I believe the time has come to fire all but one of the members of the Barry County Parks and Recreation Commission.
The reasons are straightforward — Nine of these ten “public servants” have been astonishingly derelict in their duties over the past year, particularly in the last six months. They sat on their hands after the millage renewal proposal’s defeat Nov. 7, doing nothing but sulking and pointing the fickle finger of blame at the media, County Board Chairman Mike Callton and any other straw men they could find, but meanwhile failed to look into the mirror.
This incompetent commission also has done nothing since Dr. George W. Shannon resigned in December in the middle of much controversy as to who’s to blame for the fiasco that has become Charlton Park.
Perhaps the worst mistake this commission has made is never bothering to ask the public why so many voted down the renewal in both the August primary and November general elections. That move finally was suggested by their newest member, Keith Murphy, at that telltale joint meeting of the Parks and Rec Commission and the County Board of Commissioners Jan. 11. And this is why I propose Murphy be spared the ax, that and the fact he has not yet caught that “deer in the headlights” disease so widespread among his colleagues.
The joint meeting was telltale in that it exposed how really lame the Parks and Rec Commission members really are. With the notable exception of Murphy, none offered a single viable idea in a “brainstorming” session about how to deal with the growing crisis in which Charlton Park may cease to exist.
The word on the street, in bars, coffee houses and on the Internet has been that the public has needed somebody to be a sacrificial lamb for poor public relations management of Charlton Park, a pretty place with lots of history, but nobody seems to go there. The word between November and December was that Shannon had to put his head on the block, but now insiders wonder if he really was the problem all along. Or was it Shannon and 10 others who must all plead guilty for the mess Charlton Park is in? I suggest the latter.
The fatal vision Shannon and this group has laid out has promoted the park only as a historical treasure with its unique village, so they’ve let events such as the Civil War Re-enactments and Nothin’ But Truck slip away and go elsewhere. As former Chairman Tim Weingartz suggested at the joint meeting, they don’t want any “wear and tear” on the facilities. So what you get when you discourage festivals and public activities is a park that is often empty. And what taxpayer wants to pay for something like that?
Another fatal vision was spending money and time promoting the park to larger metropolitan areas such as Grand Rapids, Lansing, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo (who have other attractions closer to home that aren't doing so well- look at the recent demise of Kellogg's Cereal City U.S.A. as but one example) and taking the local neighborhood for granted. This vision ignored the fact the residents of Barry County pay for this park with a quarter of a mill levy annually. And without that millage, the ballgame is over.
The Parks and Rec Commission has bungled the whole affair, and even worse, it has failed to accept responsibility. Therefore, nine of its ten members deserve to be pink slipped, to get their walking papers, to be placed on waivers, to get the hook.
Oh, sure, there was a very feeble attempt to drum up support for the park right after the August primary millage defeats. Former County Board Chairmarm Clare Tripp headed up a “Friends of Charlton Park” campaign, got a silly picture taken of her in the Grand Rapids Press, in which her girded presence looked like Godzilla towering over the historic village. The “Friends” had a few meetings with lots of talk and no action... unless browbeating and guilt count. The result was an improved margin of defeat, but a defeat nonetheless.
We’re going to have a public hearing Feb. 8, a bitch session for the public to tell the County Board just why they didn’t vote for the millage renewal in the last two elections, a meeting long overdue. We’re going to hear horror stories about how the park mistreats volunteers, how the public doesn’t feel welcome any more, how there’s no reason to go there any more, how area school children need to coaxed into going to the historic village to be taken on tours. We’re going to hear the best vision is to make Charlton Park both a unique historical treasure and a tourist attraction, two very different but compatible visions.
Right after the public hearing, I hereby challenge the County Board of Commissioners to fire everybody on this Parks and Rec Commission except Murphy and appoint a replacement statutory group that will meet quarterly, four times a year, so it can’t do this kind of damage again. And then let’s have a new, special Charlton Park Board selected to deal with Charlton Park alone.
After a new vision and changes in policy are promised, then let’s go back to the voters and ask for less money and pledge some county money as a combined support effort. Then let’s insist Charlton Park raise some of that money itself by charging fees for festivals and tours and by hiring a director who has some public relations savvy.
The message to Tripp, Ken Neil, Weingartz, Catherine Deyo-Young (regrettably), Sharon Rich, Donald Willcutt, Clyde Morgan, Tom Doyle, Hoot Gibson and Jeff VanNortwick: You’re fired.
Then let’s put VanNortwick and Murphy together with a new Charlton Park Board with some vision that has been so sorely lacking over the past couple of years. And then let’s hire a risk-taking carnival barker-style director who sets about the task of bringing people back to the park. Meanwhile, hire a history-minded individual to be a meticulous curator, a keeper of the artifacts that continue to be precious and the centerpiece of the uniqueness that is Charlton Park.
With the old Parks and Rec Commission retired unceremoniously, the old director gone and a fresh new approach, the public just might buy into the dream that many of share about preserving history and sharing it with future generations while offering a great way to attract tourist dollars and educate the public all at once.
