From cocoa and cookies to magic bells, Hartlandâs Polar Express Day is back for another year of fun and joy.
Polar Express Day runs from 10am to 2pm in Hartlandâs historic downtown Saturday. Attendees can hear the Polar Express story read aloud at the Cromaine District Library and take part in a variety of family themed activities around the Village. Some attractions include cocoa, cookie decorating, ringing of the train bell, magical reindeer feed, live entertainment, trains, real live reindeer and elf certification.
The Hartland-Deerfield Fire Department will also be hosting its annual Santa Day from noon to 4pm in conjunction with the event. Details and maps are available though the link. Photo: www.polarexpressday.com. (JM)
Polar Express Day In Hartland This SaturdayPolar Express Day In Hartland This Saturday
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Former Pinckney Police Sergeant Sentenced In Embezzlement CaseFormer Pinckney Police Sergeant Sentenced In Embezzlement Case
A former police sergeant charged with embezzlement in Livingston County has been sentenced.
In March, 55-year-old William Scott Cook was extradited back from Tennessee to face a felony charge of embezzlement between $20,000 and $50,000. Authorities allege he took the money from his mother, while he had power of attorney. Last month, Cook pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and was sentenced Monday to five years of probation. He is also required to make restitution to the victim, which amounts to just over $37,618. Cook must also reimburse the county for his extradition fee.
The charges against Cook followed an investigation by the Hamburg Township Police Department after they were contacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services last year. HHS officials had concerns related to the finances of Cookâs mother, who suffers from dementia. She had lived with him for a short time in Hamburg Township before being transferred to a nursing home. Cook was a longtime sergeant with the Pinckney Police Department when he resigned unexpectedly last April. (DK)
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Livingston County Clerk Ready for Recount EffortLivingston County Clerk Ready for Recount Effort
The Livingston County Clerk asked for funds to pay workers in the upcoming election recount.
Monday night the General Government and Health and Human Service Committee approved per diem funds for the up to 40 election workers a day who will start recounting ballots from the November 8th presidential election on Wednesday morning at 9 am. Clerk Betsy Hundley says paying the election workers is the bulk of the countyâs expense for the recount. She says depending on the number of hours it takes, workers will earn up to $60 for 5 hours or $125 for a full day. She told the committee if the recount goes forward, she expects it to take at least 4 days.
Hundley says fortunately the county has a facility available. She says there will be approximately 40 people on staff per day, so then it becomes how many days is it going to take to do this. Hundley says that will be the largest expense. She says they don't have the expense of renting a facility or of hiring security to maintain the integrity of the ballots, adding, we are very fortunate here in Livingston County to have the facility that they do to hold the recount in.
The recount will take place at the John E. LaBelle Public Safety Complex on Tooley Road and Hundley says security is not a problem. She says only herself and the county elections coordinator will have access to the secure area where the ballots are being stored. Hundley asks that election workers who have been contacted should view the training video available on the countyâs website so theyâre prepared to start the recount on time. Workers will be counting more than 106,000 ballots cast for president last month, but Hundley says at any time the court could halt the process.
The Michigan Republican Party has filed an appeal to the order made by a U.S. District Court judge last Sunday that forced the recount to go forward. She says either way, they are ready. (DS)
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Howell Police Chief Helping Lead Effort Against GOP Lame Duck Efforts Howell Police Chief Helping Lead Effort Against GOP Lame Duck Efforts
A local police chief is helping lead the opposition to a Republican-sponsored plan to cut their retiree health care benefits that was put forward during recent legislative lame duck efforts.
The Michigan House of Representatives introduced a series of bills on November 30th that many police and fire officials feel will have a devastating impact on public safety and the police profession. The House Local Government Committee will meet this morning to take testimony. Livingston Countyâs two State Representatives, Lana Theis and Hank Vaupel, both serve on that committee. Howell Police Chief George Basar will offer testimony in his capacity as the current Legislative Committee Chairman and past president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. He says the Association has a myriad of questions and concerns with the 13-bill package, which was âliterally dropped at the eleventh hour in lame duck by four term-limited legislators.â Basar feels they should be able to rely on the negotiated promises that many based their financial plans on and there needs to be conversation on some responsible ways to address the issue.
