BOC Hears of CCRC Work, Jail Stats, Citizenry Discontent

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The first public comment portion of the Clare County Board of Commissioners May 20 meeting agenda began with some information provided by Dewayne Rogers, Clare County Road Commission managing director. He informed that the CCRC Spring newsletter was just released, and also thanked Jerry Becker for assistance with flooding paperwork, adding that his crews have been busy fixing washouts and culverts that had failed. Rogers said that crews were swinging into construction season, and that the new CCRC parking lot would be getting paved in two weeks, and the project is a couple month out from “getting the keys.”

Other comments related to the proposed GFL transfer station, with one asking all the commissioners to withdraw their support; another registered their opposition based on the safety, health and welfare of the surrounding community; another simply stated opposition; one voiced concern there had been no survey done regarding the health and safety of people in the area; and another voiced concern regarding the smell, disease, birds, rodents, and said it felt that half of the BOC was  zoned out on what people are actually saying. Another concern voiced related to the poor video and audio quality of the meetings available online. And another voiced concern about how resolutions have been put through for things such as the national motto which had been approved and mounted on the BOC’s dais desk.

In her report, Administrator Lori Phelps touched on pending legislation and the effects on Clare County; opioid settlement funding; zoning control bills; that the Public Safety revenue share had been deleted and that fire and law enforcement are funded differently. The county’s switch over to BS&A software is expected to go live Dec. 27, 2026.

She also noted that the Materials Management plan work continues, and that a survey on the Clare County Cleaver Facbook page, etc. would be open until the end of the month. The survey also has been sent to all the government entities so their residents could participate.

Sheriff John Wilson offered his report to commissioners, noting the past year’s incidents stats. They included 979 ambulance runs in-county (which included outer units); 412 arrests (138 felonies and 274 misdemeanors); and 524 citations (not only for traffic violations). Wilson said prisoners housed at the jail included: 49 locals, 44 federals, 11 out-county from Grand Traverse and Ogemaw, and one Michigan Department of Corrections. He also noted that the Road Patrol is fully staffed, including two new graduates, one from Delta and one from Kirtland. Wilson added that Reservist Rod Williams would be back on marine patrol, training Blake Davenport on that job. He noted that secondary road funds had been cut back, which included ORV hours.

Wilson also spoke of a weapons switch over from a..45 caliber to a SIG Sauer P320 9mm across the department explaining that the .45 cal. ammunition was double the cost of the 9mm. This, he said, would have no additional cost as it would be paid for through the OWI forfeiture funds.

Drones were also a topic, and Wilson informed that the department has fur: two with thermal imaging and two for training. There is currently one certified pilot and 10 are close to certification. Additionally the department will be getting a small drone which can enter  house. He also noted that every road officer and corrections officer has a body-worn camera.

The topic of the new sally port came up and, and Wilson informed that construction there would start in July.

No treasurer or clerk’s report were offered.

In his report, Commissioner Rick Fancon inquired about the homeless situation in the county and how people could seek assistance. He was quickly informed that the first line of action was Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (989-386-3805).

Commissioner David Hoefling spoke of the Saturday, June 6 grand opening of the SPARK Grant-enabled Hamilton Township Park, with ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m., and food cart from noon to 4 p.m. Additionally, he thanked the road commission for its efforts to get things opened back up after recent flooding. He also noted one of his townships was working on revising its zoning and blight fees, and closed by saying that he, too, opposed to the GFL project.

The Memorial Day weekend was the focus of both Commissioners Marlene Housler and Dale Majewski; A carwash was slated in Freeman Township, and a pancake breakfast fundraiser was slated at the Lincoln Township Hall to raise funds for 800mHz radios.

No comments were offered by Commissioners Jacob Gross or Jeff Haskell.

Commissioner Jack Kleinhardt did offer some clarification on the Materials Management Plan, noting that every 10 years the county has to have a solid waste plan to be approved by EGLE. The current plan expires in 2030. It was formerly called a Solid Waste Plan, and now it is a Materials Management Plan. Data on the project is currently being collected, and Phelps will report on it at the next BOC meeting.

Commissioner Fancon added that nothing has been presented, that it was just fact-finding now.

The second public comment period saw some of the original anti-GFL speakers re-voice their objections. They included: Stench and proximity to homes, campgrounds and the Dairy Queen, and accusation that the commissioners were smirking about the project; Visual effects of a recycling center, likening it to making Hayes Township the Trash Capital of the Region, and urging another township or county to take on some of that work.

Others sought to move the BOC meetings to the afternoon to make it more accessible for working folks; while another thought townships should put homeless numbers on their sites. There was also a comment noting there was no way the commissioners didn’t care, and that they are working for what’s right for the community.

Pat Adams then addressed commissioners regarding the previous meeting when it was attempted to remove a road commissioner position – which under the Open Meetings Act he said would require a public hearing a minimum of 28 days prior to the vote, plus a written notice to the road commission. That motion was voted down, but a yes vote would have been a violation, and having a Committee of the Whole could have allowed for discussion and recommendations. He went on to note that, as the only Democrat candidate on the ballot running for that CCRC seat in November, and having filed his paperwork to run just two weeks prior to the previous BOC meeting, he took umbrage at the seeming targeting of that motion. When he reached his three-minute time limit, he continued to make one last statement loudly while being spoken over forcefully by Chairman Gorge Gilmore.

Commissioner Hoefling was the last to make public comment, and spoke of agreeing with the idea of resuming Committee of the Whole as it can provide needed information.

Gilmore then moved to adjourn the meeting, and the vote included Hoefling uttering, “Nay.”

The Clare County Board of Commissioners meets next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 in the BOC Room of the Clare County Building, 225 W. Main St. in Harrison.

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