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118 comments:
I told you Mike wouldn't go away!
Rethink the selection of Hoot Gibson by the new Chair. He, Jeff, and Murphy will be the troika that can pull the sled. Hoot has some great ideas to pump life back into the park.
So el grillo, where are these tremendous leaders with their ideas? Don't you think its time these "leaders" call a meeting to discuss the death spiral the park is in?
sent,
Don't sell Barry County short. I could name names, but suffice it to say that we have plenty of high quality folks to choose from. At least one left the Park Commission in disgust. We actually have citizens with degrees in this kind of management.
Pol,
Things are never as simple as they seem. If the people who think they are on some kind of a “Park Board” would do the honorable thing and just resign, your idea might fly. Dr. George Shannon was an “at will” employee, so he could have been fired without cause. The people appointed by Jeff MacKenzie and Clare Tripp, on the other hand will be another story. Proving a case of negligence or wrongdoing is not likely to happen, and you can't remove a political appointee for ignorance or being a small thinker. If that was possible, our entire system would collapse overnight, from GWBII on down.
That leaves us with shining a bright light on the members and insisting that they demonstrate some sort of will to succeed and making them produce some kind of plan to get out of the hole they have been hiding in for over ten years of welfare subsistence. If they realize that they aren't capable of filling the job at hand, they might quit, but don't hold your breath. Most still think the welfare checks are in the mail.
As far as a conflict of interest with Keith Ferris, his wife is not a policy maker and doesn't really work as an employee of the Barry County Parks & Recreation Commission. She is one of those County employees that has been nice enough to work for a dysfunctional organization that doesn't exist. With all the controversy it might be a good idea to keep some folks around to count the silverware after the party is over.
Pol et al,
Dust does not sell.
I work in the tourism industry, and, the only people that care about local history are locals.
What this organization needs to do is
1) Privatize. Have Barry County lease the facility to a private, not for profit for $1 a year. Said non-profit is then responsible for insurance, maintenance, programs, hiring, firing, etc.
2) Get a leader, not a manager. Y'all see what happened in Battle Creek with the Humane Society? They FINALLY hired a leader and lo and behold, things turned around in a hurry (my favorite is he fired the intake lady and replaced her with a "red button"!)
3) Get a real board, made of movers and shakers, of real leaders.
I'm tired of all the cursing of the darkness. Time someone, anyone, lit a candle. Charlton Park has great potential. We need to tear it away from the grimy hands of the local politicos and give it to some folks with real vision and leadership.
Michiolologist hit it outta the park with number one! A year is too short though. We don't want politicians feasting on this hot potato forever. Make it a permanent solution and I will buy you all a beer at the next music fest! Oh yeah,.. private ownership would allow me to do that too!
I second the motion. Nothing new here except the structure of the "Irving Charlton Park Board" being a 501c3. We are still stuck with who it would answer to.
If your answer is Michael Brown, you lost my vote.
Everybody answers to somebody.
Pol,
Let's do some clarification, for those who haven't been chewing this rag since before August. You said " Tripp, Ken Neil, Weingartz, Catherine Deyo-Young (regrettably), Sharon Rich, Donald Willcutt, Clyde Morgan, Tom Doyle, Hoot Gibson and Jeff VanNortwick: You’re fired."
Tripp should automatically be off, as of Jan. 1. She was a self-appointed Commissioner representative and was replaced by Hoot or Jeff. Nevins has also been replaced.
Willcutt and Morgan are appointed due to a statutory requirement. They are selected by the Road Commissioners and the Planning Commissioners. Each of these Commissions have the ability to change representatives at any time, and should, now.
Doyle is statutory as well by virtue of being Drain Commissioner. He understands Special Tax Assessments and will be handy to have around in a few months.
That only leaves "Ken Neil, Weingartz, Catherine Deyo-Young (regrettably), and Sharon Rich".
I can't picture any of these four people doing the honorable thing. They will represent the minority vote until their lengthy terms expire. They will continue to be obstructionist until then. The only hope I have is that they might be attracted to the future "Irving Charlton Park Board" where they can slow down the process, but not kill it.
If Hoot, Jeff and Murphy can get Doyle to join them, they will offset these folks and the power will go to the Road Commission and the Planning Commission representatives. Let's hope these Commissions can figure this out and give us the right people to work with.
"Park and Wreck the Bored": I like that title.
I agree with el grillo's last post, that really only a couple of P&R board members should be asked to leave.
I have always contended that the P&R and County Commissioners who approved the Park millage should of campaigned like heck to sell these millages. They did not do their task and the make-up of both boards has been altered due to the election.
Pol, it appears you want these two groups to review the carnage, make a mea culpa to the public and fall on their swords for this mess. However, that is not the nature of county government. The Jan. 11th meeting was not the proper forum for that rehashing. Nearly all members present were twice singed in 2006, so I do not blame them for being gun shy to Murphy's request so soon after the wounds have been felt.
Instead of a scorched earth policy advocated by Pol, I suggest the Chamber/Barry Co. Economic Development Alliance/ MSU Extension facilitate a forum and work with all interests to find a viable solution for the park. Maybe then we can get something going.
