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Confidentiality policy:  All E-mails are posted anonymously unless the writer specifically asks that is/her name be posted.  In that case, include your name only at the bottom of the post.  We discard all E-Mails from our files after they are reviewed for clarity and are posted.  No obscenities please.  After 1 month the postings are archived.  Email us at ironmountainissues@ironmountainissues.org

4-4-2010-01

Just a note about water supply. It's interesting to find out that your 4.2 million dollar water improvement has the security of a farm pond. Where are the security camera's that everyone in town has over their front door?  As for the investigation, I have four words : Abbie Schuto, mass spect.  I'm sure Micigan Tech has more mass sprct's and trained operators per square foot than anywhere in the UP.  I'm sure that the annoucment did not reach everybody in this town yesterday.  We need practice if we are going to live through a terrerist attack.

3-16-2010-01

No more posts on this subject.

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3-15-2010-02

RE: OLYMPIC RATINGS  Interesting how paranoid people take a simple exercise in statistics and twist it into an huge anti-American accusation.
 
In Michigan, we have eight, count 'em, divisions in football and basketball because of school different school enrollment sizes. 
 
Is anyone suggesting that we should eliminate those divisions? We would have some very interesting matches, wouldn't we.  Engadine versus Detroit Pershing, North Dickinson versus Flint Central, Bark River vs Grand Rapids Catholic, etc.
 
It's not quite comparable because many Olympic events are not team, but rather individual efforts.  Nonetheless, when a country like Norway, with under 5 million people, wins 23 medals, and Austria, Switzerland, Sweden and other small countries do exceptionally well, can't we appreciate their efforts and let it go at that? 
 
Are we so insecure as Americans that we must only heap praise on ourselves?  Lighten up.
 
 I didn't see the slightest evidence of anti-Americanism in the comments by the person who provided those statistics.  Just a little justifiable praise for small countries.  That, apparently, is too much for the insecure among us.

3-15-2010-01
Just to be clear, I did not feel threatened when writing in, nor I did not feel fear.  What I felt was a little offended, because I've been fed "revisionist" ways of looking at things for the last thirty years or so.  My first reaction was a little strong, I agree, but it arose from a slow piling on of such things, as I mentioned in my first post on the subject.  New example - Tom Hanks and his "white guilt" moments in the first episode of Pacific on HBO last night.  Oh, I felt so sorry for those Japanese soldiers we "slaughtered" on Guadalcanal.
 
I, too, am a Christian, and I pray that you, 3-11-2010-01, can realize that we need to keep vigilant in order to maintain our God-given freedoms.  Those Constitutional freedoms you mentioned as protections have been whittled away quite a bit since the 1930s.  The only guarantee that we keep what we have left is vigilance and a willingness to fight whichever side goes after our next "guaranteed", "protected" freedom.
 
Remember when this blog was filled with Iron Mountain's problems?  This is refreshing.

3-11-2010-01

“When the extra step is then taken to try and get others to look at something differently, there is always a reason for it.”
“always a reason” Yes, as thinking people, we do things with reason. Sometimes that reason might just be curiosity or the need to exercise an analytical mind.
 
People in this country are either becoming paranoid or insecure when even the mention of another country’s accomplishments makes you feel threatened. The Olympics are about bringing countries together. We are one world of people who happen to live under different governments. When did it become a conspiracy or threat against our own to view statistics differently or see that another country did well also?
 
The way our people are heading, the fall of our country isn’t going to come from some outside entity, but from within ourselves. Our once prided two-party system has become so divided that they cannot seem to find any common ground to come together to make basic decisions. Even our media is so divided that it’s becoming impossible to get unbiased reporting.
 
Democrats were convinced that our country was headed for destruction under President Bush. Now the Republicans are convinced that we’re doomed under Obama. People, people, people….. If you really believe in this country’s strength and government system, you will know that we have protections in our constitution. There is little that any President can do alone, and little that our Congress can do that cannot be amended. We have had some pretty bad leaders in our history, and we aren’t sunk yet.
 
If this is the best governmental system in the world and we want to bring it to other countries as a model, then act as though you believe in it. Disagree with it? Absolutely…. that’s a basic right that we are built on; but let’s not become so defensive that we have to question every other citizen’s motives.
 
It’s embarrassing for me, as a Christian, when I see the fear that my fellow Christians are living under because of man’s government. Ultimately it is God who is in control; and He is whom I will trust. Unless we get over these major rifts among ourselves, we have become the enemy of our own freedom. When we fear our neighbor’s every motive, we destroy our own peace. When we gather ourselves in groups and spread that paranoia, we threaten the unity that a civilized people should have.


3-9-2010-01

I am the author of 3-1-2010-02. I have thought long and hard about this response, which is a response to 3-2-2010-01, and whether or not it was even worth the effort to reply. Probably not, I decided, but here goes, anyway. History and personal experience has taught me that whenever someone chooses to look at something in a different light, there is usually a reason for it. When the extra step is then taken to try and get others to look at something differently, there is always a reason for it. To believe anything less would require a naivety I no longer possess.

For whatever reason, someone chose to try and get me and others to look at Olympic medal counts by country (of all things!) in a way that is most definitely less favorable to America than the traditional plain and simple medal count. Sounds harmless, doesn’t it? Maybe just a curiosity. But why all the effort? Simply put, I’ve chosen not to act as a sheep anymore. I question things like that, now. That’s all. And I think it’s worth your while to ruminate on that a little, hence, this response, and my previous post. Thank you.


3-2-1010-01

I thought post 3-1-2010-01 was kind of any interesting slant on measuring OLYMPIC Medals based on populations of various countries.
 
I didn't see the slightest evidence of any anti-American sentiment in that post, but rather just a curious mind playing around with numbers.  Can't quite figure out what post -02 got into such a tither about it.  Different strokes, I guess. 

3-1-2010-02
Re: 3-1-2010-1:
 
I'm not sure of the point of looking at things this other way, other than as just a curiosity.  I refuse to feel any "American-", "white-", or any other  guilt.  We are a great nation, the greatest on Earth. Our people made it that way and I'm darn proud of it!  We did admirably well in the Olympics, as far as I'm concerned. 
 
Yes, I'm a little testy about this sort of thing after hearing our leader apologizing to practically everyone on the planet over the past year. (gag!)  If we were not so great, we would not have an immense immigration problem now, would we?


3-1-2010-01

Who really "won the Winter Olympics?"  The so-called "official statistics" are listed on the left. The USA is listed in first place, Germany second, Canada, third, etc. Just for kicks, I googled wikepedia to get populations of all the countries, rounded them up or down to the closest million, and adjusted the medals based on population. If I were a Norwegian, I would be mighty proud. Little Norway won 4.6 medals for every million people, more than double any other nation.  Eight tiny nations managed earn one medal per million people, and are boldfaced in the far right column.  Kudos to all the little guys.

There is more than one way to look at things.
Population Total       Population Total Medals per
    in millions Medals       in millions Medals million 
                  population
1 United States 309 37   1 Norway 5 23 4.60
2 Germany 82 30   2 Austria 8 16 2.00
3 Canada 34 26   3 Slovenia 2 3 1.50
4 Norway 5 23   4 Sweden 9 11 1.22
5 Austria 8 16   5 Switzerland 8 9 1.13
6 Russia 141 15   6 Latvia 2 2 1.00
7 South Korea 50 14   7 Finland 5 5 1.00
8 China 1336 11   8 Estonia 1 1 1.00
9 Sweden 9 11   9 Canada 34 26 0.76
10 France 65 11   10 Croatia 4 3 0.75
11 Switzerland 8 9   11 Slovakia 5 3 0.60
12 Netherlands 16 8   12 Czech Republic 10 6 0.60
13 Czech Republic 10 6   13 Netherlands 16 8 0.50
14 Poland 38 6   14 Germany 82 30 0.37
15 Italy 60 5   15 Belarus 9 3 0.33
16 Japan 127 5   16 South Korea 50 14 0.28
17 Finland 5 5   17 Kazakstan 5 1 0.20
18 Australia 22 3   18 France 65 11 0.17
19 Belarus 9 3   19 Poland 38 6 0.16
20 Slovenia 2 3   20 Australia 22 3 0.14
21 Croatia 4 3   21 United States 309 37 0.12
22 Slovakia 5 3   22 Russia 141 15 0.11
23 Latvia 2 2   23 Italy 60 5 0.08
24 Great Britain 62 1   24 Japan 127 5 0.04
25 Estonia 1 1   25 Great Britain 62 1 0.02
26 Kazakstan 5 1   26 China 1336 11 0.01



2-20-2010-01

The fire department should go around and shovel all the fire hydrants.  They do nothing all day.  Except for the captain he's to busy tell his girlfriend on the city council what to say during the council meetings.  Funny to see that she runs out of the room crying and he stands up and says that he and Peterson share relatives near city park and they cannot speak for them since they are not in the meeting.  So by saying that Peterson is wanting to move the skate park because of her own or (Kevin's) personal feelings not because of better interest for the city.
 
I also seen this in the paper
 
"During public comment, Kevin Pirlot, a firefighter representing the professional firefighters, said they're commitment to consolidated fire and consolidated police services with not only Iron Mountain and Kingsford but Breitung Township."
 
From my understanding Kevin and his crew hired more firefighters so they would not need the cops to fight fires.  And from what i hear from the cops is that the city told them that they are not to respond to fire calls because the fire department refuses to use them.

2-19-2010-01
The fire hydrants by his house are shoveled out.

2-17-2010-01

To Poster 2-4-2010-02.  I guess what you are  saying is:
 
If the water department foreman didn't live in Norway, besides his regular full-time duties as foreman, he would have plenty of spare time to shovel out 600 fire hydrants personally. 
 
Do I have it right?

2-4-2010-02
What do you expect?  The water foreman lives in Norway.

2-4-2010-01
I do have agree with post on 2-1 about the fire hydrants, we have a lot of elderly in our community who cannot keep them clear of the snow.  Maybe the sheriffs work van could work on that project if the city cannot.

2-1-2010-01

I have one thing that has bugged me for years. Why is it that Kingsford fire hydrants are all plowed out, Yet Iron Mountain is never plowed out? Dosn't the City water Dept have snow plows to do this? Kingsford dose. Why do the people of Iron Mountain have to do this, when we PAY TAXES just like Kingsford. Is it so important to have all them men cutting down all them trees? Please tell me the fire Hydrants are more important then that. I believe we live in a great city and our Public Works do a great job, But please get our Hydrants plowed out. Thank You.

1-5-2010-01
Garbage Service:

I have been living at 1415 S Stephenson for 3 years, there are 4 apt here. We live right on the highway and for the 3 years, GAD has been picking up our garbage. Every Monday they come up our driveway because the alley in clogged with snow and is considered a "Utility Alley".. December 17th was the last time they picked up our garbage.. It is now the New Year and I still have had NO PICK-UPS!!

GAD is telling me that the City of Iron Mountain has instructed them NOT to enter our driveway.. This is why we have had NO SERVICE..
Gad also told me that they want to pick up our garbage in our driveway because the highway is too dangerous.. What am I to do?
When you are driving down the highway and see garbage piled and blowing in the wind, I'm sorry, that's what they told me to do.. I hope it doesn't snow..

1-3-2010-01

For the most part this winter has been pleasant and the road well maintained. I have noticed though this holiday weekend ALL the local roads with-in Iron Mountain are covered in black ice. Salt will not help, why doesn't the city use a sand mix only? Once you get off the main roads all you find is ice. Please make this the safe city we pay for...


11-28-2009-01

I thought the water coming from my tap smelled heavily chlorinated and the recent card in the mail has confirmed that.  I thought the problem with the water was corrected by this new council.  I guess a band-aid was not the solution.  Sounds like a revamping of the system is necessary after all. 

11-17-2009-02

Very quiet on this site.  That would appear to indicate the natives are content. 
 
When they got restless, all hell broke loose and the entire previous administration got wiped out.  Well, Van Laanen resigned, but he would have been a non-event even if he stayed.
 
What happened to all the Marquart-lovers?  They simply gave up or are just in a state of permanent depression, probably the latter.
 
Couldn't have asked for anything more than the election results we got plus the subsequent resignations. A perfect storm has returned Iron Mountain government to sanity. 

11-17-2009-01

I just want to comment on how great the downtown lots and decorative lighting fixtures look. 
 
Also, thanks for the many street improvements made to this year. 

11-6-2009-01

The comments below the two articles on the recent resignations appearing in The Daily News have become nothing more than personal attacks on various council members, both on those resigning and sitting members.
 
None of these commentaries serve any purpose whatsoever.  This, too, will pass.
 
Burke and VanLaanen made their decisions to resign.  The remaining council members will perform their charter-mandated duties replace them.  End of story.

11-5-2009-02

Is the City of Iron Mountain in the process of negotiating a new contract with the police department? I was under the impression that they had just settled a contract. I am referring to the new article in the Monday edition of the daily news where Mr. Burke was reprimanded for making public issues being discussed.  Can someone clarify this for me?  Thank you.

11-5-2009-01

The resignations of Dan Burke and Jeff VanLaanen eliminates the final two council members of the notorious Marquart era.
 
Dan Burke's resignation is meaningless.  He lost his re-election bid and would only have had three more meetings as a council member anyway.
 
VanLaanen had two years left, but he knew he had zero chance of keeping his mayor position after the reorganization meeting that will take place at the first meeting in January. He also realized that his far-out, unrealistic and untenable positions would never gain any traction with the sensible city council we now have.
 
YES, YOU CAN FIGHT CITY HALL WHEN UNRESPONSIVE, ARROGANT AND DISMISSIVE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND A SOCIO-PATH CITY MANAGER RUN THE PLACE.
 
THE VOTERS OF IRON MOUNTAIN PROVED IT.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!



11-4-2009-02

The comments of post 11-3-2009-01 needs some additional input.

1) Yes, the city could lose up to $91,000 in state-shared revenue.  That is the maximum.  It could come in at a somewhat lower figure according to the City Manager.

2)  The $53,000 tax increase the poster alludes to must be the Liaison Officer proposal which the voters approved in November 3 election.  This is a voted millage, one which allowed the electors vote to assess up to 0.25 mills on themselves in return for a service they believe is worth the price. The city council placed it on the ballot for the electors to decide.  The city council did not a take a position on this issue.  The voters decided it was worthwhile. 

3) Yes, the city did rehire one of the four firefighters that were released four years ago. It was done to relieve or offset some overtime costs, and it is working.

4)  The city has approximately 15 part-time paid firefighters available to fill ONE open shift.  Only one of those 15 is working at any given time as a rule. Therefore, it doesn’t make any difference if the city had 15, 20, 50 or 100 available.  Only one slot is filled.  The fully-trained part-time paid firefighters get $10 per hours and no health and retirement benefits.

5) The poster’s suggestion that a vote of the people be taken every time the city administration decides a new employee is needed is impractical and unworkable.  Elections, by law, are held at predetermined intervals. Any new issue has to be cleared and approved for the ballot months in advance of an election.  The voters elect the city council members and delegates to them the responsibility to run the affairs of the city.  They indicate their pleasure or displeasure at election time.  While this may seem to be a slow process, it’s the way the electoral process works.

For the past year, and hopefully going forward, I believe the city council will  doing the people’s business in a sensible and practical manner and giving our citizens the best bang possible with the available money.  By no stretch will it be easy. The harsh winds of the global, national and state economies blow down swiftly to the city level.

The late Tip O’Neil, former Massachusetts congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives used to say, “All politics is local.”  It is at this level where the average citizen has the most impact.  Citizen participation at city council meetings is now encouraged with Open Dialogue Policy.  True, most city council meetings are not nail-biting events that keep you on the edge of your chair, but that’s hardly their objective or purpose. 

