MPSC adjusts surcharges for 46 counties; approves 911 surcharges for 22 others

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today approved proposed surcharges for 9-1-1 service as submitted by 22 Michigan counties, and it adjusted downward surcharges proposed by 46 other counties so that they do not exceed 2.7 percent of their 2007 revenues, as directed in Public Act 164, the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Enabling Act. The surcharge goes into effect on July 1 for all communication service users as defined in the law, including wireless. Previously, the surcharge only affected landline service users.
The MPSC on Jan. 2 issued an order directing Michigan counties that had decided to assess 9-1-1 surcharges to provide the Commission with: the proposed surcharge the county intends to begin collecting on July 1, its estimated 2007 revenue collected under the existing surcharge, and its estimated county 9-1-1 surcharge revenues for 2008. The MPSC has until March 17 to approve, disapprove or adjust the proposed surcharges.
Michigan law directs the MPSC to consult with the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Committee (ETSC) when reviewing the surcharge. The ETSC developed an estimate of 0.93 as a statewide average of number of devices per person to enable counties to compute their 9-1-1 surcharge based on the population of the county. The MPSC deems this estimate reasonable and applied this factor to the county population based on the 2000 U.S. Census.
Twenty-two Michigan counties filed applications with the MPSC estimating surcharge revenue for 2008 not in excess of their estimated 2007 revenue plus 2.7 percent. The MPSC today approved these surcharges. The 22 counties are: Alger, Allegan, Antrim, Arenac, Branch, Clare, Clinton, Gladwin, Ingham, Iron, Kalkaska, Kent, Livingston, Luce, Mason, Montmorency, Oceana, Ontonagon, Otsego, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, and Wexford.
Forty-six Michigan counties submitted applications that included estimated 2008 surcharge revenue in excess of the county's 2007 surcharge revenue plus 2.7 percent. The MPSC today adjusted those surcharges using the ETSC's 0.93 factor. The 46 counties are: Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Jackson, Lake, Lapeer, Lenawee, Mackinac, Mecosta, Menominee, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

The approved surcharge amounts for 2008 are listed by county on the MPSC's Web site.

Fourteen Michigan counties did not file applications with the MPSC and are not seeking a surcharge, and Leelanau County filed, but then withdrew, its application.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Case No. U-15489

Top cops gather for vigil

Calhoun County's top law enforcement officials were on hand to lend their support for the resolution of the case of missing Marshall woman, Mary Denise (Marshall) Lands who was 39 when she went missing March 12, 2004, today at Fountain Circle at the four year vigil in her honor. From left are Marshall Police Department Acting Chief Scott McDonald, Michigan State Police Battle Creek Post Commander Lt. Dale Peet, Calhoun County Sheriff Al Byam and Calhoun County Prosecutor, John Hallacy. Speaking into the microphone is Steve Harrington of Marshall, and obscured is Trooper Kandyce Tabeling.

New J-Ad website under construction!

J-Ad Graphics/J-Ad Corporation, owners and publishers of the Ad-Visor, Chronicle, Battle Creek Shopper and so much more is launching a new, full service website! See the six decade history of this family owned company here at Local Counties.com!

HAVEN OF REST GREATLY NEEDS COPY PAPER

PRESS RELEASE:

Copy Paper Donations Help the Haven Spend More Money on Programs to Help the Homeless


WHO: The Haven of Rest Ministries
11 Green St.
Battle Creek, MI 49014


WHAT: The Haven of Rest relies heavily on the community for in-kind donations to offset operational costs to ensure that the maximum amount of money can be spent on our programs to help the over 120 homeless individuals we serve every day. There are many items that the Haven commonly needs donated in order to help as many homeless individuals as possible. Currently the Haven is extremely low on copy paper and would greatly appreciate any help from the community to keep our material costs as low as possible.


WHERE: To donate copy paper to the Haven, simply bring your donation to the Haven office (11 Green St). Any brand or amount of copy paper is truly appreciated. Staff will assist you in directing and bringing donations directly to the storage area. If you have any questions, call 269-965-1148. Visit The Haven’s web-site at www.thehavenbc.org for a complete list of commonly needed items.


CONTACTS: The Haven of Rest………....………………..….Steve Parker 269-965-1148 x17 OFFICE

Marshall to host underage drinking prevention forum

PRESS RELEASE - Marshall Michigan is one of hundreds of communities nationwide that will hold an Underage

Drinking Prevention Town Hall Meeting on March 24th, 7 p.m. at the Marshall United

Methodist Church, 14711 US 27 North, to discuss and raise awareness about the

issue of underage drinking. Marshall Citizens and the Substance Abuse Council, in

collaboration with the Federal Governments Interagency Coordinating Committee for the

Prevention of Underage Drinking, are sponsoring the event. Parents, teachers, officials, youth

and other community members will be educated about the impact that underage drinking has on

the community and they will develop possible ways to address this issue.