Excellent suggestion Jay! It is my understanding that these sources can provide excellent assistance at little or no expense. Their advice would be objective without the emotional element that has characterized so much of the discussion to date.
Hey Fire the Senate folks...
Check out Glenn Steil Jr.'s recently introduced HJR-C.
Jay,
Which of the committee-minded compromisers you listed have ever done anything aggressive? I think your pabulum approach may appeal to the strangely silent Children's Dad. Perhaps a chorus of Cumbahyah?
Jay,
Which of the committee-minded compromisers you listed have ever done anything aggressive? I think your pabulum approach may appeal to the strangely silent Children's Dad. Perhaps a chorus of Cumbahyah?
LOL We concentrate on a Park while the State is going down the tubes faster than a Police Car. We let Grillo rag on about nothing, while the State goes down the tubes.
We have more important issues than "the Park." The people are losing jobs, benefits; no more taxes there're telling you.
Too late for Grillo to turn the lights out, he's in El Drinko!
Grillo:
Your cynical nature has blinded you to reality. We are stuck with the P&R board we have. Since asking the public was a disaster, maybe getting an outside facilitator will be a better way of addressing the problems. I saw leaders at the Jan 11th meeting that wanted to do something, but I think were gun shy about trying anything.
I am not ready to throw the board out with the bath water. To "throw the bums out" will leave the park further in the hole than it is. I just threw out a suggestion to get the process reinvigorated.
I agree we have more important problems than the park, but if we resolve that soon, the Board will be better able to combat the reduced revenue sharing and the languishing economy more aptly.
Y'all:
Again, I'll state that we need to wipe the slate clean, privatize the park by leasing it to a private, not for profit organization, and let their board of visionaries hire a leader as thier CEO and turn them loose.
Let them raise private funds and let the millage expire. No more meddling by politicos, no more forced taxation, and the park will be better for it.
Why do you think the Gilmore Car Museum, Meijer Gardens, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center are so successful? They are PRIVATE and have no government interference!
Re privatizing: Gilmore Museum, Meijer Gardens etc do not rely on subsidies from the taxpayers so far as I know which is wonderful. However, please don't lose sight of the fact that they all were initiated by private citizens who were wealthy enough to endow their babies with millions of dollars which was undoubtedly an advantageous tax shelter for them. Do you know of anyone with this kind of means that would be interested in taking on Charlton Park?
Good Point Colibrat!
Calling all Philanthropic Do Gooders!
Calling all Philanthropic Do Gooders!
Please buy Charlton Park!
Oh yeah! Probably something with some power should do!
Maybe the County should have thought about having deep pockets before they accepted the park. Oh, no money? Let's tax the locals! Not a good business strategy.
Kalamazoo Nature Center started with nothing. Gilmore Car Museum relies on operating revenue to operate the facility *which was donated*, so does Meijer garden.
Charlton Park is already built. The capital has been spent. It needs to be operated responsibly!! No deep pockets needed. Do they even charge admission? You need some folks that can get some good staff, a leader as their CEO, and a great vision for the place.
There are countless non profits out there that started with nothing, with no deep pockets looking for a tax break. Why can't we do that here?
Because many in Barry county would rather kick the park while it is down, versus doing something productive?
There have been some constructive comments here and in today's Banner.
It seems to me that a clear mission must be developed and I agre that major assement of the function of the fascility must be made.
First it might make sense to divide the place into two entities.
A PAKK< BEACH and BOAT LAUNCH
AMUSEUM VILLAGE
The Park can and should be operated by the Road Conmmission. It is done elsewhere and seems to work.
The Vilage should be operated by a different board than the park and the mission of the Village should be operated as a museum. Biologist is correct in saying that such places are of interest largely to locals and, I would add, locals with a stake of some kind.
It has been my observation that there is a serious question as to the health concerns of those who might use the beach were it possible to assure them that it is indeed safe. The water quality of Thornapple Lake and the beach area are highly questionable, at least to me. The Health Department should closely monitor water quality and make their findings REGULARLY available through the Banner and it's sister publications. If it is possible to assure the public of the safety to swimmers and other who come into contact with the water, a good deal can be done to increase usage and the fees associated with that use.
As an early member of the Thornapple River Watershed group who has traversed the river from Vermontville to Thornapple Lake I can say with confidence that the condition of the water, bottom and wildlife is excellent.
As for the village it is true that once a person has seen it there is little to bring them back. The only possible way to keep historic buildings healthy is regular use. That does entail weekend events of interest and opportunities for visitors to SPEND MONEY, eat and generally enjoy being in a special and unusual location to enjoy themselves.
There is no need to rehash the lack of food or other delights to entice folks to return. But, until we come to a mutual understanding of intelligent marketing and providing visitors with the amenities available to them elsewhere, the will continue to be, elswhere.
Wonderful!! Several letters in todays Banner and several recent posts on this blog indicate that people are beginning to think things through and are offering constructive ideas and suggestions about Charlton Park. Keep it up folks, we'll reach concensus this way.
