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From your Township Supervisor
There is nothing like Spring in Presque Isle Township, especially when we are blessed with great weather like we have this year. Traveling around the township the past few weeks has given me the opportunity to hear the sounds of our community popping out from hibernation (though I really don't think the community of Presque Isle ever hibernates) moving from winter into spring. Our community is bustling with excitement... everywhere you look you can find someone painting, cleaning, raking, trimming, building or simply gathering together while on walks or bike rides to greet each other and chat about their latest "Honey-Do" Projects. We've had some nice days that have made it possible for volunteers to get a jump start on annual projects like the start up of our Lighthouses, cleaning up our roads and tidying up our cemetery. These are things that make Presque Isle Township beloved by so many; volunteerism and community spirit for the good of all. I can't thank our residents and volunteers enough for all they do. Your character, values and dedication are invaluable and priceless.
Since our last newsletter...
The Board of Trustees organized and developed a more functional Parks and Recreation Committee that consists of a seven member board. This Board will be working on the Township's Five Year Recreation Plan to develop the present parks and other projects throughout the Township.
The Planning Commission and Township Board of Trustees coordinated a meeting between the Park and Recreation Committee and organizations within our Township and surrounding areas to develop a Long-Term Park and Recreation Plan for Presque Isle Township. The basis for that meeting was to gather input from the community as a foundation for the direction of this plan. Participants felt that the process and the outcome were very productive. Our plan is to have another session in September, 2010 to evaluate where we started, and where we are at that time in reference to the plan.
We have installed a new well and water system at the Township Hall to ensure safe drinking water.
We are in the process of rewiring the Old Lighthouse Cottage, to bring the electrical system up to code.
We are developing a Volunteer List for upcoming projects within our community. If you are willing to share your time, talent or treasures, please call the Township Hall to add your name to the list.
We are developing our Website to include a Community Calendar and links to points of interest within our community. Our Website is www.presqueisletwp.org.
As you recall when I first became Supervisor, I stressed how vital I feel communication is within any relationship, be it personal or community. I continue to embrace that concept and continue to encourage and promote communication between all boards and committees, organizations, and residents within our community. If you have any concerns or issues you would like to discuss with me, please feel free to contact me at home at 595-6695 or email me at ppokorski@presqueisletwp.org. I respectfully value and welcome your input.
I'll see you around the township!
Patrick Pokorski
Zoning Administrator - Linda Taylor
Presque Township Ordinances
Presque Isle Township has a number of ordinances to insure the health, safety and welfare of its residences. There are several stand alone ordinances such as the Land Division Ordinance, Blight Ordinance, Lighting Ordinance, Liquor Ordinance, Adult Entertainment Ordinance and Cemetery Ordinance. Known to most citizens is the Presque Isle Township Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Administrator together with other Township officials enforce the Zoning Ordinance and other stand alone ordinances. In some situations, the County Sheriff has the ability to enforce certain ordinances.
All enforcement in Presque Isle Township is initiated by a complaint. For complaints other than the Cemetery Ordinance, the complaint should be made with Linda Taylor the Zoning Administrator. Complaints may be made in person at the Township Hall during zoning office hours, by phone, letter or e-mail. Complaints may be anonymous. However, keep in mind if you do not provide complete information when making an anonymous complaint the zoning administrator may not be able to investigate your issue. In addition, if you do not include contact information we will not be able to gather further information from you or report back the results of the investigation.
Once a complaint is received, the zoning administrator will research the ordinances to determine possible violations and visit the site to document the situation. If it is determined a violation has occurred. The zoning administrator will contact the land owner to discuss the violation and suggest how the violation can be remedied. The property owner will then be given a time period in which to make the correction. That time period will vary depending on the type of violation, the solution and the season of year. Often remedies cannot be commenced during the winter season if they involve buildings or landscaping.
Citations are issued only when the property owner refuses to correct the violation or they have not corrected it in the allocated time or any extension thereof. Once a citation is issued, the matter becomes the jurisdiction of the 89th District Court and the property owner can request a formal trial with an attorney or an informal trial preceded by the court magistrate.
Presque Isle Township is proud to say that while we receive 10 to 15 complaints per year that are valid violations, we have been to court on only 4 occasions in the past 9 years. Most issues can be resolved by discussion, awareness and compromise.
If you would like to know more on this subject call, e-mail or stop by and see Linda Taylor during her office hours at the township hall.
Zoning Board of Appeals- Jerry Broad, Chair
Your ZBA has not had much activity this past year as requests for building permits seem to have been down, and there have been few requests for variances. We have attended training to improve our skills on behalf of the citizens of Presque Isle Township. Some of the training has been at the Township Hall and others in either Alpena or Gaylord. You have a talented ZBA board that does their best to represent you in addressing the various requests that come to our attention. We appreciate your input and remind you that all ZBA meetings are open to the public and you are invited and encouraged to attend. We meet quarterly and dates and times are published on the Township web site and are available by contacting the Township office as well.