A very close observer of Iron Mountain City Council deliberations


11-4-2009-01
Now that the election is over I sincerely hope that the City Council will consider the recent history of our City government in electing one of their own as Mayor after the first of the year. In recent years the position has been elevated well beyond that which is defined or intended in the Charter. The position of leadership it was intended to be is critical in representing the character of our community. No one is more deserving or better suited for the job than Ted Corombos.


11-3-2009-02
In response to post 11-3-2009-01
 
It is very easy to see where the money pit of this city is located.  The budget is available for review by ANY citizen.  Compare to past years and you will see that the police budget, which used to be about the same as the fire department, has skyrocketed, while the fire budget has been pared down quite drastically.
 
Even the old regime knew that the costs far exceeded expectations when they tried to save money by cross-training police.  They knew it, but tried to hide it.  They were not interested in the facts any more than you are.  The city no longer does things that way.  You really should do some research and get your facts straight before you try to educate people.  I suspect your comments are self-serving, 11-3-2009-01.
 
I know I'm repeating myself, but, anyone interested in the facts can get them easily.  Look at the budget.  It can be found online.  Propaganda that is contrary to fact does not work in this town anymore.


11-3-2009-01

Let me get this right, the city is going to lose $91,000. Now they want to raise taxes to get an extra $53,000. The city hired a full time firefighter, how much does this cost the city? $70,000 or $80,000 increase? And no do not be confused, the city did not get any grants for this position. they did not make the dead line so they did not get it. And didn't the fire department hire 14 part time employees. How much is this costing? Seems simple on where we can save money. For the past 6 to 8 years we did not need these 15 new employees. so why do we need them now? Next time before the city hires anyone in any department lets vote to see if that position is really wanted by the people of this city!


11-2-2009-01

On post 11-1-2009-01 I posted my letter to The Daily News about sanitizing the story of the Iron Mountain Police Officer picking up his kids in Kingsford while on duty.
 
I copied the publisher, Bob Johnson, the editor, Blaine Hyska and two staff writers, Jim Anderson and Linda Lobeck.
 
I asked for their comments and said I would post them on this site for review.
 
As of 6:00 PM Monday, no response has been received from any of them.  This is not too surprising.  Their position was quite undefensible.

11-1-2009-04

I would somewhat agree with post 11-1-2009-02.  I am sure Chief Flaminio is looking into this matter.  I don't know if there is a standing policy on this or if one needs to be created, but the City does need to limit their exposure to this type of liability.


11-1-2009-03

Mr. Burke:

 I also can't imagine why Dan voted against a balanced budget. It seems to me that all his votes are just to be contrary to what the other council members want to accomplish. Why?

11-1-2009-02

In response to the comment on the police department:

     I never know what to say on this site because it always means a tongue lashing when you express your opinions but I do want to comment on this subject.  In fact, this is the first time I have visited this site in a while and see that it is still a forum for complaining about those who do and think differently then you.

     First let me ask, is there anyone out there that uses a public vehicle for their job that hasn't used it for private use also.  What about the Dickinson County Sheriff, state employees, the fire chief?  I am not saying it is wrong or right but haven't we all done similar things during our hours of employment?  Think about it.

     I think I know who you are talking about; the officer who picks his children up for CCD at the American Martyrs Church. I am a member of that parish and see him in church with his children on a regular basis.  Many of you would disagree with me but I applaud his efforts in taking care of his children's physical well-being along with their spiritual well-being.  Yes, physical well-being.  If called upon at the time of this pick-up, I know that this officer would use his good judgment for the well-being of his children.  I know other police officers on the Iron Mountain force that have chosen to give their children rides to school when it has become necessary.  That doesn't make them bad law enforcement officers. This is NOT the only ERA in which police vehicles were used to transport officer's children.  Don't blame this on Pete Flaminio. 

     In regards to the "B" street incident, I believe that the department is working on this situation and yes, by giving out too much information; in respect to their ongoing investigation, would compromise their efforts in solving the crime.  "Don't judge another until you have walked a mile in his shoes".

     I have nothing more to say except that I support our public servants, police, fire, etc. to the fullest extent.  They are trained in their profession and I feel secure knowing that they have my back.  Thanks.

11-1-2009-01

I noticed in the Saturday Speak Up section of The Daily News that an article appeared about a police department officer picking up his kids in a patrol car in another jurisdiction while on duty. 
 
It was a sanitized version of a more detailed article that appeared on the "Issues" website, www.ironmountainissues.org.  In fact, it was so sanitized that it could apply to any police department in a fifty mile radius. 
 
To the casual reader, it could be lead to the suspicion that it was an officer of their police department, be it Iron River, Niagara, Kingsford, Crystal Falls, Norway, or the Sheriff Departments of Marinette, Florence, Dickinson or Iron County.
 
In fact, it was none of these.  It was an officer of the Iron Mountain Police Department. What purpose is served by so sanitizing a letter submitted to the Speak Up section that it does nothing but create suspicion and sheds no light on the actual incident. 
 
Further, the incident was easily verifiable with a simple phone to the Iron Mountain Chief of Police. The Daily News never has had a reputation for investigative reporting, but spreading clouds of suspicion
 
This "Issues" post is being copied to Daily News Publisher: Robert Johnson
                                                                Editor:     Blaine Hyska
                                                                Writer:    Jim Anderson
                                                                Writer:    Linda Lobeck 
 
I would appreciate a response from some or all of them.  I am almost positive Linda Lobeck has nothing to do with Speak Up, Jim Anderson may or may not, Blaine Hyska certainly does, but the ultimate overall responsibility falls to Robert Johnson.  I'll keep everyone posted on any reply or lack thereof.

10-31-2009-05

I would state the name of the Police officer I witnessed picking up his kids at CCD class in Kingsford but I do not know his name. He was very tall with short black (dark) hair and works Wednesday evenings so it should be easy to find out who he was.   The first time I saw him do it I gave him the benefit of the doubt since he could have had some type of family emergency and had no other option. When I saw him the second time I wanted to take a picture and send it to the newspaper but I didn't want to have the Iron Mountain Police dept put me on there list since I didn't approve of what I saw the officer do.  I sent a copy of the letter I posted here to the Dailey News Speak out section for the first time in my life and they edited the letter so nobody would know it was an Iron Mountain police officer.  I do not pick up my child up every Wednesday since my wife does most of the time. I am sure he has been doing it every week. I just have not been there to see it myself. I know a police officer at the City of Niagara was fired when they drove out of the city to conduct personal family business and was involved in an accident in the police car.  This police officer is either very ignorant or extremely arrogant to think nobody would notice what he is doing and question it.

10-31-2009-04

This morning, Saturday, I read all of the candidate statements in the morning newspaper. 
 
A couple of things jumped out at me.  One, the most glaring, was that only one statement was filled with negativity toward the others, with nothing of substance as to what this candidate hoped to accomplish if reelected.  That was from Mr. Burke.  I was surprised at the tone of his statement, remembering that he has consistently held that he will not listen to his constituents if they have only something negative to say.  That is even in the public record from past council meetings.  I am not comfortable with a candidate who seems to have one set of rules for the behavior of his constituents and another set of rules for himself.
 
The other thing I noticed is from two other hopeful challengers, from wards one and two.  They were both positive and intelligent sounding, but they both seem to lack information on what has been accomplished in our city in the last couple of years.  If elected, I'm sure they could be brought up to speed quickly, but I don't like it that their homework has not been done.  Using TIFA money for roads, for example.  Does this candidate know that TIFA funds can be spent solely in the district?  Or, that the TIFA pass-through money WAS used for roads just this past year?
 
All in all, I am happy that the controversy surrounding our last two elections is no longer evident.  We were rid of those controversial personalities and ideas at that time, for the most part.  May the best people win.

10-31-2009-03

Hey, Iron Mountain cops. What’s happening with that incident on East B Street where two citizens were attacked with skateboards?  Is it now a dead case – or are you still using the same old lame excuse - “we can’t say anything because the investigation is continuing.”

That was very close to a homicide, or at the very least aggravated assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

You get paid to solve crimes and protect us.  Driving around badgering old ladies is not what your job is all about, as you did to a relative. Or hiding behind a building to catch speeders and give them a warning ticket.

If you can’t do your job, the city should FIRE the whole bunch of you.  You are way too cocky and arrogant with good citizens while letting the riff-raff druggies run wild.

The Iron Mountain Police Department has gone down hill drastically since former Chief Dave Lee retired.  It’s now in shambles. 

The Kingsford pick-up story reported here is only a minor part of the whole.

To Chief Flaminio:  You’d better get some discipline in your ranks, start solving crimes, and do it soon.


10-31-2009-02

Did that Iron Mountain Police officer consider the liability he placed on his employer by driving to Kingsford in a police car to pick up his kid(s)?
 
What if the kid(s) were in the car and he got a call to engage in a pursuit situation?
 
What if he got in an accident in Kingsford, where he didn't belong, and there were injuries?
What legal issues would come into play then?
 
What kind of an employee robs his employer out of the $20 an hour wage, plus benefits, he is getting from the time he enters the Kingsford city limits until he drops off his kids at home and returns to his regular duty, which would be the better part of half an hour at least?
 
Is that any different than robbing $10 worth of paper from the police station to use on his personal computer printer?  The difference is in the liability he exposed the city, but the dishonesty is the same.
 
A severe reprimand is in order.


10-31-2009-01

Yeah, it looks like a Taxi Service, all right, but they've had an internal Taxi Service for years, besides.  Cops almost never drive to work.  They get picked up by someone on the shift that is ready to go off duty, that person drives to his own house, and the guy coming on duty then takes over the patrol car.
 
I don't know where all the cops live, some may live in areas outside the city limits.  Do they get picked up and delivered, too?
 
It may sound nitpicky, but multiply it by three shifts a day for 365 days a year, by dozens of years if not decades and it really adds up.


10-30-2009-02

It's unbelievable that an Iron Mountain Police officer would even consider picking up his kids and their friends from a CCD class class at American Martyrs in Kingsford while on duty in a city owned police car.  I think we have a right to know who this was and publicize his name.

The writer said he saw it happen on consecutive Wednesdays.  Who know how long it has been going on before that?

OK, Chief Flaminio and Daily News - let's see if you will let us know or cover it up. I haven't been impressed with the Iron Mountain Police Department for a long time.  This act only re-enforces my opinion.


10-30-2009-01

I would like to know when the City Of Iron Mountain Police department started providing a free private Taxi Cab Service in the City of Kingsford?. I could not believe my eyes on two occasions, when I witnessed an on duty Iron Mountain Police officer in his patrol car venture outside of the City limits of Iron Mountain on Wednesday evenings to pick up his children and friends from CCD class at the American Martyrs Church in Kingsford. It is nice to see with high gas prices, and taxes , the City of Iron Mountain can afford to pay a Police officer to sit and wait in a parking lot outside of his jurisdiction with the car running and conduct his personal family business in a City owned vehicle while many families are struggling to pay there bills due to the current economic conditions. If it is not too much trouble could the Iron Mountain City Council please publish the free police car taxi service schedule in the paper so I can have my children picked up and dropped off by a uniformed on duty police officer at there social events at the expense of the hard working families that are paying the salaries and expenses for the Police Department. I sure hope there is not a life or death emergency that requires this officer to respond within minutes or seconds while this officer sits and waits for his personal passengers outside the Iron Mountain City Limits. Does the City’s liability insurance company even allow family members, friends or passengers to ride in a police car for personal business when the officer is on duty? What is next? Free shuttle service for family members and friends in city snow plows, fire trucks and public works pick up trucks?


10-11-2009-01
Bravo, Iron Mountain firefighters!  You're doing a great job!  Thanks for being willing to put your lives on the line everyday to protect our lives and property.  We appreciate you!

10-10-2009-01

This is in response to the Speak Out comment "True professional firefighters?" that appeared in the Daily News on October 10, 2009.

To the author:

1. The Iron Mountain Fire Department did not use the Salute to Firefighters section for our own political agenda.  I'm sorry you saw it that way, but we don't assemble, edit, layout, and publish that section.  The Daily News does.

2. The fire department did not refuse to allow part-time firefighters a few years ago, as you said.

3. We don't sit in the station 24 hours a day waiting for "the one structure fire we have each year".  We work.  We do much more than you see, or maybe than you care to admit.  And if we have only one structure fire a year, then shouldn't all of the firefighters get laid off until January?  After all, we've already had more than one structure fire this year - we must be done for at least 2 years, by your logic.

4. There is no way that the Salute to Firefighters section was a slap in the face to the dedicated, skilled volunteer firefighters in the area, and I'm sure they are intelligent enough to know that, even if you aren't.

5. One of your statements really reveals where your anger is directed:  you want to lay off more full-time firefighters to hire 
more part-time firefighters.  You have some personal problem with the full-time firefighters.  Whatever could the reason be?  Were you perhaps denied a job here because you failed an entrance exam?

The City, the Fire Chief, the Union, and the part-time firefighters are all working together now, to lower YOUR costs and increase 
service, while attempting to regain the ISO Class 4 we received the year before the City laid off 4 full-time firefighters.  Everyone is cooperating, and even looking to expand beyond each others' borders to bring you service and efficiency.  It's just too bad that people like you are not on board.

I could say more, but I have to get to work soon.  Today we have to train, create drawings of our local businesses, process pre-fire survey data, correct a computer network issue without having to call in a computer technician, clean, and perform some maintenance.  It's a light day today.  That is, unless someone's home catches on fire.  Maybe yours.  Regardless, if it happens, we'll be there for you, no matter how much you try to dampen our spirits and ruin our public image with your lies.

Enjoy the game today!  I can't make it - I'm on duty, for you.

Doug Johnson



10-6-2009-01

The Water Bill is usually referred to by that name, but if you look it over, you will see it is also a garbage fee bill and two sewage bills as well.  One of the sewage bills goes directly to pay for the Joint Sewage treatment plant we have with Kingsford.
 
The scond one goes for sewer line maintenance and also for installing or replacing sewer lines.
 
The garbage fee goes directly to pay for garbage collection.
 
A good chunk of the water bill goes to pay for the "overkill" bond that was issued by the previous administration.

10-4-2009-01
To the writer of 10-03-2009-01:
 
The preferred method of calling politicians on the carpet on this website has always been through the use of documented proof of your claims and challenges.
 
It's a darn shame the the FORMER council (the Marquart & Tousignant regime) did so many frightfully wasteful things with our money that CANNOT be undone.  The water bills is one of those things. . . and I personally do not recall anyone promising to lower our water bills back to "$19.00 every TWO months", as you say.  Please prove your claim with documentation or acknowledge your embellishment of the truth.
 
PS - I wonder if you voted for the ones who RAISED the water bills to ridiculous levels and are now criticizing the ones who can't undo the damage.  That would be ironic.

10-03-2009-01

Why haven't you lowered our water bill's to what they use to be, which was around $19.00 every TWO months, as you PROMISED!?


9-20-2009-01

It's great to see the completion of the street paving program for this year.  Magnificent improvements.  The completion of the downtown parking lots will cap off a big, big year, with more to come next year.
 
This council and city manager have a five year program lined up, so we can look forward to much more street paving in the years ahead.
 
All this and much more is being done.  Terrific jobs guys and gals.  Once again I can be proud of my city.

9-11-2009-02
I agree, little things do add up.  It is nice to the streets getting fixed, sinking manhole areas being repaired etc.  It is also nice that the business of the city is going on without all the grandstanding and pictures of themselves on the front page of the paper.  Keep up the good work.  It is past time for the good citizens of our community to start to see their tax dollars going for something useful.

9-2-2009-01

Pretty quiet on any immediate controversial issues around this site lately.  I am pleased with the
large paving program is see all around town, however.
 
I can't remember anything close to the size of this year's paving for years and years.
 
That's a big and costly project, but after years of neglect, it's good to see so many streets that need paving finally getting it.
 
I noticed they even straightened out the sunken bricks in the walking lane between the city hall and the Downtown Plaza along Stephenson Avenue.  Little things add up.

