989-386-3600 TheThe ClareClare CountyCounty ReviewReview FREE VOLUME 73, NO. 01 Established 1947 FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 Mid Michigan’s Most Widely Circulated Weekly Newspaper • Serving all of Clare County • 989-386-4414 • On Line at www. wilcoxnewspapers.com Former CPD police chief funds police memorial By Pat Maurer the City Manager at that Correspondent time and got permission to place the stone in the Clare Mike Becker, a Clare City Park.” resident and former Clare He continued, “This Police Chief from 1976 to wasn’t just for me. It’s 1986, believes in giving meant for everybody. It is back to the community a gift to the community.” he loves, and, after two That “gift,” is a beauti- years of planning he has ful black granite marker done just that, funding a engraved with two poems special memorial marker from Becker’s book, dedicated to law officers “Words, not Bullets,” and, in fact to all public published in 2014 and servants – the police, fire reprinted in 2015. and emergency services, Becker’s poem on front service men and women, of the marker (found in the and veterans who are all front of his book), intitled there to serve and protect “The Care Taker,” ends: the rest of us. “It’s some- “The law was written thing I’ve always wanted by God, to do,” he said. Handed down to men, Last Saturday the sum All we can do is what of that planning was un- we can.” veiled at Clare’s City Park The back of the marker with residents and officers contains another poem from the area attending (found on page 47 of and with the very special “Words, not Bullets,”) is presence of his daughter, entitled son and two grandchildren “What is Love,” and who made the trip from begins with: Detroit just to attend the “Love is when you are unveiling of the marker willing to give all you next to the Clare Public have, Safety Building. Expecting to receive Pictured with former Police Chief Mike Becker (seated) are “I had a lot of help with nothing in return.” from left, Clare County Sheriff’s Office Sargent Steve Sentz, this,” he said in a phone After an invocation at Deputy Cam Guthrie. Clare Police Chief Brian Gregory, interview Wednesday. the unveiling ceremony by Clare K9 Officer Tom Francisco, Rev. Gary Mann, and Larry “When I was in the hos- Reverend Gary Mann, who Wyman Jr. pital about two years ago, was the Clare Police Chap- (photos by Steve Landon) I called Larry Wyman Jr. lan for 21 years (beginning and asked for his help with during Becker’s term), cious gift I have to give, He said, “I leave today this project. He made all Mike spoke about what the So take from it as you with a full dish because of of the arrangements for me monument means to him. wish; all the love I have received and started the process.” He quoted from another But remember, when from the community.” He continued, “Then I of his poems, it’s gone it’s just an empty He continued, “Police called Ken Hibl, who was “Love is the most pre- dish.” officers have a lot of love. They swear to serve and protect, and there are a Farwell shooter apprehended, lot of great ones out there to do that. If you see one, police, soldier or even charged with multiple felonies vet, just say ‘Thank You.’ By Pat Maurer The home the shooter’s An arrest warrant and It goes a long way and Correspondent target was occupied at a search warrant were means a lot to the ones out Former Clare Police Chief Mike Becker speaks to the time, but no one was obtained and Perkins was there who are working for local dignitaries, visitors and friends about the new When Clare County hurt, a release from Clare found in the woods by you.” Police monument in the Clare City Park deputies were called out County Sheriff John Wil- the Northern Michigan to the area of Finley Lake son said. Mutual Aid Task Force and and Cedar in Lincoln Investigators discovered taken into custody without Weiner mobile comes to Carrows Township around 7:30 a.m. that the suspect, Edward incident. May 16th for the report of Perkins, 45 of Farwell, had The Clare County Pros- a male shooting a rifle at a fled into nearby woods and ecutor’s Office charged home, they arrived on the was still armed with a rifle. Perkins with weapons-fire- scene to find bullet holes The release said he was arms discharge in or at a in the home and vehicles a neighbor of the victim, building; weapons-felony parked in the driveway, but and his vehicle was found firearm; weapons firearms no suspect. parked at his residence. discharge from a vehicle; two counts of felony fire- arm; malicious destruction of property; possession of methamphetamine and ha- bitual offender th4 offense. He was arraigned in 80th District Court on May 17 by Magistrate Steven Worpell. His bond was set at $100,000 cash. Perkins remains lodged at the Clare County Jail. If you were driving along Sheriff Wilson thanked Ludington Drive the Northern Michigan Thursday morning, Mutual Aid Task Force, you might have seen the Clare City Police, the an unusual sight. Michigan State Police Oscar Meyer’s Weiner from the Mt. Pleasant post; Mobile was at Carrow’s the Michigan DNR Law Supermarked for a cou- ple of hours in the morn- 546 WW.. 5th StrStreeteet Enforcement Division; Call for details! 989-386-3791 Lincoln Township Fire and ing and cutomers of the HIGH PERFORMANCE HAS A NAME™ - store had a changed to Rescue and Mobile Medi kksmith@martismith@marti n hnheatieati ng .ng.bizbiz cal Response Ambulance enjoy a hot dog as part Service for their assistance of a store promotion. IInstallatinstallati o non • •S eServicervice • •P aPartsrts Edward Perkins at the scene. Photo by Jack Maurer FFreeree EEstisti m amatestes • • MoMobilebile H oHomeme F uFurnacesrnaces Rudy’s Tobacco Shop LLC Brad Malley 989-386-3513 Well Drilling 1418 N. 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Under supervision, stu- dents in the program cleared two miles of trail seven to 10 feet wide and are learning tree identification, developing Joe Trommater (r) with CGRESD’s Deb Snyder Clare’s Tom Pashak reasons to use learn about and and SVSU’s Claire Bunker use the woods for recreation and studying how to thin the forest (tree cutting) safely “Kids need to get outside,” Brayden said, “We are plan- ning a disc golf course that would be available for the public to use.” Several thick areas on the Alison Thrush was one of 22 finalists chosen for the 2021 property will be thinned and Congressional Art Competition. some trees taken out. The trees will be sold and the priations (CRRSA) Act, 2021, until June 11th. funds from the lumber used to Public Law 116-260. *The bus routes for the possibly build a pole barn and The TV’s will be placed in coming year have been a possible kiln. each classroom with white- streamlined, Transportation The students said the board panels on each side and Supervisor Debbie Schomisch program give them the chance will replace the antiquated reported. One bus route has to be outside while they are black boards that are still been consolidated into two learning. sometimes in use. others. The change will save Other business at the meet- the district about $90,000 she Bunker and Farwell’s Gladwin’s Chad Donahue Gerwin said he is work- Carrie Carnsross ing with Forestry Consultant ing included: explained. James Ray on some of the *The graduation plans *Elementary Principal projects and said he would were also discussed at the Cathy Gross said they are (CLARE) – A hand- tion in his or her class- creative and think outside like to take students to his meeting. Principal Dr. Dee planning a 6- or 8-week sum- ful of local educators room or program, as well the box.” sawmill where they will lean Yarger said each student will mer program.