He told WHMI trying to move something this quickly though lame duck amounts to bad public policy and really isnât a proper or responsible way to legislate. Basar says itâs not a new issue or emergency having been 20-30 years in development, thus it doesnât need to be fixed in a nine-day abbreviated lame duck session and there is time to do this thoughtfully.
The plan would require local units of government whose retirement health care plans aren't well-funded to pay no more than 80% of retiree health care benefits â which Basar says means they could actually pay less or offer a low-end policy with minimal coverage and an extremely high deductible. He says a community could also decide to get out of the retiree health care business completely and not provide anything. Basar says one bill takes retiree health care out of the negotiation process and itâs no longer a permissible item of bargaining, meaning there is no recourse for the employees that are retirees.
One item he feels most egregious is that individuals who are already retired and have been for years would not be grandfathered in â commenting something of this magnitude needs thoughtful consideration, discussion and analysis. While many times compared to public sector employment, Basar says police and fire jobs donât lend themselves to traditional retirement timelines.
He says both are physically and emotionally demanding jobs so to pull the rug out from existing retirees with no ability to plan or recover and fund retirement options just seems really unreasonable. Basar feels both sides of the balance sheet need to be looked at but so far all talk has been on the expenditure side. He says a conversation is needed about the unintended consequences affecting people with real needs who spend a lot of time away from family and are frequently injured, some with long term chronic injuries.
Pensions are protected by the Michigan Constitution but Basar noted a court ruling that essentially determined retiree health care benefits donât enjoy the same protections. He commented the Legislature has severely impacted the revenue stream that comes into municipalities and that needs to be addressed since the state takes money from municipalities but then wants to blame them for not having the cash flow to pay bills.
Basar says about $11 (B) billion has been the reported figure for unfunded liability for retiree healthcare statewide but at the same time, the Legislature has under-funded local communities by $7.5 (B) billion, which he would argues would have a long way to go to help offset some of that deficit. The interaction between the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A was also raised, which he says makes it extremely difficult for communities to recover in any way from the recent recession.
Basar further pointed out the proposed bills do not affect state employees, only municipal retirees and raised questions related to the underfunding that exists with the stateâs OPEB or other post-employment benefits. He says those are only funded at 12.5% - which translates to around $7.7 (B) billion in unfunded liability but yet the proposed bills donât apply.
A link is provided to the full interview with Basar. Meanwhile, the topic also surfaced during Mondayâs Council meeting. Howell City Manager Shea Charles commented this lame duck session of the Michigan Legislature âcould be one for the record books.â He said the Legislation mirrors a lot of what the City has already done in regard to dealing with new hires moving to healthcare retiree savings account but staff is still working to get a handle on what kind of impact the spending cap would have on liabilities. (JM)
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One Suspect Pleads, Another Sentenced In Attempted Retail Fraud CaseOne Suspect Pleads, Another Sentenced In Attempted Retail Fraud Case
A Haslett man who authorities say was involved in an attempted retail fraud incident at a local shopping center has been sentenced, while another suspect in the case has entered a plea.
20-year-old Zachery Winner of Haslett and 17-year-old Torrian Alicea of Lansing are two of the four people arrested in the July incident that began at the Tanger Outlet Center in Howell Township. The Livingston County Sheriffâs Department was called by a clothing retailer about several individuals placing high priced items at or near the door. When a deputy pulled up, all four left the store, got into a nearby car and drove off before being pulled over just outside the mall entrance. Two of the suspects, who are black, are alleged to have exited the car and started making racial statements. Those two then fled across I-96 before eventually being surrounded and taken into custody. The backseat passengers, Winner and Alicea obeyed commands and stayed in the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and found to contain a stolen 9mm semi-automatic handgun, marijuana and alcohol.
Winner entered a plea last month and was recently sentenced to three years of probation and 90 days in the Livingston County Jail with a credit of 52 days served. Torrian Aliceaâs bond was revoked after failing multiple drug tests. She has pleaded guilty to carrying concealed weapons and possession of alcohol by a minor. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to no further jail time at her sentencing. She is petitioning to be sentenced under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which would expunge her record if she successfully completes probation. Alicea is due back in court January 5th.