8-25-2009-01

I agree with post 8-23-2009-01 that things a running much more smoothly these days in Iron Mountain.  It's a matter of doing things in an orderly manner without fanfare or headlines.
 
Open and honest government has nothing to fear.  We finally have transparency in IM.
 

8-23-2009-01

Things are moving right along, I see. 
 
Many streets have been milled or pulverized in preparation for paving.
 
F Street infrastructure work in nearly completed between Carpenter and River Avenue.
 
Many manholes and catch basins have been repaired or adjusted for paving.
 
The parking lot behind city hall is ready for paving.
 
All in all, it looks like the biggest paving program in years is ready to roll.
 
Hats off to the hard working DPW guys for the preparation work they're doing. Hats off, too, to the city council and TIFA for making funds available for the long neglected streets.
 
It's hard to believe the difference in the operations of city government from the days of John Marquart and the seven dwarfs.  Hard to believe, but certainly welcome. 

8-14-2009-04

The city assessor, Vicki Esch, received an offer from a private firm in South Carolina that she described as "an opportunity of a lifetime".
 
She was a friendly and very competent assessor.  She will be missed. All who knew or worked with her wish her well in her new endeavor. 

8-14-2009-03
The proposed sign ordinance is a product from the planning board, a separate entity, not the City Council.  The proposed ordinance is still under debate.

8-14-2009-02

Very nice article in the Daily News - Thursday, Aug 13 - on sidewalk work on the north side of Iron Mountain.
 
This cooperative effort shows how good things can be accomplished at a moderate cost.  Council member Dale Alessandrini, Jon Wahoviak, director of the Michigan Laborers Council, Michael Miller, director of Vision 2020 and the workers from laborers council are to be commended for this project.
 
Also, the homeowners who were willing to commit funds. True, they got a good deal compared to the normal cost of sidewalks installation, but they still had to spend some of their own money.
 
The Iron Mountain Department of Public Works also deserves credit for for removing the old sidewalk and getting rid of it.  Those guys have been incredibly busy lately getting many catch basins upgraded for the street paving program which will begin shortly.
 
For the first time in half a decade, the taxpayers will be seeing some visible results from their tax dollars.  The city council and city staff are also to be commended for the rapidly improving city operations. 
 
What a difference from the recent past.  Competent, dedicated and honest people working on our behalf.  Truly refreshing.
 

8-14-2009-01

What a difference we've seen since a new majority took over the city council on Jan. 1.
 
For the first time in five years, they instituted a substantial street paving program.  It won't solve all the bad streets, but it's a good start at close to $600,000.
 
The TIFA pass-through made it possible to spend this sum.  Also, the sewage lift station on West B street will be rebuilt, thus avoiding a major potential sewage problem on the West side of town.
 
We have been drinking un-chlorinated water for almost a year, after a long period of horrible tasting water. 
 
There is no hint of any scandals or self-serving maneuvers.  Businesses wanting to invest are getting far better cooperation from the city council. No thanks to the Planning Board, which is still dragging its feet.
 
All of this is happening, and much more, because our servants are putting the city and its taxpayers first. 
 
Thank you, Webmaster, for agreeing to continue this site.  My contribution is in the mail.
I'd suggest you post the address permanent on the site so it doesn't fade from memory as more posts are entered.


8-12-2009-01

Is it true that another assessor is leaving the city of Iron Mountain? has she had enough or was she ousted?


8-10-2009-01

For 8-4-2009-1

Go to the city site and click on city services and then permits and you see a permit costs $50.00.


8-9-2009-01

HAS ANYONE CHECKED THE CITY OF IRON MOUNTAN'S WEB SITE AND CLICKED ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE INFORMATION LINK.  THE THING IS 57 PAGES LONG.  THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ONLY TOOK TWO PIECES OF STONE.  I THOUGHT I WENT OVER THE ORDINANCE PRETTY GOOD BUT COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE SIGN PERMITS WILL COST.  ARE THESE OVER AND ABOVE THE STATE PERMIT WHICH ARE ALREADY 50.00 PER SIGN?  IT'S GREAT TO BE IN BUSINESS THESE DAYS.

8-4-2009-01

The actual cost to renew this site is $200.  I have received a $20 donation.  If you would like to donate to continue this site you can mail funds to:

Issues
PO Box 393
Iron Mountain, MI 49801

Thanks Webmaster


8-1-2009-01

Thanks for committing to continuing the website.  I, along  with many others, will be happy to contribute.
 
The nominal renewal fee of $400 a year is just over $1.00 per day. The work of the webmaster
has for free for two years, and I would have no objection if he got paid a nominal fee for such a vital service.
 
This site has been a godsend for exposing the shenanigans that took place for close to five years. 
 
Finally, we have five (out of seven) council members whose dedication to good government is making us proud to be residents of Iron Mountain once again.

7-30-2009-01

From the feedback I received I will renew and keeping this site online.  Thanks to those that responded.  I will also set up some type of system so people can donate if they want.  The cost for the site is about $400 a year.


7-29-2009-04
Driving on the N Side last night was a nightmare...

Who's bright idea is it to remove concrete from around manholes WITHOUT putting cones or barricades up? When should it be the cities responsibility to repair cars when construction is done with no warning or signs? I am tired of hitting holes where there shouldn't be any..


7-29-2009-03

This website has been around for 2 years now and I am wondering if it should continue into year 3.  I must either renew the subscription or choose to let it lapse soon.  I am looking for some feedback from the citizens of Iron Mountain on this issue.

Webmaster


7-29-2009-02

Jason A  -  I don’t work in the News Dept.

Thanks

Holly Sorensen


7-29-2009-01

F Street is definitely scheduled for paving.  The bids for this year's paving will be opened at the Monday, August 3 meeting of the city council.  It will be the most paving in years, but certainly not all that is needed. This council is correcting the negligence of the past five years, but budgetary constraints do not allow to do all of our streets in one year. 
 
Is Holly Sorenson a new staffer for Channel 6 in Iron Mountain?  City Hall is half a block from the TV 6 office.  I suggest she get acquainted with city hall personnel.

7-28-2009-01
Hey TV6, looking for a real news story, rather than a side-road repaving report?  Snoop around the corrections center.  I'm sure you'll find a story there.  Hint: Start with the Daily News story about the last county commissioners meeting.

7-27-2009-01
I find it funny that TV6 news needs to post on this blog in order to get questions answered. Seems a phone call to the city would be easier..

About the BATS- We did notice that the bats were missing too BUT they have returned, we have seen quite a few bats over the last few days, right along US2 in town..

Thank you also to the people who started the Flea Market, I made the suggestion in an earlier post here. Not taking credit for the suggestion, just thanking the people who will bring the city in more money.

Jason A


7-23-2009-01

How do I find out if and when F street will be repaved.

Holly Sorensen

WLUC TV6 - Iron Mountain

UpperMichigansSource.com

P 906.774.0166

F 906.774.3935

C 906.396.1675


7-15-2009-01

What about the bats - are they really missing as suggested by a recent post?
 
If so, this would be a HIGH ALERT among the many bat clubs nationally who stay on top of these things.  Don't we have some local people with interest in this, also?
 
It would be ironic to built a trail to a Bat Cave with no bats in it.

7-13-2009-01

The bats are in the dugout.  Except for the Cubs, who don't have any bats this season; they're hanging in there with smoke and mirrors.

7-12-2009-01
Does anyone know where the bats are????


7-10-2009-01

I like the idea of making benefiting businesses kick in for the downtown parking lots. Also, some of them are barely used and should be sold off.
 
Another idea would be to rent individual spaces and mark with individual names or the name of a business - something like Fleury and Singler does with their privately owned lot.
 
The Daily News, for example, should rent about twenty spaces for their employees instead of getting a free ride.  Same for all the people who work in the Downtown Plaza building, at least another twenty, thirty or more.  Or the health center, or Moose Jackson to name just a few.
 
The downtown businesses would naturally grumble, just like people who get their welfare benefits cut back, but the rest of us are tired of subsidies for a select few.

7-9-2009-01

The downtown parking lots are all owned by the city.  All of the costs associated with these parking lots are paid for by the city, whether by TIFA for paving or the city by plowing, maintenance, striping and snow removal.
 
A handful of downtown businesses get the benefit of all these free services. It is a black hole financially for everyone in Iron Mountain.  Each of those businesses should somehow be assessed individually based on the number of parking slots they use on a daily average basis.
 
If they are unwilling to kick in, sell the parking lots to the highest bidders and let them do whatever they want with them.


7-8-2009-03
To Post 7-8-09-02
 
One question for you:
 
Are the downtown parking lots owned by the businesses or the City of Iron Mountain?

7-8-2009-02

The lowest bid received by TIFA for repaving two downtown parking lots and some curb and sewer work came in at just over $500,000.  One top of that you can add another 15% for engineering and design work, making it close to $600,000.
 
Can anyone tell me how long it would take the city to recapture this large sum from the handful of properties that gain from this FREE parking lot?  How about never. 
 
I am getting very tired of the freeloading downtown businesses and building owners ripping off us taxpayers every years and begging for more freebees all the time. 
 
Why the hell should any part of my city taxes subsidize the downtown leeches?  Every other business outside of the core downtown area has to build and maintain their own parking lots at their own expense. Any comments?


7-8-2009-01

We're getting a few well-written and understandable posts.  I liked the clear and concise response to Oskar's question on lower future tax revenues that all units of government (except the Federal government) are facing. 
 
The Federal Reserve is the only entity that can print money.  The more they print and issue,
the less the dollar is eventually worth.  Looks to me that we're in for a very bumpy road for a very long time.
 
Did anyone notice that the banks are not accepting California IOU checks?  What would happen if the world does not accept US dollars?

7-6-2009-01

To Oskar: At  Post 7-4-2009-01
RE: City taxes
 
Property values within the city will eventually go down, but the process is not under the control of the city council.  It is determined by the Dickinson County Equalization Department and approved by the State Tax Commission.
 
They use a three year rolling average to smooth out fluctuations, but property values will inevitably drop if the current trends continue.
 
In time, all city councils throughout the state and the nation will face serious budget problems. This is especially true in Michigan with Headlee imposed limits and millage rollbacks. Many are already in a serious bind as the State of Michigan cuts back normal distributions to cities.
 
It will not be a pretty picture.  Services will suffer.  The Iron Mountain City Council and City Manager are well aware of these trends and are hunkering down by all means possible.
 
Some drastic actions have already been taken and more are sure to follow in a carefully calculated effort to keep services at the highest possible level. I do not envy sitting
council members in Iron Mountain or anywhere else.  They all face daunting choices. 
 
Wise decisions will separate well managed cities from the rest in the years immediately ahead.
 
Look at California. That state faces a deficit of 24 billion for ONE year and is now issuing I.O.U.'s instead of checks. Many other states face large deficits.  The trickle down effect will obviously affect thousands of cities throughout the nation.  The stimulus packages will help a little, but certainly not enough.  All they do is add to the national debt so we can burden  our children, grandchildren and generations yet unborn. 

7-4-2009-01

You can expect to see the adjustment on your tax bill when you STOP voting for democrats.  Why do these socialists keep getting voted into office every election, and then the people who vote them in wonder why they keep getting screwed by the people they voted for?  My family came from the iron mines like many of you, and my great-grand parents were democrats as most all of our mining ancestors were.  But my great-grand parent's kids wised up long ago and realized that the "working man's party" no longer represented the real working man.  That era passed 35 years ago.

Not advocating the Republicans here by any means (I'm a Libertarian myself), but the democrat party has ceased to have any legitimacy or relevance to working people or people paying taxes.  We have become a 50-50 nation which has devolved into a group of tax-paying hosts, and another group of legal and illegal parasites who have no moral problem with living off of the sweat of those hosts who are still willing to work. 

Don't believe it?  Just watch the people ahead of you next time you're buying groceries.  How many are paying by cash, credit card, or checkbook, and how many able-bodied people are paying with "Bridge Cards"?  Bridge Cards.  Another PC word for "Welfare".  Which all of us are who are working are paying for.  A minimum wage job at McDonald's?  It's beneath them, though a Bridge Card is not.

I'm proud of the fact that I'm a Yooper, but I'm not proud of the fact that most of my fellow Yoopers, who have a reputation for hardiness and self-sufficiency (SISU), continue to support a party dedicated to keeping poor people in economic servitude.  That is shameful.  It's bad enough that those in servitude continue to vote for this party, but it's worse when people in the UP who are not in servitude or using Bridge Cards continue to vote for democrats, just because "I'm a democrat because my family have been democrats from the beginning".  You are only serving to continue the servitude for those too stupid to realize their way out.  Enabling.  I won't even get into guns or abortion; two other subjects where most Yoopers are at total odds with the democrat party, and continue to vote for them.

I realize that the previous text may enrage some who may react on the basis of emotion, but please do yourselves a favor and think about the text before you respond.  Giitos, and Tusind Takk!

Oskar

5-13-2009-03
This morning's news announced property values in Michigan have gone down 5% since this time last year.   Taxable values should be adjusted accordingly...When can we expect to see the adjustment on our tax bill? 
Any city council person willing to respond to this?

6-21-2009-01

It's been kind of quiet for postings on this site lately.  I consider this GOOD NEWS.
 
City government was never meant to be a spectator sport.
 
The five newer members go about their job openly, without fanfare, and get things done.  They listen to comments from citizens and dialogue with the audience.  Sure different from the stifling five years before they took over.
 
Ask any city employee about the difference in morale and the working environment.  It's a totally different world for them.   
 
Thank you Bruce Rosen, Dave Farragh, Ted Corombos, Tina Peterson and Dale Alessandrini for stepping up to the plate and to all who helped them get elected.
 
You have all very literally saved our beloved city from CERTAIN DISASTER. We owe you a debt of gratitude that cannot be adequately expressed. 

6-14-2009-02

The update by post 6-11-2009-01 provided us with a lot of information. 
 
Why isn't  this stuff covered by The Daily News?  They attend every meeting and I am told they received a printed copy of this info. 
 
To be fair to Linda Lobeck, she didn't cover that meeting but somebody did.

6-14-2009-01
I am very impressed with the accomplishments of the City Council. I would like to THANK the five  members of the council for their hard work. You have done an excellent job, and with no self- righteousness. You continue to impress with results, and not a bunch of feel good, self promoting promenades around the city. The current budget proposal shows projects we haven't seen in several years. Keep up the great job!

6-13-2009-01

Interesting post on Pending and Completed matters since November when a new majority took office.  Show what an honest and capable city council can do in a relatively short time. 

6-11--2009-01

Iron Mountain City Council Completed and Pending Matters May 30, 2009

Shown below is a list of issues that have been dealt with since November, 2008

1 - Finalize Jordan’s contract. (City Attorney, Jordan, Negotiations) Completed

2 – Exact TIFA minutes language for non-capture for past year and coming year - from Aronoff. Must be ready before February meeting (Carol or Jordan)  Completed

3 – TIFA Budget Amendment for February TIFA meeting.  (Jordan and Carol)

Non-capture for 2008-09 and 2009  Completed

4 - Review and propose alternatives on city investments versus outstanding loans.  We are paying more interest than we are earning on various loans outstanding.  (Finance committee)   Completed 

5 - Check on sign lease on Khoury property. (O & M Committee) We are getting paid for both faces.  Completed

6 –Arrange interviews with department heads: Mulca, Woolard, Flaminio,  Dan Johnson, Carol, Yeack, Dinnocenzo, etc. and all  other personnel of the city.        (O and M Committee and Jordan   Mostly Completed

7 - Move on filling City Clerk position (Council and Jordan)  Applications  are in.  Interviews in progress.  (Completed)

8 - Send thank-you letters to all city manager applicants. Assigned to Mayor

Presumed done.  If not, way too late now.

9 - Negotiations with DPW.   (Labor Relations Committee)  Contract agreed upon. Passed at April 6, 2009 council meeting .Completed: HIGHLIGHTS – The city has negotiated 6% health insurance premium contributions from all employees – any new AFSCME employee will be hired with a Health Savings Account insurance program and WILL NOT RECEIVE any payment for health insurance upon retirement. 