Great article from Jeff and Marsha Davis of Hastings Twp? Let all the "Hastings" Banks, Barber Shops, and other businesses run the Park with the County Board's blessing. The Hastings High School Business classes can do the books they say. Better yet, just give it to the City. Battle Creek owns Binder Park and it is not in the City.
Ever go to the Zoo Boo?
You wonder why the vote goes down. Check your population figures, Hastings City only 7200. You've alienated the rest of the County, but want them to jump on board when it benefits Hastings.
That's why we shop in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and so on.
Jay,
My response was insensitive. You are in a position to prod the Chamber, etc.into action. They don't need to have another "write on the wall" session. Each has enough brain power to develop a plan for the Park independent of one another.
If each of these three were to make a presentation to the County Board (after the BCP&RC mess is cleared up), the new Board has enough visionaries to pick out some good ideas and run with them.
I think your suggestion is very creative. If each of the organizations were to brain-storm the Park idea (BCF, 4-H, Boy Scouts, YMCA, etc.) there would be a ton of great ideas to choose from.
Ag3,
Are you writing again with the names LonesumGeorge and ChildrensDad for ID's?
Are we going to turn our backs on dealing with controversial local issues because the state's budget is in the crapper? Counter to the state stats, Barry Co has consistently had lower unemployment rates than many other counties. We can't wait for the state nor the country for that matter, to get out of the funk its in. Charlton Park has been an employer, a tourist attraction, and a conservator of cultural and natural resources. How much is that worth to the average citizen? That is the million dollar question we need to debate. Certainly, the millage gave us a pretty good clue as to how much citizens were NOT willing to spend. Is there something in between that works or not at all? If it werent for Charlton Park, Barry Co would possibly be the only county in the state without a county park.
The commissioner's planned public meeting next month is a joke. True, they will get public participation, but with the 100 people that offer up 300 ideas, how does that help today? If I was an employee at the park, I'd be scrambling to find another job NOW. What would happen if all park employees just walked away tomorrow? The county has not dealt with the loss of the director yet, so what kind of response time would there be for total abandonment by the staff?
Mike,
Wouldn't it just screw them Chicoms up if WE were to switch to the Euro first?
Another part of the issue that requires consensus of brain power has to do with financing. The County has stumbled into an addiction of using millages for spending money, and using surplus tax collections to buy real estate. This is called “upside down” economics. Every one of the “departments” that have an “operating millage” needs to be converted from a guaranteed Welfare Check, to a more accountable Annual Budget for their operational financing (like the rest of the “departments”). The County had enough surplus tax money this year to buy Judge Doherty's office, and will now come crying to the taxpayers for operating money millage for Charlton Park. The “brain trusts” Jay is talking about need to explain to the County Board how this needs to be changed. In a way you would have expected a responsible County Administrator to have already explained this, but it is easier to just blame former Commissioners for the incompetence.
As far as avoiding the great rush of employees leaving the Park, there are only six to begin with, and that is three too many. The tiny empire was created as volunteers escaped the madness. Lacking a Welfare Check, the new Park Director will look at trimming deadwood and gathering back the real workers as the highest priority task. Not having any true accountability made the Park a bit obese.
Ag3,
Is that you checking in as lw_ken?
Lonesome George et al: Binder Park Zoo leases land from the city of battle creek for $1 a year. The zoo is private, not for profit, does not receive any sort of tax, subsidy, bond, tax levy, etc. It is free from the shackles of incompetent government. Heck, they probably save the city lots of money by taking care of the park.
Where did you think I got the idea to privitize?
I'm glad others are thinking of privitization. Instead of dragging county park bureaucrats to a meeting, why don't we invite the CEOs of the private, not for profit cultural attractions to a brainstorming? It wouldn't cost any taxpayers a cent!!
PS. Does Charlton Park even sell memberships?
I feel that privatization is one of the avenues that should be investigated. A brain storming session on this possibility would be interesting and possibly productive. One point that should be kept in mind is that the land, village complex and artifacts belong to all the residents of Barry County. There could be some legal complications in privatizing.
Humminbird,
I wish that it were true that the "artifacts belong to all the residents of Barry County". I suspect that there are many artifacts that some people donated conditionally and still consider them their own. Layers of administrators, board members, and park directors have allowed this situation to deteriorate into what will eventually become a pissing match.
MichBio,
Your theory seems like one of many to consider, but reeks of right-wing political rhetoric.
Perhaps you could elaborate, and enlighten those of us who don't see each detail of this conversion as clearly.
I get the magazine "Privatization" and find it wierd. Somebody signed me up.
Keep in mind that we have a few practical things to accomplish while we consider theories.
Ellie: Send me the Privatization mag, probably will like it. I think Children's Dad outed himself long ago and he has some good input.
Can't believe we're spending this much time on a Park. How much time will we, or you, spend on real governmental issues.
Michigan Bio: Thanks for info. That's the way this Park should go. City bought land out to Binder Park and tried to annex (From Newton or Leroy Twp I believe) all the way out there in the 80's, they failed (I know that's a fact lol).
