Week in Review: How do you say "no" to the State of Michigan?
The Great Dane is "rubbing shoulders" with the administrative state.
Week in Review
County Commissioners, Tuesday, May 14
Managing “Materials”
Planning Commission Chair Namrata Carolan reminded the Commissioners that the State of Michigan has required them to submit a Materials Management Plan1—a “Notice of Intent” is due July 6th—that would, among other things, indicate how the County intends to meet “statewide recycling goals and standards.” Zach Smith of the Region 2 Planning Commission said the state is offering an uncertain stream of grant money to help fund the newly required changes, but indicated that it would cost around 60k for an expert from Region II to write a plan for Hillsdale County.2
Correcting the Community
The Hillsdale County Community Corrections Advisory Board (HCCCAB) applied for a grant for continued funding. Benzing presented a resolution approving this application for grant money (this is following the submission of the grant). Leininger took issue with the order of operations, as well as the fact that the grant money only funded ¾ of a salary and did not include funds for office space, IT support, etc.
Unfazed by Leininger’s gesture toward fiscal conservatism, Benzing suggested the program is “potentially saving the cost of having to expand our jail.” Apparently, for Benzing, this community corrections program might be so successful at rehabilitating our local felons that the constant overcrowding at the county jail will disappear!
The resolution passed 3-2, with Leininger and Lanius against.
Upgrading Radios
Benzing brought forward a resolution accepting the proposal from Motorola to upgrade the radio system in the County to 800 MhZ, contingent on voter approval.
This proposal is for $14.4 million, with a 10% contingency. The corresponding bond proposal is for $16 million.
The proposal will be on the August ballot in Hillsdale County: up to .99 mills per year for 10 years.
Leininger objected to the proposal—not because he was opposed to upgrading the radio system, but because he thought that local units of government should contribute something to the project, rather than having the County foot the bill for the whole thing.
The Motorola proposal was accepted 3-2, and the following bond proposal was accepted 5-0.
The Jail
Benzing noted that as of the day before the Commissioners’ meeting, there were 76 inmates in the County jail.3
A District Court Solution?
Ingles brought forward a proposal to get an architect to draw up plans for renovating the current LifeWays building to house the District Courts.
“Scrooge” Leininger sensibly asked where the money for such renovations would come from, and it was clear that his unwillingness to approve expenditures that do not fit into the budget is getting under the skin of other commissioners.
Benzing complained, at some length, that the real problem was the decision made years ago to sell the Annex building. If that had not happened, the County would not be in the pickle that it is. Benzing did argue that because the County is now in its unpleasant situation of having to find a new place for the District Courts, they might as well get a quote on the potential renovations.
Leininger proposed that the District Courts move into the historic Courthouse building, but Ingles explained that expert architects had ruled out the necessary renovations,4 and that therefore Leininger’s solution is a not a possibility.
Courthouse Renovations
The goal is to be done completely in September, weather permitting.
City Council, Monday, May 21
Public Comment
Richard Smith insisted that the Hillsdale Community Library is obliged to fund the repairs needed at the Mitchell Research Center: “I believe there’s plenty there that you can fund. . . The Mitchell building was always supposed to be part of [the library].”
Camp Hope Update
Missy DesJardin of Hillsdale Community Thrift updated the Council on her makeshift homeless shelter:
On “Camp Hope” statistics: “Camp has been open since the middle of April of last year. Since then there’s been over 107 homeless that we’ve taken care of—37 of them have been able to find housing; five of them went to rehab then to housing; two of them went to jail, then housing; and 16 of them unknown.” On her collaboration with state programmers and others: “How do you say No to the state of Michigan?. . . In this year, I’ve become much closer to DHS, the state of Michigan, LifeWays, CAA [Community Action Agency]—all of them. . . We don’t have enough resources; we’ll be bringing those resources to Hillsdale.” On the future of the homeless industry in Hillsdale: “Somebody from the state of Michigan has approached me. If it all works out, we’ll be a hub of having brand new beds available.” On humanitarianism and homelessness: “What I’m saying is, you want to bring God into it—whatever you want to bring into it—if you can’t focus on what’s good for humanity, what’s the point of anything?”
