|
|
In Our Opinion! |
|
Sharing:
"Not Just For Children!" |
 |
| The following
are the comments of Lou Bonagura,
Editor of IronwoodInfo.com, made
to the Ironwood City Council,
August 10, 2009. The comments
are relative to the current
efforts, of the hiker/biker
elements attempting to evict
snowmobiles and ATVs from
Ironwood. |
|
|
I
was unaware that the city of
ironwood was so prosperous that
it could chose between which
segments of the economy it
wanted to keep or eliminate. Nor
was I aware that Ironwood was so
perfect that it could chose or
dismiss any recreational
activity for it's citizens and
tourists alike.
First, I do not nor do I intend
to participate in motorized
sports. To the contrary, I ride
a non-motorized bike. I look
forward to using the existing
and new trails, alike.
However, I do not... repeat I do
not look forward to doing so at
the expense of other citizens
who wish to use the existing and
future trails for motorized
sports.
I have seen first hand that both
sports can successfully coexist,
when selfishness and self
serving motives are eliminated
from the equation.
I also know as a parent, that
one of the first things you
attempt to teach your children
is to "share"
Perhaps some of the individuals
involve in the current dispute
have forgotten what there
parents have taught them.
Additionally, If the
establishment of a Miners
Memorial Park were sincere, and
not just camouflage for
self-serving purposes, I believe
as do most citizens that I have
spoken to believe, that the Park
should be accessible to handicap
individuals as well as
non-handicapped individuals.
Perhaps the park should be made
accessible to all motorized
vehicles. I strongly suggest
legal research into that
particular element of the caves
park concept. There has been a
great deal of litigation
surrounding accessibility to
public lands.
I understand that the area in
question contains approximately
425 square acres. It is hard to
understand how New York's
Central park can satisfy the
needs of 23,000,000 people
annually and that our caves area
can't accommodate a pitiful
hundred or so residents.
Finally, while it may be
beneficial to talk about how
many visitors this or that will
bring to Ironwood, I believe
what is more import is what
Ironwood brings to its current
taxpayers and citizens. |
| |
|
In Our Opinion! |
|
An
IronwoodInfo
Editorial |
|
City
Continues to |
|
Bargain in
Bad Faith |
 |
| |
| Ironwood - June 30, 2009 Before you read the following I
would like to make one thing clear. For the length of my
entire career, I was never a member of a union, I was always
considered a part of management. Furthermore, no one in my
family was ever a member of a union. While I like to think of
myself as a Goldwater Republican, I would neither accept nor
condone the methods being used by the spineless city council
in its dealings with the city's union employees.
The city's tactics appear to be nothing less than Union
Busting!
City of Ironwood municipal employees have been working for two
years without a contract, due to bad faith bargaining by city
officials. Each time the workers come close to a tentative
agreement with the city, the city's big guns throw another
obstacle in the way of finalization.
Ironwood, unlike any other local government does everything in
its power to beat up the local union workers. It's been over
one year since Ironwood residents picked up signs and walked
the informational picket lines in front of the Memorial
Building. Still the inept city council has failed to bring
this disgraceful situation to a conclusion.
Let's make one thing perfectly clear. We are not talking about
some union members in New York nor are we talking about Union
Workers in California, nor Detroit for that matter.
We are talking about people who work and live right here in
Ironwood.
They are not the enemy they are one of us.
They send their kids to the same schools that we send our
children to.
They bring their children to the same churches we all attend.
They take their hard earned dollars to shop in the same stores
where we all shop.
They pay the same taxes that we all do.
They not only tolerate the same miserable weather that we do,
but go out in that miserable weather to take care of our
needs.
We were not laying in holes repairing the water leaks
resulting from years of neglect by the politicians, they were.
"They" are "us", and quite frankly I'm fed up with trashy
attitude that our city workers are receiving by inept
politicians. Union busting is not a good thing and it's
certainly not an honorable thing.
The City is paying the City Attorney $100. an hour to stall
off the union contract. The city continues to use the
unproductive adversarial Form of Negotiations." A method that
does nothing to solve union negotiations nor to increase the
self-respect of Ironwood . You can't show respect to others
when you have no self respect to begin with.
In the event that some of our readers are too young to
remember, prior to the formation of unions there was no middle
class. None! There were however abusive employers, both public
and private.
Almost everything that we enjoy today comes as a result of
unions fighting for employees which resulted in the creation
of our middle class. The pay check that you enjoy today is
only as large as it is because of our nation's unions. Let us
remember also that when union membership was at its pinnacle
so was American prosperity. Ironwood's greatest days also came
when the unions were at their highest level.
Ironwood's fiscal woes are not a result of union wages or
benefits. It is the result of city government that failed
miserably and then mis appropriated the workers pension money.
Let's not forget that the economic collapse of 2008 was not a
result of labor but more abuse by those who crush not only
unions but employees in general.
If our city government can pay an attorney $100,000 plus per
year and a city manager $100,000 per year and then piss away
thousands of dollars on unnecessary ads in the Daily Globe,
then it damn well can afford to pay its workers a living wage!
Last Monday Bob Murphy spoke to the city commission and the
following are his remarks:
Monday June 22, 2009
City of Ironwood Commission Meeting - Public Comment.
My name is Bob Murphy. I am a staff representative with
Michigan Council 25 AFSCME. I am here this afternoon on behalf
of Local 1538. My team and I have been negotiating with
representatives of the City since the spring of 2007. We
believe it is time the City of Ironwood settles the contract
with its City employees. I have made two separate offers to
City representative over the past several weeks, the first of
which after review received several language amendments which
I believe now mirrors the Public Safety Agreement that was
ratified by this commission several weeks ago.
Last week I asked your negotiating team if it was their intent
to submit and recommend that offer to you for ratification,
your chief negotiator Denies Cossi indicated that they would
not, and went on to state (and I paraphrase) that is was their
intent was to go through the entire contract and find all the
things they did not like and make a proposal.
I strongly encourage this Commission to reconsider this course
of action as it will leave me no other option than to file
unfair labor practice charges with the Michigan Employment
Relation Commission and any other legal action that may be
available.
Please let me restate that Local 1538 did pre-ratified the
proposal that was submitted to the City Manager two weeks ago
and I believe mirrors the Agreement that was reached between
the Ironwood Public Safety and the City of Ironwood and
ratified by this Commission.
Thank you for your time.
|
| |
|
In Our Opinion! |
|
An
IronwoodInfo
Editorial |
|
"OOOPS,
I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN !" |
|
|
| Ironwood Township - June 25, 2009 |
| Globe editor Joseph Karius once said of people
opposing his views, that they were loose with the facts
and dealt in innuendo. It is quite clear that either his reporters
or his editing is more than guilty of the same charges he renders
against those he considers to be threats to the Globes future.
This week the remaining readers of the Globe were able to see a
glaring example of what they refer to as playing loose with the
facts and dealt in innuendo. The point in hand was the
coverage of the township's board meeting, by Globe Cub Reporter
Margaret Levra. We hope that it was an oversight on the Globe's
reporting rather than an outright lie by omission.
Levra, chose to write about allegations made by the disruptive
township malcontents, Larry and Moe, whose ring leader, Curley
stayed home to avoid any more embarrassment than he's already caused
to himself and the others.
Yes, Monday was a complete disaster to Curley and his merry men.
Gathered in the township hall was a large group of township
voters who came to support the board of trustees against the false
allegations being thrust about by Curly, Larry and Moe. The
globe reporter chose to omit this information from her biased
report. She further omitted the fact that Trustee Kathy Maki, spoke
to the attendees in defense of the trio's false allegations against
Township Supervisor Kim Mattson. The points brought out in Maki's
comments clearly exonerates Mattson from the false statements made
against Mattson by the sore losing cry baby who bullies the
women on the township board every chance he gets. He and the stooges
he's duped into assisting him retreat every time a male member of
the board challenges them. Hmmmm! Levra included in her story
reference to an email sent by a township employee to the cry baby
Jim Simmons. The email probably should not have been sent via the
township's computer, however, the content was nothing more than the
sentiments of the overwhelming number of Township voters. The same
voters that sent Simmons and his cronies running during the last
election. The contents of the email were very mild compared to what
should have been said to these Imo Limos. Unfortunately, Rachael
isn't used to handling men who bully others.
The Globe reporter not only omitted Kathy Maki's remarks, she
also omitted the remarks of Township resident, Donald Treglon, who
stated to the board, that he was very pleased with the job
that Kim Mattson and the board were doing. He went on to say "that
he wished the other ones (3 stooges) would leave the board alone so
they would not be disrupted in their work.
It's bad enough that the meetings have become disrupted by
folly but, it's made even worse by the role being played by the
Globe in this fiasco. Unlike everyone else, the Globe allows Simmons
free access to the letter to the editor column. The rules that apply
to everyone else go right out the window with respects to the
township sore loser.
In fact, we find to be a strange coincidence that Globe which
abandoned news coverage of the township more than three years ago,
would chose this time to return.
Loose with the facts and dealing in innuendo is one thing,
as is sloppy editing. But, a lie by omission is quite something else
altogether. It leaves one wondering. |
| |
|
Hovey's
Towering Pines ....