10 – Annual rubbish collection going forward – costs are getting out of hand,  (Infrastructure Committee.  Completed successfully with bins at DPW.  HIGHLIGHTS – Saved approximately $20,000.00 with many favorable statements from residents who liked not having our city look cluttered for weeks on end.

11 – Recycling at DPW building – Does it make any sense to continue in view of the costs. (Infrastructure Committee)  Completed  Will not collect paper.  SAVINGS of $10,000.00 annually

12 – Stop Chlorination of City Water.  Completed.  The East A Street water tank was reconditioned per recommendations of the Department of Environmental Quality. HIGHLIGHTS – Our city was spending $400 - $500 per month on chlorine. Since the water tank has been reconditioned, we DO NOT ADD CHLORINE to our water supply. Our water quality testing has taken place twice a month and has been clear of any bacteria.

13 – Work on City and TIFA Budgets for 2009 - 10 Fiscal year. (Council, Jordan, Carol, Jim Urbany, with input from Department heads).  Meeting scheduled w/ City Council and TIFA for week of 4-13-09.  Add City Hall & P & F bldg. roofing to TIFA budget.  TIFA & City Budgets have been COMPLETED. HIGHLIGHTS – Eliminated two positions which saved $150,000.00 of the $300,000.00 required. We will be meeting with the police department to negotiate bonuses for fire fighting, which will no longer be necessary, (potential savings = $55,000.00). City Council met with TIFA and discussed the need for non-capture of TIF funds for two years to bolster city budget shortfall of 1.1 million dollars. Equipment fund has been established once again.

14 – A review and proposal regarding paying off some city short and medium term loans.  Completed  We will pay off the firetruck loan and/or renegotiate other loans. 

15.   Schedule auction to get rid of excess equipment.   Completed

16 -  Millie Hill subdivision Final Plat and Development Plan  - Completed  HIGHLIGHTS – Approved after 11 years. Approved in phases to assure quality and compliance with ordinances.  INCREASED TAX BASE

17 - Duplex amendment w/ special permit proposal. Completed and passed at April 6 council meeting.  HIGHLIGHTS – Ten new duplexes are requested for special use permit.  INCREASED TAX BASE

18 -  Meet w/ departing Main Street coordinator Pat Reagan.  Completed

19 -. Joint meeting with DDA to discuss Main Street Program. Completed  HIGHLIGHTS – Council would like to see this position utilized not just for the main street, but the entire city. This position funding was agreed upon for one year with productive accomplishments tracked.

20. Eliminate 5% T.V. Franchise fee.  Completed.  

21. –Establish Consolidated Services Committee. Completed and Work in progress.  HIGHLIGHTS – Our committee will be meeting with representatives from the City of Kingsford. We will discuss areas where mutual monetary savings are possible and where services can be improved. We would like to meet with Breitung Township, Dickinson County, and Norway to establish a joint committee. We believe that we can achieve greater productivity by exploring shared services, joint purchasing, equipment sharing, personnel expenses, etc..

22 - Paving of city streets and intersections. Work in progress.  Starting the bidding process and expect paving to begin this summer and continue for the next five years.

23 - Negotiate contract with Police Department – Work in progress. It appears that the transition period for part-time paid help will be completed soon. We need to meet with the Police Department to eliminate their bonuses for fire fighting; they will no longer be required to fight fires. We need to discuss 8% health insurance premium contributions to follow other employees.

24 - Tower lease re-negotiations. Work in progress. Sent to the infrastructure committee and will be addressing this issue at the financial committee level. Work on tower leases, establish rates, send out bills – list of users.  Make list of who owns towers and number of customers on each of the various towers. Should we get a percentage of the income paid by leasers to the owners of the towers?  (Council, Finance Committee w/ input from City Attorney)   

25 - G.I.S. (Mapping of city’s infrastructure) Work in progress. Management will conduct a study of man hours, costs, and direction of implementation. 

26 - Review P & F Pension Board costs and under funded issues – Work in progress  Pension Board & Finance Committee  

27 - Review all completed STS contracts – Work in progress have meeting w/ STS, O and M Committee  To be addressed within two weeks

28 - Establish procedure for future engineering and design contracts. Work in progress (Council, Jordan  and/or Infrastructure Committee with input from Urbany)   Discussed 3-25-09

29 – Who gave authorization re: water line on Champion, Inc. property.  Work in progress No easement documents exist.  (O and M Committee)   Jordan agreed to follow up and resolve.

30 -Revisit reassessment issue.  Work in progress – possible breach of contract and invoicing issues. Finance Committee. To meet with City Attorney

31 - Set up inspection procedure by firefighters on rentals and commercial properties. Work in progress   (O & M Committee, Dan Johnson & Kevin Pirlot)   Nothing yet.  Waiting for Mulka to develop landlords list and mail notices.

32 - Thorough review of all computer operations and website.  Work in progress Real actual cost to date, maintenance and update costs, and time spent on maintaining it.  How long does it take to get minutes and agendas on ther?.  Cost of setting up credit card payments.  How many do we get by credit or debit cards? (O and M committee will interview Carol on total costs, maintenance costs, what have we gained, Sarah on time spent on website, website designer costs, etc.)  Will look at the feasibility of making our website interactive to poll citizens regarding sensitive issues.  Discussed at 3-25-09 meeting. More to come.

33 –Status report on sign ordinance  Draft presented.  Work in progress   Many issues remain to be resolved.

34 - Discussion with Planning Board going forward. Work in progress Priority list. (Including bike trails issue, site plan issues,  etc.) (Council, Planning Board,  Nothing yet 

35 – Bidding on Pump Station and “A” Street project. Work in progress  (Infrastructure Committee, STS)   Received DEQ clearance. PROGRESSING -  Bidding is now ready.

36 – Get a handle on water department operations and needs, cash flows, funds status, billing practices, etc. Work in progress (O & M Committee – interviews with Debbie Tirschel, Bill Yeack, Carol, Jordan, and others as necessary) 

37 – Get a schedule of all city equipment assets and determine condition of each piece of equipment to establish a 5 - year replacement schedule, ongoing maintenance estimates, compare fuel costs and usage versus historical standards. Work in progress (O & M Committee interviews w/ DPW personnel and Consolidated Services Committee. Meetings with surrounding governing bodies. Some work on equipment replacement schedules already done.  Some numbers in 5 - yr. forecast.

38 – Requested items & suggestions by various departments for upcoming budget. Work in progress (a)  TV sewer camera (Approved) (b) Fire Dept. hoses, (c) charge auto insurance companies for response to car fires and spill clean-up (Discuss) (d) extractor-washer Fire Dept.,(e) invest in motion sensors and timers where appropriate for lights to save electricity, (Discuss) (f) shelving needs of Fire Dept. (some may be available in City Hall basement).

39 – Purchase policy language.  Work in progress.  To be discussed with Urbany, City Atty., O & M Committee

40 - Bids on F Street sewer separation and paving.  Work in progress   Will be completed this summer

41  - City Park issues (Parks and Recreation Committee)  Work in progress.  Application submitted and pending to the DNR Trust Fund. We will be presenting this project on June, 17, 2009 to the Trust Fund Board. We should know if we will receive funding for this by the middle of December, 2009. We have raised $103,000 in pledges and/or in-kind labor. We still need to raise $50,000.00 in pledges or in kind-work. Our fundraising is still ongoing.

42 – Charter Amendment.  Work in progress   Change to be made is the seating of newly elected council members to take place the first council meeting after the November election. Currently meeting with the city attorney for appropriate charter language. Will be placed on the November ballot for citizen approval.


6-2-2009-01

I got a copy of a three page report that was handed out at the June 1 City Council meeting meeting.  It was a report on matters that have been resolved since last November and a list of pending items.
 
It was very eye-opening.  I wish I could get a copy to this website, but I don't have any way to scan it and forward it to the webmaster.  If anyone has this capability, you can get a copy from any council member or the city manager or anyone who attended the meeting.  It was also passed out to the audience.
 
I believe it was prepared by Ted Corombos. In any case,  he was the one explaining it. 
 
It was very informative.  I hope it can get on here so everyone can see it. 
 

5-23-2009-01

The budget for the City of Iron Mountain for the fiscal year July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 is posted on the Home Page of the city website:
 
                             www.cityofironmountain.com
 
It is quite a daunting document at 70 pages long, but if you go to page 27 you will get a quick snapshot. 
 
A public hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 26 in the council chambers.  At that hearing, you can ask any questions you want.


5-18-2009-01
I decided that it was in the best interest of this family to report him now. It has been done, I also forwarded the email that started this to some of the council members, the fire chief and also the inspectors office. I hope that this is investigated and this woman gets the help she needs afterwards.


5-15-2009-02

TO POST 5-14-09-04
Please do not let this go on, I am very sure that if you contracted the health department, building codes, code enforcement officer, local police department and the fire chief they will all help. They can not take of some thing they do not know about, if you call them i am very sure they will look in to it, you have nothing lose and every thing to gain to help these people.



5-15-2009-01

Regarding the ongoing debate on the rental unit being discussed on this site, I have some suggestions.
 
If the situation is as you described and I was the complainer, I would first call the City Code Enforcement Officer and tell him to get on this case right now.
 
I'd also go to a city council meeting and get up there during the Public Comment Period
and explain the situation to the City Council. Council members don't know about all these situations. 
 
Also, I'd call the landlord and tell him exactly what I'm going to do, that I'll give the location of the property and name him as the owner of the property in a public forum and his name will be in the public record forever in the city minutes of City Council meetings. 
 
Even slum landlords don't want that kind of publicity because the heat on them on all their properties will soon become unbearable and they know it.
 
I  don't how many council members or administration staff visit this site regularly, but even if they did, they wouldn't know who you're talking about. 
 
Don't hide anonymously on this site and complain.  Show some spine and make the slimy landlord's life miserable.  No guts - no glory. 
 

5-14-2009-04

Supply and demand? your kidding me? When a person pays the security deposit and moves into a apt, they are paying for a secure environment and the landlord should be responsible for fixing problems- NOT ignoring them. I didn't list the majority of these problems. There is a child there living with exposed wiring that was there when they moved in. There are holes in the walls that brought winter inside. They were screamed at when they had the heat set to 75 because of how cold the baby was. The door didn't have a working lock until they installed one because the landlord invited himself in while they were gone. Walls that have no drywall... Kitchen sink leaks and can't be used.

DARN RIGHT I BLAME THE LANDLORD!!!!

This is ONE of his properties in Iron Mountain that he refuses to fix.  Last night i pulled his tax info and found out his "owner info" is not correct.

Please if someone out there with some experience in this type of abuse would please respond. There are soo many CODE VIOLATIONS here I don't think the city could over look.

The response I got must be from this landlord or another with something to fear considering they didn't leave their name..


5-14-2009-03

In reference to 5-13-2009-04

This is your question:

"My question is what is the landlords responsibility if they had to move because of the conditions? They want to let the building inspector inside to view the filth they are forced to live in but don't know where they could go. Is the landlord responsible for housing these people?"

My answer to you is to have her move out.  Have her find another place to rent there are plenty out there.

It boils down to a simple fact of supply and demand.  If this place is so bad no one will rent it.  No demand.  The landlord will then be forced to upgrade the facility or have it go empty.

Who is forcing this person to live in filth?  Last time I checked we had the freedom to live were we wanted to.  Besides filth is created by the occupying tenant.

Or did this person choose this place because it is cheap rent.  You cant have both, a beautiful 2 bedroom top notch apartment and $300 rent.  You just cant!

This Cities rental problem is a symptom of the bigger problem.  No or Low paying jobs.  Citizens of Iron Mountain and the surrounding area are not making what they did a few years ago.  The less we make the less we can spend, and that goes for rent too.  I am sure she qualifies for State assistance, but that program is drying up.

So don't blame the landlords for this worsening problem.


5-14-2009-02

TO:  5-13-2009-03
RE:  Lower property values
 
Property values are not under the control of any city council or township board. 
 
The County Equalization Department approves and makes adjustments for each city and township in the county. Above the County Equalization Department is the State Tax Commission.
 
The state has a large vested interest in accurately assessed property values because it ties in to their funding formulas for education. Billions of dollar are riding on it.
 
You can imagine and shudder at the games city councils and township boards would play throughout the state if left to their own devices.
 
People like John Marquart and the past administration would have had no qualms bumping UP the value of your home tremendously to pour more money in the city coffers for their pet projects. 
 
The state legislature had foreseen this possibility for game-playing decades ago and legislated accordingly. 
 
The remaining chink in the armor for taxpayers was in the area of fees. How can they be imposed by city councils and township boards for special services they want to provide? 
 
The city of Lansing got too cute in this area when it tried to assess a huge tax by disguising it as a fee.  A man named Alex and Bolt knew the difference between a fee and a tax.  So he sued Lansing, lost in circuit court, lost to the Court of Appeals and WON in the Michigan Supreme Court in the now famous Bolt vs. Lansing decision. 
 
The Supreme Court ruled fees can only levied close to the cost of providing a given service and no more.  Also, it to be assessed only to the recipients of that service. not everyone.  That slammed the door on the abuse of fees. 
 
That didn't stop Marquart and his cohorts from trying, though.  The whole highly controversial rental ordinance in Iron Mountain centered around the huge fees they tried to impose on landlords for inspection of their properties.  The landlords' concerns were that the fees imposed were FAR HIGHER than the cost of the inspections, and the excess money would go into the General Fund of the city, clearly in violation of the Bolt decision.
 
Sometimes the legislature and the courts get it right.  They anticipated the possibility of abusive city managers, city councils, township boards and county commissions.  These laws and court rulings were beneficial to all the taxpayers of Michigan.
  

5-14-2009-01

Regarding 5-13-2009-03:

Quit griping.  Are you trying to inflame people and create unnecessary trouble?

From 2005 through 2007 my assessment climbed yearly and my city taxes increased slightly more than 50%, from slightly less than $2,400 to over $3,600 by the beginning of 2008.  At the beginning of this year the assessor notified me by mail with one of its standard notices that the city had reassessed my property for 2009, indicated the amount the assessment had decreased, and also indicated the commensurate amount that my 2009 tax bill would decrease -- down almost $300.  Check your mail.  Weren't you among those in Iron Mountain notified similarly?  Or maybe your property value went up and you deserve to pay more taxes accordingly.  My taxes are still higher than I'd like, and considerably higher than from where they were in 2004, but they've adjusted a step in the right direction.  And I'm finally -- and surprisingly -- getting a response and some service from the DPW and other city workers in the past year.

Since the reassessment and tax decline, I decided to refinance my residence and the bank of course had one of the local appraisers reappraise my property before it wrote the new mortgage.  Ironically, according to the appraisal, the value of my place has increased 18%.  The city's assessment said the opposite, if not by the same amount.  Go figure.  Recession be damned.  Sinking property values be damned.  Greater practical value, a cheaper mortgage, fewer taxes.  Not to mention fewer and smaller fees and improved services.  This city council's not gonna hear any complaints from me, particularly not after the way I'd been raped by the last one -- with precious little municipal service to show for it.  Don't have much good to say about that dumb thug Burke, and the mayor's sort of a strange duck, but governmentally, if not personally, this motley bunch on the whole is a collection of competent angels and saints compared to that last gang of inept know-it-alls and oily self-promoters.  Even this smartass kid who's the new city manager is a hundred times better than that previous creature.

5-13-2009-04
I know of a young woman with a 15 mo. baby who is renting only a few blocks from city hall, the apt has a broken sink that can't be used, snow blew under the door all winter, wires in the ceiling hanging, in a bedroom you can see light where there isn't a window and on and on. The landlord even entered her apt when they weren't home. My question is what is the landlords responsibility if they had to move because of the conditions? They want to let the building inspector inside to view the filth they are forced to live in but don't know where they could go. Is the landlord responsible for housing these people? Will be watching for an answer... And this is a well known landlord in this city.

