TRAVERSE CITY — Peninsula Township residents will get to decide if they want to pay for a sheriff's deputy to patrol their 18-mile-long spit of land in Grand Traverse Bay.
It took the township board three votes over two August meetings to agree on a 0.2 mill request for the November ballot, a measure that would fund an officer dedicated to patrolling the township. The board initially shot down the millage notion by a 5 to1 vote, then again by a 3 to 3 count.
The proposal eventually was passed 4 to 2 at a special meeting. Trustee Gary Wilson missed both meetings.
"We're already paying for the county and the state police that are supposed to cover us," said township Treasurer David Weatherholt, who voted no all three times, as did Trustee Jim Horton. "I think there are enough police around to cover Old Mission Peninsula ... there's not much crime," he added.
"I don't think we're getting that much extra for the money."
If approved, the millage would cost the owner of a home with a $100,000 taxable value $20 a year.
The township currently pays $72,000 annually to contract with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department for a deputy in Peninsula Township. Trustees Jill Byron, Penny Rosi, and Clerk Monica Hoffman agreed to the plan after the board agreed to renegotiate its contract with the sheriff and create a committee to explore hiring their own public safety officer.
Township Supervisor Rob Manigold consistently voted for the millage. Residents overwhelmingly support a township-dedicated officer, he said.
"They know the party spots, they know the problem speeding areas," Manigold said. "The community police officer, through the sheriff's office, has been a pretty good bang for the buck."
The board played with the idea of hiring its own public safety officer in February, but never took action after sheriff's officials changed the patrol schedule from four to five days a week. But some board members want to take another, more detailed look at the concept, Manigold said.
"Personally, if we could get a public safety officer who's cross trained as a firefighter/EMT, it would be one more person out here in case of an emergency," Manigold said.
But Weatherholt called it "a terrible idea" for the township to try and manage and equip its own police officer.
The county's general fund picks up the cost of training, uniforms, weapons, record-keeping, overtime and a patrol car. Peninsula's contribution is identical to each county township that contracts for one or more dedicated officers and covers the average cost of wages and benefits for a deputy.
Region
Peninsula patrol millage up to voters
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A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
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Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
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Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
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Police: Man breaks up fight with gun
Police said a man on Traverse City's east side tried to stop a fight outside his home with a handgun.
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Tased man charged as habitual offender
A man stunned by police Taser in a home invasion incident was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Body of missing fisherman found
Authorities say a dive team has recovered the body of a 33-year-old fisherman who fell through the ice of a pond near Mesick.
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Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Pears to replace dead ash trees
Downtown streets in the Cherry Capital soon will bloom with the color of another fruit.
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Vasa trail in good shape for weekend
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of significant snowfall, the 36th annual North American Vasa cross country ski race is on for this weekend.
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Acme officials defer Meijer decision
Acme Township officials deferred a decision on a long-proposed Meijer store along M-72 until a special meeting in two weeks.
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Parks smoking ban on hold in TC
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks.
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Tasers take down two suspects this week
Grand Traverse sheriff's deputies used Tasers to subdue suspects in two separate incidents this week.
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Fallen piece of wire causes power outage
Traverse City Light & Power Executive Director Ed Rice said 1,525 customers lost power Monday at 6:05 p.m. when the wire fell. Power was restored in an hour to all but 75 customers. Those remaining 75 customers had power returned at 9:20 p.m.
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Inland Seas hosts seminar on sturgeon
The Inland Seas Education Association will conduct a free public seminar on planning and research for the Great Lakes' sturgeon population.
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Police: Man assaults with aluminum bat
A man is in Grand Traverse County jail after police said he assaulted a man with an aluminum bat.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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New brew pub possible
More changes are in store for downtown's Warehouse District, where a new brew pub will serve food from an adjacent cafe.
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GT Band gives Suttons Bay $183K
Suttons Bay Public Schools received a big boost from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, eliminating the threat of a state takeover.
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Plans progress for TCL&P audit
Plans for a city utility efficiency review are taking shape.
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R-E names executive editor, ad director
The Record-Eagle announced two promotions within the newspaper's management. Mike Tyree has been named executive editor. Mark Zucco is the new advertising director.
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State police honor officer with TC ties
The Michigan State Police presented its Lifesaving Award to Detective Lt. Michael Anderson, who grew up in Traverse City.
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'Occupalooza' to have concerts, talks
Occupy Traverse City will host "Occupalooza."
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TC man charged with resisting arrest
A Traverse City man faces two felony counts after police said he verbally and physically resisted arrest.
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Habitual DUI driver faces new charges
A man with a long history of drunken driving convictions faces multiple charges after police said he was caught driving with a blood-alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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Special Olympics begin this week
Nearly 800 Special Olympians will compete beginning Wednesday at three local locations in the 2012 State Winter Games.
Continued ... - Sunday, February 5, 2012
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Coast Guard rescues Manitou kayaker
The U.S. Coast Guard says an aircrew from its air station in Traverse City rescued a male kayaker who was stranded on South Manitou Island in northern Lake Michigan.
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