A Scheme Against Ironwood! |
 |
In Our Opinion
An IronwoodInfo Editorial |
 |
 |
|
"They never open their mouths without
subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." –
Thomas Brackett Reed |
|
Ironwood - June 19, 2009 It seems that the
Hovey Low Income Housing Project is like that
old "Bad Penny" The one that you can't get rid
of, as the saying goes. Even though nine out of
ten people interviewed by IronwoodInfo are
opposed to the project, at least two of
Ironwood's city councilmen are still trying to
force this project down the reluctant taxpayer's
throats.
Of course, we know that Noren and Toth are
thought by many to be the two worse councilmen
in the city's history, but how do you explain
Tom Laabs falling for this scheme so detrimental
to the city's future.
Who would have thought two year's ago that Bob
Burchell and Gemma Lamb would be on the right
side of this issue and Tom Laab's would be
posturing with the inept Toth and Noren? A team
that becomes more and more unpopular with each
passing day. Since the last city election,
both Burchell and Lamb have finally come to realize
what Noren's definition of cooperation is "his
way or his way".
More than ninety percent of the people that have
shown up at the hearings have opposed this
asinine project. Yet, Monday night there will
once again yet again another hearing on the
project. Bruce Noren, the Mayor who would be
king, will not give up on this shameless
endeavor. He often behaves like the spoiled
child that "must get his way or else!"
Brucie
will keep this nonsense up until the rest of the
council comes to its senses and puts a halt to
it all.
Bob Burchell spoke out in clear
terms why he was opposed to the Hovey scheme.
Our only disppointment was that he didn't
receive the support he deserved from Tom Laabs.
Toth, seems perfectly
comfortable as King Noren's personal puppet. It
would be asking too much to expect her to do the
right thing.
One can only wonder why Noren is pushing this
package of rotten fish on Ironwood taxpayers.
Ironwood as you know, has the highest tax rate
of any city in the U.P. and now Noren and his
puppet Toth want those same over taxed citizens to
subsidize the Hovey fiasco, which will send
millions in profit downstate to DeWitt!
Plenty has already been written about this
subject and of course the Daily Globe is once
again on the wrong sideof the issue, only because they
would
follow Noren off the edge of a cliff. As we all
know, Noren and his surrogates has been using
tax money for unnecessary advertising in the
Globe. Thousands of dollars a year in
advertising buys a lot of support.
O.K. we know that the the Hovey scheme is bad
because it produces no tax revenues, and we know
too that it is bad because it undermines current
investment in the community.
But, we also know it's bad because MSHDA , like
the bully it is, is trying to shove this thing
down our throats against our will.
MSHDA employees have told us that this project
would have been rejected right up front except
for interference from upper management. We also
know that Tim Hunnicutt, Hovey V.P. is a former
MSHDA employee.
MSHDA has without a doubt replaced the "Company
Store" in Ironwood. What it gives with its right
hand it takes back with its left. The only
hand that we need for this deal is
the one we use to hold onto our wallets
Beside the obvious, let's look at this "Low
Income Project" from another point of view.
Right now, as you read this editorial, there is
a great deal of time, energy and money being
expended to make Ironwood appear attractive
enough to entice people to move here. More low
income housing doesn't enhance that image at
all. It only will act as a deterrent to people
who would move here to escape from slums and
crime.
Simply put, the Hovey Project is an insult to
our community's moral standards and a slap in
the face to our city's integrity. To us, no
amount of advertising revenue is worth that!
The Hovey Low Income Housing Project does not
contribute to a brighter future for Ironwood. To
the contray, it
will only add to the downward spiral that our city
is currently in.
Ironwood has a huge vacancy problem and adding
to the number of housing units in the city just
makes the situation worse. It doesn't take too
high an IQ to figure that one out. But then
again look who on the city council is pushing
for this boondoggle.
Hovey V.P. Hunnincutt seems confused as to why
we don't want this Low Income Project in our
city. Why doesn't he understand?
First of all, this project was turned down by
neighboring communities which knew that enough
is enough. ?
Secondly, he should know why as he doesn't want low income housing in
his neighborhood. Down in DeWitt where the Hovey
speculators reside they didn't build Low Income
Apartments. Instead they built Water View
Condominiums, "a charming residential and
professional office development" located on the
Looking Glass River in downtown DeWitt,and
Looking Glass Meadows, "a 64-unit luxury
apartment community."
By the way, how do these guys find out which
communities to take advantage of ? Who gives
them the leads anyway? Do you suppose there's
that much profit to go around?
If Noren and his puppets would have spent as
much time and effort in bringing jobs to our
community as they dedicated to the Tim Hovey and
Tim Hunnincutt debacle we might be on the road
to recovery by now. Then, Hovey might come and
build some "Luxury Housing Units" in Ironwood
just as they did back home!
But of course, our inept mayor would have to
care more about the city then himself. Wow, over
inflated egos wasted on such under achievers!
The only thing Hovey wants from Ironwood is to
have the taxpayers subsidize and support their
lifestyles in DeWitt.
We know that Ironwood
won't gain from this project. We know Hovey
and Hunnincutt will gain from this debacle.
We know someone at MSHDA must have
something to gain from this folly.
The only
thing we don't know is, who in Ironwood will gain
from this travi$ty. |
|
|
|
"I'm Glad I Lost
the Election!" |
|
In Our Opinion |
An
IronwoodInfo
Editorial |
|
|
| May 27, 2009 |
The Township naysayers brought their negative
attitudes back to the township offices again Tuesday afternoon. The
chronic complainers once again were assembled by Jamie Simmons at
the Township Board meeting in another attempt to embarrass or
otherwise harass Kim Mattson, the Township Supervisor.
|
Simmons has been pursuing what appears to be a
personal vendetta against Mattson ever since he got his butt beat in
last year's election. Some people just can't accept defeat
gracefully.
|
|
 |
What is amazing to this writer is how his little
band of merry men (and women) continue to embarrass themselves on
behalf of Simmons. One has to wonder, how many times would you stand
up, say something, appear to be dumb as dog poop, and come back for
more.
The problem is, that Simmons gives them a sound bite to go with and
nothing more to back it up with.. Since Simmons' arsenal is filled
with little more than trite and innuendo, the Simmmons
spokes-folk are left with egg on their faces when presented
with an answer from the board. The blind followers don't have any
where-with-all to follow through, making themselves look far from
bright.
|
 |
With each succeeding meeting the Simmons' boys and
girls look worse and worse, with nothing new to say. Simmons himself
is running out of fresh material. Not that any of it has been
relevant so far.
Simmons and his friends (?) go in front of the board asking
rhetorical questions trying to embarrass Mattson. However, as soon
as one of the men on the board confronts the naysayers they back
down immediately. That too makes one wonder!
|
 |
| This week the front man was a woman, Kathy Lahti.
She asked when would the road in front of her home be sprayed? At the
last meeting Chris Winchowski asked when would the road be paved? He
and Lahti both live in the home located at 5056 Welch Creek Road.
There are over 5000 people residing in the City of Ironwood asking
the very same question! Only they have a more legitimate complaint
as they pay the highest taxes of any city in the Upper Peninsula.
Nearly twice the taxes that Township residents are paying. Get in
line Chris! With respect to Kathy Lahti, why was she asking this
question in the first place? She called the Township office last
week and received the same information she received again at this
week's meeting. "The County sprays the road, not the Township. The
township pays the bill!" |
 |
The questions are a result of the naysayers lacking
the knowledge about their government, which is a result of not
attending meetings until Simmons lost the election. Even Simmons
failed to attend meetings until he was beaten in the election!
There was some good news. ......
After the meeting adjourned, Simmons told this writer that "He was
glad that he lost the election" he went on to say "I wouldn't want
to be up there doing what they (the trustees) are doing!"
Guess what Jimmy? We're all glad too! |
| |
|
|
In Our Opinion
An IronwoodInfo Editorial |
It appears that many people
are confused about the Civic Center
situation relative to their unpaid water
bill. There's also confusion about the work
the city performed on a sixteen inch broken
main on Jackson Rd.
It's not too difficult to explain,
really. Perhaps some people, such as the
"Mayor who would be King", like the
situation to appear confusing. He's had an
axe to grind with the Township for quite
some time. Especially after he screwed up
the Township and Library negotiations.
The situation is very simple. The city sold
water to the township. The township sold and
delivered the water to city owned civic
center. The township buys the water from the
city at bulk rates and adds its cost for
overhead to the bulk rates. So does Hurley.
Ironwood charges the taxpayers for the cost
of producing the water plus its overhead
plus it adds whatever the hell else it so
chooses to charge. Why else would we have
such outrageous water fees in Ironwood. The
city already pays the highest taxes in the
U.P.
Noren has cost the city two water contracts,
the Hurley contract $259,000 per year and
the Township contract worth $100,000 per
year. How do you suppose Noren's planning on
making up those loses. Maybe from the
overtaxed citizens of Ironwood.
The city wants the Township to forgive the
civic center debt. But, Noren has refused to
return the money that the township actually
paid for the water. When the Civic Center
representative, Dan Collins appeared before
the Township Board of Trustees he was asked
by Steve Boyd "What civic center bills has
the city forgiven? Answer none. Noren wants
it both ways. As the old saying goes "he
wants his piece out of the middle." The
township would forgive the civic center debt
if Noren returns the $7,500 that the
township paid for the water. If Noren hadn't
put the city and the civic center into a
precarious financial situation a small water
bill would not be an issue. Strange isn't
it. Noren has $10,000 to buy ads in the Glob
but can't pay a legitimate financial
obligation.