Among eighth graders, about 1 in 20 (5.5 percent) reported being drunk at least once in the past

month. Nearly 1 out of every 5 10th graders (18.1 percent) and about 3 out of every 10 12th

graders (28.7 percent) reported being drunk at least once in the last month according to the

2007 Monitoring the Future Report of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.


Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among our youth. The Surgeon General’s

Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking states that for the most part,

parents and other adults underestimate the number of adolescents who use alcohol. They

underestimate how early the drinking begins, the amount of alcohol adolescents consume, the

many risks that alcohol consumption creates for adolescents, and the nature and extent of the

consequences to both drinkers and nondrinkers.


Although drug use among youth is declining, alcohol continues to kill more kids in the U.S. than

all illegal drugs combined.


After the meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Marshall Public Schools Dr. Brian Metcalf,

Prosecutor John Hallacy, Calhoun County Sheriff Al Byam, Town Hall Meeting moderator

Rebecca Rocho and SAC Executive Director Suzanne Horsfall will be available for comment.


For more information call the Substance Abuse Council, 269-968-4699.

Judge releases very little from emails UPDATE

DOCUMENTS ORDERED DISCLOSED BY THE JUDGE WERE RECEIVED IN THE CHRONICLE OFFICE WEDNESDAY: THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION APPEARS BELOW: (UPDATED WEDS. MARCH 12, 2008)
Only a few more lines of text from heavily redacted email messages between former Marshall Public Safety Chief Mike Olson and a woman who works in Marshall city hall were released to the public by Judge James Kingsley at a hearing Monday on a lawsuit filed by Mike Olson against the city of Marshall to seek preliminary injunction against disclosure of contested lines of text.
Kingsley ruled the rest of the text is personal.
The following, additional lines of text were released by the judge because either he ruled they are not private or are further evidence of Olson's effort to create a job for the woman without prior approval:
Dec. 28, 2007 9:43 a.m.
Mike Olson: "I don't think you're crazy at all and I was raised the same as you. I don't see that happening because Chris O has these grandiose plans, but he hasn't shared them. he may share her with me for the short term, but he hasn't offered lately. She won't be pissed at you, but she might be at me."
A contested email from Jan. 4, 2008, 8:45 p.m. remained withheld because the judge said "that's personal."
(date missing) 2:52 p.m.
Mike Olson: "When I get mine, I want one just like you."
Recipient: "I would hope it would be me."
Mike Olson: "Of course it would be."
Nov. 14, 2007 11:13 a.m.
"That is funny. I told her (indistinguishable) how you knew my cell phone number."
"Oh, I played innocent."
(date missing)
"You'll never have a career from acting but we do have people fooled."
"You're right, we do have people fooled."
Judge Kingsley said of those last two lines: "I can see the reason that raised a red flag."
Jan. 15, 2008 1:03 p.m.
"Yes, it was a late night but I don't have much choice when a lot of the reports have to go to the Prosecutor's Office...I'm not happy at all though I'm trying not to show it or share it." Some of the newly released, missing text in that message is: "But if I was up there, you wouldn't be in a bad mood."
"We'd both be cheered up."

Why no blogging here?

We see that we are getting many daily visits to our humble little site here but very very few comments. We want to know what you think! Please, feel free to get the conversations going, share your reactions, start the debates. Your opinion counts! NOTE: Post anonymous comments by clicking "0 Comments" (or whatever number appears next to "comments.") Thank you and please remember, this is a blog page set up as a forum for you and is not intended to serve as a fully functioning, daily newspaper site.

This week's front page. Click for larger view.

Police seeking pair suspected in attempted child abduction

MARSHALL - Police are asking for the public’s help in locating two individuals suspected of trying to abduct two middle school aged-girls on Wednesday, March 5 at about 4 p.m. on Locust Street in Marshall.
“Two middle school girls reported a late model, two-tone, blue over white blazer following them near Locust and South Marshall Avenue,” Marshall police reported Thursday morning. “One of the girls reported the passenger, a while male, exited the vehicle and began to walk toward them at a fast pace.”
In the meantime, the blazer followed in the street. The girls ran to the nearest residence and called police.
“Our department attempted to locate the suspect vehicle along with county deputies,” said police. “The Marshall Police Department is looking for this vehicle and wants parents and citizens to be cautious and report any suspicious activity.”
The Marshall Police Department can be reached at (269) 781-2596 or call the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office at 781-0880.

