Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
~ NLEA ~
Northern Lakes Economic Alliance??
~ PUBLICLY SPEAKING ~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
~ When the Dog and Pony Show Comes to Town ~
Photo Labels Include:
ECBOC = Emmet County Board of Commissioners (Minutes~Legal Documents)
ECBOC Ad-Min = Emmet County Board of Commissioners Administrative (Minutes~Legal Documents)
E-mail = My personal FOIAed e-mail already made public in 2017, so now posted on "Publicly Speaking"
Finance = Finance Committee ~ Dissolved in January 2017 (Minutes~Legal Documents)
ECBOC = Emmet County Board of Commissioners (Minutes~Legal Documents)
ECBOC Ad-Min = Emmet County Board of Commissioners Administrative (Minutes~Legal Documents)
E-mail = My personal FOIAed e-mail already made public in 2017, so now posted on "Publicly Speaking"
Finance = Finance Committee ~ Dissolved in January 2017 (Minutes~Legal Documents)
Access clickable web sites below for the URLs in the Email above:
Economic Profile of Emmet County Update 2016
"Poverty in Paradise" (Charlevoix and Emmet Counties)
Economic Profile of Emmet County Update 2016
"Poverty in Paradise" (Charlevoix and Emmet Counties)
*Regarding the Wegemer Field in the Sun Brothers' advertisement above where the tents were located... As an aside for the local historian who may wonder just where Wegemer Field was located... see it on a portion of the 1902 City of Petoskey Emmet County Plat map below. Orientation of Wegemer's field to "today's Petoskey" may be helpful by noting its location was on Washington Street off Emmet Street.
~ When the Dog and Pony Show Comes to Town ~
13 November 2018
Personal assessment of the NLEA (Northern Lakes Economic Alliance) in 2018 was read
to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners during a meeting
during which the 2019 county budget was to be discussed.
Personal assessment of the NLEA (Northern Lakes Economic Alliance) in 2018 was read
to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners during a meeting
during which the 2019 county budget was to be discussed.
Emmet County stopped funding the NLEA in 2019,
saving the county taxpayers about $85,000.00 per year.
saving the county taxpayers about $85,000.00 per year.
March of 2020, Andy Hayes,
the director of NLEA which comprises three counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan,
(minus Emmet County still) announced he would be retiring at the end of 2020.
the director of NLEA which comprises three counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan,
(minus Emmet County still) announced he would be retiring at the end of 2020.
13 December 2021
(Emmet County Board of Commissioners)
Regarding the “Agreement for Services of Northern Lakes Economic Alliance” (NLEA):
The county administrator’s summary, and the contract wording, make it seem that NLEA has provided Emmet County “services since 1984 and wishes to continue to include Emmet County.” NOT true… a contract needs to state the truth. The 2019 Emmet County Board of Commissioners (ECBOC) smartly decided to cease paying fees to NLEA because when actually researched, NLEA was not providing much of anything related to “various community economic services” and job creating as listed in NLEA’s “Services to Be Provided to Emmet County.” Now, in December 2021, this contractual relationship with NLEA is being presented to the public with only three days notice in the newspaper, and barely time for public discussion within the ECBOC meeting of 13 December 2021; especially for the newer commissioners to gain some true background information, and understanding, regarding NLEA. Evidently, the NLEA fees are already in the proposed budget for 2022 which is also happening on 13 December 2021 during the budget hearing, so will the ECBOC have any choice in the matter of bringing back NLEA, or NOT, by needing to vote at that very meeting? How long have the commissioners had to discuss these NLEA related proposals… talk about lack of transparency IF they have already discussed this among themselves, and giving barely any notice to the public.
Of course, I facetiously ask… is public discussion necessary when, commissioners have their own “opportunities for gain” by the county contracting with NLEA; when one commissioner is also the President of the board of a housing development corporation which is a partner/member with NLEA as posted on the NLEA web site. Other commissioners have their own agendas for which they must answer to their constituent election voters like for housing and transit topics, or being friends with city people who wish for everyone in the county to pay for a CITY/county parking structure, or having close friends who “manage and direct operations related to community development and real estate development projects” … so, I suppose those commissioners already have an interest in partnering with NLEA by voting to hand over a quarter of a million dollars to NLEA. So no amount of discussion could open those ECBOCs’ minds. These commissioners should recuse themselves on this “motion and vote” regarding this NLEA contract; stating a conflict of interest.