As for the work the city did on the water
main break on Jackson Road, it's doubtful
that the city will bill this out, regardless
of what the "Mayor who would be King"
thinks. Of course that's a large part of the
problem. He, the " I'm the Mayor" usually
doesn't think.
At the time of the Jackson Road water main
break, water lines were breaking in the
city. Every hour lines closer and closer to
the water source were failing as each
preceding break was repaired. The city took
it upon themselves to dig up Jackson Road as
they suspected the break was theirs. No one
asked them to do it. The Township has its
own procedures in place for handling water
line failures. Hurley has replaced its old
and leaking water lines and now the Township
is replacing their lines. On the other hand
Ironwood keeps on paving over its 83 year
old water lines. Go figure! |
| |
| |
|
|
In Our Opinion
An IronwoodInfo Editorial |
|
The
Towering Pines Debacle
A Blight On Integrity |
|
|
|
|
Hovey Low
No Income Housing Project - Part II |
Photo above councilmen Toth (l) and Noren(r)
lead the charge without due diligence!
January
13, 2009 Ironwood, Michigan - Smoke,
Mirrors, Lies and Deception
In part one of this series we showed how the
deception and misdirection associated with the
Hovey Boondoggle began with the very first
communications between Hovey and the city of
Ironwood. No sooner than the ink was dry on the
first letters and emails.. MSHDA the State
conduit for federal money, got into the act. The
processes by which MSHDA decides on the value of
these low-no-income projects ran amuck right
from the beginning. The deception and lies by
both MSHDA and the city went into play. Let's
remember that a lie by omission is still a lie.
The Hovey standard plan of operation was in
play. It probably was in play prior to the first
contact with the city. Part one of the plan was
to infiltrate the Ironwood School District by
holding a contest for students in which they the
students would name the low-no-income housing
project. In exchange for a couple hundred
dollars, the Hovey crew gained priceless
advertising and the unearned goodwill of the
community. The HOOK was set. Later, the school
district would turn over its future school taxes
to the project, as will the city of Ironwood.
IronwoodInfo attempted to find out just how did
the Hovey LLC find its way into our school
district. Who opened the door for this Public
Relations deception? No one at the school
district would admit to being the victim.
While you were looking at the kids who won the
money in the contest, the city manager and the
previous community development director were
busy seeing who could give away more of the
taxpayer's money. The city agreed to apply for a
Neighborhood Preservation Grant. The grant
would, among other things, pay for walking
trails and tennis courts at and adjoining the
low-no-income housing project. Later, the city
would apply for a $200,000 DNR Grant to build a
Tennis Court-Entertainment Area on the Hovey
Project. This grant would have required a
$40,000 - $50,000 match from the city. That's
right. Ironwood taxpayers were expected to fork
over nearly $100,000 in matching grant money on
a project that would not pay taxes to the city
or the school district.
Hovey was to supply MSHDA, with among other
things, a site analysis, a wetlands survey and
the infamous survey that evaluates the need for
the Hovey Boondoggle. Hard to image, isn't it,
how a consultant could find need for the scandal
ridden Towering Pines low-no-income housing
project, when there is a 25% vacancy rate among
existing apartment complexes. Isn't it equally
troublesome that none of the existing apartment
owners were contacted to determine vacancy
rates. More interesting is the fact that Freedom
of Information Requests, for the Infamous
Survey, were stonewalled by MSHDA and the City.
James Albert requested a copy of the survey from
MSHDA and this writer requested a copy of the
survey from the city and no reply was ever
received from the city manager.. Later in the
year, we again asked the city council for copies
of the survey. Mayor Brucey or is it Brucie told
the audience that the city was not required to
produce the survey under the law. That they (the
city) only needed to make an effort to produce
it. Two lies in one! Way to go Brucie! Not to be
outdone in anything stupid, city councilman Toth
told the audience that the survey might be
proprietary.
A year later Attorney Marvin Marks requested the
Survey from MSHDA again under the FOIA. Hard to
believe, but the MSHDA gang tried to stonewall
the request once again. It took two months
before the MSHDA gang produced the data they so
ardently tried to cover up. Do you suppose that
these paper pushers at MSHDA were using up every
bottle of whiteout that they could lay their
mitts on?
We didn't mention that the front man for Hovey,
Vice President Tim Hunnincut was a former MSHDA
employee, did we? Hmm.
John Cain wrote to State Rep. Mike Lahti,
stating the reasons why he objected to the Hovey
project and also made note of the Illusive
Market Survey. In a reply to Mr. Cain, Lahti
stated:
"As I understand from MSHDA, Hovey Companies
provided a market study to the State. Also, the
city only has quotes that Hovey Companies
provided in council. MSHDA has acknowledged that
they have received FOIA requests, and offered to
provide a copy of the study, and the submittals
they control, but there is a cost for copying
this paperwork and shipping. I understand the
FOIA request was then withdrawn."
Really? No one that I know of withdrew their
request. That's right. MSHDA lied to Lahti just
as they continue to lie to the Ironwood
Taxpayers!
Lahti went on to say: "MSHDA has identified the
need for housing and has completed its review of
the proposed development. I was also told, that
in a public hearing, Ironwood passed a
resolution fully supporting this development."
We wonder what survey they read. The one
conjured up by the city manager and Woods
consulting?
The survey ultimately released by MSHDA doesn't
support the need for more rental housing in
Ironwood at all. First, the people at Wood's
Consulting didn't get off their duffs to do any
research on the project. The city manager
provided informational data for the survey. So,
how much credibility does the data have in the
first place. The survey wasn't "created" until
May 4, 2007.
Second and most importantly, Brucey Noren and
Suzzy (duh) Toth voted to approve the
low-no-income housing project.....Five Months
Prior to the Completion of the Questionable
Survey.
How then did these two would be business
geniuses vote for this Boondoggle without the
supporting data?
Why then did they make every excuse possible not
to produce the survey?
More Deception...... The city council without
any knowledge as to the credibility of the
project or any need for the project went on to
approve the ordinance that paves the way for the
Hovey Boondoggle. Not only did the council act
without due diligence, it went on to approve the
sale of the land to Hovey:
1) without an up to date appraisal and
2) without putting the property out for public
bids!
Aren't you even more interested in who is making
money on this project other than Hovey, its
hometown of DeWitt and MSHDA.
EVEN MORE DECEPTION!
The original submission to MSHDA stated that the
property was not subject to a wetlands
certification. This writer wrote to the Governor
outlining that statement. Low and behold without
reply or fanfare a wetlands review was finally
made. As a result the portion of the Ayer Street
property where the buildings were to be built
was in fact a wetland. The Hovey crew had to
revise the site plan. The resulting change
placed the apartments in a new location on the
property and reversed the site layout. This
should have required another submission to the
Ironwood Planning Commission and a subsequent
reevaluation of the project. The Planning
Commission has taken the position that the site
plan does not have to be voted on again. Of
course, this decision was made by a government
body dominated by Brucey puppets. On this or any
other item, the Commission jumps through
whatever hoops Noren suggests.
A site analysis was submitted by Site Design and
Management Systems Inc. This document is
supposed to provide a complete and accurate
description of the site where the low-no-income
housing project is to be built. Unlike Woods
Consulting Survey, it appears that someone from
SDMS actually came to Ironwood and looked at the
project site. While they may have been here they
did not address the Mine Subsidence problem
inherent to the property. At the least it was
not a satisfactory response.
The SDMS document is like the Wood's Survey was
ambiguous and lacking in statistical
significance and based on facts not in evidence.
How can you use data in a survey that is
supplied by the very people perpetrating the
sham, that being the city staff itself.
Contrary to what you might have read, the Hovey
survey Does Not Prove a need for the project.
The data is flawed at best and contrived at its
worse. No prudent person could put an ounce of
support to this Blight on Honesty.
Section 11 of the survey lists what are
described to be local employers and employment
numbers. Most of the numbers are overstated. In
fact two of the employers listed have been out
of business for several years. It seems obvious
that the data presented was ripped from an
out-of-date webpage.
The data that is supposed to support the project
is a true laugher. The factoring used in the
formulae are contrived fabrications based on bad
data. Just plug in any factor, any factor at
all, that supports the notion you wish to put
forward. Get serious! My thirteen year old
grandson could pull this one off.
Did we mention that Tim Hunnincutt, Vice
President and front man for Hovey, is a former
employee of M$HDA?
There's more deception, more lies, more covering
up and much more skullduggery.
Part Three Next Week. |
In Our
Opinion
|
|
Hovey Low
Income Housing Project
Just One More Boondoggle |
|
|
|
January 4, 2009
What can you say that is good about the proposed
Hovey Boondoggle planned for Ayer Street? If you
mean what good will it serve Ironwood the answer is
very little. If you mean what good will it serve
south-of-the-bridge DeWitt Michigan the answer is a
great deal. DeWitt is the home base for the would be
developers of the not so "Towering Pines"
low-no-income housing project. We know that the
assumed profits from this sham will not stay in
Ironwood or Gogebic County for that matter. No, the
benefits of this will move down state to the
community of DeWitt where the Hovey, and
Hunnicutt reside. They will then perhaps use the
profits to build more luxury condominiums for their
community unlike the low or no income housing
project they plan to subject Ironwood taxpayers to.
