The 75¢ ~Locally owned & independently operated since 1881~ Volume 140, Issue 9 Thursday, March 4, 2021 • (989) 539-7496 ••clarecountycleaver.net • Harrison, Michigan BUCK TALES Taking a Peek Behind the Curtain Four County Residents Anyone living in Clare Surrey-to-Library Conversion Progressing County age 65 and older still By Dianne Alward-Biery Sentenced needing a COVID vaccination Cleaver Staff Writer please call Clare County Senior HARRISON – When Harrison Services to schedule an District Library Director Sheila appointment at 989-539-8870. Bissonnette asked if the Cleaver was interested in doing a walk-thru update on the library’s Surrey House renovation progress, there COMING was no question – the answer was a resounding “YES!” That led to EVENTS meeting up Friday morning to get a peek and to share with readers Chrishton Chapman what has been going on behind the Free Drive Thru Mobile building’s historic walls. Food Distribution at the Clare The Surrey was purchased in County Transit Corp. Saturday, April 2016, the architectural draw- The Harrison District Library’s March 6 in Harrison. Vehicle ings done by May 2017, and the remodeling of the former Surrey House lineup/ registration at 9 a.m.; plan finalized in June 2018. Now, is shown Feb. 26. Pictured are contrac- distribution 10:30 a.m. until nearly three years later, and after tors Jeff Wagner and Rich Hilton, along noon. One household per vehi- years of fundraising and grant- with library director Sheila Bissonnette, cle; bring a government issued writing, the final result is a bit eas- as insulation is applied, the height of ID or piece of mail to meet res- ier to visualize. bathroom tile is set at 54 inches, and the idency requirements. Bissonnette opened the front Eric Newell Restrooms NOT available. possibility of flip down window seats is door, leading the way into the mys- discussed. (Cleaver photos by Dianne tery lying in the community’s The Clare County Alward-Biery) Democratic Party will meet at midst. She explained the building 6:30 p.m. March 10 via had been gutted in Zoom/phone or video. To early 2018 to learn attend, email stephterpening@ “what things would gmail.com. jump out at us.” during COVID with Hilts’ Plumbing and Mark Fortunately, not times. Heckman [electrician]; we’re Clare's 47th Annual Irish much materialized “We actually going local as much as possi- Festival March 11-17 in Clare. by way of unexpect- have two con- ble.” View events at www.clare ed discoveries: a pipe tractors who She added that while the lat- Mark Kanoff michigan.com. here, a chimney work at the ter two contractors are very Chapman Sentenced for CSC Crimes there, and some lead library,” busy, they come in periodically Chrishton Daniel Chapman, of Ice shanties in the northern paint and asbestos- Bissonnette as the project evolves. Farwell, plead no contest to Child Lower Peninsula including laden tile adhesive said. “Jeff It was also noted that the pro- Sexually Abusive Activity, Criminal Clare County must be removed Sexual Conduct 3rd Offense (13-15 years which simply needed Wagner does ject’s roof work went to local by midnight March 15. of age); and Inducing a Minor to Commit to be sealed rather our maintenance contractor Britton Roofing a Felony, and he plead guilty to habitual than removed. stuff and Rich which, fortunately, provided the bit at a time. That is due in part offender 4th offense on January 12, 2021. For the most part, the library Hilton has worked our circula- most economical bid. to financial frugality and in part This case was originally brought to light board has been serving as project tion desk, and he’s a licensed because contractors and materi- through defendant’s parole agent and was manager and tackling the project a contractor. They’re working See on page 2 then investigated by the Clare County als have been in short supply LIBRARY Sheriff’s Department. Based upon the vol- ume of suspected child sexually abusive County Commissioners Learn Legal Skinny on Court ‘Revenue’ activity located in defendant’s possession, the FBI took over the investigation and turned the matter over to the US Attorney’s BOC Hears from Prosecution, Courts Office for review for charges. After a year of no action, the US Attorney’s Office By Dianne Alward-Biery cutors maintain determined they were not going to main- Cleaver Staff Writer competency in tain the file for prosecution and referred it their field. back to Prosecutor Ambrozaitis to review HARRISON – The Feb. 17 Chief Judge Joshua Spring Weight Ambrozaitis said for state charges. On March 1, 2021, meeting of the Clare County Farrell addresses the that, while Judge Evans sentenced him to serve 8 Restrictions Enacted Board of Commissioners, more Clare County Board of COVID has years, 3 months to 50 years in prison. The