The two suspects who fled the vehicle in the original incident are a 16-year-old male and 19-year-old Kaylyn Williams. Williams was sentenced in September to 15 months to four years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. The case against the 16-year-old male, who was the driver, has been petitioned into Livingston County juvenile court but may be transferred to Ingham County. (DK)
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Fowlerville Man Admits To Meth Lab ChargesFowlerville Man Admits To Meth Lab Charges
A local man has admitted to charges connected to a methamphetamine lab that authorities say operated out of a Fowlerville residence. 40-year-old Patrick Hoisington and 31-year-old Paul Thomas Shaposka, both of Fowlerville, were charged in June, following a drug investigation at Hoisingtonâs residence by the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team. There, the team reportedly found items in every room of the house that are used for making meth. One undercover officer said it was very obvious that the substance was being made there. Both suspects were bound over to Circuit Court in July. Hoisington pleaded guilty as charged in October to four counts related to operating a meth lab, possessing and delivering the substance, and delivering or manufacturing marijuana. He also pleaded as a second-time habitual offender. He was sentenced to a minimum of two years to a maximum of thirty years in the Michigan Department of Corrections with a credit of 153 days served. Shaposka recently pleaded guilty as charged to delivering/manufacturing methamphetamine and as a third-time habitual offender. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a charge of operating a methamphetamine lab. He will be sentenced January 5th. (DK)
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Brighton Twp Begin Planning For 2017/18 BudgetBrighton Twp Begin Planning For 2017/18 Budget
The Brighton Township Board of Trustees has begun discussing their 2017-2018 budget and Capital Improvement Plan.
Though the township has until the end of March to adopt their budget, officials have already entered into the beginning planning stages. The townshipâs Board of Trustees met in a work session Monday night to hear a brief overview of what the upcoming fiscal year will bring. Manager Brian Vick called the meeting a âfirst stabâ at what is a four month journey to establishing and eventually adopting their budget. He calls the numbers he provided âconservativeâ in regards to projected revenues and expenditures. Vick informed the trustees, three of whom are new to the board following the November election, that the âmeat of the budget is very similar to prior yearâsâ.
Vick briefly touched on the different areas within the budget that may see changes and departments where itâs too soon to tell. He says significant conversations about the budget and CIP donât begin until January, but encouraged the board by letting them know the township is in a âgood financial situationâ. (DK)
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Committee Approves Resolution Connecting EMS To State ResourcesCommittee Approves Resolution Connecting EMS To State Resources
A committee of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners gave approval to Emergency Medical Services Monday night to join forces with other state agencies in order to share resources.
EMS Administrative coordinator Kevin Wilkinson says the Memorandum of Understanding gives the department a higher level of preparedness in case of a special pathogens transport. Wilkinson explained to the General Government and Health and Human Services Committee that an example of a special pathogen is Ebola, or a similar virus. He says transporting a patient with a highly contagious illness requires special preparation not only of the employees, but the ambulance itself.
Wilkinson says the agreement gives them access to more resources. He says for Livingston County it just gives them additional resources in case there was a special pathogen in Livingston County that had to be transported via ambulance. He says it opens the department up to more resources and gives them access to other agencies that would help them out. Wilkinson says it's a statewide initiative, so it is resources within the state of Michigan partnering to make sure that all the right pieces and tools are in place, from other ambulance agencies to state preparedness and trauma preparedness. It is all of them coming together to act as a team. Wilkinson says the agreement partners Livingston County EMS with state agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Bureau of Trauma and Preparedness Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Wilkinson says the agreement has been in place for a number of years, but needs to be renewed on an annual basis. He says it is unlikely that the department will be called on to transport a special pathogens patient, but they have the resources in place just in case. (DS)
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GOP Leadership Backs Down On Retiree Health Care ProposalGOP Leadership Backs Down On Retiree Health Care Proposal
Following testimony from several local public safety officials and the planned rally today in Lansing of police and firefighters from across the state, GOP leadership in the Michigan House has agreed to hold off on a controversial plan to limit retiree health care benefits for local government employees until next year.
Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian is President of the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs had announced via the groupâs Facebook page around 8:30 this morning that State Rep. Lee Chatfield, who chairs the House Committee on Local Government, had agreed the legislature would take up only one of the 13 bills introduced last week during the âlame-duckâ session, effectively tabling the heart of the package. Chief OâBrian was among those who testified in opposition to the effort as did Howell Police Chief George Basar.
OâBrian says consensus was reached to work with interested parties and craft a solution that will work for everybody, noting there are still a lot of communities trying to fund OPEB or other post-employment benefits and do it appropriately. OâBrian tells WHMI the bills that were presented just didnât give enough options or solutions. He says the Governorâs Office and the incoming speaker have pledged to work with all interested parties and hopefully come up with a collective solution that will work for everybody. OâBrian says thatâs really the best they could hope for today as the bills going through lame duck would have amounted to bad business.
The proposal would have prohibited local governments from offering new hires retiree health care coverage and instead give them the option to contribute to a tax-deferred Health Savings Account. More controversially it would have forced many current local government employees and retirees to pay for at least 20% of their own post-employment health care benefits.
One of those who rallied today in Lansing was Mike Witt of Howell. Heâs a Battalion Chief with the St. Clair Shores Fire Department and said the combined efforts of public safety leadership and rank and file made this happen. âThe rally was a big part of it, but I think more importantly the fact that all of the different agencies have had an opportunity to educate the lawmakers. You have to remember that most of the legislators only saw this language for the first time just last week and it was driven by four lawmakers who are Lame Duck. They had an ax to grind and they were representing the Michigan Municipal League. This was entirely an MML agenda that was trying to be pushed. Weâre very fortunate to have two people from Livingston County that were a huge help in this and thatâs Brighton Fire Chief Mike OâBrian and Howell Police George Basar.â
The measure was supported in large part by outgoing House Speaker Kevin Cotter. The Mount Pleasant Republican said the state had to address the billions of dollars in unfunded liabilities in order to help local governments avoid bankruptcy, which would likely mean even steeper cuts to retiree benefits. The only bill in the package that will continue forward would increase reporting requirements for local governments to help the state understand the magnitude of the unfunded liabilities they face. State Senator Joe Hune told WHMI that while the issue is a very real one, this proposal was not at all fair to retirees and if it had been passed on to the Senate he would have voted against it. (JK)
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Tyrone Twp. Hall To Serve As Year-Round Food Collection SiteTyrone Twp. Hall To Serve As Year-Round Food Collection Site
A local municipalityâs township hall will serve as a year-round collection site for items that will be donated to an area food pantry.
Tyrone Township recently hosted an event at their township hall to collect items for Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Livingston Area Pet Pantry. Gleaners services area residents in need, and works in conjunction with the Pet Pantry to also provide food for those residentsâ pets. Tyrone Township officials say their food drives are usually pretty successful, and recently employees suggested putting a collection box out at township hall to gather items for the organizations year-round.
Items can be dropped off there and will be donated to Gleaners and the Pet Pantry on a regular basis. Tyrone Township Hall is located off of Center Road in Fenton. (DK)
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Donations To Be Matched This Monday For Livingston United WayDonations To Be Matched This Monday For Livingston United Way
Residents have an opportunity to make more of their charitable dollars during a special fundraiser from the Livingston County United Way.
Matching Money Monday returns December 12th to help the organization that helps strengthen the community. Thanks to generous donors, every dollar donated next Monday will be matched up to $140,000 in giving. Co-chair of the fundraiser Carol Griffith told WHMI that the money brought in will help a variety of families in multiple different ways. She said that she believes everyone has been touched by the recession in some way and that no one is exempt. Griffith said that many times families itâs that families that just need a bridge; whether it be for rent, food, or utilities, and that the United Way is there to help. All of the money raised will stay in Livingston County to help local families and projects by and supported by the United Way. Fellow Co-chair Rick Scofield has been with the organization since it started up locally almost 40 years ago and said that while people may donate online or by phone, he really hopes they stop by one of the many collection points for the festive atmosphere.