This NLEA contract is for over a quarter million of dollars ($252,500.00) over the 3-year contract. After NLEA’s past performance, why on earth would a 2021 three-year contract even be considered with NLEA, even though it could be terminated with a “six month notice of intent to terminate”? In the 2015 NLEA contract with Emmet County which is identical in many numbers of the agreement to the 2021 proposed contract, the 2015 intent for termination stated only 30 days (not 60 days) being necessary. In the 2015 contract, the county paid in quarterly installments. The 2021 contract requires the entire payment be made “no later than January 31st each year.” The 2021contract acknowledges that NLEA with all four member counties will work toward a revised formula membership fee structure during the three year contract. That same rhetoric was thrown around during NLEA’s last go around with Emmet County, PRE-2019, with NO alternate overall, lasting fee-structure outcome... just a modest reduction for this contract.
One certainly must ask, WHY is Emmet County’s NLEA yearly sum more than any fee for the other 3 represented NLEA counties, other than acknowledging “the formula” is the reason for the disparities? The ECBOC do not have to agree to this illogical formula, because NLEA is just saying that over the next three years NLEA will work on the formula. Figure it out before signing, IF you decide to sign any contract with NLEA. Does NLEA spend less time on any project in other counties, than in Emmet County? At a first year salary of $80,000.00 for a 40 hour week at 52 weeks (no vacation) at about $38.00 per hour, the county will be paying NLEA $1538.00 per week the first year… more by 2024. Do you really think that someone from NLEA, remembering they would be covering 4 counties; will be performing $1538.00 worth of work for Emmet County each week? The NLEA web site lists 7 people on their staff, with one being a bookkeeper, and one in communication, and one specializing in broadband. Those are the staff left to service all FOUR counties for any number of services.
The NLEA lack of staff, is explainable when you consider, however, a larger staff is not a necessity considering they only get involved in a county project, or show their faces, AFTER some other entity’s project has already begun, or is finishing up… just in time for an NLEA photo-op.
Cases in points of projects that NLEA will undoubtedly try to claim as NLEA service, as noted on the Proposed Contract Attachment (which should have a title to the page, as well as signature and date spaces for all involved parties):
“1. Maintain a list of the County properties which are available or are considered a priority for Commercial, or Industrial development or redevelopment as typically done as part of the MEDC Site Selector Database and would include existing and planned site infrastructure if infrastructure improvements are needed in these properties. Identify potential funding sources (Developer, Grants, Loans or other) to assist in paying for these needed improvements.”
On the county’s web page of the Facility Assets Manager, a “2021 Summary of Emmet County Properties (85 listed)” already exists, and is to be presented to the ECBOC by the the administrator annually, I believe in March. The MEDC Site Selector Database is an accessible web link which the county’s Facility Assets Manager easily could access, if even necessary. IF this #1 is talking of not only actual county owned properties, but also of township owned properties, those other properties also could easily be accessed either from the county’s web page of “Property Search” or from the township officials… not a big secret to be accessed by the facility assets person that the taxpayers are already paying, without additionally paying NLEA for such existing service.
As an example, at the 1 December 2021 Bear Creek Township meeting, the officials were discussing using some of the township ARPA funds for extending sewer infrastructure on Atkins Road toward a housing development; and also talking to the county for extra support for the county’s endeavors with housing as well. This project investigation will move forward with no inclusion of NLEA input necessary. IF county commissioners, however, contract with NLEA, then, NLEA will not miss such a Photo-OPportunity for credit in the future.
Several housing projects in the county are already in the beginning phases, and being promoted by private developers themselves. Developments already are progressing through the Planning Commission’s diligence with rules and regulations which do not cost the taxpayers any extra funding, like through making a contract with any outside groups like NLEA. That is the type thing the county can wisely support.
“2. Prepare and execute Economic Development training for County Board of Commissioners, and selected department heads, or committee members in the County. This training should be able to identify “what is Economic Development”, and what the BOC, Dept. Heads, committee members can do in helping to bring economic development (Jobs and business investment) to the County.”
It is hard to believe that “economic development training” with the very stated topics as in the attachment, could not be performed by an outside economic development presenter for less than part of the quarter million dollars that NLEA would charge.
“3. Community Development Initiatives: Through active participation and engagement, provide research and knowledge to guide and support the following County infrastructure initiatives PARKING, TRANSIT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Parking – County operated facilities located within local units of government present growing challenges for access to county buildings for both citizens and employees of the county.”
