Township News
Contents
7. New Trustee Appointed
Following the resignation of Township Clerk, Karen Fournier, on July 2nd, the Board of Trustees has finally returned to full strength.
At a Special Meeting held July 8, council appointed Trustee Cynthia Paavola to the position of Clerk — thus leaving her Trustee position vacant. The decision was made to solicit applications. Three people expressed an interest in filling the vacancy — Pat Hart, Steve Lang and David Lange. After interviews were conducted, it was determined that all three had experience relating to the role ahead. However, due to the possibility of being unable to complete the term (if successful in the November election), Steve Lang, in effect, withdrew himself from the competition. Two candidates remained in the running.
At the August 9th Board of Trustees meeting, considerable input from the audience was received — overwhelmingly supporting Pat Hart. In spite of that, a decision could not be reached. Mistakenly, it was thought that the situation could be decided by the voters in November. A legal clarification received the following day indicated that the vacancy must be filled immediately or a special (expensive) election would have to be called.
On August 16th, a Special Meeting resolved the issue by appointing Pat Hart as the trustee to replace Cynthia Paavola. In spite of extensive public support for Pat Hart, there was resistance — but finally all Trustees ended up on the same page.
We now have a complete Board of Trustees. There have been big changes in recent weeks and these "new kids" will need a bit of time to get up to speed . There is definitely a revised flavor to council. Hopefully we will see good things down the road.
6. Recall Process Moves Forward
The process of recalling Township Supervisor Patrick Pokorski is moving forward. Currently, organizers are collecting signatures to support the petition.
In response to ads placed in the local newspaper for "gatherings", a trickle of citizens showed up at the North Bay Beach House where they were greeted by a number of individuals presenting facts contradictory to the recall petition accusations. Once they became aware of the grossly inflated claims and outright falsehoods of the petition, several arrivals chose to not support it.
There are some curious happenings surrounding the entire recall effort. It was "suggested" to the supervisor by petition organizers that if he withdrew his bid for state office, no recall would be pursued. What does that sound like to you? When the Beach House gatherings fell short of the mark, the organizers resorted to one-on-one and door-to-door solicitations of signatures. One problem — residents of Krakow and other townships were approached. Looks like petition gatherers may not know the rules of the game they are playing. It also appears that at least one individual has lost a job coincidental to their public expression of support of the Supervisor.
There is a lot of misinformation circulating. Emotions have been boiling over, and that results in exaggerations and outright falsehoods entering the picture. Local citizens are being asked to take a stand based on visuals and dramatized claims that fail to take into consideration highly relevant facts. A recall is very expensive and has a major impact on a community. Let us hope that voters are responsible and do their homework, and not simply become dupes.
5. Township Clerk Resigns
In a letter dated July 2, 2010, and available as part of the minutes of the July 5 Planning Committee, Township Clerk Karen Fournier announced her resignation from all roles within the township. In that letter she briefly outlined her evolution within the township and noted the establishment of the bicycle path as a most rewarding accomplishment during those years. Citing the importance of family and the need to focus on that aspect of her life, she has opted to shift her priorities and step away from her township roles.
Karen has made a significant contribution to her community over the years. She willingly placed herself in the open performing a role that is often thankless and subject to criticism form all angles. You can only have respect for someone who feels so strongly about their community that they are willing to take that risk. Everyone of us owes her our thanks and appreciation.
Family is most important, and you must respect that as a priority. Local government has been a significant part of her life for many years and, with class, she has chosen to step aside. We wish Karen and those she loves the very best in the future. In the coming years, Karen, please make sure that you take the time to relax and savor what you have helped create.
4. Township Supervisor Recall Process Initiated
According to a blog posted on another website, the process to recall Presque IsleTownship Supervisor Patrick Pokorsky has been initiated. Those comments state that a Petition To Recall has been submitted to the Presque Isle County Clerk in Rogers City with a Clarity Hearing set for June 30.
The process to recall an elected official has many steps before a result can occur. The following is a general outline of what must happen as mandated by the State:
- Recall Sponsor submits reasons for the petition to County Clerk along with the language that would be presented on the recall vote.
- The County Clerk immediately notifies the subject officer of the petition and provides all relative details and information.
- The County Election Commission meets to conduct a hearing on the petition. That hearing will determine whether the petition reasons are stated with sufficient clarity for the voters to understand the issues.
- The determination rendered by the County Election Commission can be appealed within 10 days. If approved, validity is for 180 days.
- The Petition for Recall is then circulated to gather signatures from qualified voters within the jurisdiction. This must be done within a 90 day window.
- The completed petition forms are filed with the County Clerk.
- The subject officer is notified of the filing and provided the opportunity to inspect, challenge signatures and obtain copies.
- The County Clerk will review the filing to ensure the validity of the documents — including the signatures. The Qualified Voter list is used to verify that all signers are properly registered. The registration verification task may be passed back to the Township Clerk.
- Signature challenges must be filed within 30 days.
- Final review of the petition is conducted to determine if sufficient signatures have been collected and the petition is valid. To be successful, the quantity of signatures collected must be at least 25% of the number of cast ballots in the previous election for the position held by the subject of the recall.
- For a valid petition, a special election will be called with the recall placed before the electors on the next regular election date. The Township would be responsible for the cost of that election.
- Should the recall vote be successful, the subject official would vacate the seat upon certification of the results.
- The vacated seat would then be filled by a special election conducted on the next regular election date. The Township would be responsible for the cost of that election.
