Clinton County News Vol. 52 June 6,1974 ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN 48879 32 Pases County grapples with factor and law suit - By LINDA HEYBOER They thought they had a mission decided to let the factor natives are available." County News Writer chance at licking the first stand. Henning said the only Commissioners voted to enlist problem May 23 when 3 board alternative left may be an legal aid from outside the If it's not troubles with the members and county appeal to the state court of county for ..defense against the state, it's hassles with the equalization director Leon appeals, but the board was not DeWitt suit, which is also aimed townships. f Thelen tackled the state tax ready to make that -decision at Bath township, DeWitt says Clinton County com­ commission to appeal the Tuesday. the county has stalled on missioners grappled with both factor. Henning pointed out 3 county determining ownership of the Tuesday, as they tried to decide "We actually came away appeals filed with the court last sewage treatment plant in the what to do about a state-applied .somewhat optimistic from that year are still pending and ad­ township and claims the giant 10 percent tax factor and-a suit meeting," said Commr Dyle ded, "We feel before we spend contracts give DeWitt owner­ filed against them Monday by Henning. taxpayers' money on an appeal ship and operating rights. DeWitt township. But 5 days later the com­ we would see if other alter- Commr Virginia Zeeb, who represents the township, blasted the county board for "dragging its feet" on the issue. Debate livens "This board," she said, "is just as guilty for not making moves as DeWitt is for making This ceremony was part of the St Johns Memorial Day observance held on the traditional their moves." day of May 30 in St Johns. The cemetery observance followed a parade through. The pa­ Commission meeting The matter bf negotiation rade and related ceremonies were sponsored by the St Johns VFW and American Legion. between DeWitt, Bath and the County News Photo by John Cheney county department of public By JIM EDWARDS Ebert persisted in pressing his point of works (DPW) was assigned County News Editor order and then said the matters Wilcox was May 7 to a committee of 2 bringing up were discussed at previous commissioners, Harold Martin ST JOHNS - Bid awarding meetings are meetings. and Richard Hawks, Bath Twp supervisor usually pretty sedate affairs, but the St Ebert's argument became stronger when Martin wrote a letter to Johns City Commission experienced a few he said, ".., this is another of Comm DeWitt supervisor Dale sparks in the air Thursday night when bids Wilcox's attempt to nit pick at these people Emerson 3 weeks later, a delay were awarded for a storm sewer project. (Williams and Works Engineering) and I'll he said was needed to gather The sparks came when Cmmr Gerald say once again if he'll come to the meetings, information on the sew,er resigns for Petosky job Wilcox asked for an estimate on holding he'd certainly be aware of what's going on." dispute. But by then jhe ponds, not currently included in the bid for Ebert's reference to Wilcox coming to the township board has decided to the storm sewer project. meetings referred to, at least, 2 meetings sue. BATH TWP -- At a time when many people resigning as of June 30 to take "a very at­ wasn't cut out for politics. Comm Roy Ebert asked for a point of Wilcox did not attend wheri items about the Hawks pointed out the are throwing their hats into the political tractive assessing position in another "I couldn't handle the continuous hassle," order and was answered with Wilcox's "I've storm sewer were disucssed. township officials must have arena, 1 local official has decided to pull his community in the state." he explained. got the floor." seen the letter before the suit out. Commenting after the meeting, Van The supervisor's latest big hassle was an Wilcox retorted saying, "I'll say, I'll come was actually filed. Bath supervisor Roy Van Sickle told the Sickle said he took the new job -- as city April 22 recall attempt. Van Sickle defeated to the meetings if they are scheduled at a •"That shows they wanted to township board Monday night he is assessor of Petoskey -- after deciding he the move soundly, but announced soon af­ time that fits my schedule. I explained to go to court, not negotiate," he terward ,he would not seek re-election in Schools you people 6 months ago certain nights I said. November. cannot attend because of previous com­ Commr Duane Chamberlain Major issues in the