Walberg hosting coffee hour in Marshall Friday

Congressman Walberg is hosting a c10 minute legislative update and will be taking questions. The event is open to the public.

Date: 3/7/08
Event: Marshall Coffee Hour
Location/Address: The Coffee Mill, 301 E. Michigan Avenue, Marshall
Time: 1-2 p.m.

Cagers see season come to an end with overtime loss to Gull Lake in regional

The Marshall High School boys' varsity team ended their season Monday night after a 62-53 overtime loss to Richland Gull Lake in the Region 10 semi-final played at Harper Creek High School. The Redhawks, who trailed for most of the game, made a furious comeback in the third and fourth quarters and took the lead, 51-50 on a Jeff Lough three-pointer with just over a minute to play. A free throw by B.J. Konkle made it 52-50, but Gull Lake tied the game to force overtime on a field goal with 20 seconds to play. In overtime, neither team would make a field goal as all of Gull Lake's nine points came at the free throw line. Marshall's lone overtime point came from a Matt Roberts free throw. He led the Redhawks with 18 points. Marshall ended its season with an 18-6 record.

Olson complained about city council, staff

Documents released by the City of Marshall with agreement from former public safety chief Mike Olson's attorney, Richard Winslow contained large blocks of blacked out text while others revealed that Olson complained to another, unidentified person, that one council member was a moron and the actions of other city staff was disappointing. A March 10 court hearing in front of Judge Kingsley over the contested documents will let the judge decide whether the remaining information should be opened to the public. The documents, mostly emails, are identified as the basis for City Manager Chris Olson's loss of confidence in Mike Olson's judgment. That hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the Marshall city council is expected tonight to finalize the separation agreement with Mike Olson.

This week's front page

Documents that led to Olson's departure 'in the mail'

Editor’s Note: The following message pertains to the issue of the January administrative leave of Marshall public safety director Mike Olson whose job has been vacant since Jan. 25. The message below is in response to numerous Freedom of Information act requests for records related to his absence that would reveal the as yet undisclosed reason that city manager Chris Olson said he lost confidence in Mike Olson’s judgment. See story, page one, March 1 Chronicle, for more explanation:

To the Editor:
This is in response to the various phone calls, letters and e-mails that I recently received from you, to address the offers for assistance as it regards what you are seeking, as well as to provide you with some updated information.
...I was aware of the (Detroit Mayor Kwame) Kilpatrick ruling, and I certainly followed the case as it unfolded in the Detroit News and Free Press.
I don't believe that the Supreme Court's ruling is applicable to Marshall in the sense that the issues are not the same.
As it regards the information you are seeking, the city is obligated to respect the legal action that was filed by Mike Olson through his attorney, Mr. Winslow. At present, the pending actions include a temporary restraining order, a show-cause hearing, and proposed injunction as to the release of information that is considered private and personal. That is information that the City will not release unless and until ordered to, by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
On Monday, there was an agreement in principle between the parties to release whatever information is not considered as personal and private.
The information that is work-related and substantive, and ultimately led to my decisions on Mike's employment -- that is, those things that caused me to question Mike's judgment; his adherence to city policies and good management practices; and finally, his decision-making as a top manager within my administration. These are what led me to placing him on leave back on Jan. 21 and offering him the opportunity to resign back on Jan. 23.
Mr. Callander and Mr. Winslow went through the documents earlier this week and there is not total agreement between them as to each item that is appropriate to release, subject the review and approval of the respective clients.
Mr. Callander and I went through those documents yesterday and we came to our decision as to what is appropriate. Mr. Callander and Mr. Winslow conducted their final review this morning. It is my understanding that Mr. Callander has sent, in today's mail, the undisputed e-mails, many of which do contain redactions. You should receive those at the first of the week.
Those that Mr. Winslow was not agreeable to release, will go to Judge Kingsley as a subject of the show-cause hearing. You may want to join the case, so that your arguments can be heard.
The redactions from those documents is of information that is not subject to disclosure under section 13 (1)(a), which is of a personal nature; disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy.
In addition, you should understand that we believe that the documents that we are disclosing do not meet the definition of "public records" under section 15.232(e). We are disclosing them nonetheless, to put many of these issues at rest, in the minds of the public, even though we are not obligated to do so.
It is my understanding that the show-cause hearing with Judge Kingsley has been rescheduled from March 3 to March 10, 8:30 am at Calhoun County Circuit Court.


Thank you,
Christopher S. Olson
City Manager
City of Marshall