs office, O’Brien said.

The LARA director then makes the final state decision. If consolidation is approved, a referendum could be held if the petitions are signed in Saugatuck and Douglas.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Chamber Music Festival receives donation, safer access

Workers install a new railing on Hoffman Street between Griffith and Butler streets on Saturday. Work finished Monday.

The Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck marked its 25th anniversary over the weekend with a gift and a safer walkway to the musical events.

Nancy Zolper of the Saugatuck Woman’s Club presented a $250 donation to Mary Ann Quick of the chamber music group on Sunday at a gathering at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts to celebrate the silver anniversary. The chamber music group will decide how to use the money.


Nancy Zolper presents a check to Mary Ann Quick on Sunday.

For the entire 25 years, the concerts have been in the Saugatuck Woman’s Club building, 303 Butler St. And for each of those years, people have been parking at the top of the hill at the First Congregational Church, 296 Hoffman, and walking down the steep hill to the club.

The walk is difficult for many, especially in the dark. So, Joy Muehlenbeck of the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival, asked the Saugatuck City Council in the spring to put up a railing.

The council balked at the idea when prices came in as high as $12,000 to $25,000. Muehlenbeck didn’t give up and came back to the city this summer with a lower estimate of $6,600.

Installation of the railing began last weekend and was completed earlier this week.

“I’m certain residents and visitors will appreciate this gift,” she said.



Sunday, October 7, 2012

A Look Ahead: Boundary Commission, McClendon ZBA

Travis Randolph of the Consolidated Government Committee talks at a public hearing in June.


The Saugatuck-Douglas community has some big issues on the table this week:

State Boundary Commission: The state will decide if Saugatuck and Douglas cities should be combined with all, part or none of Saugatuck Township at a meeting at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Okemos.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x738672244/Key-Saugatuck-Douglas-consolidation-decision-on-Wednesday

McClendon development: The Saugatuck Township Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 5 p.m. Thursday to consider variance requests for a hotel and golf course on duneland north of the Kalamazoo River.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2130012474/Public-hearing-set-on-McClendon-plans-in-Saugatuck-Township

Saugatuck City: The city council meets at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall, 102 Butler St. The complete agenda and information is available at http://www.saugatuckcity.com/index.php/city-council. Scroll down to the Oct. 8 button and click.

Agenda items include:

-- Adopting a new ordinance to regulate the bulk and mass of structures with a floor area ration.

-- Approve the creation of a $450,000 endowment to oversee the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.

-- Discuss a “prepared communication” to the Saugatuck Township Planning Commission regarding the McClendon property development plans.

Fillmore Township: The board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the township hall, 4219 52nd St. The agenda is not available until the meeting.

Laketown Township: The board meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road. No agenda is available, but possible topics include:

-- Supporting the extension of municipal water to Macatawa Hills.

-- Discussing a proposal to extend for one year a franchise agreement with the Holland Board of Public Works for power service in the township. Here’s some background: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1505344830/Holland-City-Council-rejects-franchise-proposals-from-southern-townships

Allegan County: The county’s budget hearing is 7 p.m. Thursday at the board room, Allegan County Services Building, 3283 122nd Ave.

The board will also approve pay for themselves, road commissioners and other elected officials.

For a complete agenda, visit http://cms.allegancounty.org/sites/pages/Calendar/default.aspx and choose “Annual Board of Commissioners.”

Election forum: The League of Women Voters of the Holland Area is holding a forum for candidates in Saugatuck Township election.

From 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, at the Saugatuck High School Media Center, 402 Elizabeth St., Saugatuck Township supervisor candidates Democrat Jon Helmrich and incumbent Republican Bill Wester will take questions from the audience.

Then, the four candidates for two trustee spots will take the stage. Candidates are Democrats Laurie Goshorn and Virginia McGinn and Republicans Roy McIlwaine and Jonathan Phillips.

Goose Festival: And don’t forget the Fennville Goose Festival is Saturday and Sunday at the school campus in Fennville. Here’s more information: http://www.greaterfennville.com/relax/goose_festival.htm

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Week in Review: Film festival leaves Saugatuck

Here are some of the top stories from The Sentinel in the past week:

A fan takes pictures at this year's Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck.
-- Waterfront Film Festival leaves Saugatuck for South Haven: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122660/Waterfront-Film-Festival-moving-to-South-Haven


A student looks over her work at Art a Loan in Saugatuck.
-- Saugatuck Public Schools students show off their art: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/photo/x738671810/Student-works-shine-at-Art-a-Loan-opening

-- Douglas listens to proposals from trash haulers: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122360/Douglas-trash-talk-extended-to-another-meeting

-- Douglas approves road work: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/communities/saugatuck_douglas/x738671233/Douglas-council-OKs-road-work-to-start-next-week

-- Project at Outdoor Discovery Center in jeopardy: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122244/Without-Limits-project-facing-funding-limits

-- Nuclear Regulatory Commission describes leak at Palisades: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122171/Officials-take-to-web-to-discuss-cooling-water-leak-at-nuclear-plant

-- R.J. Peterson named to state waterways group: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x264122087/R-J-Peterson-named-to-state-waterways-commission