Page 4 of 6
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:06 am
by GW
Thanks to all those following up on the airport's expansion. Some of us are unable to be on the island fulltime, but pay taxes as if we were. Does anyone know when the next airport commission meeting will be held? Date, time and place?
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:40 am
by Donegaljim
The next Airport Commission meeting is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 am at the St. James Township Hall.
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:40 am
by treehugger
John Bolton wrote:Adam,
There are some on the island who are getting a big bang for the bucks being spent. Perhaps that is one of the main reasons it is all being pushed so hard.
The bag being left for the average (and part time) Joe Island Taxpayer is the maintenance of the mortage debt, utilities, upkeep and the energy spent by citizen oversight committees for all the public projects that the island has undertaken over the last decade of "growth".
Again, IMHO The "growth" of utility enhancement has outstriped the growth of population by a long stride. The per capita benefits costs are lopsided.
Most items that were listed as money coming to the island (if we dont... someone else will) endure a long and continuing price tag long after the money which was distributed around the island in the form of job creation was spent and gone.
Many of these projects were promoted as getting ready for future population growth, but the truth is, there isnt any, not just Beaver Island, but upper Northern Michigan as a whole.
What we have accomplished is creating a big tax burden. This burden keeps people away from Beaver Island in terms of the cost of maintaining a vacation home or retiring here.
Being the most isolated community in an area that is losing population, perhaps working on a plan to keep taxes extremely low to attract business and population would have been a better avenue to traverse.
" Build it and they will come" was a Hollywood movie phrase....
Well said John.
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:54 pm
by Gillespie
Adam, those laws have been written time and again only to be broken! We have been working on re-establishing basic rules on the county board only to lose some ground yesterday, sad, but it's reality!
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:44 pm
by AEW
Maybe this time the laws should be written by the common people and voted on by the citizens. Also, nothing is stopping the two townships from enacting a Island wide high moral ethical code for all boards and board members to quell some peoples perceptions and realities of corruption, incompetence and waste. I think it is time we tell the boards how they will operate, not the other way around.
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:52 pm
by Hayseeder
Well said and long overdue !
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 6:11 pm
by Gillespie
I had a phone call from someone today that is very upset over this thread, someone who, I always felt gave Beaver Island their best and little pay but what is commonly given in these circumstances. I would strongly suggest that the forum rules have been stretched beyond reasonable and think you all should get your information from the horses mouth before you post such slanderous accusations. Many of you are Sheepskin owners who have degrees that should posture you to keep the vitriol to a minimum until you know the facts. This is pretty sad. The person I refer to might be considered one of the few who have really done something around here in the last 20 years! Please don't post it unless you know it!
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:53 pm
by sbsp
If I have printed anything regarding this thread that is untrue or hurtful, please call my attention to it and if factually correct, I will retract it immediately with my full apology.
I have received dozens of e-mails of encouragement to search for the truth in the publics' interest regarding this issue. Also, many of those people voiced to me they share my same concerns but knowing the culture of punishment on the Island are fearful to speak out individually.
I am sorry that I do not share Richie's position of seeking truth for our tax dollars and transparency but I do respect his right to shut me down.
I will close with the fact that I have heard from the BIAC and the attorney has requested that I hold off on my FOI requests deadline until the trial summary becomes public and I have conceded to his fair request for an extension.
I do want to pubicly thank Jack Gallagher for his insight into how government of the people, by the people and for the people should work in our democracy. Also for his insightful warnings last year regarding the issues we are currently facing. We've let him down.
Kirk D. McBride
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:51 pm
by Gillespie
Re-read the post Kirk, I am not pointing a finger at anyone, I am only suggesting that, since this is such a serious matter, people should get the facts straight before they make assumptions. I didn't infer you or anyone, I just think, in the interest of fair play, it is the proper thing to do!
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:07 am
by sbsp
Richie, My search was to get the facts straight and attempted to do so with fair play. It makes it very difficult to accomplish getting to the facts when the yell goes out to circle the wagons as opposed to answering the questions or addressing the important issues. My questions were not intended to offend anyone and if they did so, my apology to any and all.
Kirk D. McBride
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:59 am
by AEW
http://michigan.gov/documents/aero/Beav ... 7075_7.pdf
Here is a link to some other fleecing of America projects proposed from the Airport Committee here on BI.
US 15 trillion in debt, Michigan 72 billion in debt
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 6:25 pm
by AEW
Wow! Shanty Creek Resorts for a MAP/Airport Committee meeting! Must be nice not having those pesky tax paying Islanders around asking those pointed questions.
http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/downloa ... sept16.pdf
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 3:53 pm
by sbsp
Adam: Thank you for the information on the BIAC meeting at Shanty Creek Resort. There might be a second issue relative to that meeting. If a quorum of the BIAC meets, regardless of when or where, they are required by law under Michigan Open Meeting's Act to properly post the meeting in advance, conduct it where the public can attend, take and print unapproved minutes of the meeting and at the next scheduled BIAC meeting approve the minutes for the record.
I will not be able to attend the meeting of the BIAC tomorrow but would ask that this question be raised and evidence of a proper procedure for the Shanty Creek Resort meeting(s) be provided to the public at tomorrow's meeting.
I want to be very clear that I am not making any accusations but only want to assure that the proper procedures were followed.
Kirk D. McBride
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:38 pm
by sbsp
It didn't take more than 15 minutes for my e-mail to light up.
Let me attempt to make my motives perfectly clear. As a retiree with two homes and several pieces of property on Beaver Island, my taxes are a significant portion of my retirement income. I have never challenged my assessments or complained about the amount of taxes that I pay. I simply want to be assured that my tax dollars, that I entrust to the people I elect and those who are appointed by them, are properly managed in the best interest of the public and not waisted on costly mistakes. I do not think that it is inappropriate to ask that public meetings are properly conducted and public records of such maintained.
I also feel that if Beaver Island wants to attract future retirees coming to the Island as property owners, there is much improvement needed by those I have elected.
Kirk D. McBride
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:13 pm
by sbsp
In hearing the initial summary of the Beaver Island Airport Commission meeting held today, I am even more disappointed in our public officials. Briefly they out right refused to respond, when asked by the public present, to any explanation for the violation of Michigan law under the Open Meetings' Act. The Chair also did not mention my direct correspondence via e-mail to him requesting information. Arrogance abounded at the Commission's table.
The act that was most shocking was the meeting started with the Chair displaying in front of him a hangman's noose, hammer, four nails and wood. This was a symbol to imply that the BIAC is being crucified. Not only was the public present appauled but it should be an insult to Christians everywhere committed by some of the same people who will stand up and sing at tomorrow's Cantada. The sins committed by those who profess being Chistians in addition to being public officials.
More later.
Kirk D. McBride