Township Cemetery
We've recently completed the project of entering in all of the data into our new cemetery software program. If you have photos, obituaries, or any other information about loved ones who are buried in the Cemetery that you would like to share or have on file here at the hall, please let me know. With the new program, we have the ability to link people together, and store photos/documents, or other pertinent information to help memorialize loved ones. It's an easy way to preserve family history and grow the rich history of the area. Portions of the records are available to the public. To view the information, go to pri.cemeterydata.com (do not type"www." In front of the url!). You'll be prompted to enter in your email address (don't worry, if you don't have one, just type something in...it still let's you in). Then click on the blue "here" link (middle left of screen).
The new section has been completed and is open for reservations. The new cemetery ordinance has also recently gone into effect. Be sure to check it out and please contact the hall prior to any burials or plot modifications. Thanks!
Planning Commission-David Lange, PC Chair
The PC members have been developing a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as part of the process for updating the Township Master Plan and developing project budgets for future approval. Well attended meetings were held over the winter months to help determine what the residents of the township prefer to have the capital funds used for. A certain amount of the annual budget must be dedicated to repair and maintenance of existing facilities, but additional funds may be available to develop new recreation facilities or improve existing parks and township assets.
There were also strategic visioning training and joint meetings held with the new Parks & Recreation Committee to help consolidate and prioritize the project plans. Worksheets were developed by resident Dan Rivard to help monitor the process as we determine when projects should be started, assign project leaders, and solicit volunteers for assistance.
The current project priorities for 2010 and 2011 are:
Improvements to the Range Light Park facilities.
Grand Lake Township Park, existing DNR land concept analysis.
Township Hall Park - conceptual study & determination of facilities.
Streets and Road Plan -this is required for potential future grants.
Trails and Bike Paths throughout the township.
We will certainly welcome any assistance from volunteers that would like to help with any current or future project, and are also in need of leaders and volunteers to develop the plan for a potential bike path along Grand Lake Road and Rayburn Road, from the quarry entrance to US- 23. Please contact any Planning Commission member, or the Township office, to learn more about what you can do to help.
We have also had several 'site plan reviews' during the past months for residential building projects, rezoned 6 parcels to correct a mapping error on a previous zoning map, and are following the procedures to correct the zoning on additional parcels that are not currently designated for the intended use.
A Message from your Township Clerk
Recently, a four-bill package was signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. The bills that have passed create a state park passport that will go into effect in October. The passport will do away with daily entry fees for Michigan residents and reduce the cost of annual admission from $24 to $10. Below are portions of the bills that explain the costs and how the revenue/funds generated will be allocated. (For more information about our state parks, visit www.ourmichiganparks.org.)
Sec. 805. (1) An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a motor vehicle registration may submit a state park and state-operated public boating access site passport fee to the secretary of state with the application. Subject to subsection (6), the amount of the recreation passport fee is as follows:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), $10.00.
(b) For a motorcycle, $5.00.
(2) In addition to the requirements of section 217, an application for a motor vehicle registration shall contain at least the following information, in substantially the following format and language, except that the amount of the recreation passport fee specified shall be $5.00 for a motorcycle:
$[Amount] - Annual vehicle registration or renewal.
$10.00 - Annual authorization to use this vehicle for unlimited entry into all Michigan state parks and recreation areas and DNR-operated state boating access sites. (Check one of the boxes below.)
____ I elect to pay this $10.00 fee.
____ I elect not to pay this $10.00 fee. This vehicle will not be used to enter the facilities described above.
The department shall distribute recreation passport fee revenue as follows:
(a) First, for necessary expenses incurred by the secretary of state each state fiscal year in administration and implementation of section 805 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.805. Funds appropriated for necessary expenses shall be based upon an established cost allocation methodology that reflects actual costs. Appropriations under this subdivision in a state fiscal year shall not exceed $1,000,000.00.
(b) The next $10,700,000.00 received each fiscal year shall be deposited in the state park improvement account.
(c) The next $1,030,000.00 received each fiscal year shall be deposited in the waterways account.
(d) The remaining revenue shall be deposited as follows:
(i) 50% in the state park improvement account to be used for capital improvements at state parks, including state recreation areas.
(ii) 30% in the state park improvement account to be used for operations and maintenance at state parks, including state recreation areas.
(iii) 2.75% in the state park improvement account to be used for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements of state park cultural and historic resources.
(iv) 0.25% in the state park improvement account to be used to do all of the following:
(A) Promote, in concert with other state agencies, the use of state parks, state-operated public boating access sites,
state forest campgrounds, and state forest nonmotorized trails and pathways.