recall drive were a $4.3 mitments 'Ynd all I'm asking for is the said he welcomed the suit million township sewer project and charges, estimate of the holding pond be put oh because (t- wolil4 'Vttle the •v." hold ekction , "fff lack-of com'mtmication^between"Ya?f* record,'^ ^ >. - * - - - 'issue once and fqr a,]l." ' Sickle and resldehts*. Comm Ebert then said he would -"like to Commr Roger Oyejway Van Sickle said he applied for various Voters in 6 area school districts go to the make sure the city clerk has that statement agreed, "it's in the court now?1 '"'Plenty to do this assessing positions around the state even polls June 10 to elect school board members that Commr Wilcox will attend the meetings he said, "and that's the best before the recall election, adding that and, in all but 2 cases decide millage issues. when it fits his schedule." place for it." money was not a major concern. Bath is l district with no millage •vote this In other action, the board ."I was Willing to take a cut in salary so I year. Two 4-year board seats are open; Wilcox answered that the meeting he appointed 2 new zoning com­ could get out of here," he declared, "so I candidates are Bernard Black and Gail would attend had been given also to other mission members and 2 summer in St Johns could sleep at night." Matthews. commissioners as the every other Monday representatives to the regional As it happened, Petoskey offered him DeWitt, which previously announced a nights, the 1st and' 3d of the month. aging consortium. $12,005 a year plus traveling and other ex­ millage proposition, discovered since that After the exchange between Ebert and Replacing former zoning penses, while his present salary is $13,004 a renewal is not necessary until next year. Wilcox, the engineer said the cost of the members Robert Fedewa and year without traveling expenses outside the Four people are running for 2 4-year terms: holding ponds was between $200,000 and Alden Livingston will be Harold Jownship. Van Sickle figures he will at least Willard Reed, John Allen, Keith Davis and $250,000, a figure they.said was on record. Rappuhn of rural St Johns and ST JOHNS - This year's summer Special use of Band Shell and area (to be breakeven. Robert Valentine. Finally awarded the bid was Equipment Jack Wiswasser of Bath. recreation program in the City of St Johns announced). and Gravel for $778,211.50 worth of work on Special 4th of July Event. "I'm going to be happy," he said. The Fowler district is asking for a renewal Representing the county on will include a variety of new ideas and ac­ The township board has 30 days to appoint of its current 16 mills. Candidates for 2 4- the north section of the sewer project and J. the aging consortium will be tivities not sponsored in previous years. Horseshoe Tournament - (July). Leach Construction Inc. for $799,855 for the Others to be announced. an interim supervisor to serve until year board terms are Winifred McKean and Wallace Watts of Wacousta and Under the direction of Randy Humphrey, November.- If trustees fail to appoint Marvin Simon. south section of the project. Mary Welton of rural St Johns. city clerk and recreation director Dean someone Within that time the appointing Ovid-Elsie wants voters to approve 16 Eisler CCentral Michigan University A scheduling of all events and further task goes to the governor. information concerning each activity will mills, with 14 representing renewal and 2 as recreation major) the program has been Van Sickle expressed thanks for an operational increase. Three candidates designed to appeal to all age groups. appear in-the County News weekly. All in­ terested in the above activities may contact cooperation he received and pledged to are running for 1 4-year term. They are This year's schedule of activities include assist his replacement if necessary. He said David Hill, Donna Besco and Robert White. DeWitt Council the following: Dean Eisler at 224-2313 from 8-12 every morning except Saturday and Sundays. philosophically that "every growing area The St Johns system is asking 16.5 mills, a has its period of turmoil" but added he 1 mill increase over the current rate. There Men's City League Slow Pitch Softball. The firstactivity began Monday, June 3. apparently wasn't the person to cope with are 3 candidates for 2 4-year board terms: Women's Slow Pitch Softball or Volleyball. T The men's 20 team slow pitch league that period in Bath township. Edward A. Lenon, William Richards Jr and Men's 35+ Slow Pitch Softball or Valleyball. Wo one seemed shocked by Van Sickle's Wendell E.