There is a great deal wrong with this scandal ridden
project that seeks to pick the pockets of the of
Ironwood taxpayers. A lot wrong! This whole fool
hardy venture has been based on lies and deceptions
from day one. It began with a letter from Hunnicutt
introducing himself and Hovey, LLC to the
gullible Economic Development Director and City
Manager of Ironwood. He introduced Hovey as a
developer of luxury buildings and condominiums.
(Though this may be true in his community!) Then
three quarters of the way through the letter he
added "we also build affordable housing units".
Affordable is a code word for low or no income
housing project.
What's wrong with the proposed low-no income housing
project? A great deal is wrong. First and foremost
is the fact that this low no income housing project
will be paying "NO TAXES". It will be pay a fee (HAR
HAR) in lieu of taxes. In other words instead of the
$30,000 plus in taxes it should be paying, Hovey and
their buddies at MSHDA are proposing a $4,000 per
year fee. In fact, there's no certainty to that
amount either. The fee goes down is there are
vacancies, or if the utility expenses go up. Now
isn't that's a real laugher? IF THE COST OF
UTILITIES GO UP.
So to paraphrase what's really happening here let's
assume that you own one of three furniture stores in
Ironwood. The government has a friend or ex employee
that wants to come to Ironwood and build a new
furniture store. It doesn't matter that there isn't
enough business for the three existing furniture
stores. Because, the government's friend is
guaranteed to make money.
First, the government will build the new store at
little or no cost to their friend. The construction
of the store will be subsidized by Ironwood's
taxpayers, which includes you, me and the Ironwood
residents who own the other three struggling
furniture stores.
Second to help make sure that the friend has
business, MSHDA will give each shopper a $300 to
$400 monthly coupon to shop at the new store. MSHDA
does not give coupons for shopping at the existing
three stores just their friends new store. The
result is that you, I and every other taxpayer in
Ironwood will pay for those coupons through our tax
payments.
Third, the friend will not pay any taxes just a
disgracefully small fee. If the store doesn't do as
much business as expected the fee gets lowered. If
the new store utility bills go up the fee to the
city again goes down.
Then, the Superintendent of the Ironwood School
District shows up at the public hearing for the
approval of the new store. The same Superintendent
who tells us how financially strappped the
school district is, now tells the city council that
the Ironwood Area School District will DONATE FREE
OF COST, one computer to each customer who buys
furniture from this store. The IASD Superintendent
of the financially strapped school district now
signs off on any school taxes that the new furniture
store might otherwise pay.
Are we getting the picture yet??? Don't you just
wonder who'$ benefiting from this $ham?
We know that DeWitt Michigan is benefiting,
Timothy R. Hovey
and
Tim Hunnicutt
are Benefiting. For reasons that may be clear later
we must wonder who at M$HDA is benefiting from this
boondoggle.
Is there any reason not to believe someone more
local is benefiting from this
$kullduggery?
We will end part one here. Next in part two, we will
discuss the mountain of lies and deception that
serve as the foundation for this scandal ridden
low-no-income housing project. |
| |
|
The3 following is an
editorial from the Superior Chronicle and written by Steve
Franks
|
|
Noren Regime Off Course and An
Embarrassment to City |
Another lesson for voters in Bessemer and
Wakefield
Are these the Attitudes that you Want Your Children Subjected To? |
| Bowles continues rude remarks and inaccuracies ! read below |
| The following are editorial comments appearing in the Superior
Chronicle. |
| EDITORIAL - Saturday, August 30, 2008 - At the
past several Blight committee meetings one Planning Commissioner has
repeatedly brought up the condition of homes on Pewabic Street.
This commissioner has described the neighborhood as "a seedy little
area" and looking like "Appalachia". The above slideshow depicts
the homes on Pewabic St. I noticed one obviously vacant home with a
boarded up front door. This house has never been mentioned at a
meeting. The discussion has instead focused on vehicles and "messy"
porches. The slideshow below depicts true blight.
It is my opinion
that some members of the Blight Committee are trying to move blight
enforcement in an unethical, immoral, and illegal direction.
Attacking someone because you do not like their "lifestyle" or
income level is deplorable, and certainly does nothing to foster a
sense of community in this small town. I want to be very clear that
I do not agree with this disturbing trend. Occupied homes should be
at the bottom of any enforcement list. The only exception to this
should be if there is an obvious danger to health or safety.
The negative impact on property values of this so-called blight
was also discussed. At one point a City Commissioner even suggested
that some house colors be deemed inappropriate. I have no
doubt that some property values are dropping, but would suggest that
other factors are involved. Crumbling streets, outdated
infrastructure, vacant store fronts, and the sheer number of homes
for sale immediately come to mind. Or maybe, just maybe, it's the
huge number of truely blighted, dangerous structures located
throughout Ironwood.
Steve Frank
|
It amazing how a person selected by mayor bruce noren can
continuously embarrass the city and its taxpayers with a rude mouth
flapping out rude remarks directed towards the city's taxpayers.
We at IronwoodInfo agree with Steve Frank's observations of the
Blight Committee. They have
strayed from their objective to curb serious blight and now focus on
their own self serving objectives. Bowles is not the first to
embarrass the city Bob Burchell the man behind Ironwood's desperate
consolidation effort was the first to embarrass the city. The
mayor's personal puppet used his loose lips towards a city taxpayer
at a council meeting
Read "Appalled!"
|
|
THE FOLLOWING
IS AN EDITORIAL APPEARING IN IRONWOODINFO IN OCTOBER 2007 | |
The Hovey Boondoggle |
Hovey is a down state developer located in DeWitt, Michigan. The
principals of Hovey, LLC are Tim Hovey, principal and Tim
Hunnincut, VP. Mr. Hunnincut is a former employee of MSHDA and is
the Hovey "Front Man" Mr Hunnincut goes into economically depressed
communities to pitch and sell his subsidized low income housing units.
In each community the local school district was approached by Hunnincut
to hold a contest among students to name the low income housing
project. The winner gets $100 and a photo-op in the town
newspaper. What did Hovey get a name for their low income housing
project and a cute kid to associate with it.
A million dollars worth of P.R. for just a two hundred bucks.
Now instead of Hovey the low income subsidized apartments it is now
known as Towering Pines. Despicable as it may be, much worse was taking
place at city hall. It's interesting to note that in their home town,
DeWitt Hovey builds luxury rentals and condominiums. In places such as
Ironwood it's low income subsidized apartments.
Our City manager and city commissioners were going full speed ahead
into a scheme that would provide a tax free existence in Ironwood for
these down state profiteers. We agreed to waive all property taxes
for a period of "AT LEAST" 30 years.
The day of the public hearing on the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) I
called commissioner Dan Adams regarding the formula for the PILOT and
the Duration of the PILOT. I asked Dan "what happens if Hovey
sells or refinances in 15 years, what happens to the PILOT?" He
said I guess it it no longer applies" I asked these questions
because of my work experiences with developers like Hovey. I knew Dan
was incorrect. I was away from Ironwood that day and could not get back
for the meeting because I was snowed in where I was located. I was
correct, there was a duration clause and it stated that the PILOT
Agreement was in force "AS LONG AS MSHDA HAS AN INTEREST IN THE PROJECT.
"
One of the requirements for getting MSHDA money for these projects is
that they (Hovey) must provide MSHDA with a survey that demonstrates a
need for this type of housing. If MSHDA received such a
survey they are not admitting it. They failed to provide one to Jim
Albert who requested one under the Freedom of Information Act. I
too requested one from our City Government and I too have been stone
walled on this subject.
The city has also applied for a Neighborhood Preservation Grant to
add tennis courts and jogging paths and that lead right to the Hovey
Boondoggle. This grant like most the grants we receive comes with a
price tag of approximately $200,000. We all know that the city already
has tennis courts that stand unused almost all the time. Some of the
city courts are in run down condition, so why would we pay so much for
more courts we can maintain?
Let's take a step back and look at you the taxpayer in the big
picture. Your land sold to out of town profiteers. You pay taxes for the
next thirty years they do not pay any taxes at all. You have to buy your
children a computer . The school kids residing in the Hovey Apartments
get a free computer purchased with the taxes you paid. Hovey has
tennis courts you have bills to pay. Hovey has jogging trails and you
have streets riddled with pot holes.You have to wonder is Bruce Noren
and Suzanne Toth working for us or do they work for Hovey.
So why why the rush to give a big chunk of our future away?
See below the letter from Ironwood school district giving away the
financial windfall from this property. Why can they give so much to the
residents of this subsidized low income project? Why aren't they
offering as much to other needy children of our district?
|
| | |
 | | |
|
MSHDA Lies to Lahti |
 |
| Ironwood - October 21, 2008 |
| IronwoodInfo has received a copy
of the communication between State
Representative Mike Lahti and former Ironwood
City Councilman John Cain. |
| The following is a copy of
John's e-mail and the Lahti response. |
| Mr. Cain's e-mail |
Rep. Lahti: I must take a stand
of total non-support of this developement of
low-income apartments by the Hovey Developement
Corp. here in Ironwood. Mike a number of local
citizens have request in writing from the
City,Hovey and MSDA a copy of the study which
shows need. We are still seeking such. Also,we
have alot of available rental units not just
here in Ironwood but in our neighboring
community's;who would suffer if this new
developement happens. We also have over 400
homes for sale just in Ironwood alone and MSDA
who helps familys with purchasing homes can't
see this is confusing to me. Mike you were an
elected local official and know the importance
of a solid local taxbase;which Hovey will not
pay-I would rather see the 2-million dollars
from MSDA going to families to purchase a home
and pay taxes and maybe some going to our
downtown area for housing which would greatly
help it. This purposed dvelopement will not help
our City and I ask your help in finding out what
study was done and when it was done that showed
a need. Thanks;
John Cain,Ironwood,
906-364-9318
|
| Mr. Lahti's Response: |
Hi Mr. Cain:
Thank you for contacting me on this issue.