Isn't the Golf Course a City entity at Binder? City issues free passes to the Golf Course at various times of the year. Good example!
el grillo: your concern about the artifacts is misplaced since it is a matter of record that Irving Charlton never accepted anything with any strings attached. His will was challenged by some cousins who were possible heirs and this point was covered during these court proceedings.
Bird,
The artifacts I am referring to are those taken to the Park over the years by well-meaning devotees of personal history. It is a matter of record, also, that Park employees have been terminated for stealing these artifacts and that the procedure for receiving these "gifts" has not been consistent.
One of the issues the next Park Director will need to assign to a small army of volunteers is continuing the identification and cataloging of donations, plus some attempt at maintaining and securing what I understand is a collection perhaps worth $millions.
Establishing a value of Aunt Minnie's old sewing machine in a pile of hundreds of others will require diplomacy. Figuring out which ones are truly valuable and selling off the rest will not be an easy task. Clear title probably isn't established.
Irving hasn't had much to say about running the Park for quite a while, or we wouldn't have these problems.
ps: Perhaps Pol will open another subject posting for those who need to solve all the rest of the problems of our world.
PPSS: It would be ignorant to ignore what Mike Lewis is saying. While he has been lampooned by a bunch of hill-billies in the past, and has deserved some of it, he does tend to do a lot more homework than most, and you can verify any of it. Yes, you are allowed to do your own homework.
ppss: I have a tough skin. Don't waste our time expressing your opinion of me or mine. Give us current info we can use or sit back and watch.
el grillo: No problem here. The folks that "loaned" artifacts to Charlton Park should just bring in their receipt and claim their item.
Now you are coming around to the crisis. Past pilferage and now, threatened and disgruntled employees. Doesnt take much to slip an arrowhead into ones pocket for retribution. Are there cameras around unattended areas of the museum? I doubt it. Follow grillo's plan by getting rid of half the employees, and its even fewer eyes and hands around there. Unless, all of a sudden, the citizens are finally going to stand up as volunteers. Even then, who will watch the watchers? Someone mentioned the road commission taking it over, but their obligatory commission member has been a non-entity. Its amazing now how many of you are coming out of the woodwork to offer up ideas without likely ever having volunteered there. Where have you been?
As I've been saying for a while now, you are focusing on long term plan but I've heard few ideas on interim management. Should it be shut down in the meantime? What events are already scheduled for this year and how much manpower will it take to pull them off? Are the events under contract, and if so, what is the county's obligation under the contract? How much revenue can be anticipated with the planned events? Is there an adequate pool of TRAINED and INFORMED volunteers to pull off the events without incident? Are there opportunities (pending requests) for other money raising activities.. I could go on. The planned public meetings, while long overdue, are wasting time.
The Road Commission should take over the beach. I thought I made that clear to the average reader. The Beach area,not the Vilage.
No one it his/her right mind would close the village. Constant maintainance is an absolute must! Unused historic buildings deteriorate quickly when unused and unheated. The village is a valuable asset and it must be protected during the time it takes to decide how to best manage it.
Security is a serious reality and must be done and done well.
Peter Forsberg knows more about the management and collection than anyone and it is a fact that he has not been asked by any of the parties concerned for any imput. Forsberg's stewardship of the park was very sucessful and rehashing the reasons for his departure have no application to the current difficulties created exclusively by the Barry County Board of Commissioners through their micro management of the entire complex, including failure to understand the difference between a director and a curator.
As for the Road Commission, give them the beach and picnic area...they are well equipt to mow grass and dump sand...grade roads.
No one in their right mind would close the village? Then what is the plan? Not the long term plan, but today's plan. Regardless of whether the park remains open or not, there is maintenance and security that must be provided, all at a base cost to the county. What is that cost? There are so many questions to be asnwered yet no one seems to be asking the right ones. Before planning for its future, someone better offer up a plan for the present. Cutting staff seems to be an expeditious answer to some, but without thinking of the short term consequences, it might very well cost the county far more in the long run. Let's be responsible in our dialogue and avoid knee-jerk decisions because they "save" us money.
Sent,
The knee-jerk you refer to has been online at my blog site since last August. Pol has been gracious enough to provide you with an instant link at the top of the page.
The big question now and before remains "Who is going to accept responsibility?"
Until you have a full grasp of the correct lines of authority and responsibility you are discussing the issue without knowing what is involved.
If there is a security breakdown or an identifiable curtailment of maintenance, we have the ability to dismiss the current BCP&RCommission on the basis of negligence and a variety of other charges that would stick their lame carcasses to the wall.
Closure of the Park (Village, Rec.Area, whatever) would also, in my untrained legal opinion, also qualify as neglect of our Park and be cause enough to start the blood fest.
Let's get specific.
The Banner editor has a deadline to meet of next Tuesday, at noon.
Between now and then, he should either obtain a detailed individual and personal statement of where each BCP&RC member stands and what detailed plan they have for solving this problem, or he should get on the phone and record what they have to say from under wherever they are hiding.