The Livingston County United Way office on Dorr Road in Brighton will be open from 7am to 7pm and have homemade cookies and hot coffee. The Brighton, Howell, and Hartland Area Chambers of Commerce. will also be open during business hours along with First Merit Banks and many other businesses across the county. More information and a complete list of locations can be found on their website, www.lcunitedway.org.(MK)
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Hearing Set In Class-Action Sewer Tax Lawsuit Against Brighton TownshipHearing Set In Class-Action Sewer Tax Lawsuit Against Brighton Township
An upcoming hearing will determine if Livingston County Circuit Court will serve as an appropriate venue for the legal proceedings regarding a lawsuit against a local municipality.
The class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of the townshipâs Sanitary Sewer System users, objects to the assessments related to the construction, operation and maintenance of the system. It states that the defendants feel they have been overcharged and that those taxes âare motivated by a revenue-raising and not a regulatory purposeâ. The plaintiffs are seeking a refund of all overcharges collected and that the township pay into a common fund to benefit those represented in the lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for December 15th in Chief Circuit Court Judge David Readerâs courtroom. Bob Potocki, one of the lawsuitâs plaintiffs, says the hearing will determine if future litigation will be carried out there.
Potocki says the lawsuit is seeking the release of the townshipâs sewer assessment roll. He says residents want to know and are entitled to know who is on the system and what they pay, as it could show any discrepancies. Potocki says the sewer system was built without voter approval, at a capacity of 650,000 gallons per day. He says that roughly amounts to servicing 6,000 homes, but the township has only claimed 2,500 houses for the last 16 years. Potocki says that would mean the township is âhiding 3,500 housesâ and forcing the systemâs users to pay for it. He also says some users have not been required to hookup to the system and some are paying âsubstantially lessâ than what others are. He feels all users should be paying the same amount, but without access to the assessment roll it cannot be determined who is paying what.
Township Manager Brian Vick declined to comment on the lawsuit, though the Board of Trustees did discuss trial or settlement strategy in a closed session Monday night. Built in 2003, the capacity of the sewer system was based on increasing population projections. Since the recession, it has been running at about 40% capacity. (DK)
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Howell Armory Among 28 In Michigan With Elevated Lead Dust Levels Howell Armory Among 28 In Michigan With Elevated Lead Dust Levels
Lead dust apparently accumulated inside of Michigan National Guard armories for decades from indoor firing rangers according to documents recently made public â and the Howell facility was among those identified for action.
The indoor firing ranges closed in 1996 but the mess they left polluted parts of facilities and lead dust buildup remained - exposing soldiers and the public to potentially dangerous levels. Testing in 2014 and 2015 showed lead dust levels above recommended levels and last January, 28 armories were identified as being in need of immediate action including the Howell Armory on Isbell Street.
A report by MLive.com includes records which showed that officials knew about the high levels of lead dust but failed to take action until almost a year later and only did so after being told to by the U.S. National Guard. It says lead dust was allowed to accumulate in Guard armories across Michigan for decades and officials delayed action by at least a year to deal with a probe. Michigan National Guard Spokeswoman Major Corissa Barton said she "can't speculate on what decision was made in the past" and the issue has since been addressed more seriously.
In February, the Michigan National Guard announced that the Howell Armory was to undergo an expansion and modernization project starting this summer. Plans involve having it retrofitted to house a battalion, which is made up of multiple companies, and construction is expected to take approximately one year to 18 months.
The Howell Armory was home to the 1462nd Transportation Company before it relocated to the Jackson Armory last summer, which was deemed better suited for its operations. The Howell Armory is now occupied by a new unit with a different type of mission - Company C of the 156th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, which deals with communications. Photo - Google Street View. (JM)
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Study Looks At Downtown Brighton Marketing OptionsStudy Looks At Downtown Brighton Marketing Options
More family-friendly apartments and condos should be in the future for downtown Brighton. Thatâs one of the conclusions presented Tuesday by a marketing consultant hired to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy.