(B) Promote the use of the internet for state park camping reservations and for payment of the recreation passport fee in conjunction with motor vehicle registration.
(v) 10% in the local public recreation facilities fund created in section 1911, to be used for development of public recreation facilities for local units of government.
(vi) 7% in the forest recreation account to be used for operating, maintaining, and making capital improvements to state forest campgrounds and the state forest system of pathways and nonmotorized trails, including, but not limited to, equestrian trails.
Long Lake Improvement Association -Bill Schwartz, President
The purpose of this organization is to conduct and perpetuate an association of persons who are interested in the improvement of the Long Lake areas, and to regulate the water levels of said Lake so as to maintain the same level determined and fixed by law. The 13 member elected board of directors' goal is to maintain and continuously improve our beautiful 5,650 acre all-sports lake, and represent homeowners, seasonal residents, renters, campers, and other recreational users to ensure year-round enjoyment. This board meets once a month at Hinks School on US-23 N.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Once again, membership dues will be $10.00 for the annual membership card, which entitles you to fish the Family Fun Fishing Derby and receive newsletters. Your donations will be used to defray the cost of the derby, and also helps cover the cost of post office box rentals fees, insurance, and postage.
FISH STOCKING
On October 29, 2009 the Assoc. stocked 4,000 walleye measuring 5''-7''. These stockings were legally sanctioned through a MDNRE permit. This stocking was made possible due to donations from individuals and grants given by various groups such as the NE Community Foundation, Presque Isle Electric & Gas, and the Alpena Park Commission. These grants were successfully obtained thanks to the efforts of your board members. The cost was $1.60 per fish.
2010 CORMORANT DISPERSAL PROGRAM
A sign up meeting was held on April 7, 2010 at Hinks School. Members of the board as well as officials from the USDA were present. Thank you to everyone who signed up! The number of volunteers was good, and efforts of previous teams were very evident by the excellent fishing experience on Long Lake this past winter. We have received donations for the cormorant control program from Krakow, Alpena, and Presque Isle Townships, as well as private individuals. Their funds help defray the costs of fuel, shotgun shells, and pyro-technique shells.
LONG LAKE DAM REPORT
An emergency meeting was held on March 18th. It was determined by the board to close the dam after a number of concerned citizens reported low water levels due to the lack of snowfall this past winter. Board members are closely monitoring the water level. If necessary, the boards will be raised.
THE 2010 FAMILY FISHING DERBY
Mark August 7 on your calendars! This is the day of the Long Lake Family Fishing Derby. Remember, your annual membership card is your ticket to fish this awesome event for the entire family. There will be cash prizes, food, raffles, 50/50 drawings, and the Jerry Baker award for the largest walleye for children 12 and under. (note: children will be awarded prizes whether they catch a fish or not). The derby will take place at Dodge Marina. The derby is open to all who would like to fish it; you don't need to be a Long Lake property owner, you just simply need a membership card.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
August 19 at 7:00 pm is the date of the annual membership meeting. It will be held at Hinks School on US-23 N. This is an opportunity for the members to express concerns relating to Long Lake. Your input is welcome and important.
LONG LAKE LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Mark your calendars! The festival will take place June 25, 26 and 27 at the Long Lake County Park. There will be plenty of family fun to be had by all. There will be a boat parade of lights, arts & crafts, vendors, great food, a fishing tournament, horseshoe tournament, and of course FIREWORKS! For more information, contact Kristen Romel at 989.595.3540
Grand Lake Sportsmen's Club
This spring we are again working with the USDA on the cormorant control program on Grand Lake.
We had a successful winter ice fishing derby in February.
The top fish were:
PIKE-Shawn Ballor 37-1/2",
WALLEYE-Kala Schram 23-3/4"
PERCH-Harry Szymanski 14-1/2".
The annual summer fishing contest with be held on July 10 & 11, 2010. The work will continue on the Fletcher-Gilchrist Park at the north end of the lake to update and improve the pavilion and grounds.
Our meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Presque Isle Township Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Presque Isle Community Men's Club -Jerry Broad, PICMC President
Dues are still only $12 a year...where can you have so much fun for such a low price? If you're a man, you qualify for membership. There are NO residency requirements. All men are invited to participate. We meet once a month, the first Thursday at 9 a.m. at the clubhouse on Kauffman Road. We have an informative speaker on a topic of local interest at most meetings. We also take some road trips and participate in beautification projects within the township. Approximately every three or four years we publish a phone directory for our area. Proceeds from advertisements in the directory provide a means for us to financially support worthy endeavors in Presque Isle Township and the surrounding area. Twice a year, in May and October, we have a breakfast meeting at the Portage Restaurant. Come join us for coffee and rolls at our regular meetings, or a full breakfast at our May and October meetings.