Parking is another Photo-OPportunity for NLEA, already in the making. The only property that this #3 can be describing is the City-County properties on Division and Lake streets in Petoskey, because it does not seem to describe any other property in the county. On 9 July 2018 Petoskey’s City Manager Rob Straebel [no longer City Manager in 2022] already appeared before the Emmet County Commissioners regarding the county joining the city to build a parking structure on the corner of Division and Lake streets. The City of Petoskey, through their Downtown Management Board which is in charge of “Parking” fees, never has followed through on their own initiative, or their own funding which would have been possible with a distinctive line-item in the Downtown Management Board's budget, to solve the decades-long voiced need for additional parking in the City of Petoskey. Petoskey, however, already has had plans drawn for a parking structure… and they have possibly set some money aside in their budget toward a parking structure. IF county commissioners contract with NLEA, NLEA will not miss such a Photo-OPportunity for credit in the future.
Transit – Participate in the counties transit evaluation and assessment initiatives through active engagement with third party consultants and explore opportunities for collaboration with Charlevoix & Cheboygan counties, and the potential reallocation of county funds allocated for transit.
The ECBOC already have put the taxpayers through over a million dollars of expenses with two years of failed EMGO; concluding transit does not work, nor serve the entire county although the ENTIRE county is expected to fund a transit program that basically services Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Already, the ECBOC collaborates with Cheboygan County with Straits Regional Ride. With past studies and presenters, having begun in about 2015, with input from Charlevoix County, the ECBOC were inspired to use EMGO as a Pilot type program. Since this has already been done, do we taxpayers need to relive it? If NLEA, however, can ride on the shirt tales of any pro-transit groups, NLEA will be right there for a Photo-OPportunity.
Workforce Housing /Affordable housing – Assist the County in determining what level (if any) county government should be or can be involved with solutions regarding this issue. Assist county staff on matters related to housing.
The ECBOC already have heard work groups' presentations by the Housing group that spent 6 months on collecting their evidence. NLEA should be able to jump into this topic easily for a Photo-OPportunity.
“4. Reporting - Prepare reports to the County Board of Commissioners on an annual basis that report information on the following areas:”
One yearly verbal report in the past, when the NLEA President was asked what someone could actually go visit or see that NLEA had accomplished for the county that year… all he could note was “Sanctuary Island.” Hmmmm… NLEA’s newsletter type reports mix numbers for Emmet County together with Cheboygan, Antrim and Charlevoix counties… pure vagaries. Another trick in the “past NLEA reporting” was to state that the NLEA services with an unnamed company were “confidential” and could not be reported.
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MY General Comments/Concerns:
Ask to see the contracts from NLEA’s other fee paying counties, businesses, or other entities, and make comparisons to the 2021 Emmet County Contract as presented and proposed. Learn what the other counties pay for their NLEA fees… many thousands of dollars less!!!
Now, ponder that for many NLEA results… Anyone who knows how to “Google” can access information themselves, without Emmet County taxpayers funding another layer of government like NLEA.
Is this contract fee to include work done for ALL Emmet County townships, villages, businesses… OR strictly for county (in general) business? I do NOT appreciate that in the past when Emmet County contracted with NLEA, that my Bear Creek Township still had to pay additionally, separately, for services for the township. I felt like my tax dollars were being “double-dipped” by NLEA. My tax dollars were going to both Bear Creek Township and Emmet County fees to NLEA. So, are townships, villages or businesses having to pay separately from, and in addition to, the county contracted services????
It does seem that #4 of the contract attachment is trying to address some of what I asked above, BUT, what this report is asking for is regarding the previous year. I would think it should be known ahead of time, within the contract, also IF the businesses, and entities other than specifically just county related are included within this contract… and do not have to pay extra! Judging from past service about NLEA, I would guess that NLEA does not have the staff, nor the knowledge to perform all of the services, especially in performing grant writing, which could be asked by all county entities that might request NLEA service. IF the county needs grant writing service, I suggest the county hire a grant writer that would address the needs of ALL of the departments of the county, not just grant writers for NLEA type Photo OPportunities.
NLEA enjoys their SHOWS (NLEA calls it “Pitch Night”) of coordinating funding for new businesses with thousands of dollars. It would be interesting to know just how many of those new venture businesses still even exist, with their follow-up success stories.