Christina Sheppard-Decius of Ferndale-based POW! Strategies gave a detailed power-point presentation at a special joint meeting of the Brighton City Council, Downtown Development Authority and Principal Shopping District and told the large gathering that downtown needs to âbrand the atmosphere and the people.â But she advised that the city do that while also working to attract more downtown residential units â targeting young professionals and empty-nesters with apartments over retail stores and condos, but without taking away the small town charm that makes it so popular.
Other suggested improvements include installing downtown bike racks and connectability to biking paths while also enlarging the signs that direct motorists to downtown Brighton. She also suggested the city extend the Mill Pond Walkway across Grand River while establishing a mid-block, lighted, pedestrian crosswalk on Grand River. Sheppard-Decius says she will continue to meet with the PSD Board and submit her printed report in January. (TT/JK)
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Hartland Township Wants Resident Input On Single Hauler Garbage System Hartland Township Wants Resident Input On Single Hauler Garbage System
Hartland Township is seeking feedback on the possibility of moving to a single hauler garbage system.
The Hartland Township Board of Trustees is seeking resident input on a concept to consolidate trash pickup to a single vendor. The township does not provide a township-wide garbage service or yard waste pickup, thus residents must contract their own refuse company. A township memo states a single hauler system would better preserve the quality of local roads, particularly those that have recently been improved. The Board anticipates that residents would receive the same or better service at comparable or lower costs than they are currently paying.
Residents are being encouraged to share their opinions on the concept in four ways - return the survey postcard included in tax bills, visit www.HartlandVoices.com and vote online, send an email to the board at Board@HartlandTwp.com or attend a public meeting next Tuesday, December 13th at 7pm. (JM)
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Bicyclist Killed In Genoa Township CrashBicyclist Killed In Genoa Township Crash
A bicyclist was killed after police say he rode out into traffic on Grand River Tuesday night in Genoa Township.
The incident happened just before 7pm on Grand River near Court Street, across from the St. Joseph Mercy Brighton medical center. State Police from the Brighton Post say a preliminary investigation indicates that 37-year-old Bryce Douglas Caudell rode his bicycle across the lanes of traffic and was hit by an oncoming PT Cruiser, driven by a 56-year-old Brighton woman. Deputy Chief Mike Evans with the Brighton Area Fire Authority says when they arrived on the scene they found that several bystanders were administering aid to Caudell, including CPR, but it was obvious he had succumbed to his injuries and he was declared dead.
State Police say witnesses told them that Caudell appeared to come out of nowhere with conditions that were dark and rainy. They donât anticipate any charges against the driver. Caudell had a Warren address on his identification, but authorities say he worked in the area and they believe he was also staying here as well. Meanwhile, his family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses. The link is posted below. (JK)
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Resale Store Reopens Doors With New LeadershipResale Store Reopens Doors With New Leadership
The Bulldog Boutique, a resale store in Brighton which offered gently-used items for sale to benefit Brighton students, will reportedly reopen its doors.
Thatâs according to Brighton Mayor Pro-Tem Shawn Pipoly, who was named last week to be president of a new board and to spearhead the reopening effort. The boutique originally opened in early October but then closed on Nov. 2, after a board meeting which saw Brighton Board of Education Trustee John Conely criticized the board for displaying campaign flyers in the store that urged voters to elect four pro-Brighton teachersâ union candidates. Conely said the flyers should not have been displayed at the store because it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity and could not, by law, endorse any candidate or take sides in partisan politics. At that point, Boutique Board President Ken Stahl, who had established the nonprofit, announced that he was fed up and would close the store immediately. The store was locked and closed, but there had always been a hope on the part of the remaining board members and many in the Brighton community that the store be reopened.
According to Pipoly, who is on the Brighton City Council and several other boards in the city, he himself had expressed at the meeting a desire to reopen the store, saying it has the potential to do a lot of good for kids in the community. Pipoly says as board president, he wants to make sure the profits realized by the boutique are available to all area students, and not just those who attend the Brighton Area Schools, since it is not supposed to be connected to the school district.