Presque Isle District Library - Grand Lake Branch -Jan Stevenson, District Library Director
So many things are happening at the Grand Lake location of Presque Isle District Library. We expect to add two additional computers this year and we will be doing some further landscaping as well. We are waiting for some new plants to arrive but hope to put new flowers and ornamental trees in as soon as the weather allows. Beginning this week we will start to replace the sod outside of the back door with white stone which will allow us to set out some potted plants and landscape the back of the property as well. Gutters will be installed on the front of the building to help protect our new bushes and roses.
The District expects to launch its all new website in the very near future so be sure to check out your community connection at www.pidl.org where you will find current programming, special events, an online catalog, new book releases, current information on your local branch, and so much more.
The Library always welcomes donations, which are fully tax deductible on both federal and state taxes. State budget cuts are anticipated again this year and your donations mean more than ever before. http://www.pidl.org.If you have questions, need information, or just have a great idea or suggestion for the Grand Lake location or the District in general, please feel free to contact Jan at 734-2477, ext. 222 or call Liz at 595-5051 in Grand Lake.
Presque Isle Museum Society
The PITMS Board has met regularly throughout the winter thanks to conference call technology, and we are looking forward to the forthcoming tourist season which kicks off Memorial Day weekend. Last season more than 5,648 guests visited the 1905 House coming from 48 States, plus Washington D.C., and 14 countries. As in past years, the 1905 House will be open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday - Saturday, and 1:00 - 5:00 pm on Sunday.
The first weekend of December, the PI Women's Club hosted another "Olde' Fashioned Christmas" at the New Lighthouse Park. The 1905 House was decorated beautifully and the event was enjoyed by all.
Over the winter Clayton Peters and his helpers took care of several maintenance tasks at the New Lighthouse Park. In addition, they constructed new directional signs, created a flag pole from a cedar tree and restored a street light.
The Volunteer Recognition and Docent Training Luncheon are scheduled for June 5 at Garraty Hall starting at 12 noon. Speaking of Docents, if you would like to learn more about our historic lighthouses and keepers' quarters, and then share this information with visitors to the 1905 House, please contact Nancy Boerger at 989.657.3600 or nancy.boerger@gmail.com.
Other important dates to remember include:
July 3rd - Independence Day Picnic…Children's parade starts at 10:30 am
August 7 - PITMS Annual Meeting beginning at 2:00 pm in Garraty Hall
September 4 - Labor Day Weekend Picnic starting at 11:00 am
If you would like more information about or Society or want to become a member, please contact Linda Kaufman at 989.595.2597 or go to our Web-site @ www.keepershouse.org. Have a great summer!!
Calendar of Events
April 23 : Portage Opens
May 29 : Friends of the Library-Geranium Sale
May 30: Memorial Day
June 12-13: DNR Free Fishing Weekend
June 19: Wooden Boat Show @ PI Harbor
June 24-27: Presque Isle County Fair- Millersburg
June 25-27: Long Lake Lights Festival
July 3: Independence Day Parade & Picnic @ New Lighthouse Park
July 10: Grand Lake Chapel - Ice Cream Social
July 10-11: Grand Lake Fishing Derby
July 31: 2nd Annual-Blue Horizon "Christmas in July" Boat Parade
July 31: Grand Lake Area Garage Sales- 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Aug 3: Primary Election
Aug 7: Long Lake- Dodge Marine Fishing Derby
Aug 14: Grand Lake Assoc. Arts & Crafts Show @ New Lighthouse Park
Aug 19: Long Lake Improv. Assoc- Annual Meeting 7:00 pm @ Hinks School
Sept 4: Labor Day Picnic @ New Lighthouse Park
Oct 7-10: 15th Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival
Township Volunteers- We Need You!
In a time when jobs are scarce, money is tight, and controversy is high, it can be hard to keep a smile on your face. Often, it's easier to just succumb to the bitterness and doubt of the world around you than it is to battle full force against it, but keep in mind that "A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows" (St. Francis of Assisi ) (There was actually a recent, legitimate study done that proved volunteering or doing "good deeds" was one of the major keys to self happiness and well being!) Lily Tomlin once said, "I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." How many times have we wondered that very thing..."how come nobody's doing anything about it?" Perhaps it's time we became that somebody. We are truly blessed to live in a community so full of volunteers, however, we could use more. With funding cuts to governmental entities such as our township, it's becoming increasingly difficult to make our visions, hopes, and dreams a reality. However, that doesn't mean we have to give up; it just means we have to find new and creative ways of doing things. "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Let's be a positive "group of committed people" and see what happens! Sign up today and see why some of the richest people in the world aren't millionaires; they're volunteers! A volunteer registration form is available at the hall (it's also available on our website). If you are even in the least bit interested in volunteering in your community, please fill out the form and send it to the Township Hall. Filling out the form does not commit you to anything. It simply allows us to be able to keep you informed of opportunities as they arise. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.
Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!
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