I cannot see THE NLEA agendas/minutes posted on the NLEA web site???? Do they do their business behind closed doors?
Remember in the Photo OPportunities I mentioned above, that these projects already are in progress, and would continue, or not, with or without NLEA. Remember them.
Will the ECBOC have to appoint a commissioner or two to be on a NLEA board/committee? AND thus need to pay a per diem to attend those meetings, on top of paying for the contract fee?
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Karla Buckmaster
12 December 2021
Of course, I facetiously ask… is public discussion necessary when, commissioners have their own “opportunities for gain” by the county contracting with NLEA; when one commissioner is also the President of the board of a housing development corporation which is a partner/member with NLEA as posted on the NLEA web site. Other commissioners have their own agendas for which they must answer to their constituent election voters like for housing and transit topics, or being friends with city people who wish for everyone in the county to pay for a CITY/county parking structure, or having close friends who “manage and direct operations related to community development and real estate development projects” … so, I suppose those commissioners already have an interest in partnering with NLEA by voting to hand over a quarter of a million dollars to NLEA. So no amount of discussion could open those ECBOCs’ minds. These commissioners should recuse themselves on this “motion and vote” regarding this NLEA contract; stating a conflict of interest.
This NLEA contract is for over a quarter million of dollars ($252,500.00) over the 3-year contract. After NLEA’s past performance, why on earth would a 2021 three-year contract even be considered with NLEA, even though it could be terminated with a “six month notice of intent to terminate”? In the 2015 NLEA contract with Emmet County which is identical in many numbers of the agreement to the 2021 proposed contract, the 2015 intent for termination stated only 30 days (not 60 days) being necessary. In the 2015 contract, the county paid in quarterly installments. The 2021 contract requires the entire payment be made “no later than January 31st each year.” The 2021contract acknowledges that NLEA with all four member counties will work toward a revised formula membership fee structure during the three year contract. That same rhetoric was thrown around during NLEA’s last go around with Emmet County, PRE-2019, with NO alternate overall, lasting fee-structure outcome... just a modest reduction for this contract.
One certainly must ask, WHY is Emmet County’s NLEA yearly sum more than any fee for the other 3 represented NLEA counties, other than acknowledging “the formula” is the reason for the disparities? The ECBOC do not have to agree to this illogical formula, because NLEA is just saying that over the next three years NLEA will work on the formula. Figure it out before signing, IF you decide to sign any contract with NLEA. Does NLEA spend less time on any project in other counties, than in Emmet County? At a first year salary of $80,000.00 for a 40 hour week at 52 weeks (no vacation) at about $38.00 per hour, the county will be paying NLEA $1538.00 per week the first year… more by 2024. Do you really think that someone from NLEA, remembering they would be covering 4 counties; will be performing $1538.00 worth of work for Emmet County each week? The NLEA web site lists 7 people on their staff, with one being a bookkeeper, and one in communication, and one specializing in broadband. Those are the staff left to service all FOUR counties for any number of services.
The NLEA lack of staff, is explainable when you consider, however, a larger staff is not a necessity considering they only get involved in a county project, or show their faces, AFTER some other entity’s project has already begun, or is finishing up… just in time for an NLEA photo-op.
Cases in points of projects that NLEA will undoubtedly try to claim as NLEA service, as noted on the Proposed Contract Attachment (which should have a title to the page, as well as signature and date spaces for all involved parties):
“1. Maintain a list of the County properties which are available or are considered a priority for Commercial, or Industrial development or redevelopment as typically done as part of the MEDC Site Selector Database and would include existing and planned site infrastructure if infrastructure improvements are needed in these properties. Identify potential funding sources (Developer, Grants, Loans or other) to assist in paying for these needed improvements.”
On the county’s web page of the Facility Assets Manager, a “2021 Summary of Emmet County Properties (85 listed)” already exists, and is to be presented to the ECBOC by the the administrator annually, I believe in March. The MEDC Site Selector Database is an accessible web link which the county’s Facility Assets Manager easily could access, if even necessary. IF this #1 is talking of not only actual county owned properties, but also of township owned properties, those other properties also could easily be accessed either from the county’s web page of “Property Search” or from the township officials… not a big secret to be accessed by the facility assets person that the taxpayers are already paying, without additionally paying NLEA for such existing service.