As I understand from MSHDA, Hovey Companies
provided a market study to the State. Also, the
city only has quotes that Hovey Companies
provided in council. MSHDA has acknowledged that
they have received FOIA requests, and offered to
provide a copy of the study, and the submittals
they control, but there is a cost for copying
this paperwork and shipping. I understand the
FOIA request was then withdrawn.
MSHDA has identified the need for housing and
has completed its review of the proposed
development. I was also told that in a public
hearing, Ironwood passed a resolution fully
supporting this development.
I was also told that MSHDA does provide funding
for such developments, but mostly in the form of
loans. MSHDA also requires a tax abatement, but
allows the property to make a payment in lieu of
taxes, which this development will be paying.
MSHDA also restricts the cash flow the developer
can receive from the property.
Some of the advantages to this project is
increased local spending due to affordable rent,
lower utility bills resulting from new efficient
housing. MSHDA's direct lending developments
target residents with a wide range of incomes,
and typically house school teachers, young
professionals returning from college to start
new careers, young families trying to save money
to buy a home of their own, police officers,
fire fighters, and state employees still at
entry level incomes, retirees and the list goes
on and on.
MSHDA says this type of development is viewed as
an opportunity to bring economic growth and
investment into a community, not to mention work
for those in the area helping to build and
operate such a property. MSHDA says more than
83% of the existing housing in the Ironwood area
was built before 1970. These existing housing
properties can also work with MSHDA to make
improvements to their current housing
properties.
Thank you for your comments to this current
development project. I have expressed your
concerns to MSHDA and they assisted me with
answers to your concerns and questions.
Thank you,
Rep. Mike Lahti's office
|
 |
|
three
members of the city council. Toth centered tried
to cover up the no-survey survey |
| Editor's Note: Several
people who are known to us and known to have
requested a copy of the survey have told us that
they never have withdrawn their request for the
survey. The F.O.I.A. requires government
to provide public information with very few
exceptions.
This writer requested a copy of the survey
from the city and was stonewalled for over a
year by the city. This writer reviewed the Hovey
file in the Ironwood City Offices. The result of
that Audit confirmed that the city council gave
the tax abatement to the down-state speculators
without the benefit of reading the actual
survey.
The audit also reveals that after requests
for copies of the survey, Woods Consulting Firm
went to work on producing the survey which
failed to meet the requirements of the state law
regulating boondoggles such as the
Towering Pines low income project.
Later in the year, we again asked the city
council for copies of the survey. Bruce Noren
told the audience that the city was not required
to produce the survey under the law.
City councilman Toth told the audience that
the survey might be proprietary.
The gang of five once again dodged the bullet
on how they voted on the project without
reading the survey. Proof that the council
failed to perform due diligence. |
| |
|
Correction(s) Required
|
 |
Shortly after releasing our story on the proposed U.S. 2
lane reductions
we received an e-mail from Bessemer City Clerk, Jim Trudgeon,
who took exception with our story. The following is his e-mail
in its entirety:"I read your artilce on the City of
Bessemer public hearing. I would like to just point out some
glaring errors in the article. There were only about 60 people
in attendence, not 200. There were only 84 chairs set up. Of the
two petitions submitted to the council one was against
realignment, one was in favor of it. If there are 10,000
vechicles passing through town each day on average, that totals
3,650,000 per year, not 36,500,000. Finally Sheriff Sanders
indicated that there are an average of 17 accidents a year in
town, not the 10-12 your article claims. I don't find this
article very informative and has an anti-government slant to
it."
Jim Trudgeon
Bessemer City Clerk/Treasurer
|
| I asked Jim why he felt our story had an anti-government
slant. Hetold me he was referring to our comments about the MDOT
reps political hype. It wasn't our intent to put such a
slant on the proceedings, however, we stand by any comments we
made regarding the MDOT reps., and the fact that no one
would take credit for resurrecting this old proposal from the
dead file. One must believe that whoever is responsible would
admit to it "if" they believe the proposal has merit.
However,
with respect to the proposal itself, we believe that the
proposal has serious merit, but only if the lane
reductions go hand-in-hand with the Visual Impact Proposal. One
without the other would be foolish at best.
Jim quotes Sheriff Sanders numbers of 17 accidents a
year, while our statement inferred that MDOT stated that there
was an annual average of 10-12 accidents a year. Well we're
correct and Jim is also correct. MDOT rep Preco stated a yearly
average of 10-12 accidents. Sheriff Sanders said 17 accidents
last year. Secondly, I qualified that the MDOT numbers pertained
only to the 4 lane portion of U.S. 2 no one chose to quantified
the Sheriff's numbers. More importantly, no one provided
severity numbers for those accidents which is far more important
the the yearly average, that data would show whether or not the
lane reductions are needed.
Mr.
Trudgeon, gave a very good speech at the meeting favoring
the lane reductions. I invited Jim to send us a copy of that
speech so that we can print here at IronwoodInfo, "where no
opinion is censored".
Thanks Jim for giving us the opportunity to add some clarity to
this matter. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Letters to the editor
|
Letter to the
Editor |
|
|
To the Editor:
Forty-six million Americans are now uninsured,
and premiums are growing four times faster
than our wages. FOUR TIMES!
Did you know that half of all personal
bankruptcies stem from medical expenses?
This system is obviously and severely broken.
We as a people can not continue to do
nothing.
Albert Einstein's famous quote to the effect
that to do the same thing over and over while
expecting different results is the definition
of insanity clearly applies here.
But, our generation has a chance to fix this.
Much as President Roosevelt and the "Greatest
Generation" created the Social Security
program to help the aged and the infirm, this
is our chance to save our children and
generations not yet born from the abyss of
doing....nothing.
President Obama has challenged Congress to
pass real health care reform in 2009 that
upholds three basic principles:
1)Reduce costs by improving efficiency and
investing in preventative care.
2)Guarantee every American the right to choose
their plan and doctor—including a public
insurance option.
3)Ensure quality, affordable care for every
American.
How many of us either know someone, (probably
many someones) or are ourselves the victims of
run away health care costs, no insurance, loss
of insurance, etc.? We all do, only too
well! Especially here in rural America.
Now is the time! Congress must pass real
health care reform in 2009!
Ken Jacobson, IronwoodAugust 19, 2009
|
|
 |
Letters To the Editor |
| From
Ken Jacobson July 30, 2009 |
|
The time
is now to pass strong clean energy jobs legislation that will
jumpstart our economy and lay the groundwork for America to be
competitive in the 21st century.
The combined economic and climate crises require urgent action,
and we Americans continue to support President Obama's campaign
vision for a clean energy future.
To help get our economy going again, we need more windmills, not
more smokestacks.
According to a University of Massachusetts study, solar and wind
create twice as many jobs as coal. That's right, twice as
many!
We live in a mined out area, many of us older residents
remember the days when the mines were booming and we know only
too well that when the resources run out, so do the jobs. Clean
energy is an unlimited resource. If the sun or the wind ever
runs out, that would be the least of our problems.
We need to fix the energy bill and save the Clean Air Act. The
energy bill that passed the House of Representatives was
weakened by industry lobbyists and repeals the part of the Clean
Air Act that limits global warming pollution from power plants.
This rollback will open the door for as many as 100 new coal
plants and give a new lease on life for the oldest and dirtiest
coal plants.
Please write or call Senators Levin and Stabenow. The Senate
needs to close these damaging loopholes in the energy bill!
As I said at the beginning the time to act is now!
|
 |
Letters To The Editor |
| Subject: Blight at 632 E. McLeod Ave. |
From: "Terri Maki" <terri_maki2002@yahoo.com>
To: <mail@ironwoodinfo.com>
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:26 AM
My name is Terri Maki and I live at 628 E. McLeod Ave.(the gold and
white house in the picture next to the toxic dump of a house at 632
E. McLeod Ave.). I am thoroughly disgusted with the City of
Ironwood, namely Scott Erickson. I have made numerous calls to Jason
Alonen(the blight officer) about this situation since the first week
of May. I have been told over and over again that they are working
on it and that they have to follow the proper channels etc.
Finally, last week after months of seeing that nothing has been
accomplished, I called the city manager Scott Erickson. His response
to me was the same ol' song and dance answers of "I understand", "we
are aware of it", "we must follow the proper procedures" blah blah
politician talk.
My concern is not only with the field of grass or broken open
windows and doors but also with the rotting garbage hanging out of
the front porch and strewn from the front to the back of the house.
I have witnessed stray dogs pulling the garbage out of the front
door, skunks climbing out of the open windows, and cats coming out
of the open basement door.
Is the city waiting for rats to come before cleaning this dump
up?
There is a rotting deer in the kitchen, feces on the floor and
god knows what else is in there. I pay taxes and keep my house in
orderly condition and am subject to living a few feet from this
disgraceful mess.
I can't entertain friends on my back deck anymore because not
only is it an eyesore view of garbage but also the smell is
horrendous on a windy day.