Public Hearing: Application for OPRA Exemption Certificate – 37 McCollum Street (58)
Andrew Gelzer is requesting a property tax increase exemption for 12 years to help him renovate his downtown property.
Sam Fry, Economic Development Coordinator, on developing: “The applicant is seeking tax abatement on this building, which has a lot of history. . . The project has an estimated cost of $500,000 in renovations to create retail space on the first floor and two apartments upstairs. . . They are seeking a 12-year exemption. . . City staff is recommending that the exemption be granted.”
For: Paladino; Vear; Sharp; Socha; Stuchell.
Against: Pratt; Stockford abstained.
Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2024-25 City Budget
Very little discussion. All in favor of passing the budget, Paladino excepted.
AMP NEER DG Michigan Solar Project Resolution and Contract (194)
The Council will need to choose whether or not to comply with state dictates regarding the state’s renewable energy machinations.
Mackie, on purchasing solar power from other cities in southern Michigan: “The project itself will be housed at the City of Coldwater and the City of Marshall. . . the BPU Board and the staff recommend that the Council approve the documents.” On Hillsdale’s situation with respect to recent state mandates: “It’s better for us that [Coldwater and Marshall] would like to put it in their backyard, because it’s more stable for our power grid. . . We are at about 26 percent green energy. . . by 2030 we’re supposed to be at 50 percent.”
Socha, on his abstract opposition to green energy initiatives: “I despise that our government has forced this mis-named green energy for municipalities for ours. . . I will vote for this under duress. . . I find this despicable.”
Paladino, asking uncomfortable questions and receiving no answers: “What are the penalties for noncompliance?”
Stuchell, on progress: “Technology is going to come. . . and we’re showing that we’re being proactive.”
Down to a mere six members, Council agreed unanimously to delay the vote until the next meeting.
Upcoming Events
County Commissioners, May 28
Primary Election Ballot Proposals, August 6
Your political superiors at the County plan to badger you with safetyism and tell you the sky is falling if you don’t give them money and further claims over your property.5 See the recently-released and amazingly convoluted texts below:
I. Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility
For the sole purpose of providing continued6 funding approved by the voters in 2018 that will expire with the 2024 tax levy for maintaining county services and facilities at the Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility, shall the Constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Hillsdale, Michigan, be renewed, and shall the County be authorized to levy, up to 0.60000 mill ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value) per year for a period of six (6) years (2025-2030) inclusive?7
II. Hillsdale County Public Safety Communications Bond Proposition
Shall the County of Hillsdale, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefore for the purpose of: making improvements to public safety and emergency communications systems in Hillsdale County, including, but not limited to, acquiring and installing additions to Michigan’s Public Safety Communications System in Hillsdale County; replacing existing public safety and emergency communications systems and components thereof, including, but not limited to, first responder radios, system, and pagers for public safety and emergency communications; and renovating, remodeling, equipping, furnishing, improving, and constructing additions to public safety and emergency communications facilities, as well as other utility, parking, and site improvements? The maximum number of years the bond may be outstanding, exclusive of refunding, is ten (10) years; the estimated millage that will be levied to pay the proposed bonds in the first year that the levy is authorized is 0.9910 mill (which is equal to $0.9910 per $1,000 of taxable value); and the estimated simple average annual millage that will be required to retire the bonds is 0.9890 mill.
The takeaway? If you don’t approve of either public healthcare redistributions or “renovating, remodeling, equipping, furnishing, improving, and constructing,” then you oppose health and/or public safety. It is worth noting that the former could plausibly continue to function even without the millage, and that, with respect to the latter, we have not died yet at the hands of criminals despite the “radio island” upon which we find ourselves (and despite our lackluster courts). If both pass, the owner of a $200,000 property would pay $320 per year in additional property taxes.