As an example, at the 1 December 2021 Bear Creek Township meeting, the officials were discussing using some of the township ARPA funds for extending sewer infrastructure on Atkins Road toward a housing development; and also talking to the county for extra support for the county’s endeavors with housing as well. This project investigation will move forward with no inclusion of NLEA input necessary. IF county commissioners, however, contract with NLEA, then, NLEA will not miss such a Photo-OPportunity for credit in the future.
Several housing projects in the county are already in the beginning phases, and being promoted by private developers themselves. Developments already are progressing through the Planning Commission’s diligence with rules and regulations which do not cost the taxpayers any extra funding, like through making a contract with any outside groups like NLEA. That is the type thing the county can wisely support.
“2. Prepare and execute Economic Development training for County Board of Commissioners, and selected department heads, or committee members in the County. This training should be able to identify “what is Economic Development”, and what the BOC, Dept. Heads, committee members can do in helping to bring economic development (Jobs and business investment) to the County.”
It is hard to believe that “economic development training” with the very stated topics as in the attachment, could not be performed by an outside economic development presenter for less than part of the quarter million dollars that NLEA would charge.
“3. Community Development Initiatives: Through active participation and engagement, provide research and knowledge to guide and support the following County infrastructure initiatives PARKING, TRANSIT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
Parking – County operated facilities located within local units of government present growing challenges for access to county buildings for both citizens and employees of the county.”
Parking is another Photo-OPportunity for NLEA, already in the making. The only property that this #3 can be describing is the City-County properties on Division and Lake streets in Petoskey, because it does not seem to describe any other property in the county. On 9 July 2018 Petoskey’s City Manager Rob Straebel [no longer City Manager in 2022] already appeared before the Emmet County Commissioners regarding the county joining the city to build a parking structure on the corner of Division and Lake streets. The City of Petoskey, through their Downtown Management Board which is in charge of “Parking” fees, never has followed through on their own initiative, or their own funding which would have been possible with a distinctive line-item in the Downtown Management Board's budget, to solve the decades-long voiced need for additional parking in the City of Petoskey. Petoskey, however, already has had plans drawn for a parking structure… and they have possibly set some money aside in their budget toward a parking structure. IF county commissioners contract with NLEA, NLEA will not miss such a Photo-OPportunity for credit in the future.
Transit – Participate in the counties transit evaluation and assessment initiatives through active engagement with third party consultants and explore opportunities for collaboration with Charlevoix & Cheboygan counties, and the potential reallocation of county funds allocated for transit.
The ECBOC already have put the taxpayers through over a million dollars of expenses with two years of failed EMGO; concluding transit does not work, nor serve the entire county although the ENTIRE county is expected to fund a transit program that basically services Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Already, the ECBOC collaborates with Cheboygan County with Straits Regional Ride. With past studies and presenters, having begun in about 2015, with input from Charlevoix County, the ECBOC were inspired to use EMGO as a Pilot type program. Since this has already been done, do we taxpayers need to relive it? If NLEA, however, can ride on the shirt tales of any pro-transit groups, NLEA will be right there for a Photo-OPportunity.
Workforce Housing /Affordable housing – Assist the County in determining what level (if any) county government should be or can be involved with solutions regarding this issue. Assist county staff on matters related to housing.
The ECBOC already have heard work groups' presentations by the Housing group that spent 6 months on collecting their evidence. NLEA should be able to jump into this topic easily for a Photo-OPportunity.
“4. Reporting - Prepare reports to the County Board of Commissioners on an annual basis that report information on the following areas:”
One yearly verbal report in the past, when the NLEA President was asked what someone could actually go visit or see that NLEA had accomplished for the county that year… all he could note was “Sanctuary Island.” Hmmmm… NLEA’s newsletter type reports mix numbers for Emmet County together with Cheboygan, Antrim and Charlevoix counties… pure vagaries. Another trick in the “past NLEA reporting” was to state that the NLEA services with an unnamed company were “confidential” and could not be reported.
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MY General Comments/Concerns:
Ask to see the contracts from NLEA’s other fee paying counties, businesses, or other entities, and make comparisons to the 2021 Emmet County Contract as presented and proposed. Learn what the other counties pay for their NLEA fees… many thousands of dollars less!!!
Now, ponder that for many NLEA results… Anyone who knows how to “Google” can access information themselves, without Emmet County taxpayers funding another layer of government like NLEA.