I would think the city should especially care that this property
is located a few blocks from the Memorial building and is on a main
downtown road.
I know that local people are used to seeing such laziness but
what must out of town visitors think of our city? Does anybody care?
How did my taxes go up to the extent they did when my house value
must certainly have gone down due to this dump I am subject to live
next to?
I'm sick of it and I'm going to attend Mondays meeting to
demand that the manager does what he's paid to do, MANAGE THE
CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely Terri Maki |
| |
|
|
Letters To the Editor |
| From
Ken Jacobson |
| |
I fully support Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Associate
Justice of the United States Supreme Court. She is extremely well
qualified not only in her education but also in life lessons.
Judge Sotomayor has lived the American Story. Born to a Puerto
Rican family, she grew up in a public housing project in the South
Bronx. Driven by her mother’s belief in the power of education and
her own work ethic, Sotomayor excelled in school, graduating as
valedictorian of her high school class and winning a scholarship
to Princeton University. After graduating summa cum laude and Phi
Beta Kappa, she entered Yale Law School, where she served as an
editor of the Yale Law Journal.
She has been hailed as “a role model of aspiration, discipline,
commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity” for her rise to
the federal bench from an upbringing in a South Bronx housing
project, and as “one of the ablest federal judges currently
sitting” for her thoughtful opinions.
If confirmed for the Supreme Court, Judge Sotomayor would bring
more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any
justice in 100 years! She has more overall judicial experience
than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years. She's
worked at almost every level of our judicial system, as a
prosecutor, litigator, trial court judge and appellate judge
giving her a depth of experience and a breadth of perspectives
that will be invaluable, and is not currently represented on our
highest court.
She’s also credited with saving baseball. In 1995, Sotomayor
effectively ended the baseball strike by issuing an injunction
against major league baseball owners. Claude Lewis of the
"Philadelphia Inquirer" wrote that by ending the strike and saving
the season, Sotomayor joined ”…the ranks of Joe DiMaggio, Willie
Mays, Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams.”
She would be the Court’s first Latina Justice and only the third
woman to serve on the Court.
Her common-sense understanding of the law, and the wisdom she’s
accumulated over the course of her life, makes her an inspiring
public figure and will make her a great justice. I hope the Senate
will move swiftly to confirm her nomination. |
| |
 |
 |
|
A huge thank you our
many supporters who came out on a miserable day to support
our fundraiser at the Holiday Station. Thanks also
to Holiday and it's management and employees for providing
us with a great location, water and everything they could
to make our effort successful. Just another unsung
example of home town values by a large company. Thanks
also to Ironwood Info, Superior Chronicle
and the Globe for promoting the event.
Finally thanks to Volunteer
Firefighters Barb Allen, Rick Allen, Bob Brentar, Rich
Bruneau, Ron Clemens, Jamie Peite, Jordan Reller, Danielle
Sandmon, and Curtis VanDusen for getting wet, cold and
miserable for the cause and a special thanks to Samantha
Peite and Brandie & Chris Cox who were "volunteered"
because they have the bad luck to either be related to or
friends of one of the volunteer firefighters of the IVFD.
Sorry kids but thanks, because we really appreciated your
help, especially today! You guys are great examples to
others your age!
Thanks again to all the above,
Ken Jacobson, Chief
Ironwood Vol. Fire Dept.
|
|
|
|
Letters To the Editor |
From Ironwood Fire Chief,
Ken Jacobson |
|
I ask everyone in Gogebic County to vote
yes on the E911 surcharge and support Enhanced 911 for
Gogebic County on Tuesday. If we are to have any hope
of returning E911 dispatch to Gogebic County we need the
additional revenue. I know there's never a good time
to ask for an increase of any kind, but if you have a phone,
for less than $20.00 for the entire year you can ensure the
continuation of the life saving enhanced 911 technology for
our citizens and visitors and work toward the creation of
good paying jobs here at home.
Please don't believe any of the lies,
false statements, half truths or innuendo that uninformed
opponents of the measure are trying to distribute. If
you want the facts call Jim Loeper at 906 667-1118 and
he'll be happy to answer your questions.
Here are the facts:
·
The $0.30 will only bring in about $55,800 and $131,000.00
from the state to have
Enhanced 911 if we raise the charge to .42 it would
increase by approx. $22,320.00 ( The State charge stays the
same)
·
There is no way
that this charge would go any way near 1 Million Dollars. At $
1.65 it would raise about $436,000.00 ( this price will move
up and down with the number of phones in the county)
·
The State has raised their dispatch prices from about $70,000
in 2006 to $222,000.00 in 2013.
· Iron
Co. Michigan has been an enhanced service for many years and
they are NOT in negotiations with Negaunee Regional Dispatch
for dispatching. Feel free to call Iron Co. and ask the
question, their number is
906-875-0602.
·
The
911 committee is looking at all possibilities and we
have made public the cost of a 911 center in Gogebic
County. Please check the Superior Chronicle
articles.
·
The 911
committee does more than just enhanced 911, we also take on
the emergency communications for the county. That means we
pay for the maintenance and up keep on all radios at no
additional cost to the various municipalities.
For example in 2013 all of our
fire departments'
paging radios need to be updated or replaced (By order of the
FCC) at a
cost of aprox. $100,000.00. Police radios will need
updates or replacement as well. In addition five
transmitters in Gogebic County which are unable to be updated
will need replacement at more than $20,000 per transmitter.
If the 911 committee is unable to do it, the cost will be born
by the City of Ironwood and the other owners of the
transmitters.
· Jim
Loepers' job for the county is not just 911, he's also the
Emergency
Management director and also the county medical
examiner. The county does provide him with a vehicle for his
many duties as this was found to be a savings to the
county. He does not take it home or use it as his personal
vehicle as some have implied.
I hope this answers some of your
questions.
Please vote yes and support Gogebic
County E911.
Thank you,
Ken Jacobson, Firefighter
Member 911 Committee
Support the Gogebic County E-911 surcharge on May 5th.
The life you save could be your own!
|
|
| Read More |
|
|
Letters to the
Editor |
|
I
applaud your current article on
those men and women who currently
are training to serve their
communities has volunteer
firefighters. Having been a
volunteer firefighter I can say
these individuals provide a service
to the community and also provide it
at a cost savings. Now; I was taken
back by the city of Ironwood's
approval to adopt a fire recovery
ordinance basically due according to
Director Erspamer by the number of
fire calls last year and the
over-time costs associated with
that. This was just one year and not
the norm for the city administration
and the city commission didn't
research this in the a matter of
which I believe they should of. Our
firefighting force is madeup of
fulltime Public Safety and a
volunteer department. When I first
joined and LeRoy Johnson was the
Director-we had 30 volunteer
firefighters divided into squads who
responded with on-duty PSO's. So,
has an example-a chimney fire
call-you would have two to three
on-duty PSO"s and 10 volunteers
responding. This is cost effective.
The current volunteer rooster is at
14 to 15 and no one has since LeRoy
retired kept this response system to
fire calls going. Every fire call is
a total call out of everyone-on-duty
and off duty PSO's and all
volunteers-I don't fine that cost
effective. The City needs to
use their volunteers more and bring
that membership up. Do the math-an
Ironwood volunteer receives $15.00 a
call-a full-time PSO is paid by the
hour and if off duty receives
overtime. This recovery charge also
may cause a problem with regards to
mutual aide-currently all area
departments respond to assist other
departments at no charge-now if an
assist is needed for Ironwood will
the property owner be charged for
the cost of that departments
services and will the City keep that
money or turn it over. The
commission and administration should
of done their homework here and
didn't. I suggest you talk to Ken
Jacobson and others who like myself
who served under the time LeRoy was
Director and how that system worked.
Back then the volunteer Budget was
25,000.00 for call-out and training
and we never spent near that amount
in the fiscal year. Just a heads up
on what I think the commission
should of done. Call me-906-364-9318 |
| |
|
|
Letters to the Editor |
Lou;
Great job in reporting the facts about this
appointment requirement to be seated on the
city of ironwood's planning commission. Talk
about limiting ones participation in local
government. One could understand if this was
the city of Marquette with a major medical
center and clinics and a major state school
of learning; but that does not exist here. I
feel some individuals have an agenda in mind
to get things their way and will we find now
that this will be a requirement for all
appointed boards and maybe a new requirement
to run for city commission-has anyone
checked our city charter in regards to these
great changes which allow citizens-ALL to
volunteer and serve their community. WHAT"S
NEXT?
Your's in open-participation in
government
John Cain
Iornwood |
| |
|
|
Letters to the
Editor |
I urge all
interested in their City to attend the Public
Hearing regarding the purposed offering to MSHDA
and the Hovey Development Group for a PILOT for
the purposed Towering Pines Apartments which
would be developed on East Ayer Street. A lot
has been found by citizens of this City which
question of liability in developing on the site
which is a known cave-in area. Dan Peterson in a
recent article in the Globe was asked of who
would be held responsible if a cave-in
occurs-his answer was-quote-"I can't answer
that-it would best be answered by an attorney.
We fine thru a citizen's e-mail to State Rep.