5-13-2009-03
This morning's news announced property values in Michigan have gone down 5% since this time last year.   Taxable values should be adjusted accordingly...When can we expect to see the adjustment on our tax bill? 
Any city council person willing to respond to this?



5-13-2009-02

To 5-11-2009-01
 
You did a very good job of answering my question about county vs city tax money.  It opened my eyes to a lot of factors I hadn't thought about as part of the equation.  The question came to mind with news of the county portion of the TIFA pass-through.  I think that was the right thing to do, but I wanted to be sure.  Maybe we were not contributing our fair share to the county during the run of TIFA.  I sincerely hope the county puts this money to good use, and I hope they will consider spending a good chunk of it in Iron Mountain as an acknowledgement of where that money came from.  Thanks.


5-13-2009-01

Collecting the rubbish at the DPW site was a great idea.  I stopped by there this morning (Wednesday) to drop some stuff off. 
 
A city worker at the gate there told me everything was going along very smoothly.  They had close to 200 people drop things off the first two days in the large the containers they have there.  
 
This is just one more example where cooperation by our citizens saves them money.  Sure, it's a bit inconvenient to have to bring the rubbish to the DPW, but you'd have to get it outside of your house anyway, so it's just a short hop to the DPW site no matter where you live in town.
 
To me, the best part is that the city doesn't look like one big trash heap for three or four weeks every spring because people weren't sure exactly when the ONE pass by their house would take place. That unsightly picture has been totally eliminated.   

5-11-2009-01

To poster 5-10-2009-01, who asked about county tax allocations and whether Iron Mountain residents may be overpaying.

 This is a complicated question and involves a long list of issues.  I’ve been in discussions where these matters were discussed at length.

 Generally, there is no argument with the court system, circuit, district or probate. Their services are clearly county wide.  The same can be said of the County Clerk and Register of Deeds functions. Airport management, health department, fair board, code commission and a few other functions that fall under the county board jurisdiction are also not very controversial from the perspective of Iron Mountain (and Kingsford and Norway) residents.

 The Sheriff’s Department and Road Commission are two areas of potential controversy in the allocation process.  While the three cities in the county maintain their own police and fire departments, though not exactly comparable, are funded by the residents of those cities.  City taxpayers, however, also fund the sheriff’s department the same as township residents.  We all pay around 6.12 mills for county taxes, no matter where we live in the county. Is this fair to city residents?  Your first inclination, as a city resident, would be to say no because they do not patrol the city.  However, a big part of the sheriff department budget is to maintain the jail, feeding, guarding and providing mandated health benefits to the prisoners.  This part of the departments’ budget is certainly county wide.  Same for the 911 service we all pay for.

 The part of the budget that is dedicated to patrolling county roads is being paid proportionately by all residents of the county, so to that extent you can make the argument that city residents are subsidizing the patrol function.  I don’t know what part of the budget this entails, but the city residents, around 17,000 out of a 28,000 or so county population clearly are subsidizing this function.

 The County Road Commission provides no services to the cities. I am not totally clear on this, but I believe most of their budget is state funded.  That is somebody’s money, even if it trickles down from the state.  It benefits township residents at no extra cost to them. I understand the Road Commission has responsibility for over 600 miles of roads.  The cities in turn, also get money from the state, but I don’t know how this breaks down proportionately on a per mile basis versus the county.

 The only way I can see fairness and equity in the police part of the puzzle would be if the sheriff’s department took over all police functions for the entire county with the exception of the State Police.  This is where the concept of regionalization comes in.  The department would become considerably larger.  Whether this is financially feasible or politically possible, I’m not in a position to judge.

 The same argument could apply to consolidating the four school districts.  I noticed that Iron Mountain and Kingsford agreed to share the business manager position, so someone is taking tiny steps in that direction. 

 I hope this lengthy post helps a little.  I don’t pretend to have all (or any) definite answers, but I would encourage dialogue along lines where cooperation in any areas results in greater efficiency and at lower costs.  Let’s start a dialogue.



5-10-2009-02

Tina, you do NOT owe anyone an apology!! I can only imagine the stress your under with someone always questioning your moves and motives. The local paper is good for only two things, to wash windows , and to line bird cages. Hang in there. We know what a good job your doing.

5-10-2009-01

I’d like to know if anyone out there knows the answer to this. Everyone in the county, including Iron Mountain residents, has a portion of their property taxes captured by the county. Do Iron Mountain residents pay a lower percentage to the county because we also pay taxes to the City for services that the county provides to other areas? For example, plowing, police protection, and probably a few more. I guess what I’m asking is, are Iron Mountain paying county taxes and not receiving the same bang for their buck as other county residents? Are we paying for both city and county police protection and getting only city, as an example? I’m not picking on anyone, I just want to know if there is a potential avenue to save money in those areas.


5-9-2009-01

Thank you for the supportive comments. At this particular time, they are appreciated more than you could know.
 
Who knew that not doing something could end up on the front page, when someone like Steve Hudson resigning would be buried in the paper?  Someone who has served this area's Veterans for 19 years, and deserved recognition and respect from our paper...that's just not right.
 
I didn't even know my comments were "on the record" and was under the impression that there was no story, nothing was running.  Feels like a British tabloid kind of thing, really.
 
What I had said was that I had meant the words about resigning.  But after conversations with people I care about, and much thought...I changed my mind the next day (I had received advice about balancing my efforts, and advice about taking care of myself). I told the paper that there was much to accomplish, especially in economic development.
 
Tuesday night I felt huge relief at first, and then horrible guilt and remorse for verbally resigning. I felt I was letting everyone down, especially those who voted for me.  It was terrible.
 
Look, I'm truly doing my best.  It's all I can do.  We all are.  Hopefully, people know that.
 
As they say, "the proof is in the pudding", and it just sometimes takes time for the good things to really be seen or be apparent.
 
I shouldn't have looked at the Daily News posts, that was tough, but I'll just try to remember that it took strength to fend off a lot of wrongdoings and wrongdoers in this City.  I was a whimp before I started all of this and now there is at least a bit of a spine in there.
 
I'm still finding my feet in an environment I knew nothing about 2 years ago.  I'm learning.  Of all of my faults, (yeah, there's a lot), I hope nobody would ever think that I didn't have complete dedication to serving the taxpayer.  My heart and intentions are pure, I promise.
 
So, enough from me for awhile...especially with my long posts.
 
I apologize sincerely for almost giving up and all that it has caused. 
 
Tina

5-8-2009-01
I would really like to see Iron Mountain or someone in town to organize a Flea Market for this town. The city could follow the city of Crivitz on their flea market. Each vendor pays the city $20 per booth, they have one every week on Thursday's starting Memorial Day and normally have over 100 vendors.  Not only would these vendors be paying the city, they would attract many people to the area which will eat and spend money here in town. This would be a PERFECT Sunday event this summer.

To Tina, I'm 100% behind you- Don't let these small time, wanna be politicians  push your buttons. Get us what we need here- Jobs and ways for the city to make money. I would love to drive into a city and see a wind turbine on a hill making money for a city. It means a lot to see a city supporting itself from Mother Nature.

141 Lumber in Quin. is selling wind turbines now for anyone who really wants to learn about them, I wish I had the property to invest in one of these. I'd stick one on top of my house and watch the meter run in reverse...

Jason Asselin
Iron Mountain

5-7-2009-05

Hold your head high, Tina Peterson. 
 
You dedication to city affairs is obvious to anyone who pays the slightest attention.
 
We have all made comments from time to time that we (a) wish we hadn't made or (b) retracted them.  So what? That's life among us mere mortals. 
 
Keep doing your job and brush off the small minds and nitpickers.  You are part of a team that has restored confidence in Iron Mountain with open dialogue and total transparency of city finances and all other city affairs. 
 
What a difference you all have made in such a short time.  Thousands of us appreciate that difference. 

5-7-2009-04

Nonamiss has been a chronic complainer since last November when the council went from 4-3 old regime to a 5-2 breath of fresh air. 
 
Is it practical to assume the five people he supported, plus Marquart, biting the dust has
made him just a tad bitter? 
 
He lies so much I don't even believe him when he says he has never been on the council. 

5-7-2009-03

Stand tall and know that there are a lot of citizens behind you, Tina Peterson!

5-7-2009-02

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507589.html?nav=5002

Interesting to watch Thessaloniki and Nonamiss mix it up over councilwoman Tina Peterson.  As if Thessaloniki will make a dent in Nonamiss's wackiness.  But I suspect that other readers will see the sense of what Thessaloniki writes and appreciate that he trusts them to turn to the record -- the actual record, official documentation, evidence -- themselves to draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions rather than trust the hysterical tabloid sensationalism, fiction, and political melodrama of Nonamiss.

5-7-2009-01
I reread my post over and over.  I feel that defending going to the manufacturing conference and explaining turbine part manufacturing was not snide.  The horse and buggy comment was pushing it, most likely.
 
Being compared to the last council is about as devastating as it gets for me.  I never claimed to be some polished politician with all the right words.  I certainly am not one who knows how to bite my tongue continually.
 
I have only claimed to do my best and be dogged as heck about caring for the taxpayers.  I stake my life on the fact that I have done so. 
 
Paving: I presented piles of information to each council member last September on a 5 year paving program.  It was a template including material cost, paser ratings, funding options, etc.  It was shared with me from the Escanaba City Manager Jim O'Toole with his blessing to "copy" whatever we could use for our City.  I nagged for many meetings to get started on a plan. We do now have a plan. I still try to keep the subject of alley repair going, am still trying to find solutions: It is most likely not something we can afford to address until the streets are taken care of.
 
There are so many other subjects that I have done similar things on, have worked so hard on, and the taxpayer probably won't ever know.  But it's not about people knowing what you did, it's about things getting done.  Efforts don't always show up in the minutes or in the news articles.  If I get defensive once in a while, so be it.  If I was asked to be perfect, or to be less human when I was voted in, that's not something I can do.
 
I have worked diligently, before and after getting elected, on everything that was about the taxpayer finally getting respect.  If I want to stand up for myself to get some respect, I think I have a right to do so.  I am not a public doormat.  The election and the recall felt like long, stretched-out times of getting the "you know what" kicked out of you...repeatedly....all for the greater good of the taxpayer. 
 
In my post, when I said I'm tired of the lies from Tousignant and Rigoni...I meant it.  If I hate that someone says we are putting the budget in the hole, when we were left to deal with years of horrific mismanagement and illegalities that would have seen our City into receivership, I will say so and defend it. 
 
I wasn't voted in to be a smooth talker.  By it's very nature, this position will leave you ticking off someone at any given moment. I have faith that I am doing everything in my power to protect the taxpayer, bring decent jobs here, provide essential services, and make sure this government is so transparent that it resembles a streak-free window.
 
There is not an easy solution for the rubbish collection problem.  The workers cannot be in two places at once: preparing the cemetery, and picking up the rubbish.  When furniture is sitting out for weeks, it gets water-logged and the costs for tipping fees increases greatly.  This solution is a work in progress, and it will take residents' input to get the right balance.  It would be nice if residents didn't immediately assume that the council was somehow abandoning them because we have the unpopular position of tightening the belt.  A belt that was stretched hideously by a group before us, combined with new cuts in State revenue sharing.
 
Lastly, when I said it's not worth my health...well, that is a personal matter that I should have probably kept to myself.  I'm sure it sounded childish. The glaring truth, however, is that I do sacrifice my health to accomplish what is right for the City.  Nobody is making me do that; it's of my own choice because I want to see things turned around for us all. I struggle constantly, weighing being a council member and going back to the no-stress environment (and physical rest) of just being me. Who of you out there is so thick-skinned that they could handle all of this perfectly gracefully, day-in and day-out?  Who of you out there wouldn't be compelled to stand up for yourself or your council?  You just couldn't know what this position is like until you get here. I get flabbergasted when you work so bloody hard and give it all you have...and someone thinks you are taking advantage of the City because you went to a conference to try and get your area good jobs.  Honestly?  I think it's pretty darn rude to talk about cooking the albino deer also, but that is my very personal opinion.
 
And I have them, and I'm going to say them.
 
Tina Peterson


5-6-2009-01

It's quite simple:  there are grants that allow development of the trail and of City Park.  There are no grants for rubbish pickup.  It's exactly the same as when Aunt Edna sends you a fruitcake for Christmas when you need money to pay the gas bill - you wish she had sent money, but she didn't.  There's nothing you can do except fix the leaky faucet in the bathroom yourself (haul your rubbish or wait until next year), because you can't afford to pay the plumber (tipping fees), because you need the money that was set aside for the plumber to pay that gas bill (minimum city operating expenses).

Money is extremely tight right now, and our council is not spending ANYTHING that they don't have to spend, if it can be put off.  There is no other choice.  They are not spending rubbish collection money on fruitcake - there simply is no rubbish collection money.  So be patient, and enjoy your fruitcake. It was free.


5-5-2009-01

As long as we’re weighing in on things, I’d like to join in.

Tina, I’ve supported you and the current council from day one.  However, your response in 5-1-2009-01 really grates me the wrong way.  The last council was filled with rude, self-serving egotists who forgot (or never really realized) that their job was to serve the citizens of the City of Iron Mountain.  Repeatedly, a dissenter would be met with rude, arrogant comments from some of those people.  Tina, your letter reminds of those days.  Were the snide comments necessary?  Where did the professionalism and the respect to ALL constituents go?  If you believe in your philosophies and actions, you would be able to state your case without lowering yourself to insulting a citizen.

Secondly, you have to understand how that the “average” citizen is upset over the discontinuation of the rubbish collection.  That is the one service where I personally felt I was getting something for my very high tax dollars.  I don’t have a vehicle to bring the rubbish to the municipal garage, so I am stuck.  I never would have thought that the council would cut that, out of everything they could have shaved $39K from.  I can tell you right now, I will never use that bat trail.  How often do I go to City Park?  Perhaps twice a year.  How often have I benefitted from the rubbish collection?  Every single year.  Cutting it just puts another hardship on families who are already dealing with hardships, e.g., unemployment.  So, yeah, Tina, even your supporters are hurt by that one.  As far as the horrible condition of the roads go, we’re all waiting patiently.  Most of us understand that you will do what you can to make that a priority since we assume you have to dodge potholes and find routes that do the least amount of damage to your car.


5-4-2009-01

Good job 5-1-2009-02.   Bacco Constructon has withdrawn their pledge of 5000.00$ for the city park project.  This is a good example of Forward thinking that we had to put up with for four long years. Losers lose. Get over it.

5-1-2009-02

I’d like to weigh in on the last few comments, 4-30-2009 1 and 2.

On wind, it’s the wave of the future in manufacturing. If we don’t aggressively get on board now, we are going to miss that train. Do you want progress or not? 

On the albino deer. Blizzard, the other white meat, eh’? I could handle that.

"Feel good" will put us in the hole? Did you just emerge from a hole? Do you have any idea of how much the previous council put the city in a hole? It’s frightening how much they managed to squander in four years. It’s in the millions, friend, from funds that took years to build up. Speaking of that, I was taken aback by a recent letter in the paper, from a former council member who happens to be an executive in a very good local road construction company. I think it takes incredible gall for someone in that position to complain about street repair. He talked about two years on the new council with no street repairs. What he failed to mention is that the new, improved frame of mind on the council did not have a majority vote until last November. That said, I’d like to see some street repairs myself, and I have no doubt I will see that in their FIRST budget in which they have a majority vote.

On that strip mall comment, that would be yet another gaff from the previous council and management, and a good example of why they are the previous council.

I remember when this site was at its peak. Many people were doing their homework and providing documentation here to back it up. There were a lot of things going wrong, with proof. Sure, a lot of people weighed in with their opinions, but that’s freedom of speech.