Click for more details on Recall Procedures
Also, according to the same blog, "The Michigan State Police have been contacted (as of June 12, 2010) and a criminal investigation has begun" with respect to the actions of the Township Supervisor.
3. Cemetery Volunteers Perform Cleanup
You could not have asked for a better day for the 15-20 volunteers mustered by the Presque Isle Men's Club to perform their magic on township cemetery. The area around the pavilion was cleared of the encroaching brush with other pruning taking place so as to make the area more friendly and accommodating. In so doing, a number of unoccupied plots became accessible and left in a better state of readiness.
The new service road area through the Presque Isle Harbor Association property, that was cleared last fall, also received attention with the brush residue processed by the chipper and reduced to a pile of mulch. Stumps are in the process of being removed so that the actual road bed can soon be established.
The mainly grey-haired work force showed that it does not require the strength of youth to achieve such objectives — just a strength of community spirit and a willingness to give of one's self. Special thanks to Attila Paltelky (Township Planning Committee), Jerry Broad (Men's Club) & Pat Pokorsky (Township Supervisor) for their generous efforts and for co-ordinating the day's activities.
Just as an additional note, the road shoulder area along the Kauffman Blvd. curve (at the cemetery) that was cut back last fall, has been landscaped by County Roads and has seen some seeding take place. You will also notice some straw having been spread to encourage grass growth and prevent erosion. We now have a much safer area and look forward to Mother Nature greening things up.
2. Township Supervisor Running For State Representative
It looks like our Township Supervisor, Pat Pokorski, is going to make a run for the elected office of 106th District State Representative. With his election committee formed on January 2 and the "Statement of Organization" filed with the Department of Elections on February 4, the wheels are in motion for the August 3rd primary. He is listed as running with Democratic Party affiliation. Pat's website is: www.votepokorski.com.
Patrick is the second member of Presque Isle Township government to look toward the state level of politics. Peter Petalia, former Township Supervisor & Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Committee has similar intentions as announced in the Alpena News on March 19, 2010. He is running with Republican Party affilliation. Peter's website is: www.peterforthe106.com.
It is a known fact that Patrick and Peter have conflicting aspirations, philosophies, goals and ways of going about things. You can be sure that there will be some interesting state politics involving these two gentlemen in the coming months. Hopefully, this will avoid visibility at the township level and that Peter can refrain from his patronizing addresses of the current supervisor at township meetings.
As for this state level politics and further recognition of it, the Shadow considers the topic to be outside of our operational policy. Only if and when there is a direct relationship with Presque Isle Township government will it find a place here.
1. Parks & Recreation Committee Restructured
At the December 14, 2009 Presque Isle Township Board Meeting, a resolution was passed disbanding the Presque Isle Township Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and establishing The Presque Isle Township Committee on Parks and Recreation. According to the resolution, the members of the newly appointed committee are as follows:
- Lynn Morrison (Township Board member) 3 years
- Judy Kimball (Citizen at large) 3 years
- Peter Pettalia (Citizen at large) 3 years
- Nancy Kinney (Citizen at large) 2 years
- Clayton Peters (Citizen at large) 2 years
- Barry Schatz (Citizen at large) 1 year
- Norma Crouch (Citizen at large) 1 year
The term of appointment for Committee Members is 3 years — with the initial staggered terms indicated above to ensure year-after-year continuity in the future. In part, the role of the committee is described as follows:
The Committee shall be advisory in nature, having only the power to make recommendations to and advise the Township Board on the subject of the Township's parks and recreational facilities. The Committee shall not be a "Parks Commission" pursuant to 1905 P.A. 157, MCL 41.121 et seq.
The above resolution was approved by a unaminous vote of council.
Editorial notes
When you consider this restructuring, there are some issues that may be worthy of note -- if not clarification.
- The role is advisory in nature. Was that not the case with the previous Advisory Committee? How is this committee different?
- The previous committee consisted of several volunteer members whose names do not appear on the new roster.
- This committee is now going to be paid where the previous was not.
- When you look at the minutes of this meeting, take note of the next entry after the recorded vote.
This Tadajewski motion appears to be a duplication of a section included in the approved resolution. Why was this motion presented? But notice the recorded vote — it had a split outcome. Is there a message here that we need to note?B. Tadajewski made a motion to appoint the following members and corresponding terms:
Peter Pettalia - 3 year
Nancy Kinney - 2 years
Barry Schatz - 1 year
Judy Kimball - 3 year
Clayton Peters - 2 years
Norma Crouch - 1 year
Lynn Morrison - township liaison - 3 yearsK. Fournier seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. K. Fournier, B. Tadajewski, and L. Morrison, ayes; P. Pokorski and C. Paavola nays. Due to majority vote, motion carried.
- If you look back into the minutes of the November 9, 2009 meeting under Unfinished Business, you will notice a motion passed unanimously appointing "Clayton Peters, Peter Pettalia, Barry Schatz, Nancy Kinney, Judy Kimball, and Patrick Pokorski as liaison" as committee members. This clearly indicates the intent of the board. However, this motion was invalid as the new committee did not yet exist. When the resolution was presented a month later, somehow Pat Pokorski disappeared and Lynn Morrison was in. Peculiar!
This is not the official site for the Township of Presque Isle, Presque Isle County, Michigan. If you are looking for the official website for the local government of Presque Isle Township, click here.
No bum that can't speak poifect English oughtna stay in this country...oughta be de-exported the hell outta here!
... ARCHIE BUNKER