"Ken Neil, Weingartz, Catherine Deyo-Young (regrettably), Sharon Rich, Donald Willcutt, Clyde Morgan, Tom Doyle" without exception, (all seven)should be quoted.
They are the people personally responsible for solving this problem. If they can't respond, they should quit.
Is that too complicated?
It sure would be alot easier to sell the park if it were open for business, and in good repair.
As for the beach, It could be a great selling point. I would give any perspective buyers an option on that also. History/Theme park, just screams water slides!
gillo, not too complicated. but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. i am trying to force some immediate response from the county, or someone on the bcprc. the banner seems to be dropping the ball on this one.
Sent,
Somewhere on this blog I placed a calendar of comparison between events and reports.
Unless Dr.Callton gets his way and calls some special "Committee of the Whole" meetings, the likelihood of this being cleared up in the public eye is nearly zero. Add this to the reluctance of the Banner to attend any but the "Full" board meetings and you need to drink a lot of coffee to stay informed.
You may logically ask why they are called "Full" Board meetings. Yes, you guessed it.
Sounds pretty hopeless.
To Mike L., Grant foundations are not dependable sources for funds and should be only be considered for special projects. In any event, writing up grants can be frustrating and time consuming. Its very competitive. Perhaps if someone with such experience or desire would volunteer their time, that would be a different matter. But still, one cannot make a 5 or 10 year plan based on the wild chance they will get a grant for something.
As far as privatizing the park, it would take someone with one hell of a long term vision and deep pockets to invest the money necessary to sustain the park. Let's face it, if it were so easy, with our 350 lakes, Barry county would be like the recreation capital of the state. And sadly, its not. Mike, As far as an IPO is concerned, someone would have to have money to piss away in such an investment. Where would the value to shareholders come from? It would not be in the land. Purchased assets would be depreciating. There is no opportunity for value-added service or product. Excess revenue is often siphoned off by management as commpensation bonuses before distributions are ever made to shareholders (just look at our local banking and industrial leaders). Privatization, if it came to pass, would likely be by a closely held group or family. Then, there are questions as to what conditions would be imposed on someone leasing the park. For that matter, I could even make money if I leased the park for a buck and did not have to pay property taxes and there were no restrictions on what I could do there. Will alcohol restrictions be imposed? Will open areas have to be maintained by mowing or can the "new" managers minimize maintenance thus keeping their overhead to a minimum? I can think of a hundred questions to ask, both as a prospective lessee and as a BCPRC member.
Keep digging Mike. At least you are thinking. That is more than I can say about our commissioners and the BCPRC.
Hold on watchman,
It seems to me that if one were to listen to your dismal forcast they may well keep from investing their money anywhere but the matress they sleep on.
All buisiness' looking for capitol are expected to give plans. What is the difference between a possible grant, and a bank application? As far as restrictions on the use of land goes, hasen't that been already shown as detriment to growth?
Conditions, and restrictions have been the downfall of the park. It ws the restriction of alchohol that killed the bluegrass festival, and now you would have the county try their hand at passing such lunacy on to (what I hope is) the eventual owner?
Also if it is considered "pissing money away" by any organization, why should it not be considered as such by the tax payers?
We will be looking forward to the February open meeting. There is no easy solution to the problems at Charlton Park. It will take a cadre of dedicated people of good will, working together, respecting each others opinions and motivations if we are going to achieve consensus and a long range vision for the park. Petty politics, vindictiveness, one-up-man-ship, blame games and put downs should have no place in these discussions. My sincere best wishes are with Dr. Callton as he moderates these meetings.
I am in a bit of a spot here, lol. I happen to agree with El Grillo on some of his position but also agree with some of most others too.
It is pretty obvious that park management and employement rolls have become to "obese" for the current visitor populace. Michigan biologist is headed in the right direction if only to smooth over the eventual dismissal of most or all of the current management. Splitting the total package up into two seperate but cohabitating entities might be one answer. And IPO might work with the right management but it would probably turn out like a bank in our county and be a money loser right from the start.
What I do know from my close involvement with several businesses is that the current park management has actively driven off events that would generate funds. Some were small events but others were large for that facility. I was at the last civil war re-enactment and was impressed by the large number of visitors but the park management attempted to squeeze even more money from that and drove that off too.
There seems to be much concern about the park here in this discussion but little elswhere. Maybe the park just needs to be accepted as a county park instead of a convention center. let the road commission maintain it and set up some type of volunteer organization to take care of the buildings and content much like Freeport does.
And my appologies for being so tardy with comment. Sometimes actual life gets in the way and demands my attention.
And go mike L. You have said some things most others find difficult to say themselves. If monies have been misappropiated, there should be some type of audit.
Dr. Mike,
To keep the discussion rolling in an upright position let's review the finance angle, again. Infrastructure is what we taxpayers pay millages for. These are capital asset acquisitions and not operating funds. This has been upside down in Barry County for some time and is due for a change. This includes 9-1-1, COA, Transit, etc.
Grants are typically not for operating funding for the same obvious reasons. Operating funds need to be hovered over by strong management and reliable Administrators, which grantors don't have. Perhaps we don't either.