Is this contract fee to include work done for ALL Emmet County townships, villages, businesses… OR strictly for county (in general) business? I do NOT appreciate that in the past when Emmet County contracted with NLEA, that my Bear Creek Township still had to pay additionally, separately, for services for the township. I felt like my tax dollars were being “double-dipped” by NLEA. My tax dollars were going to both Bear Creek Township and Emmet County fees to NLEA. So, are townships, villages or businesses having to pay separately from, and in addition to, the county contracted services????
It does seem that #4 of the contract attachment is trying to address some of what I asked above, BUT, what this report is asking for is regarding the previous year. I would think it should be known ahead of time, within the contract, also IF the businesses, and entities other than specifically just county related are included within this contract… and do not have to pay extra! Judging from past service about NLEA, I would guess that NLEA does not have the staff, nor the knowledge to perform all of the services, especially in performing grant writing, which could be asked by all county entities that might request NLEA service. IF the county needs grant writing service, I suggest the county hire a grant writer that would address the needs of ALL of the departments of the county, not just grant writers for NLEA type Photo OPportunities.
NLEA enjoys their SHOWS (NLEA calls it “Pitch Night”) of coordinating funding for new businesses with thousands of dollars. It would be interesting to know just how many of those new venture businesses still even exist, with their follow-up success stories.
I cannot see THE NLEA agendas/minutes posted on the NLEA web site???? Do they do their business behind closed doors?
Remember in the Photo OPportunities I mentioned above, that these projects already are in progress, and would continue, or not, with or without NLEA. Remember them.
Will the ECBOC have to appoint a commissioner or two to be on a NLEA board/committee? AND thus need to pay a per diem to attend those meetings, on top of paying for the contract fee?
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Karla Buckmaster
12 December 2021
Just a day after delivering the above observations about the proposed NLEA Contract, with absolutely NO comments/discussion from most of the commissioners, all seven commissioners voted to accept the NLEA contract (and Attachment A) as proposed. Bring on the Photo Opportunities for the NLEA in 2022.
The following was read 6 June 2022 to the ECBOC during public comment by Karla Buckmaster:
Remember that Emmet County taxpayers are paying about $1500.00 a week to Northern Lakes Economic Association, which would be a hearty salary for many county residents. That’s about $80.000+ per year. Consider NLEA’s 2021-22 Annual Activities Report tells NLEA’s Total Budgeted Income is $481,597… They have a 7 person staff with a summer intern, and budgeted $358,252 for employee salaries, tax, and benefits; another $8,607 for insurance, $15,000.00 for Travel and Meals, $12,000.00 for Telephone, $12,000.00 for Accounting & bookkeeping. These, plus very few other budgeted, expenditures exceed NLEA’s income by $19,601.00.
On February 17, 2022 Neil Ahrens forwarded info from NLEA President David Emmel which included the following from an entire couple pages list of NLEA’s puffery of what NLEA has done for the 4 counties they represent. In that list are three items which NLEA says they have done specifically for Emmet County:
1. Worked with Northern Michigan University IT Director, regarding broadband in Pellston. Any report as to what actually… NLEA itself has done regarding this?
2. Connected with our Emmet County Building Department to gather 2021 construction data for internal tracking and marketing the region to potential developers. Is this information available, and has it been used?
3. Earlier, County Admin Mike Reaves specifically made a referral to NLEA for Common Angle with plans to relocate to the old Quiet Moose bldg. What was that all about, and what has transpired?
I find NO minutes listed on NLEA’s web site for any minutes they possibly took at any of their meetings which include paid county commissioners…. So, what is actually happening in those meetings? NLEA does post Newsletters filled with announcements of what other businesses, other organizations, or other people already have accomplished, or plan to do… Most of their web site postings are previous to 2020. Obviously, since NLEA has done next to nothing on their own toward Emmet County’s economic development, and accomplished next to nothing, if anything, for Emmet County… I guess NOTHING is available for NLEA to report.
Remember that Emmet County taxpayers are paying about $1500.00 a week to Northern Lakes Economic Association, which would be a hearty salary for many county residents. That’s about $80.000+ per year. Consider NLEA’s 2021-22 Annual Activities Report tells NLEA’s Total Budgeted Income is $481,597… They have a 7 person staff with a summer intern, and budgeted $358,252 for employee salaries, tax, and benefits; another $8,607 for insurance, $15,000.00 for Travel and Meals, $12,000.00 for Telephone, $12,000.00 for Accounting & bookkeeping. These, plus very few other budgeted, expenditures exceed NLEA’s income by $19,601.00.