What’s different now is that the last few negative comments are just that. Simple disagreement with a few decisions being made by the present council. An ongoing example of the right to free speech that I hope we never, ever lose. However, I have yet to see an accusation of actual wrongdoing against the new council, let alone seeing any documentation to back anything up. That’s an exponential difference from what we had before, people. Count your blessing, and don’t forget what we had to deal with in the past.



5-1-2009-01
Response to 4-30-2009-01
 
Ok, I'll bite.
 
The "Wind" I have been talking about for a year is manufacturing of the 8000 turbine parts.  We have at least 20+ businesses in our region that can expand to taking on these contracts.  I have been working my behind off trying to bring this together....which means good paying jobs.  This Manufacturing Industry has not faltered, as others have in tough economic times, due to State and Federal RPS's and RES's.  It is not considered alternative, but now is considered mainstream.
 
It is not "feel good", it is fact. It is casting, forging, tool and die, plastics, composites, electrical panels, transportation, education, technicians, construction sites, rebar, concrete, cable, fiber, engineering, etc. 
 
Perhaps people like you felt this way about the automobile long ago and refused to stop using the horse and buggy.  The City taxpayers paid for the registration, I paid for the hotel, transportation, and food.  Long before this conference and long since, I have put in over 100 hours towards Economic Development for our City, without 1 penny from the taxpayers. For City Council meetings, I receive $10, not to exceed $500 in one entire year.  I could attend 5 meetings per week for 52 weeks, and I would not receive more than $500 in that year.  How rich I am becoming.  Don't forget the hours that council members spend working on issues away from meetings.
 
The bat cave trail was in the works before we were into office.
 
Naming the Deer at City Park is no skin off your nose, what's the problem?  For that one issue, there have been near hundred "nuts and bolts" City issues dealt with by our Council. Difficult issues including terrible financial messes left by a previous administration.
 
You speak of a hole?  So ironic...so very ironic.  The gaping financial hole that was left to us to climb out of to save this City's collective pocketbook would have sent Mr. Buffet screaming and running off a cliff.   
 
I know better, normally, than to respond to a post like yours; and I know it is timed perfectly for an election that is gearing up.  But I have had my fill of the lies and the crap...of the Ken Tousignants and the Doug Rigoni's also.  I personally have had two years of it and am done with it.  It is not worth my health.
 
Sincerely,
Tina Peterson


4-30-2009-02

In response to 4-25-2009-01

     Your assumption may be wrong, we can afford a trail to the bat cave, a new city park (wasn’t this some whackos vision) yet we can’t afford to pickup rubbish for spring cleanup. Ya I know grants payment in kind(labor the thing we can’t afford for cleanup). Matching funds?

     The Recycling program needs to be expanded, but find markets for the materials plastic and paper can be sold yet we are paying big bucks to give them away.paper could be hauled to trico and donated costing about 1 hour of labor and a couple gallons of fuel, one city truck 2 men counting bennies should be less than a hundred bucks or halve it to 1 man.

     A strip mall (land grab) that should be addressed read the original agreement if no construction in one year the purchased city property would revert, or was that left out of the deed?


4-30-2009-01

In response to 4-25-2009-01
 
Oh, it's compacency.  I've given up.
 
When will I get a schedule about fixing my alley?
Why is the compost sight closed when this is the time of year everyone needs it?
Why does Tina keep talking about wind?  Who paid for the conference she went to?  I know they're not cheap.
I don't care if you name the white deer or cook it.
Why give the school a freebie at city park?  I pay my property taxes - they should have to pay for the park.
 
I've given up on the council.  They're going to do "feel good" things until we are in the hole.  Guaranteed.

4-25-2009-01

Posts have slowed down on this site dramatically.  Is it because of complacency or because the current city council is conducting their affairs in a crisp, business-like manner?
 
I think it's the latter, but that's just my opinion.  The last city council meeting was only forty-five minutes long, and fifteen of those minutes were spent in a light-hearted discussion of what to name the albino deer at City Park.
 
It looks to me that efficiency is returning to Iron Mountain government for the first time in at least five years.
 
Then again, maybe the webmaster is on an African safari, traipsing through the jungles of Brazil , visiting monasteries in Tibet or otherwise out of contact with the internet.
 
Just curious. 
 

4-18-2009-01

I spent a couple of hours on this weather-perfect Saturday (April 18) driving slowly around the various neighborhoods of Iron Mountain north, south, east and west sides of town.
 
Many people were outside raking their yards, talking to neighbors and doing other chores. 
 
Overall, we have a wonderful city.  Most people, perhaps 85-90%, take pride in their homes. They do the best they can with the hand they have been dealt in life.
 
There is always the minority who have no pride, don't care what neighbors think, and are often anti-social in general. Those are the people who should be targeted with tight code enforcement for the benefit of all, including themselves.
 
We all hope the projected paving program that will start this year will gain momentum, and in a few years, we will have tolerable streets throughout Iron Mountain.  I know it's an expensive undertaking, but it will be money well spent.
 
I have lived in quite a few places in my life, although I was born in Iron Mountain and returned here many years ago. I still travel quite a bit, usually to quite large metropolitan areas both in this country and abroad. Sure, they have things we don't have here in the areas of the arts, stage presentations, operas, major league sporting events, etc.  For me, they fit the old expression - they're nice places to visit, but I would want to live there on a permanently.
 
Give me Iron Mountain - small town America - where the friendliness is genuine.  Somewhat parochial at times?  Sure. We can't match the Rose Bowl parade or Macy's. But here you can wave to many people in a parade and they wave back because they know you. I've had big city friends and relatives here who were moved to tears by the patriotism, real enthusiasm and fun they had at 4th of July parades. 
 
One of them made a statement that I will never forget.  "I can now die knowing I have seen Norman Rockwell's America and I love it.  You people don't know what you have."
 
"We know," I said.  "We know."
 

4-16-2009-01
Thanks for this information, Doug.  Let's hope lots of people take advantage of this.

4-13-2009-01

For those concerned about the lack of a spring rubbish pickup:  you may want to consider listing your "rubbish" items on Dickinson County Freecycle.  Freecycle is an international organization designed to keep unwanted items out of the landfills.  People will post a message with items they have to give away (it must always be free), and others respond.  You'd be surprised at what people will take.  I've known people to say, "I'm putting a bunch of stuff in the driveway today for anyone who wants it", and other people come and take it all.

The URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dickinsonfc/

Doug Johnson

4-12-2009-01

I will not post anymore comments on the 4-9-2009-02 subject.

Webmaster

4-11-2009-04

I am pleased that Doug Johnson posted a clear explanation concerning the thermal-imager bid.
 
As it turns out, I was at the city council meeting when the three SEALED bids were opened.  I recall that two of them were over $11,000 while the third one, by W. B. Thompson was under $9,000.
 
In fact, one council member wondered if the low bid met specs because of the wide price differential.  Obviously it did and was purchased.
 
Subsequently, I heard the Doug cut his normal commission to practically nothing in order to save the city money.  Far from getting criticized, Doug should be praised for his effort and I do so with this post.
 
I know quite a few city employees. The morale among them has skyrocketed since the departure of the dictatorial former city manager and the ousting of five of the seven council members of the previous administration.
 
Iron Mountain is on a roll. 

4-11-2009-03
Re: all this double-dipping talk
 
I am quite sure the original complainer also knows about the police officer who "moonlights" for a towing company, getting called to countless accidents for tow jobs on a regular basis.  No need for even a bidding process there.  If you are going to complain, at least have the decency to stop cherry-picking to fit your narrow agenda.
 

4-11-2009-02

Response to 4-10-2009-04:

That's right, what I do is on my time.   Everything is above board.

You said, "Your company profits from your employment as a city fireman, plain and simple. Conflict of interest, plain and simple. "  Not true.

Response to 4-10-2009-05:  Actually, it was January 1st, 2006.

To all the readers out there - remember that innuendo is not fact.  It can, however, be libelous.  To the gutless, lying trash making accusations about me, I say again:  identify yourself.

I suggest that anyone who wonders if there is any credibility to what that person is saying should FOIA any documents pertaining to bids and purchases between the City and W.B. Thompson Co.  I'm not crooked, I'm not unethical, and neither are the City purchasers.  (Which, by the way, is not just the Fire Department).

Doug Johnson
W.B. Thompson Co., Inc.

4-11-2009-01
In Response to 4-9-09-2:
 
If you are devastated over the newspapers not being accepted by the City, I challenge you to take on a recycling program of your own.  Go ahead, be the resident who starts a grass roots program, get it funded, do the work, and git 'r done.
 
You can take this on while the City Officials are going through the budget process which starts this coming week.  While they are trying to get our City's budget, which includes all taxpayer services, to come out balanced.  This idea of a real, truthful, and transparent balanced budget with all services funded is brand new to this City compared to the last 5 years.  The previous Officials spent without any thought; towards things that either did not materialize, or towards things that did not help the taxpayer whatsoever.
 
The Previous City Council and Manager put this City into a financial hole in the hundreds of thousands and lied through their teeth about it.
 
The previous City Council and Manager did not put a road paving program in place and were publicly quoted repeatedly as saying it wasn't even worth trying to fix.
 
The previous Council and Manager only cared about how they sounded in the Daily News and on the radio, but did not do hard work (or any true work) towards real economic development to take care of their citizens.
 
They left many different types of messes to be cleaned up; A Destroyed Budget, spending massive amounts on improper technology that needs to be replaced, Grants that were ruined by their lies to the State (with taxpayers footing the bill), and spent Hundreds of thousands on engineering without public input or council approval (for projects that were whims and never happened).
 
My personal favorite is John Marquart and company lobbying in Lansing for the 10 year tax abatement on Events Centers.  Yes, that's right.  The Events Center would not only have taken near 5 million in taxpayer investment, but would also have had the luxury of a 10 year tax abatement in our dear City. How's that for the previous administration's idea of economic development?  How's that for taking care of the taxpayer?  Well, now this nifty piece of legislation is in place and any future "Events Center" in our City will have that abatement because of two developers, John Marquart, and some anonymous representatives in Lansing. Let's not forget some of the previous Council members who were poised to profit on land deals, construction, and commissions.
 
Normally, an abatement is not a bad thing. Normally it is a necessary tool for a City to use.  But normally it is the City's choice and it is not mandatory on top of almost 5 million in corporate welfare.
 
The current City Council is working diligently to bring jobs and development to this City where the Companies and Developer are putting the money, the investment, into our City.  That is progress; that is taking care of the taxpayer.
 
The current City Council is doing a good job.  The City Employees do a good job.  Honesty and transparency, including open dialogue at council meetings, is the name of the game in the City of Iron Mountain right now.  You have representatives who care about you and would never let you down.  Representatives who take pride in working their butts off for you, the taxpayer.  All for the bargain price of $10 a meeting.
 
In conclusion, 4-9-09-2:
 
Stop nitpicking, start going to council meetings and start offering up some solutions...because we are all in this together and it's a tough road ahead.  This council is ready to take on the hard stuff, and has been since their fist days in office.
 
 

4-10-2009-05
My guess W.B. Thompson was purchased sometime around September '06....based on vendor reports posted here....

4-10-2009-04
So, Mr. Johnson,
What you are saying is that you have NEVER answered a product question, provided a price or any information what so ever while "on the clock" of the City of Iron Mountain in your capacity as a fireman. For if you did, this most certainly would be "double dipping"
In other words: If you conduct any activity while on duty that would or could result in a sale to your company(whether to I.M. or anyone for that matter) you are using City time to conduct business for your company. That my friend is moonlighting on the City's dime.
Also, you cant tell us that in your capacity as a fireman you haven't noticed certain "needs" the department might have that would be so conveniently filled by your company before your competitors have a chance to get in the picture? 
You own a company that supplies fire department supplies and you work for a fire department.Your company profits from your employment as a city fireman, plain and simple. Conflict of interest, plain and simple.
Kind of  like a cook selling food to his resteraunt or a cop selling ticketbooks to a police department they both know when supplies are low and in fact help use up those same supplies creating a need for more sales to their companies. 
You may very well have your "nose clean", I hope you do.
 

4-10-2009-03

In response to 4-9-2009-2

How is purchasing on the lowest bid fleecing Iron Mountain?  Sounds like you’re really reaching to find something to complain about.

Personally, anybody who is fortunate enough to be able to obtain and maintain two jobs has my congratulations, especially in today’s economy.  I don’t begrudge anyone who wants to provide for their family.  Are firefighters getting rich putting their lives on the line?  I doubt it.  If you’ve got a gripe with moonlighters, you’d better go after the cops, too.


4-10-2009-02

Response to 4-9-09-02:

Yes, I am an Iron Mountain firefighter, and yes, in 2006 I bought W.B. Thompson Company, which has done business with the City since 1947.  I can understand that some people would be concerned that "inside information" is used to obtain the lowest bid, or that my business gets more business from the City than others would.

I can tell you that the opposite is true.  In order to avoid any conflict of interest, I have to keep myself removed from anything 
pertaining to bidding or pricing.  When product selections are made, I am left out of the process.  When I am asked to provide information and pricing for an item, I provide the information and and an honest price.  Sometimes I have the lowest price, and sometimes I don't.  If I don't, the City buys the item elsewhere.  I also am not informed of every item that is purchased.  I know for a fact that the Fire Chief spreads purchases around fairly to the City's many qualified vendors.

Also, I take offense with your suggestion that I am "moonlighting" on the City's dime.  I am not.  I suspect that you are someone who just wants to create a scandal where there isn't one.  So to you I say, identify yourself, and bring it on.  Anonymous posts that suggest malfeasance or impropriety without cause are the hallmark of those who have nothing of substance to say.

I welcome any additional questions on this matter, from anyone.  My nose is clean, and I'm not going to get it bent out of shape because some fool wants me to.

Doug Johnson
W.B. Thompson Co., Inc.

4-10-2009-01
Re: post 4-9-2009-02
 
Fleeced?  Inside information?  Double-dipping?  Are you serious?  You are treading on shaky ground with your comments.  Why don't you ask to see ALL of the required bids for that thermal image camera.  You will see by the bids that the city saved THOUSANDS of dollars by approving purchasing the low bid.  Yeah, that's right.  Thousands.  Fleeced?
 
The owner of W. B. Thompson happens to be a friend of mine.  Don't you think that if there was inside information involved, the bid would have been only a hundred dollars less or so, instead of thousands?  No, you didn't think that.  You didn't think at all.  You just spouted off on what little information you had, assuming you were onto something.  It looks to me like the city AVOIDED being fleeced in this case, if you look at all the bids.  Those were very cheap (and groundless) shots you took, whoever you are.  Your comments sound like slander to me.
 
I didn't know there were still people out there who will still seize any chance they get to belittle our city employees.  It was not the employees who made all the dishonest moves that embarrassed our city.  It was the management we just got rid of.  Your slanderous comments are not going to change that.  Move forward, man!
 

4-9-2009-02

It has come to my attention that a particular firefighter works secondary employment as a rep for W.B.Thompson. Looking at the vendor reports the City of Iron Mountain is consistently buying from W.B.Thompson and most recently approved W.B.Thompson as the low bidder for a thermal imager. Isn't this a bit of inside information and conflict of interest? I wonder if this business is conducted on the City's dime?? Double dipping...All this and the City can't afford to recycle our newspapers. The one service that is ACTUALLY being utilized by the taxpayers is the one that is cut because it is used TOO MUCH!
Incidently, if the firefighters have time to moonlight while on our dime, why do we need to hire more?
The fleecing of Iron Mountain continues.

4-9-2009-01

John Marquart can't be too pleased with the election results in Oak Forest, IL on April 7.
 
The Mayor who appointed him City Administrator, Jo Ann Kelly, was soundly trounced by challenger Hank Kuspa.
 
The vote count:
 
Hank Kuspa        3,448       64.64%
Jo Ann Kelly       1,886       35.36%
 
Some of you may recall that she was quoted down there as saying she checked him out by talking to a former Iron Mountain mayor (Ken Tousignant) and current mayor (Jeff Van Laanen).
 