Michigan Department of than three hours in length, was a Commissioners in 2016 Chapman did not receive credit for the 818 enabled some of Transportation and local agen- diverse mix of concerns. The about a personnel change days he served pending the resolution of the training to be cies are enacting spring weight Administrator’s Report touched in the courts, which this case because he was on parole at the done online/virtu- restrictions, an annual move to on documents prepared and sent necessitated hiring at time he committed these new offenses. He ally or be set aside protect roads. in for a previously discussed least one full-time was also ordered to pay a total of $1894.00 for another time, it in fines, costs, and court appointed attor- Effective 6 a.m. Monday, Community Development Block replacement employee. is important to ney fees. March 1, weight restrictions are grant which will cover a portion Farrell also addressed the maintain the Newell Sentenced for Meth imposed and enforced on all of the HVAC repair costs, and BOC Feb.17 in an effort budget for travel Manufacture and Possession state trunkline highways from has been working on an HVAC to clarify the limitations and expense to Eric Edward Newell, of Harrison, the Michigan border north to request for proposals. Byard said on the court to assess plead guilty to Delivery/Manufacture ensure everybody and including M-20 from the all the departments had been fines and costs, and how Methamphetamine, Possession of is trained and “on interchange with US-31 in notified of auditor requests for little actual revenue Methamphetamine, and Possession of a top of their Oceana County, then east on M- documents, as well as working comes through the courts Controlled Substance under 25 grams on game.” She also 20 to US-131, then north on on OPEB reporting for retiree into the county’s coffers. October 27, 2020. These convictions were pointed out that a result of an investigation conducted by US-131 to M-20 in Mecosta health care. Byard also noted (Cleaver file photo) the work of her the Clare County Sheriff’s Department. County, then east on M-20 to that the attorney is working on office results in On January 21, 2021, he was sentenced by US-10 in Midland County, then documentation of the 17 drains court fines and fees assessed Judge Mienk to serve 15 months to 20 east on US-10 to M-25 in Bay owned by the county, listing behest of the Central Michigan the child support billing and the which generate money for the years, 15 months to 10 years, and 15 City, including the entire accompanying lake levels. She said District Health Department. procedure for receiving pay- months to 4 years respectively with credit county, which led to discussion Thumb region. this will be a benefit going forward “The health department has ment from the state. She for 3 days served. He was also ordered to of the disparity of fines levied All state trunklines in this with any additional drains the called on them to take on the described an online research pay $1894.00 in fines, costs, and court by the courts and actual prose- area will have weight restric- county may acquire in the future. scheduling of the clinics,” provider contract which had appointed attorney fees. cution costs. st tions imposed and enforced. She also had been preparing Byard said. “What an amazing been renegotiated for a cheaper Kanoff Sentenced for CSC 1 Degree “They [courts] need to Mark Anthony Kanoff, Harrison, plead State routes typically carry M, I, documents needed for preparing job they have done.” rate, and also spoke of a sub- understand it’s not right that the guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st or US designations. the Tax Anticipation Note Prosecutor Michelle scription for ICLE [continuing other taxpayers pay for that per- Degree (under 13 years of age) on Clare County restrictions In the absence of Community Ambrozaitis provided a budget legal education for Michigan] son doing the crime,” Majewski September 21, 2020. The investigation began Feb. 27, and Maple Services Director Lori Phelps, review, describing grant fund- which provides access to digital said. “And that these costs are regarding this case began in 2011 by the Grove from M-115 to North Byard also pointed out the work ing received, and how when the versions of evidence and appel- Clare County Sheriff’s Department. higher than what we’re charg- Road has been added to the Phelps and her Senior Services pandemic had stymied the orig- late books, alleviating the need Charges were brought; however, the case ing, and we need to send the restricted routes. staff had been doing in coordinat- inal purpose for the funds, she to acquire expensive hard was ultimately dismissed without preju- ing vaccination clinics at the had been able to change the copies.