On February 17, 2022 Neil Ahrens forwarded info from NLEA President David Emmel which included the following from an entire couple pages list of NLEA’s puffery of what NLEA has done for the 4 counties they represent. In that list are three items which NLEA says they have done specifically for Emmet County:
1. Worked with Northern Michigan University IT Director, regarding broadband in Pellston. Any report as to what actually… NLEA itself has done regarding this?
2. Connected with our Emmet County Building Department to gather 2021 construction data for internal tracking and marketing the region to potential developers. Is this information available, and has it been used?
3. Earlier, County Admin Mike Reaves specifically made a referral to NLEA for Common Angle with plans to relocate to the old Quiet Moose bldg. What was that all about, and what has transpired?
I find NO minutes listed on NLEA’s web site for any minutes they possibly took at any of their meetings which include paid county commissioners…. So, what is actually happening in those meetings? NLEA does post Newsletters filled with announcements of what other businesses, other organizations, or other people already have accomplished, or plan to do… Most of their web site postings are previous to 2020. Obviously, since NLEA has done next to nothing on their own toward Emmet County’s economic development, and accomplished next to nothing, if anything, for Emmet County… I guess NOTHING is available for NLEA to report.
Below are the 6 June 2022 Emmet County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes reporting of public comments actually stated above... pretty vague account, if the meeting was not actually attended.
The following was read 9 September 2022 to the ECBOC during public comment by Karla Buckmaster:
"I see no mention of NLEA on tonight’s agenda, nor in the administrator’s report, thus the reason for my public comment.
NLEA’s most recent August 2022 newsletter reports housing started in Emmet county’s Alanson by Habitat for Humanity, but no indication what NLEA has to do with it. So, probably nothing.
So exactly, what has NLEA done for Emmet County??? EXACTLY… for the 1500. to 1600. dollars we taxpayers are funding to NLEA every single week of the year?
The NLEA newsletter includes what NLEA’s Core Partners have been up to. NLEA likes to jump in like a politician jumping in for a “photo shoot” and taking credit for something that NLEA did not even do. NLEA just writes about something happening, but not something NLEA actually did.
OR, what has NLEA done for Emmet County since the beginning of the year? By the end of the year the taxpayers will have funded them about $84,000. Even if the money comes from ARPA funds to pay for NLEA for the year… those funds ultimately come from us taxpayers. Those ARPA funds are not just “money from heaven”.
Our previous board spent about 2 years getting rid of NLEA. Nobody in Emmet County missed them when NLEA was not being paid by Emmet County… especially the taxpayers. As one of those taxpayers, I ask that you commissioners do not wait so long to get rid of NLEA again."
[A gentleman attended the meeting for Habitat for Humanity whom I asked outside the meeting, what relationship NLEA had had with Habitat for Humanity. His answer was ,"NOTHING."]
"I see no mention of NLEA on tonight’s agenda, nor in the administrator’s report, thus the reason for my public comment.
NLEA’s most recent August 2022 newsletter reports housing started in Emmet county’s Alanson by Habitat for Humanity, but no indication what NLEA has to do with it. So, probably nothing.
So exactly, what has NLEA done for Emmet County??? EXACTLY… for the 1500. to 1600. dollars we taxpayers are funding to NLEA every single week of the year?
The NLEA newsletter includes what NLEA’s Core Partners have been up to. NLEA likes to jump in like a politician jumping in for a “photo shoot” and taking credit for something that NLEA did not even do. NLEA just writes about something happening, but not something NLEA actually did.
OR, what has NLEA done for Emmet County since the beginning of the year? By the end of the year the taxpayers will have funded them about $84,000. Even if the money comes from ARPA funds to pay for NLEA for the year… those funds ultimately come from us taxpayers. Those ARPA funds are not just “money from heaven”.
Our previous board spent about 2 years getting rid of NLEA. Nobody in Emmet County missed them when NLEA was not being paid by Emmet County… especially the taxpayers. As one of those taxpayers, I ask that you commissioners do not wait so long to get rid of NLEA again."
[A gentleman attended the meeting for Habitat for Humanity whom I asked outside the meeting, what relationship NLEA had had with Habitat for Humanity. His answer was ,"NOTHING."]
ECBOCs, Mr. Boyer, Mr. Keiser, and Clerk Suzi Kanine to please include totally this letter in the minutes of the ECBOC 16 March 2023 meeting minutes.