Operating funds come from Budgets. The County has a Budget, from which they recently decided to spend at least $300,000 on infrastructure. This demonstrates a glaring lack of understanding of fiscal basics. You need to have a talk with Michael about this. The Chamber and EconAlliance have been mentioned here. The members of those groups run businesses, as you do, and wonder at this condition.
Back to assets. As mentioned, when we go to the bank for money we don't go in a bikini, carrying a chocolate cake. Banks want some hint of management responsibility, a glimmer of hope regarding revenue sources, some clues that planning has been attempted and what is sometimes been referred to as a “business plan”. Dr. George has claimed that either the obsolete five-year plan created by Pete Forsberg, or the annual submission to Michael Brown, can be called a “business plan”. Neither one will qualify for a loan. Perhaps the management of Charlton Park could show up February 8 with a “business plan” a bank would not laugh at.
Charlton Park is much more than a recreation area and a historical village. It begins with a huge piece of real estate (300 acres?) that is not being properly utilized. It includes a museum of countless uncounted artifacts. It has a “foundation” with the ability to raise money and support projects and apply for grants, etc.
The laughable “five-year plan” projects a spending spree of $3,500,000 on annual revenue of less than $200,000 a year income. This would bankrupt the County. Most of these expenditures are for a wish list of capital acquisitions and infrastructure. If the County went to the taxpayers for millage to support this wish list it would try to prove some of them were needed by more people than some random clubs.
One source of capital for asset accumulation and infrastructure improvement would be the sale of a number of miscellaneous pieces of real estate owned by the County. The old Wren funeral home garage, a Christmas tree farm, some vacant lots out in the boonies and who knows what-all are sources of money. I have to assume these properties are insured, maintained, inspected and perhaps even taxed. You might get the Janitorial Committee to update the pamphlet with maps and photos. My copy is 5-years old.
Ag3 would agree that if 9-1-1/Central Dispatch had to account to the Law Enforcement and Courts Standing Committee every year for its expenditures and planned spending sprees we would have less controversy over this obese “department”. Operating millage is a “blank welfare check”, and encourages waste.
Few people are aware of the uses of operating millage by the COA, and might wonder if every taxpayer in the hinterlands is getting a fair share of the benefits. The old church was purchased with Budget surpluses that Ward Weiler would tell you are the same as excess taxation, if he were still around keeping an eye on finances.
If the front door has to get padlocked this winter, it will be to keep the foxes from running off with too many of the chickens.
For further clarification, Dr. Mike probably won't be “moderating” the Feb.8 meeting as this is the proper domain of our Charlton Park issue “facilitator” Keith Ferris, who is the Chairman of the Facilities and Property Standing Committee. Keith has a business background and will expect more than chocolate cake from the BCP&RC. Since this is merely a “committee meeting” the press will probably not attend.
Finally, the concept that an audit somehow ferrets out mismanagement, corruption, fraud and abuse of trust has been clarified by Enron and Arthur Anderson. All an audit does is check to see if the foxes are reporting the correct number of chickens missing from the hen house on the correct paperwork. Charlton Park has been “audited” every year. Asking for an audit is a dog pile. It proves nothing.
Maybe what Charlton Park needs is good *GOVERNANCE*.
Instead of banging our heads against the wall talking about budgets, audits, assets, etc., we seek to find a GOVERNING BOARD that accepts responsibility for Charlton Park. We sure as heck don't have that now.
By having good governance, said board can hire a LEADER (not a curator) who then can take Mr. Charlton's vision and run with it.
This governing board is held accountable by the community through it's membership (no one has answered my question yet: does Charlton Park even sell memberships?). Join, and hold the board accountable.
It seems to me that some of y'all think I'm talking of a private, for profit that is held close to a family or small for profit buisness. Not in the least, I'm talking a private, non-governmental organization that has a membership that elects its board to represent its interests.
Why couldn't Charlton Park start a membership drive, raising funds and interest? I'd join this way before giving money to the current situation.
Having a board, responsible to a dues paying membership, works much better than the current situation. Again, go around and look at the successful private, not-for-profits (Meijer Garden, Gilmore Car Museum, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Binder Park Zoo) and look at who is on their Board of Directors. These people are LEADERS who know what it means to lead and find a leader in a CEO to run the organization.
Simple concept, I don't know why we haven't figured it out up here in our parts.
Hey, this is just great! The last few posts have been absolutely wonderful, good ideas and very constructive. Please, please keep it up, we are making progress.
Well, MichBio, you are in luck. Make your big check out to the Irving Charlton Park Foundation. It not only exists, but it has been contributing to the operation of the Park for years. It would be happy to "sell" you a membership or whatever they call it, and would be happy to issue you an ID card if you want one. At your request, I am recommending you to head up the next fundraiser.
The "Governing Board" of the Park is what I have been referring to as the "Irving Charlton Park Board". The uninformed continue to refer to the BCP&RCommission as the "park board". The governing board that you are referring to should have been formed by the BCP&RC years ago, but they had no leadership with any administrative expertise and neglected to see the need. Welfare checks tend to spawn this kind of lazy thinking. Packing the BCP&RC with excess County Commissioners was a real stroke of genius.