I guess it just goes to show you the importance of checking out your sources of information.  Garbage in, garbage out.  The voters in Oak Forest obviously didn't have much confidence in her overall decision-making capabilities.  If picking Marquart was an example, they were right on.
 

4-6-2009-01
To those that keep talking trash about living in the past, or "moving forward",
      You keep hanging your hat on criticizing those individuals that have and still put Iron Mountain first on their list of real concerns. You also put a lot of energy in supporting those that have moved on and could give two hoots about Iron Mountain. What about the doctors,  lawyers, tradesmen and women, nurses, police, etc.. that live and work in Iron Mountain? This is home. We don't need a bunch of people that don't even live in Iron Mountain telling us what to do. Take for example the recent letter in the Daily News from Ken Tousignant of Milwaukee, Wi. Of all the people in the world that should talk, it had to be him. Was he just trying to let us know he is still alive or what? Who cares! He's a has-been. The current City Council is doing a fine job trying to correct many of the mistakes created by this individual. Nearly a Million dollars of city taxes spent on a piece of land based on a handshake and a promise. Of course he and his mother made plenty on that illegal deal. This project was going to be a "bail-out package" from inception. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't one of the individuals looking to have city tax-payers fund this convention center project the owner of the former premier center? So let's see. He runs the premier center into the ground, puts it up for sale, nobody would touch it with a ten foot pole. Sells it to Walgreen for a gross amount, then wants the taxpayers to fund building a new premier center. WOW!  Now the council is working hard to create something that is guaranteed to work on that now vacant tax-payer owned property. The former city council looked so far forward they ended up in fantasy land. Of course as a hired consultant , Mr. Urbany is on record  as stating that TIFA shouldn't or can't engage in projects not in the TIFA plan without  proper public input. Looks like Mr. Urbany was right.
     Where is the building that was going to be put up by the police station? Didn't former city manager John Marquart, now in Illinois, and the former mayor now living in Milwaukee make a campaign promise five years ago of a strip-mall. Another fantasy, not reality. When does the city land purchased for this project revert back to the city, or was some special deal made? Could this have been all smoke and mirrors? Would an individual actually stop construction and face losing millions in profit and employing up to a hundred people based on politics?
     Just a couple examples of the many "pipe dreams" the former city council and manager spent tax payer money on that never came to be. I commend the current City Council for taking the time to insure that revenues are spent in a prudent manner. Fixing roads that have existed for many years is not living in the past, it's good judgment. Getting a firm commitment and down-payment on a project is not living in the past, but good judgment. Spending revenues on maintaining what we have is not living in the past, but good judgment. We are in a period of hard times and we need people like this to sustain what we really need. If we had kept the former council , we pretty much would be done by now. Again, I thank the City Council for their hard work.



4-3-2009-01

A tremendous job of analysis is going into the upcoming Iron Mountain city budget. 
 
At workshops and public meetings coming up, citizens will begin to appreciate the quiet but thorough work that has been going on.  While the picture is not pretty, we finally have the process under adult supervision. 
 
Bringing in former city manager Jim Urbany as a consultant is proving the wisdom of that council decision.  A five year program is being developed to replace the shoot-from-the hip mindset that came perilously close to sending the city into bankruptcy.

Having former Mayor Ted Corombos on the city council again is a huge plus in our favor. You can be sure the budget will undergo thorough scrutiny.  Retired DPW Supervisor Dave Farragh brings his thorough understanding of the city infrastructure and long memory to the table. The value of his knowledge cannot be overestimated.
 
Bruce Rosen has worked diligently in getting Fire Dept. and DPW union contracts settled that had been hanging out there for years. Union members are now paying some of their health care costs and employee morale overall has improved dramatically.  Add the work he has done for great improvements at City Park with nominal, if any, cost to the city.
 
Dale Alessandrini has the knack for asking the hard questions on a wide variety of issues and has been a strong advocate for increasing the road paving program, along with other members.
 
Remember, please, that the neglect of the past five years in road paving means it cannot all be corrected in a single year, but a good start and a long-range program will be instituted.
 
You will get a very clear picture soon.  Transparency has returned to Iron Mountain. There will always be some gripers out there, but sensible, rationale citizens will begin to appreciate the dedicated people who have come forth to solve the many, many problems that have been dropped on them by years of unbelievable mismanagement.

4-2-2009-05
4-2-2009-02,
You forgot one thing, when Mr. Urbany and Mr. Corombus retired there was such a thing as "revenue sharing" :hundreds of thousands of dollars provided from the State of Michigan...Money which the city no longer receives and those accounts you say were so adequately funded no longer have the State trough to fill them!!!! Times have changed people. We need to realize that those great financial leaders of the past had ALOT more to work with. Its easy to fund accounts when you are flush with money provided by the state. It only gets hard when that money dries up. Which is where we are now. Changes in thoughts ideas and plans must be made or the city itself will dry up. Quit living in the past.

4-2-2009-04

We're likely members of a veteran's family, related to one or more, or close friends of one or more.  I'm hearing from quite a few veterans on fixed incomes, sometimes from their immediate family members, about the TRICARE issue.  I'm not referring to retired generals and colonels sitting pretty on corporate boards or signed to lucrative consultancy contracts, but ordinary joes and jills schlumping along like most of us.  The question of justice aside, it must be the state of the economy driving the uptick in their expression of interest and activism about this -- sadly, when it comes to motivating someone to stand up and speak out over an issue, money usually trumps principle, and this wallet issue in a recessed economy has increased the number of veterans speaking out over this issue. 

You may be interested in doing a minute or two of grass-roots lobbying for retired veterans' families.  If so, you can reword the message at the following site (VFW) to a sentence or two to suit your taste, tailoring it to express yourself accurately and to the point, requesting and encouraging the Administration to pursue means to make TRICARE cost efficient other than the Department of Defense's current plan to raise retired military families' fees.  It won't cost you a penny or commit you to anything beyond the immediate one-time expression of support.

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=13046961&queueid=3129331876

If you'd rather write directly and not by way of an advocacy site, go directly to the White House (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)  and present your message.

And, of course, if you'd care to contact your U.S. Representative or Senators about this, you can find the Representatives here and the Senators here.

Thanks.

4-2-2009-03

I see that the city is not longer recycling paper but still taking plastic, glass and metal at the city recycling center.  Could that be a cost saving measure?  I can agree with bringing spring clean up materials to the city garage with proof of residence, but what about those of us who do not have access to a vehicle to transport the materials?  I have not had to use the service but one year and that was last year.  The city didn't even have to take my things because someone driving by took them before the city came to my neighborhood.  I guess I have good junk. 

4-2-2009-02

To all of you who can't understand why the city has to make some changes, please look at the entry submitted on February 28th to see the financial picture of the city.  When Mr. Urbany and Mr. Corombos retired from their positions as city manager and city council member/mayor, the city was in good financial shape:  the various fund balances were fully funded; equipment repair and replacement had been planned for, so money was available without borrowing with interest; there was always a five-year plan for street repair and paving, so it was kept up instead of after a five-year gap our streets now look like those in a third-world country.  There is a lot of work, planning, negotiation going on to put the city back on a more sound financial footing.  Thank you to Mr. Urbany and other council members for their willingness to share their expertise to help restore the situation.  I also appreciate Mr. Farragh's close working knowledge of the infrastructure of the city.


4-2-2009-01

4-1-2009-03,
Pony up? Pitch in??? The citizens of Iron Mountain ALREADY pay the highest taxes in the county. "More with less" is the correct motto here, not "give us more so we can live in a dream world"  I am sorry that I feel my tax dollars should be spent WISELY in order to get the most return for the buck. A new way may be to think to INCREASE the amount of people and businesses that PAY taxes, not increase the taxes of those that already do. Raising property taxes sure has been proven to bring more business and sells more houses.  You need to become a realist here. Sure more firemen would be great but lets face it, when comparing houses to buy or a place to open up all things being equal the house or area with the less taxes are the ones that get bought thus taxes paid. It really is simple.    


4-1-2009-03

To 4-1-2009-01 and like-minded parties:

That it might better serve and protect you, the city would be delighted to restore eliminated services and add countless more, I'm sure, if you and the other citizens of Iron Mountain are volunteering to pay more taxes to meet the expense.  I'd be game to pitch in.  It's only because citizens demonize taxes and approach them irresponsibly, wanting everything yet wanting to pay for nothing, that the city is forced to prioritize and cut.  It wouldn't have to cut a thing if everyone instead were willing to invest in their city and pony up.

Just can't please some people.  They gripe because you give 'em ice cream and they gripe because you don't give 'em ice cream.



4-1-2009-02

I can understand not doing the rubbish pick up.  Dollars are dollars.

I don't understand the "soap box" the park has become.  This council has approved the project without all of the funds being donated.  Also, let's bring up the point of the city employees performing any of the work at the park - that's tax dollars too.


4-1-2009-01

No rubbish pick up and other services being considered for elimination...hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of budget shortfall...at least they hired some more firemen.  Apparently with the money they are saving from not doing rubbish pick up, closing the recycling bin and who knows whatever else.

3-31-2009-03

At the meeting last night, it was related that the amount spent on the curbside cleanup came to about $39,000 last year, a lot of money for a city that was left in very dire financial straits from the previous council.  There is a week in May (11th -16th) this year where property owners will be able to bring in their stuff to the DPW free of charge.   Part of the problem too was that people who were not Iron Mountain residents were hauling truckloads into the city to put out on a curbside and have it picked up at the city's expense.  This will not be happening with this plan as people will need a driver's license and a utility bill with a garbage charge on it to show the attendant to be allowed to dump.  The city is planning to have a flyer distributed informing us of the details of this new plan.  And there will still be curbside pickup of yard waste like branches, grass, compost, etc.  This plan will also allow city workers to prepare the cemetery in time for Memorial Day, something that people have complained about greatly in the last few years, as well as begin to do some much needed patching of potholes and then doing some paving of some streets this summer.

3-31-2009-02

I just don’t understand their logic. First we hear the hype about needing to clean up the blight; only to have them cancel the only means that many have to get rid of their old stuff. If the majority of the people had the means to get their junk to the DPW, they could take it to the dump. I know I don’t have a vehicle in which to haul anything substantial from my yard.


3-31-2009-01

I was saddened to read today that the IM has decided to not do a city wide spring cleanup this year.   Nothing in the paper was said if this is a one time thing, or a permanent loss of services from the city.  Yes I know we are having financial difficulties at this time, but once you lose these services they are hard to get back.  Any other opinions on this out there?

3-29-2009-01

Kenny boy had four years to prove himself to the voters.  He came in dead last in his attempt to get re-elected (out of 9 candidates).  His reasoning:  The voters are stupid.
 
If he'd look in the mirror and ask himself what he has accomplished in his entire life and gave himself and honest answer, it could  be summed up in one word - NOTHING.
 
Except for managing to develop a big ego.  That's  the usual fall-back position of complete failures.

3-27-2009-02
Make sure to read this letter in today's Daily News:
 
http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/506819.html?nav=5004
 
I'm nearly at a loss for words.  He (Ken T.) still doesn't get it..


3-27-2009-01

Iron Mountain taxpayers:
 
People intimately involved in preparing the upcoming city budget have told me that a tremendous amount of work has gone into this preparation.
 
Various council members have energetically lent expertise in areas where they are most knowledgeable and the input of retired City Manager Jim Urbany has been especially invaluable.
 
This is the first-ever city budget that City Manager Jordan Stanchina is responsible for. He is getting wise counsel and rapidly assimilating the budgeting process, I'm told.
 
After the experiences we had for the last five years, I am extremely grateful for the work now being done quietly and efficiently with no fanfare.  I understand the situation is quite dire, as many of us expected, but good, hard working people will do the best they can with the situation in which they find themselves.
 
I'm looking forward to the final budget, but admittedly I am no expert in this area.  I hope a good explanation is included so we can all understand the situation currently and in the years ahead. 
 
They tell me that for the first time in a long time (if ever) they are doing a five year projection.  That should be interesting and informative as well.
 

3-25-2009-01

I drive Carpenter Ave. all the time. The light going North on Carpenter Ave at "H" street is visually blocked by a rather large cable running right through the path of the light. This has been of great concern to me for a long time. I'm not trying to make excuses for this most recent accident, but I sure feel this is worth looking into. Anything to help reduce the chance of another accident should be considered.


3-21-2009-02

Traffic Cams: Michigan Attorney General Cox has decided that traffic cameras cannot be used for law enforcement in the state of Michigan. In order for a police officer to issue a citation he must witness the offence. If a traffic cam can’t be used for enforcement who would pay for, maintain, and collect data from such a device.


3-21-2009-01

I agree with cameras at carpenter and H street.  perhaps those drives who have visual problems when it comes to stop lights could then be directed to the nearest eye doctor for a visual examine and then they can get a ticket.

3-20-2009-01

Cameras would help there. It will stop people from running red light.  Change the light to have  turn arrows for left turns  and right turn no stop signs up.  I can set at the intersection and watch people from the south turn right without looking for oncoming traffic. I was almost a victim myself there.



3-19-2009-01

A camera at Carpenter and H is not the same as a big-brother camera in your bedroom.  It is an unbiased witness device that can be reviewed as many times as necessary without the story changing.
 
You notice that police departments frequently asks for witnesses to accidents.  The camera would be a witness to an accident.  I don't see anything wrong with that.
 
Technological advances always have possible bad uses in the wrong hands, but that's not the case here.

3-18-2009-02

You are correct, cameras will not stop accidents. I believe they will have the effect of slowing the high speed traffic through an intersection though. Inattention, yakking on a cell phone, flipping radio stations, doing your hair and makeup, etcetera,  while driving will always be a problem. The problem is how do you get people to change their driving habits and slow down a little and more cautious? Perhaps the threat of a ticket may do that.
I am not advocating anything as intrusive as the British system of surveillance, just a couple of traffic cams. Big brother is already watching, just ask GWB. 

3-18-2009-01
Cameras won't stop the accidents from happening.  They will only help to prove who was at fault.  Do you really want Big Brother watching YOU?

3-16-2009-01

I would bet that a couple of  Red Light cameras on the Carpenter and H Street intersection would go a very long way towards solving the problems at that intersection. There are a couple more intersections around town that could use them too.

3-15-2009-01

TO: POSTER 3-14-2009-01
RE: CARPENTER AND H INTERSECTION
 
The State of Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) controls that intersection because it is part of M-95. Everything imaginable has been tried there.  No left turn signs, left turn only signs, and right turn only signs are there now. 
 
It is a very high trafficer intersection.
 
If you have any ideas, I'm sure that MDOT or city officials would be glad to listen to them.
 
Short of that, it is practically impossible to have an no-fault accident there. Somebody is almost always at fault, which brings us back to the far too many poor drivers we have around here.

3-14-2009-01

Along with fixing the streets in  the city, they should look at the issue of the H street and Carpenter Ave intersection. There is at least  one accident a week there. With the latest on happening  Friday.


3-11-2009-02

Greetings, all.

I'm getting a lot of requests for info about registering cell phones with a do not call registry.  Thought it might be a good idea to head off your inquiries with a mailing. 

The emails eternally circulating about registering your cell phone number(s) are malarkey, plain and simple, either hoaxes and/or unscrupulous people trying to gather your cell phone numbers, usually for telemarketing (and text- or SMS-marketing) purposes.  Please do NOT register your cell phone at any phone number that the emails provide.  It's never a good idea to give information about yourself to an unknown someone at a number you know nothing about and received in a chain-mail (or other) email of unknown origin, even if it arrived via a trusted friend or relation.  You're just asking for grief from the subsequent inconveniences, expenses, and prospective insecurity.

For complete information, see the following sites.

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/02/dnccellphones.shtm

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

Also search the subject on the web for additional reliable, well sourced, documented information.