Lathi that no one at the City had reviewed let
alone received a copy of the Study showing a
need for these apartments. MSHDA offers many
programs and the City of Ironwood and local
rental owners have in the past 6 years applied
and received some $600.000 to improve rental
units in our downtown-which is and has been a
strong effort of our City to bring about
improvement to our downtown. My concern here is
do we allow a new development which to me will
only relocate current renter's and take away our
efforts to redevelop the City's downtown-let
alone the effect it will have on neighboring
rental properties. The Public Hearing is the
time and place to be heard by those who oppose
or favor this development-take the time to
attend and let your voice be heard. Thanks;
John Cain-Ironwood
Editors Note:
M$HDA has already spent hundreds of thousands of
dollars renovating downtown apartments. The
apartment owners also invested heavily in our
downtown. M$HDA along with the down state
speculators have been less than forthright
with the citizen's of Ironwood. In fact, M$HDA
officials lied outright to State Representative
Mike Lahti. One has to wonder who besides Hovey
will benefit from this boondoggle. Do you
suppose that they all go to church on Sunday?
|
| |
| |
|
Citgo sends all their garbage to Crystal Falls, also.
As a matter-of-fact, any business that uses a
dumpster other than from Waste Management or
municipal is not supporting the landfill in
Ontonagon or the Transfer
Station.
Chris Ann Bressette |
|
Lou; One must take points of interest and your wealth of info
and data that I know is true. I believe the group you taken on
in opposing the consolidation issue may not have had a plan
before tomorrows election, however, they are citizens who thru
state law submitted by petition to the individual school
districts to bring this matter to a vote. I know we both can
agree that citizens participation is important. I'm disappointed
that knowing that individually the existing school boards
knowing there existed a group of citizens supporting
combining-consolidation of our schools they did nothing in
looking into this matter. You talk of shared programs-Lou this
has been talked about for years-our schools have had the
capabilities to do this with the interactive-classrooms thru a
grant years back thru the ISD and because of not having a common
schedule it was never used. Now, some like yourself state we
can, it will never happen. Just because no plan was laid out
shouldn't stop the right choice which is to consolidate.
John Cain |
|
Politics as
usual regarding the Towering Pines Project |
Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 2:00 PM
Well, next month the Hovey Development Group will have to
approach our City once again for a Public Hearing in regards to
their request for a PILOT or Payment IN LIEU OF Taxes.
Much has come out since their requests and citizens of not
just Ironwood but our neighbors around should take very much an
interest in this issue because the tax breaks effect you also
and greatly affect those property owners who rent large or small
apartments, houses and those who currently have the same for
sale.
The Michigan Housing Development Authority is looking at
kicking in the area of 2 million dollars into this low income
development which they, the Hovey group, and City of Ironwood
states by a Study that there is a need.
Well folks, current local, long established land-owners of
rental properties say this is not so and if you've lived here
like me you know there are many rental units available and
hundreds of homes for sale.
The Hovey Group has former MSHDA-workers as members and of
course you can bet has connections with MSHDA. One can go on the
MSHDA web-site and see info on home ownership or downtown
housing development programs. Wouldn't 2 million in MSHDA funds
be better spent in these two areas for our city.
Many have requested under the freedom of information act the
Study showing the need and no one has received it. This is
politics as usual from the City Commission to City
Administration, to the State of Michigan locally elected Rep's
to MSHDA . All of whom are trying to pull a fast one.
WE the people want to see new development, YES,_but
development which provides JOBS, GOODS or SERVICES, and of
course adds to our TAX BASE. Let's remember to be heard on this
issue and let Hovey pull political strings downstate where
they're from and the money will follow.
John Cain - Ironwood |
| |
|
Blocked Escaped Routes |
October 9, 2008
To the Editor:
When a smoke alarm sounds we all know what to do, right? Find
the nearest escape route, get out and stay out! But if that exit
is blocked, the best escape plan in the world will not help you
and your family get to safety.
Items that block doors and windows in your home could keep you
from escaping in the event of a home fire. Any emergency can
affect one?s ability to think clearly, but during a fire, smoke
and other physical factors can literally inhibit your ability to
react. Add a blocked escape route to the equation and your
chances of safely escaping a fire may decrease even more. Not
only can blocked windows and doors hinder you and your family?s
ability to escape a fire, but they can also keep firefighters
from successfully completing their rescue attempts.
While many blocked escape routes are unintentional, such as
large furniture or a pile of toys, others, like security bars,
serve a purpose. Despite a downward trend in overall fire deaths
in the United States, the number of fire deaths related to the
use of security bars has risen, according to the nonprofit
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Most of these fatal
fires occur in low-income, high-crime neighborhoods. Due to a
heightened fear of crime in these neighborhoods, people take
measures to secure their homes and discourage intruders from
entering, thereby, either consciously or unconsciously, placing
a higher priority on security than on fire safety. This is
particularly dangerous because people living in high-crime
and/or low-income areas usually face increased fire risk as
well. Increased fire risk, combined with blocked windows and
doors, are most dangerous for young children, older adults, and
people with disabilities, for whom escape
might be more difficult, even under ordinary circumstances.
Whether your home has security bars or other items blocking
escape routes, the following tips can help you to increase your
chances of escaping your home should a fire occur:
Use emergency release devices inside all barred doors and
windows. Emergency release devices enable you to push the bars
open from the inside, but they don't affect the security
provided outside. These devices can involve pulling a lever,
pushing a button, stepping on a pedal or kicking in a lever on
the floor. Make sure everyone in the household knows how to
operate the release devices.
Padlocks can be a barrier to safety. In the event of a home
fire, you?ll need access to every escape route. Remove padlocks
so the door or window can be used as an escape route.
When arranging furniture and other items, make sure that you?re
not blocking doors or windows with televisions, heavy dressers,
tables, couches, even potted plants. Every room needs two ways
out. Remove furniture that may be blocking doors or windows.
Never nail or paint windows shut. Opening them could be crucial
in the event of a home fire. Inspect your windows and doors.
Remove nails or paint that could prevent using windows for
escape.
A pile of toys or other items in front of a doorway can block
your escape route and could be a threat to the safety of you and
your family. Remove toys that may be blocking doors or windows.
In addition to clearing clutter and unblocking exits, the most
important key to your family?s safety is planning and practicing
a home fire escape plan. Make sure you develop a fire escape
plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family
meeting place outside. Practice using the plan, at least twice a
year. If everyone knows that everyone else is ready to exit
quickly, no one will lose precious time trying to help someone
who doesn?t need help.
This October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week. What better time to
make sure you are prepared in the event of a fire? Ironwood
Volunteer Fire Department is encouraging local families to make
a fire escape plan and practice it during The Great American
Fire Drill. For more information visit
www.firepreventionweek.org or www.sparky.org.
Sincerely,
Ken Jacobson, Chief
Ironwood Vol. Fire Dept.
|
| |
Writer
Agree's With
Marvin Marks'
Daily Globe
Letter
(September 16,
2008)
I hope
everyone read
with interest,
as I did, the
letter to the
editor that
Marvin Marks
placed in the
Daily Globe
regarding the
Towering Pines
Apartment
Development.
Mr. Marks
made some
important
statements regarding
the proposed
construction
site of this
development and
he raised a good
question. "Who
will be held for
the
responsibility
if a cave-in
occurs if this
development
takes place?"
Yes, everyone
wants to see
development and
development that
serves our
community's
needs -- provide
jobs, provide
goods or
services and pay
taxes.
This is not
totally going to
happen here. The
Hovey Developer
will get a tax
break --
wouldn't we all
like that; I
would guess
those locally
who own rental
units or are
attempting to
sell a home
would like to
pay in-lieu of
taxes. The
thousands of
dollars which
will not be
collected by our
City, county,
college, Medical
Care Facility,
and others is a
problem -- all
of these units
of government
are hurting for
dollars, yet the
City bent over
backwards to
accomodate Hovey.
We hear that
the City will
apply for grants
to develop a
park,with a bike
trail, and
tennis courts
--when the City
has previously
done away with
neighborhood
parks to save
money. They
City did not go
with a request
from Jessieville
residents to
take over the
playground at
the former
Newport Grade
School. No
playground for
Jessieville
children and
families; but
yes to Hovey.
Is this
current City
Commission
serving our
City's needs and
protecting all
of our
interests? To
me, the answer
is NO! They have
yet to show us
the survey which
shows the need,
they approve a
sale of property
in a known
cave-in area and
think it's in
our best
interest. It's
time to make
known to this
City Commission
that loss of tax
base monies is
not good for a
City that needs
all the
additional funds
it generate, and
that it's
questionable
that the site
Hovey may
purchase will
support a
complex they
plan to develop.
Sincerely,
John
Cain
Ironwood
|
Kudos to
IronwoodInfo for
the great
reporting of the
Ontonagon fire
this past
weekend. If it
were not for
your website and
the Superior
Chronicle no one
would have known
what was going
on. I usually
get my news from
the Chronicle
and saw the
Breaking Story
with the link to
your site. Great
Job on the
breaking news
and the follow
up later on
during the week.
T. Anderson
Ironwood
Question. Where
were the local
newspapers when
this major event
was taking
place? Now we
know why print
newspapers are
on the decline.
Why didn't the
Globe or Gazette
get this story
on their website
right away? It
took as long for
those newspapers
to get the big
story on their
websites as it
took them to get
the paper
version on the
street. Do you
suppose that
they couldn't
afford to get
their reporters
out of bed?
S. Morris
Thanks again
for the coverage
and recognition
you gave to the
victims and the
firemen who did
a great job. I'm
not going to
bother reading
the Globe any
longer. Great
job IronwoodInfo
and Superior
Chronicle.
