A Community News Organ

Archive for March, 2011|Monthly archive page

April Calendar

In Calendar on March 30, 2011 at 12:00 am

Friday the 1st

  • 8 AM Elberta Master Plan Meeting, Elberta Library

Sundays, 3, 10, 17, 24

  • 1 PM–2 PM Alert Editorial Office Hours, Elberta Library

Monday the 4th

  • 5 PM to 8 PM Last day to register to vote in the May 3 Election. Call Sharyn Bower, Gilmore Township clerk, at 352-4901.

Tuesday the 5th

  • 7 PM  Elberta Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting, Elberta Library

Wednesday the 6th

  • 7 PM  Parks and Recreation Committee Regular Meeting, Village Community Building

Friday the 8th

  • 6 PM  First Annual Rotten Tomato Film Festival, Garden Theater, Frankfort and Betsie Bay Inn

Saturday the 9th

  • 8 PM  Benefit to help fund the quest for life for our friend, Sairy, as she battles Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella, Cabbage Shed. The Aunt Martha Band. $10

Tuesday the 12th

  • 6:30 PM Grow Benzie Workshop, “Transplanting Seeds,” with Craig Schaaf. 5885 M-115, Benzonia. $7 individuals/$10 couples and families.
  • 7 PM  Regular Gilmore Township Board Meeting, Elberta Library Read the rest of this entry »

Foghorn: 37 Questions on Smart Growth

In Calendar, Foghorn, Green Elbertians, Infrastructure and Planning, On and off the Apron, Open Season, Politics on March 24, 2011 at 1:45 pm

Monday, March 28, at 1:30 pm at Frankfort City Hall, waterfront property owners have been invited to fill out a survey. This survey will be used by MSU Extension agents to evaluate our “readiness for smart growth.” Please spread the word to Elberta waterfront stakeholders you know. The meeting is open to the public as well, but the focus is on stakeholders because the survey questions pertain to them directly (and they know best what they’re doing with their property, presumably). The more data they have, the more realistic the evaluation will be when it comes out this summer. The information in the results will help our community in applying for grants for various projects and also in our planning and zoning process (for instance are our regulations adequate? too strict?). Participants are asked to RSVP to Shannon Sanchez at 231-352-7117 or by e-mail to jmills@cofrankfort.net. You can read more about the assessment survey at this Michigan State Land Policy site. Elberta, represent.—Emily Votruba

Council Meeting Report: Start Your Bidding

In Infrastructure and Planning, Politics on March 23, 2011 at 3:02 am

Meeting date: March 17, 2011, 7 PM

AT THE BEGINNING OF the meeting, new trustee Matt Stapleton asked how to go about getting an item on the council meeting agenda. President Reg Manville said people can go straight to the president or to Sharyn Bower at the Village Office. If it’s a controversial matter, Reg said, the person should come before the council first for them to vote on whether the item will be added to the agenda.

Marcia Stobie requested to deliver her county commissioner’s report during public comment because of a dinner reservation. The Master Plan Committee met on the 4th and went over a synopsis of the master plan public forum (held Feb. 21) prepared by Sarah Lucas of NMCoG. Frankfort is discussing a 6 mo. moratorium on medical marijuana. Stobie suggested Elberta might have a special meeting to discuss that issue. She noted that Ann Arbor spent 7 mos. writing their medical marijuana ordinance. The Lake Express will be in Frankfort harbor on May 8 offering rides on Lake Michigan; a similar event will be held in Manitowoc. Stobie said “It all depends on the Badger,” likely referring to the deadline for the Badger to upgrade its engines from coal-fired to diesel. Stobie announced that a Waterfront Smart Growth Assessment meeting will be held on March 28 with a representative from MSU Extension geared toward waterfront property owners. Stobie said Pt. Betsie Lighthouse wants to rent out a 2 bedroom apartment to raise funds. The question is whether that would affect their tax status as a nonprofit. Read the rest of this entry »

Calendar Blast! Roaring out of March

In Calendar on March 22, 2011 at 10:32 pm

Wed. Mar. 23: Tom Stoltmann’s birthday party at the Mayfair, 6 pm

Thurs. Mar. 24: Public Safety Committee meeting with Sheriff Rory Heckmann at the Benzie Cty Sheriff’s Office, 6 pm