External Links
“There’s no good training to be an election administrator that’s from an accredited school. So, our education comes from our peers, and our associations – I’m rubbing shoulders with the elections director in Wayne county and [officials] all over the state, and we’re developing these relationships, and I’m saying, ‘You know, these are people just like me.’” Abe Dane.8
“Stephanie Scott, the former Adams Township clerk, and her now former attorney, Stefanie Junttila (also known as Stefanie Lambert) are tentatively scheduled for a motion hearing June 4 in a case brought forth by Michigan’s attorney general for alleged election law violations surrounding the 2020 general election.” Corey Murray.
“I thought it was just going to be simple glazed doughnuts or cake doughnuts, etc., but no. They have a lot of fancy specialty doughnuts that they make right in front of you to order. Maple bacon, lemon blueberry and all sorts of unique creations. They were beautiful!” Via Elyse Apel, Sabrina Sherman offers a glowing review of Ethan’s Donut Factory.
“We need to articulate a new and better vision of American work if we want to avoid the deep problems that could easily boil over into our culture from a toxic economy.” Josiah Lippincott.
“I was 33% of the Christian Hillsdale College’s Jewish population at one point, but nonetheless I found kehila kedosha, holy community, in its dining hall and dorms.” Sara Garfinkle.
“For the first time, the number of Americans who use marijuana just about every day has surpassed the number who drink that often, a shift some 40 years in the making as recreational pot use became more mainstream and legal in nearly half of U.S. states.” Associated Press.
“I signed the Help Not Harm bill into law, which protects our state’s children from irreversible gender transition procedures and bans public funds from being used for them.” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.
“Disparate impact liability is a feature, not a bug, of our present regime. The supposed ubiquity of guilt allows the state total license to pick and choose its criminals. If everyone is guilty, then anyone may be singled out for punishment at any time.” Pavlos Papadopoulos.
“Zyn, a hit nicotine pouch made by Philip Morris International Inc., is out of stock with with multiple retailers who ship nationwide, and some wholesalers are also reporting they’re having difficulty getting the product.” Bloomberg.
“The Biden administration said Tuesday it is releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from a Northeast reserve established after Superstorm Sandy in a bid to lower prices at the pump this summer.” Associated Press.
“Solid waste management” is now outdated lingo. The new materials management will emphasize recycling and reusing.
Forget STEM, parents! Demand that your local high school start up a grantwriting training program.
The fact that the Commissioners find ways to pay for various pet projects (some of which might be perfectly good and legitimate), yet continue to make zero progress on solving the most glaring problem in the county—a jail bursting at the seams—is astounding. Whether it is Wiley advocating for the “mental health” of the County via Lifeways, or Benzing pushing for fancy radios for EMS, the Commissioners continue to kick the can down the road on the jail. Local government’s primary and most essential function is the safety of its citizens: if felons are being released because of overcapacity, then our county government is failing in its fundamental task.
How many times have we read this article?
This same governing body gives generously and unquestioningly from the public coffers to LifeWays and other frivolous “service” providers.
It’s conservative!
One later reads that “this millage will raise an estimated total of $1,162,000 for Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility services and facilities in the first calendar year of the Levy based on the taxable value.” According to its website, the HCMCF offers “therapists who work 7 days a week,” a “social and recreational staff,” a “fully functioning beauty salon,” and “on demand menus and snacks.” Even if you are feeling empathetic, this is not the stuff of a struggling organization.
Who knew the Guardian had a Hillsdale beat?
Absolutely not in agreement with raising taxes to fund rebuilding the Life Ways building for District Court. First thing taxation is theft by deception. If they want to pay for plans to remodel Life Ways, why not get them pans for reinforcing the Court House to make room for District Court? Plus we already own the Court Housr and don’t have another electric bill or heating and air conditioning bill or another maintenance personnel.
Why did we sell the District Court before having these avenues checked out or completed. Another why are we paying rent on the District Court building when we did own it before we had a new location picked out and ready to move in.
It is time for a regime change. Where is the foresight of preventive maintenance and accountability.
Dennis Wainscott