F. Maki
Ironwood |
|
From Our Friends
and Family Away
From Home
|
Thanks for the
photos of the
Ontonagon fire.
I once lived in
the area and I
was concerned
about what was
happening. I
received a phone
call from an old
classmate who
told me to logon
to your website.
Great job!
Thanks,
Linda Anderson
Phoenix |
As a former
resident of
Houghton I have
friends and
relatives
residing in
Ontonagon. I was
very concerned
to hear about
the fire that
devastated
downtown
Ontonagon. Your
website provided
vital
information and
photos not found
anywhere else on
the web. Thank
you for you fine
work.
J.A. Peterson
Ft. Myers
|
The photos and
coverage of the
Ontonagon fire
was fantastic.
While other news
media hit and
ran your
continuous
updates were
very welcomed.
The dreadful
event and your
web coverage
brought to my
attention how
little coverage
other news media
provide about
Ontonagon. Thank
you for you
attention to "My
Home Town" We
have bookmarked
your site!
M. Graham
Chicago |
Great job on the
Ontonagon fire.
It was
especially great
to see all those
photos you
placed on your
website. As a
daily reader of
Superior
Chronicle and
IronwoodInfo I
am able to keep
in touch with
the area where I
grew up.
K. Martin
Fayette |
| |
|
SEND YOUR
LETTER TO THE
EDITOR
Mail@Ironwoodinfo.com |
| |
| The
following
is a
letter to
the editor
sent to
the
Superior
Chronicle
we are
reproducing
it here
because we
know that
this
letter
speaks for
a lot of
Ironwood
residents.
|
|
 |
Letter to
Editor
Questions:
Should
Ironwood
Purchase
Water From
Montreal?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - An article in the Ironwood Daily
Globe today said that the average three month water and sewer bill for
Montreal city residents is between $60 and $70. Although I'm a senior citizen
and I live alone, I consider my Ironwood water usage to be average, yet my bill
is consistently over $60 per month (excluding garbage).
Time and time again, the City has claimed that Ironwood rates are in the low
to middle range, when compared with those of other Upper Peninsula cities.
The Globe article also touched on the high quality of the Montreal
water.
Would it be possible for Ironwood to start purchasing water from Montreal, at
a reduced bulk rate, similar to the reduced rate Ironwood gives Hurley and
Ironwood Township?
Doing so should result in a reduced rate for Ironwood customers and perhaps
the water will start tasting better!
Patricia A. Albert
Ironwood |
| |
Civic
Center
Must
Stand
On
Own
Two
Feet
I ask the voters and taxpayers of the
City
of
Ironwood
to
really
look
at
the
mileage
request
for
the
civic
center
and
is
this
request
in
the
best
interest
of
all
the
young
and
old
of
this
community?
Is
it
used
by
all
of
our
youth
let
alone
the
adults
of
this
community?
NO!
Now
look
at
the
Little
League,4-H,the
scouting
programs
for
both
girls
and
boys,
the
Barracuda
Swim
Program
the
Ironwood
Theater
the
old
timers
softball
and
tavern
league
ball
programs,
girls
softball,
the
soccer
program,
and
others
I
may
have
not
remembered
which
provide
recreation
and
other
activities
for
all
in
our
city
and
area.
Do
we
fund
and
bailout
the
civic
center
again
and
again?
Shouldn't
all
programs
which
provide
activities
for
ALL
receive
a
portion
of
this
mileage
which
would
be
fair
to
everyone.
The
civic
center
needs
to
be
part
of a
YMCA
organization
tied
in
with
the
college
pool
and
provide
other
community
programs
thru
a
joint
community
(countywide)]
supported
organization
like
which
is
present
in
Rhinelander
and
other
committees.
Offering
an
area
and
programs
which
would
benefit
the
groups
I
mentioned
would
benefit
everyone
and
we
the
citizens
of
Ironwood
would
not
be
ladened
with
the
continuous
request
of
carrying
the
full
costs.
John
Cain
Ironwood |
Globes
New
News
On-Line
No
News
At
All
Tuesday's edition of
the
Daily
Globe
has
a
story
on a
drug
bust
which
was
already
reported
on
yesterday
by
the
Superior
Chronicle.
Isn't
that
the
case
with
the
Globe
while
the
assassins
of
syntax
are
home
sleeping,
their
being
scooped
by
real
newsmen.
Well,
that's
always
been
the
case
with
the
Globe,
a
dime
short
as
the
old
saying
goes.
It
may
be
time
for
Bliss
to
start
revamping
the
globe.
I
wonder
why
they
have
some
much
trouble
getting
it
right.
By
the
way,
that
computer
program
they're
using
for
the
new
online
edition
isn't
home
made
after
all,
they
paid
for
a
canned
news
program,
errors
and
all.
|
Globe's
New
Website
-
more
Disrespect
The Daily Globe's new Website shows a total disrespect
for
those
who
passed
away
this
week.
Viewing
the
Obituary
Page
is
mind
boggling.
Just
above
the
first
obituary
is a
flashing
advertisement
for
the
Mattson
Chiropractic
Clinic.
The
subject
of
the
ad
is
bad
enough
but,
the
ad
keeps
flashing
like
a
vulgar
neon
sign.
The
whole
obituary
page
is
surrounded
by
distasteful
advertising.
It's
no
surprise
that
the
Globe
would
do
something
like
this.
Wasn't
the
Globe
that
released
the
name
of a
girl
found
dead
prior
to
the
release
of
her
identity
by
the
safety
department?
More importantly are local businesses really paying to
place ads on this page? If so, they're wasting both their
time and ours.
What is with the Globe? This new website leaves a lot to
be desired. How do they expect you read the articles when
they're surrounded by all those ads, half of which flash and
flash and flash, distracting you the whole time you're
try to concentrate on their out-of-date stories. Reading
these Globe web pages is akin to driving down New York's
Time Square, clutter clutter clutter!
A.T. White Pine
|
KMart
reason
to
visit
Ironwood
Area
Ironwood is getting a Wal-Mart. They currently
have
a
K-Mart
store
and
I,
as a
frequent
visitor
to
the
Ironwood
area,
am
hoping
that
residents
of
Ironwood
(and
employees
of
K-Mart)
realize
the
value
of
keeping
the
K-Mart
store.
There
are
several
Wal-Mart
Stores
and
Super
Wal-Mart
Stores
within
a
75-mile
radius
of
Ironwood.
How
far
away
is
the
next
K-Mart
store?
K-Mart
will
give
a
reason
for
people
to
continue
to
visit
the
Ironwood
area.
Take
care
of
the
good
business
you
already
have.
Linda
Graham,
Ontonagon,
Michigan |
Planning
and
Zoning
not
up
front
with
Wilson
Street
Residents
When
a
large
group
of
Wilson
Street
residents
showed
up
at
last
weeks
special
meeting
on
the
proposed
zoning
change
the
planning
members
ducked
for
cover
and
try
to
blame
a
local
attorney
for
the
whole
thing.
The
fact
is
Bruce
Noreen,
Bob
Burchell,
former
development
director,
Pat
Merrill
along
with
the
realtors
and
developers
on
the
planning
and
zoning
decided
to
make
the
zoning
change.
Anyone
interested
enough
to
know
the
truth
should
go
to
www.superiorchronicle.com...
The
video
and
audio
tapes
of
the
October
17th
planning
board
meeting.
The
discussion
on
the
subject
is
13
minutes
into
the
video
tape.
Over
and
over
again
members
of
the
board
use
their
positions
for
personal
gain.
Clear
conflicts
of
interest
abound.
The
problem
with
this
whole
situation
is
that
Bruce
Noren
knows
of
the
conflicts
of
interest
on
the
Zoning
board
but
has
taken
no
action
to
fix
the
problem.
Former
zoning
board
member
and
now
mayor
Pro-tem
Bob
Burchell
all
use
the
Planning
and
Zoning
Board
for
their
own
personal
benefits
particulary
in
conjunction
with
the
Hovey
low
income
housing
Boondoggle.
The
Daily
Globe
knows
the
entire
story
as
they
had
a
reporert
at
the
meeting
in
question
and
said
nothing
to
shed
truth
on
the
situation.
Publisher
Joe
Karius
sits
on
the
downtown
development
board
at
the
pleasure
of
Noren
and
Burchell,
both
of
whom
he
used
in
influence
to
support
in
the
last
election,
perhaps
that
is
why
the
Globe
withheld
the
pertinent
information.
I am
sending
a
compact
disk
with
the
Oct
17th
video
tape
to
the
Wilson
Street
residents.
A.T.
Ironwood,
MI
|
Walmart hiring has begun!
Demand for good employees is present with the over 900
applicants who have submitted for positions with the
Wal-Mart store here. It's my understanding that WalMart is
still looking to fill 60 available job slots for their new
supercenter.The wages of those being hired was surprising
some individuals quoting a starting wage of $9.50 or better
an hour. We already see ads for jobs with other previous
local businesses where people have left to work for Wal-Mart
due to increases in hours and wages and benefits. I'm sure
now with Walgreens and hopefully others who see opportunity
to build here we will see this much needed change for our
working families. I would hope our communities here can work
together to attract new business and industry-remembering
that no matter where such new development happens here on
the Gogebic & Iron Range it
helps us all.
Sincerely; John Cain,
Ironwood
|
| |
|
|
|
|