Thurs. Mar. 24: AES Public Forum on Wind Energy at Frankfort–Elberta School District, 6:30 pm

Sat. Mar. 26: Free DJ’d Dance Party at the Cabbage Shed, 9 pm till whenevs

Mon. Mar. 28: Waterfront Smart Growth Assessment meeting, Frankfort City Hall, 1:30 pm

Fri. Apr. 1: Elberta Master Plan Meeting, Elberta Library, 8 am

 

The Busiest Weekend Ever

In Calendar, Culture Bluffs, Green Elbertians, Open Season, Politics, The Mess Deck on March 15, 2011 at 8:00 pm

March 17–20: Possibly the Busiest Four Days in Elberta–Frankfort History…for more details on the first annual Benzie County Water Festival, see the official site.

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

  • 4 pm–10 pm St. Patrick’s Day Party, Mayfair Tavern
  • 7 pm Elberta Village Council Meeting, Village Community Building

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

  • 6 pm Waterlife Documentary Film ($5; Friends of Betsie Bay fundraiser), The Garden Theater
  • 9 pm Sub-Prime Blues Band ($5), The Cabbage Shed

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

  • 8 am Morning Yoga (donations suggested), Studio on Main
  • 9 am–3 pm Grow Benzie Workshop on Hoop Houses and potluck lunch with Mike Hulbert of Creation Farm, Craig Schaaf of Golden Rule Farm, and Nic Welty of 9 Bean Rows Farm; suggested $10 donation, $12 for couples; unheated hoop houses and other simple methods for extending the growing season, 5885 M-115, Benzonia
  • 9:30 am Kirby Music, Frankfort Elementary
  • 10 am Opening Ceremonies, Frankfort Elementary
  • 10:30 am Speaker: Derek Bailey on the Asian Carp, Frankfort Elementary Read the rest of this entry »

Agenda for March 17 Regular Village Council Meeting

In Calendar, Politics on March 14, 2011 at 11:10 pm

CALL TO ORDER, ATTENDANCE, APPROVAL OF MINUTES, APPROVAL OF AGENDA, AGENDA CONFLICT, BRIEF PUBLIC COMMENT, ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING, CORRESPONDENCE, APPROVAL OF BILLS
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
WATER/SEWER/BLUA: Diane Jenks & Ken Holmes
PARKS & REC: Linda Manville
MARINA PARK/FARMERS MARKET: Bill Soper
BEACH: Ross Thorsen
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: Carl Noffsinger
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Reg Manville
Committees:
Budget – Reg Manville, Laura Manville, Sharyn Bower & Linda Manville.
Fire/Safety – Ken Holmes & Diane Jenks.
Municipal Buildings – Diane Jenks, Matt Stapleton, Ross Thorsen and Bill Soper.
Employee Relations: R.Manville, M. Stapleton and R. Thorsen.
Master Plan Advisory: R.Manville Read the rest of this entry »

Foghorn: Community Wind Forum Tonight, 3/10

In Foghorn, Green Elbertians, Infrastructure and Planning on March 10, 2011 at 2:12 pm

This just in from the Eco-Building Products Facebook feed: “TONIGHT, Understanding Wind Initiatives (UWI), a community forum will take place at Benzie Central H.S. between 6:30 and 8:30 pm. You can learn more about the UWI initiative, ask questions, and participate in small group discussions focused on the benefits and concerns surrounding wind energy. The UWI is being facilitated by the Alliance for Economic Success (AES), in Manistee.

Complete Schedule of Community Forums

  • Thursday, March 10, Benzie Central High School, Benzonia, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 19, Pleasant Valley Community Center, Arcadia, 1:00- 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 24, Frankfort-Elbert School District, Frankfort, 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

AES will be accepting public input through March 25. Submit questions to

Alliance for Economic Success (AES)
Email: jami@allianceforeconomicsuccess.com
Mail: Wind Energy Questions, AES, 1361 South US 31, Manistee, MI 49660
Phone: 231-723-4325
Fax: 231-723-3717

Local collection box locations for questionnaires and comments:
Nugent Ace Hardware, Benzonia
Benzie Shore District Library, Frankfort


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