Mr. Boyer told me this afternoon that he did contact a lawyer, and a DNR Grant person, regarding my grant application concerns… I thank him for that. Below, however, are still my concerns that I hope you will give some attention, and at least be aware, if nothing else. The process needs to be realized in my opinion, if not for now… then, in the future.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Grants/FOD-Grants/IC1905-TF-App-Guidelines-2023.pdf?rev=c0bf7a0976ad4e1f94c2a7db8f7d3a8b&hash=D5BD5EB9137F6484189267E270B1DF15
OR
Below is from page 5 of the DNR Trust Grant Guide above. This is why I say that the county’s hired DNR Grant plan developer is ignorant or UNknowing of ADA requirements, and of county/local building ordinances, at least in what was prepared for the county to apply for this DNR Trust Grant:
It seems to me that when the county contracted to have plans created for its grant proposal, it would EXPECT the facilities, and the associated area, to show ADA compliance. It is known that ADA requires a "MUST comply" not a "MAY comply” for governmental entities, and considering the public’s portion of matching funding for this DNR grant, all of those prices should be included in the plan cost estimate… extra costs should not be thrown at the taxpayer AFTER the award is accepted, and then any additional costs MUST be paid to make the project totally ADA compliant or for completion in any way to happen.
In fact, the following is from the same DNR Trust Grant Guide.
The Park Director told me that the present bathroom facility nearest the proposed Petosega cabins is 1/10 mile away… making a bathroom round trip 2/10 of a mile in distance across the bridge that goes over the muck area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ECBOCs need to be aware that the "cost plan estimate" has changed from what you saw at the public hearing… increasing in cost, of course. AND a different "plan page 2" is included in the agenda for the 16 March 2023… both pages added since the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing. Commissioners need to be aware of this NEW information.
Karla Buckmaster
Mr. Boyer told me this afternoon that he did contact a lawyer, and a DNR Grant person, regarding my grant application concerns… I thank him for that. Below, however, are still my concerns that I hope you will give some attention, and at least be aware, if nothing else. The process needs to be realized in my opinion, if not for now… then, in the future.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Grants/FOD-Grants/IC1905-TF-App-Guidelines-2023.pdf?rev=c0bf7a0976ad4e1f94c2a7db8f7d3a8b&hash=D5BD5EB9137F6484189267E270B1DF15
OR
Below is from page 5 of the DNR Trust Grant Guide above. This is why I say that the county’s hired DNR Grant plan developer is ignorant or UNknowing of ADA requirements, and of county/local building ordinances, at least in what was prepared for the county to apply for this DNR Trust Grant:
It seems to me that when the county contracted to have plans created for its grant proposal, it would EXPECT the facilities, and the associated area, to show ADA compliance. It is known that ADA requires a "MUST comply" not a "MAY comply” for governmental entities, and considering the public’s portion of matching funding for this DNR grant, all of those prices should be included in the plan cost estimate… extra costs should not be thrown at the taxpayer AFTER the award is accepted, and then any additional costs MUST be paid to make the project totally ADA compliant or for completion in any way to happen.
In fact, the following is from the same DNR Trust Grant Guide.
The Park Director told me that the present bathroom facility nearest the proposed Petosega cabins is 1/10 mile away… making a bathroom round trip 2/10 of a mile in distance across the bridge that goes over the muck area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ECBOCs need to be aware that the "cost plan estimate" has changed from what you saw at the public hearing… increasing in cost, of course. AND a different "plan page 2" is included in the agenda for the 16 March 2023… both pages added since the 6 March 2023 Public Hearing. Commissioners need to be aware of this NEW information.
Karla Buckmaster
~ Double-Dipping NLEA ~
April 2023
April 2023
Below: PUBLIC COMMENT addressed to the Emmet County Board of Commissioners
inspired by Petoskey City Council meeting as reported in above DRAFT minutes for 17 April 2023.
inspired by Petoskey City Council meeting as reported in above DRAFT minutes for 17 April 2023.
10 October 2022 Emmet County Board of Commissioners meeting second Public Comment minutes: "Karla Buckmaster thanked Drier for requesting a report on NLEA. She reminded the Board that taxpayers are contributing $1,500-$1,600 a week toward NLEA but, for what? She emphasized that the public has heard nothing since beginning of the year on what NLEA has done for Emmet County."