On another subject, Pipoly says he intends to contact the IRS to make sure that the store hasnât lost its nonprofit status. If it has, he says that would delay the reopening of the store while a re-application is made. Otherwise, Pipoly says the re-opening is tentatively slated for next Tuesday, Dec. 13th. He says the existing stock is still in the store, and they will again accept donations. (TT)
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Oak Wilt Treatment And Prevention Presentation Held In BrightonOak Wilt Treatment And Prevention Presentation Held In Brighton
An event educating residents on a fast acting disease that is killing trees was held in Brighton Tuesday night.
The nonprofit organization ReLeaf Michigan put on a presentation by plant pathologist Dr. David Roberts on the dangers of Oak Wilt Disease and how property owners can help save their trees. Oak Wilt is a fungal disease that has the potential of killing oak trees, especially red oaks, within a month or two of inception. Trees affected by Oak Wilt will lose their leaves quickly, often showing a tan discoloration, even during growing months. The disease is spread primarily through two means. The first being transferred by sap beetles into fresh wounds on the tree most often caused by pruning or storm damage. Roberts targeted April, May, and June as being the most dangerous months for pruning, with December through February being the safest.
The doctor encourages people to do their homework on any arborists or landscapers they hire to do tree work, stressing an importance on experience and being insured. Spikes used for climbing trees also pose a threat. The other method for disease-spread is by passing more slowly through grafted roots. An oak treeâs root system can spread as far as twice the height of the tree, which could cause danger to neighboring oaks. He said residents suspecting Oak Wilt should seek professional advice and possibly a second opinion as soon as they can.
Roberts said that while itâs possible that the tree is losing leaves for another reason, once Oak Wilt is introduced to the area, it is very costly to treat. Anyone seeking more information can email Roberts at robertsd@msu.edu or call (248) 320-7124. (MK)
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Vaupel & Theis Support Anti-Picketing LegislationVaupel & Theis Support Anti-Picketing Legislation
Both of Livingston Countyâs representatives voted with the majority of their GOP colleagues as the Republican-controlled House passed a pair of anti-union bills during a late night lame duck session that stiffen the penalties for workers and unions to picket while making it easier for employers to hire workers to replace striking employees.
In Michigan, it's currently a misdemeanor for strikers or demonstrators to hinder or prevent the pursuit of lawful work. Violators can get jail time and a $500 fine. The legislation sent to the Senate, which was approved mostly along party lines including the support of both State Representative Lana Theis and Hank Vaupel, would impose a fine of $1,000 per day, and unions or organizations sponsoring a picket would be fined $10,000 per day.
Democrats say the bill is unconstitutional and called it an affront to peaceful protests. They also say it would allow companies to file complaints about picketers without showing that any actual harm was done to their business. Republicans said the bills are needed to protect businesses from protesters who are restricting access to places of business, citing recent protests at a Detroit McDonalds and at the home of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
The House also voted to eliminate a requirement that employers advertising for replacement workers during a strike tell new workers that they'd be replacing employees involved in a labor dispute. The votes came just a day after hundreds of police and firefighters rallied at the state Capitol in Lansing to protest proposals to drastically alter retiree health benefits for municipal workers. (JK)
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Five Local Middle School Robotics Teams Advance To State ChampionshipFive Local Middle School Robotics Teams Advance To State Championship
Several middle school robotics programs across the county are gearing up for the state championships next week. Five robotics teams made the grade at last Saturdayâs FIRST Tech Challenge Howell Qualifying event at Parker Middle School. Two teams from Howell, two from Hartland, and one from the Charyl Stockwell Prepatory Academy Middle School all advanced to the December 17thâs final in Battle Creek. The teams competed in a series of competitions where they designed, built, programmed, and operated robots in head-to-head alliance-based challenges. The Charyl Stockwell Miners took second in the event and won the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award for being the team that showed great ingenuity and inventiveness while thinking outside the box. The Hartland Sonic Eagles received the PTC reward for best use of CAD design. Hartlandâs other team, the Steel Eagles won the Inspire Award which is given to the team that excels in all areas of competition. These teams will join Howellâs KAOS and KILTS teams in the battle for the state crown. (MK)
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