 


3-11-2009-01

I wish to make a suggestion to all those who are in some way interested in the regionalizing of government services in our area. Please take the time to read a report that was published by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan on this very topic. The link to the C.R.C. of Michigan is on this websites "hotlinks" page. The article is very informative and most importantly unbiased and I think each council member should take the time to read it. I did.
 
I do not believe that we, and when I say "we" I mean the citizens of Kingsford, Iron Mountain, Norway and Breitung Township can stand by and allow our elected officials to make ANY decisions on regionalizing ANY service without first having a series of public hearings in the communities that would be "candidates" for such a move. Of course I would encourage dialogue between the councils and boards but I would hope a series of hearings would send a clear and concise direction for our local governments to follow. Government is exactly as was prescribed by our forefathers. For the people by the people. Government is not a business to make money. A balanced budget is a means to an end and that end is to serve each and every citizen. Government is to provide essential services for you and I and I expect these services to be there when I or my neighbor may need them. I also expect these services to be delivered in the most cost effective way and as responsibly as possible. 
 
The idea of regionalization is not at all new to this area. This discussion is long over due and serious dialogue between all of the communities needs to begin now. I personally think that with an earnest effort by our local elected officials to make this debate a priority we will come to a reasonable, prudent decision. What we need to do is get away from the glorious rivalry that exists between Iron Mountain and Kingsford and come to terms with reality. These are some of the worst economic times that I can ever recall. All the potential communities that could be involved in such a collaboration have both strengths and weaknesses that would be brought to the table. Accepting these terms and building from it can only make all involved more fiscally responsible as a governing body. We need to accept responsibility for ourselves and work together to become a strong and lasting economic hub of the Upper Peninsula.

Signed
 
DPI 


3-10-2009-02

Re:3-10-2009-1
 
The last line of the Daily News article states: "In the next step of the budgeting process, the Council will have figures on paving projects and capital/equipment purchases as well as projections as if TIFA expired." It would appear that the City Council continues to plan and prepare for a paving program.


3-10-2009-01

Dear 3/6/2009-1 and 3/8/2009-1;
 
You stated $500,000 has been committed to the streets.  The other of you stated that the city if working on a 5 year plan.
 
In Tuesday 3/10/09 Daily News, I see this:
 
Former city manager Jim Urbany, who is working as a consultant for the city, told council members that they have hit a stage in the budget process where they have to refine the numbers. There is nothing in the figures showing a paving project or capital improvement.
 
So, what do we make of that Ted?



3-9-2009-01

Kingsford not only doesn't have a Planning Board, they don't have a full Economic Developer, a full time Code Enforcement Officer nor a DPW Director hired from the outside.
 
Then again, Kingsford never had John Marquart as a City Manager nor a mesmerized and brain-dead city council, either. 
 
Poor Kingsford.


3-8-2009-02
Has any one noticed how much construction is happening in Kingsford, with no planning board/commission to hold thinks up.
Kingsford works with developers they do not see how many hoops they can make for them to jump through, that has a $ sign to every one.
 
The city staff, council and manager make all the decisions in a very reasonable amount time, not months like Iron Mountain.



3-8-2009-01

The city council has indicated it will do around $500,000 of street paving this year. It has a priority list developed and will be bidding it soon.
 
After five years of negligible paving, it will take a more than a few years to get caught up.
 
One post suggested a five year plan.  The city is in the process of developing exactly such a plan, not just for roads, but for all city operations. 
 
This council is doing a bang up job of running the city quietly, without fanfare, and trying to dig through the mess of the last five years.  Give them credit.  There are still two members left over from the previous administration, but they are basically harmless now.  And, of course, useless. 
 
For all practical purposes, we now have a five member council of very dedicated people.  That's fine with me. 


3-6-2009-01

The city council has committed to spend $500,000 on roads. I have no reason to doubt they will be taking bids within a month.
 
The information posted on this site that was offered to the city council by council member Ted Corombos is truly eye-opening, as the poster stated.  Read it and re-read it until it sinks in. 
 
The true damage caused by Marquart and his willing henchmen continues coming out.  With the world in recession, Iron Mountain is not immune to a very tough stretch going forward.
 
Containing the damage already done is the highest priority.  I wouldn't want to be sitting on the city council and have to sort it all out, but I sincerely believe we have at least five dedicated people sitting there who are trying - Rosen, Farragh, Corombos, Peterson and Alessandrini.  
 
The two others are holdovers who have made no meaningful suggestions and were part of gang that got us into our current mess in the first place - namely Van Laanen and Burke. 

3-5-2009-01

Attn:  poster of 3-3-2009-01
 
HELLO to you also. 
 
I am not expecting the city to work on streets in the winter.  We are a mere 2 to 3 months away from this project and it has not been spoken of at the council meetings.  HELLO, are we going to wait until construction season to discuss this?  HELLO, are we going to let it go another year?  HELLO, think about a five or ten year plan.
 
Or, should we just put it off until the next election?  HELLO!

3-3-2009-01
It is pretty hard to fix streets and alleys in the dead of winter.

HELLO

2-28-2009

Below is an eye-opening summary of the fiscal condition of the city as of ecember 31, 2008 as presented to the city council by member Ted Corombos in February.  It is public information.
 
Recap of all city financial assets excluding pension plans as of December 31, 2008.  It  
does not include accrued interest - which would add a nominal amount to the totals
(*See comments below)          
             
General Fund    $1,292,309        
Capital Improv    $88,766        
Major Street    $349,793        
Local Street     $194,713        
Sewer Fund    $209,170        
Cemetery    $ 480,722        
Health Ins    $ 82,270        
Muni Maintenance     $107,535        
Motor Vehicle     $11,350        
             
Water Funds            
Oper & M   $1,725,220          
Improvement   $ 600,000          
Construction   $ 410,613          
Bond Retire    $130,568          
Total Water     $ 2,866,401        
             
Misc Funds:            
Law Enforcement     $ 8,712        
DDA      $ 70,347        
Fire Safety House      $ 5,822        
Police Investigation       $ 39,956        
Main Street       $ 50,597        
Consumer Deposit        $  56,903        
All non-TIFA Funds     $ 5,915,366        
             
TIFA:            
General     $ 3,391,437        
Debt Retirement    $ 1,749,400 Unavailable for other use      
      $ 5,140,837        
             
TOTAL All funds    $11,056,203        
Less return of capture costs (Approx)       (1,000,000)        
             
Final Balance - All funds

  $10,056,203

             
Before anyone gets starry-eyed at this seemingly large sum, let me point out that this represents:
 
(1) one instant in time,   
(2) we have to run the city for the next six months,    
(3) we are planning a street repaving program for over $500,000,
(4) TIFA will be spending around $500,000 on parking lots,
(5) we'll be borrowing $800,000 or so for the lift-station and "A" Street project,
(6) we owe the banks $484,000 on previous equipment purchases
(7) our pension plans are around $8,000,000 under water,
(8) we taxpayers owe over $4,000,000 on the water  bonds,                                        
(9) the retiree health care fund was demolished and will need $1,250,000 just to get it back to where it was five years ago.
(10) future health costs are under funded by an unknown amount, but it is certainly many millions .
  
We must take drastic action now to avoid an impending catastrophe down the road. This is no time for pipe-dreams.
             
The gross mismanagement of the past five years added substantially to the problems we
now face.
It will take all the innovation and excellent business management practices we can muster
to steer the city back to the sound fiscal condition it once enjoyed.  If we don't get back on track now, the burden on future taxpayers will be overwhelming.  Like it or not, we are in the problem solving business.
 
The late President Ronald Reagan, in similar circumstances, would ask: "If not us, who.  If not now, when?"
   
Ted Corombos, Chairman          
Operations and Management Committee

2-26-2009-02

I think the park is nice.  Good idea. 
 
Lot's of work has gone into this plan.
 
How about putting some work into the campaign promised alley and street program?

2-26-2009-01
IF YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED CITY PARK PLANS, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO :
 
IRON MOUNTAIN CITY COUNCIL
500 S  STEPHENSON
IRON MOUNTAIN, MI 49801
 
EVERY LETTER WILL HELP IN GETTING THE GRANT THAT IS NEEDED TO FUND OUR NEW CITY PARK.
THANK YOU

2-10-2009-01
I'm so impressed with the proposed plan for City Park.  Mr. Rosen has done an amazing job.  If the grant comes through, and the Planning Board approves, this will be a place where people of all activity interests will want to come, because there will be something for everyone.  Great job, Bruce!

2-7-2009-01

Whatever happened to the mini strip mall? Did not the city include a clause with the deed that if construction did not start in one year the property went back to the city? The year is long since gone. Were there not others interested in the property?

On the recycling issue first point if trico has a use for paper why not build a trailer for paper, when full it could be pulled over to trico by DPW at almost no cost. Keep in mind that if I return to throwing it in the trash we are paying big bucks to haul it away. Second if we are being charged big bucks to haul away a saleable commodity i.e. plastic let’s find a different company to take the stuff. The soda distributors already deal with plastic bottles and if not willing to pay might at least take the stuff for free. Quit worrying about thinking outside the box and THINK.


2-2-2009-01

I agree about the "Made in China" problem.  2 big offenders that people may not realize:  dollar stores, and the "everything for 
$1.00" shelves in our stores.  Look for the country of origin before you buy those items.

As far as spending money locally:  my policy, and the policy of my company, is to buy made/sold in the local area first, then made/sold in Michigan and Wisconsin, then made/sold in USA.

It IS in our own power to fix this problem. Picture if you will the potential power of one dollar spent locally:  the local merchant or 
dealer pays 75 cents for an item.  You pay $1.00, and he makes a profit of 25 cents.  Then he spends that 25 cents locally, at a store that also buys locally.  Now imagine if each of those merchants bought their stock from local industry.  The power of dollars spent locally is huge, and it's greater then the face value of the dollar when it is spent locally over and over again.

The bottom line is that no matter how you spend your dollar, you get your item.  But if we all aim to spend locally, we are having an impact on our local economy that is far greater than the dollar's worth of product you got.  And as soon as someone doesn't care and spends it outside of our economy, the exponential power of that dollar is lost forever.

Doug Johnson
W.B. Thompson Co., Inc.
wbthompsonco@sbcglobal.net

1-31-2009-01

I am fed up with "Made in China." 
I am a strong believer in supporting the local shops, but I am getting tired of finding that many of them choose to support China when they should be supporting the USA. I want to spend my money in the Iron Mountain area but I also want to support the companies that hire American workers. 
I recently shopped our area malls looking for a wedding gift. Many things caught my eye but when I turned them over I put them back on the shelf. I could not find any dishes, vases, glasses or mugs that were made in the USA. I am so tired of having people argue that the shops have to buy these things because they can't get American made items. This is a lot of "BULL!"

It took me one 5 minute search on the internet to find many "Made in America" companies that could be supplying our area stores. I am adding two of the links to this site. There are many more. 

This is a very difficult time for our country. Factories are closing down. People are losing their jobs. Every time that we buy a bar of soap, lamp, picture, pair of shoes, or anything that is not made in the USA, we are helping someone else loose their job. Please take the time to read the label or turn the product over and find out where it is made. Please take the time to search for products made in the USA. 
Please support our workers, factories and country!  

1-29-2009-01
I see the mayor had a letter to the editor in the newspaper today (Jan. 29). He talked about the TIFA pass-through recently accomplished by the council. I just had to pass on this line from a commenter on the blog for that story:
 
"If Jeff doesn't stop thinking "outside the box" soon, there won't be a box left to think outside of."
 
Ain't that the truth? Our city just saved the state six hundred thousand dollars, in Jeff's words, at a time when the state is financially suffering more than ever in history. Our city cut pork and maintained essentials in our own area with this sensible move. And he doesn't see the forest for the trees. I thought we were rid of the tunnel vision that had invaded city hall five or so years ago. Apparently, some are still afflicted. 

1-26-2009-01


I'm confused about the problems we're having with our recycling program costs, and I hope this post stimulates some discussion that answers my questions.

I recently read that the City is concerned about the high cost of having recyclables hauled away when the bins are full.  I know we had to pay for the bins when we got them - we are also paying someone to take the material that's in them? I mean, recyclable material has value, to someone.  Are we paying someone to take away something that has value to them?  If that is the case, why doesn't the City buy a bin for aluminum cans, and then I'll haul them away for free!

I don't know how glass and plastic are handled, but I know that the scrap iron is not a problem.  The City had scrap iron recycling, with some return of its value, long before John Marquart ("There is a market for recycled paper, and that market is China") set up this "wonderful, forward-thinking" program.  I don't think we should be paying for someone to haul away the paper, though - Trico in Kingsford can take it for free, and they are able to turn it into cash to continue their programs that help so many who could not otherwise work.

Maybe I just don't understand all that's involved, but I think someone needs to explain.  I understand that conservation of 
resources is important, but money is also a limited resource.  We need to examine the value of this program.

1-22-2009-01

Iron Mountain trivia: 

Iron Mountain once had a doctor named Les Coffin. No foolin’.


1-15-2009-02

Bravo!

It's terrific to see the announcement of community activities and events like the Community Chorus rehearsals and Holy Week concert at this site.  I applaud and thank the site's owners and managers.  After all, if this is a community blog, let's use it more completely as such.  In this case, for more details about one of our area's traditional musical groups, interested parties can go directly to the site: www.CommunityChorus.org.  I hope we'll see more of this in the future for Community Theater, Dickinson Ballet Company, Kingsford Music, other schools' plays and concerts and events, publicly open church events too, County Band, as well as ArtWorks and similar local organizations and activities like the annual art fair in June.  I understand this site was started to deal with local issues, and I for one supported that effort, but a community's life is much deeper, broader, and richer than merely important local economic and political issues.  So let's also sing and act and dance and paint.  Certainly those activities also raise a community's standard of living and improve its quality of life.


1-15-2009-01

The Dickinson County Community Chorus Rehearsals begin Tuesday, January 20th

7-9 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. All singers are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the chorus. Crystal Hogan will be the director for the Lenten season rehearsals and concert. The concert is entitled “Face the Cross”. The songs include some old familiar tunes set to creative arrangements and some beautiful and extraordinary contemporary choral pieces. The Holy Week Concert will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at St. Mary and St. Joseph’s Church in Iron Mountain. Gathering music will begin at 7:00 p.m. and the Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.



1-13-2009-02

I would like to thank the five new City Council members for their hard work in moving the city out of the huge hole the previous council and former city manager John Marquart created. Of course as we are all learning, most of what the former "gang of eight" accomplished had something totally rotten associated with it. I do have a couple statements to pose to the council.
  Why waste the time getting TIFA pass-throughs? At this point TIFA is so close to ending, why not pay off the bond debt and eliminate TIFA all together. Those of us that have followed TIFA know it has served the purpose for which it was created. Of course spending $860,000 for land was never in the plan, but that whole deal was never above table.
  I would like to see the city review how the previous council approved transferring funds from the general fund to the DDA. It appears the DDAs' expenditures are far more than the revenues. Are general fund revenues being spent to support one of the new positions the former council created? If so, and one were to review Michigan Act 197 of 1975 (Downtown Development Authority) they would find the budget the previous council adopted (5-2) was illegal. I would take a close look at section125.1661 (2) " Except as provided in this act, the municipality shall not obligate itself, nor shall it ever be obligated to pay any sums from public funds, other than money received by the municipality pursuant to this section, for or on account of the activities of the authority."
  I can see the new council is working very hard to correct the mistakes of the previous council, and I appreciate that. It's just a crying shame that some citizens of this fine city fell for Marquarts leadership style, or lack there of. Keep up the good work!
  See you at the Ski Jumps.


1-13-2009-01

It has been very quiet here at the issues site.


1-12-2009-01

I apologize for the site being down today.  I updated the software to hopefully eliminate the problem we have been having with people using Firefox for their web browser.  Please email me if you are still having problems.

Webmaster