I tend to get a bit snippy when I hear the dog pile about "Mr. Charlton's vision". Irv gave the Park to the County with the hope that they might be able to (1)fix some of his worn out farm equipment and (2) if they had some extra money maybe they could build a log cabin. The myth that has been perpetuated by layers of story tellers about Irving and his "vision" is strictly dog pile. Don't take my word for it. The Waltons wrote two consecutive halfpage free infomercials in the Banners running up to the last millage defeat. They wrote it more elegantly than I did. The Hastings Library files the copies for you to read.
True, however, is that the door is open for anybody else to invent a vision and a long range plan, since there isn't any at present, and there is no "governing board" to create one.
Whatever you choose to call it, the new and revised BCP&RC will have as a first task the creation of a board to govern the park. Step one, is for some folks to resign, quietly and honorably.
Just curious: does anyone have an explanation as to why public libraries aren't self supporting?
Public libraries could be self-supporting if Mark Englerth would pay his overdue book fees.
Mark reads? ;)
Nearly every county has had to/or is dealing with their county parks to some degree. In Allegan and Kalamazoo, they haven't come up with viable solutions to keep their parks afloat either. If you were to compare their issues with the problems at CP, you see some similarities (funding, visitors, etc), and differences that would show that the CP issue isn't as a monumental problem as some think.
Whatever solution the P&R Board and/or commissioners come up with will take on the realities of our area. I don't think CP can totally privatize, because we don't have a sugar daddy like Meijer in our area, nor do I think the Irving Charleton Foundation would give their blessing to such a move. Partial public financing will be in the equation.
My only fear is this problem will consume the entire time and energy of the county commission. The Wrath of Charleton Park (Roberto Montoban playing the ghost of Irving Charleton) is not a film I want to see.
Jay,
You seem well informed (and I'm sure Mark will forgive the jab).
Can you fill us in on the details of the Irving Charlatan Park Foundation?
Info on the BCP&RC and the County is easy to get, but the "foundation" is a bit more clandestine. Why would their permission be necessary? Do they have an ownership interest? Do they have some title rights to any of the assets? What legal rights do they have to what I have considered a "public" park (and museum and village and rec area and fallow farm and stinky Indian camp)?
I hope this gets the attention it deserves from the County Board. They have dropped the ball on allowing the Farmer Protection Society to steal $10,000 worth of pork, and need to develop stronger approaches to problems. They won't get stronger by letting Michael Brown lead them down the path of least resistance.
So Irv's vision was to give a bunch of crap to the county? Shhesh. Where I work, folks show up with piles of National Geographics and think they are doing us a favor. I then introduce them to a new concept, recycling! "There's the bin..."
So, there already IS a governing, not profit? Well, maybe it is about time they stepped up to the plate and decided once and for all to make a go for it, or, close it.
I'm telling you, local history museums collect dust. Look what just happened to Cereal City! Successful history musuems are regional or national in their scope.
Gilmore Car Musuem: cars from around the world
Air Zoo: Airplanes from around the world.
Bernard Museum: Ahhh...well...
Henry Ford Musuem: US History
So, El Gringo has inspired me to think that there needs to be a NEW VISION for Charlton Park. This park has the land, the facilites, it needs a new way of doing things. It cannot continue to concentrate on some man's junk pile.
And for goodness sake, get the county out of running parks. Counties have no buisness running parks. Leave it to the park professionals.
Silverleaf Renesaince Faire will probably be looking for a new venue, when they wear out their welcome in Battle Creek (and the park they are destroying).
Michigan Biologist: Just so everyone understands each other and to be certain that we are comparing apples with apples please define for us exactly what you meant when you used the term, "junk pile". Thanks
A rather easy solution might be found in selling a Mileage of .25 and explaining cogently what it is to be used for, that the Board, {and ElGrillo, I don't give a damn what the name of it is}, be swept clean so the taxpyers will at least have hope that things may be turned around.
Governance is a good word. Provide enough funding to assure minimal loss and the opportunity for real leadership to explore options over the next 3 or 5 years. This problem is being chewed to death.
Good grief, we have a County Board of Commissioners who have no idea what to do with the block they bought downtown, paid cash for an oversized Health Department and remodeled COA building, enriched one of their favorites in the process....all when bond money was at well under 3%.
Renew the old mileage for a reasonable period of time...remake the governing board and hire someone bright enough to make the place attrractive enough to come CLOSE to being self supporting. Enouhg reinventing the wheel.
The Charlton Park Foundation is a 501-3c not for profit outfit. There is a board of directors that meet at least twice a year. They strive to aquire funds to place in an endownment (managed investment pool). A few percentage points, (based on portfolio performance), are to be used for museum/village improvements which are suggested by the Director and approved by the Directors. No operational funds. There is also a small sub-fund in the Barry Community Foundation pool dedicated to the Park.
There are no ownwership rights. They dish up some funds for something they approve, and the Parks Comission approves. Projects are all reviewed by the Foundation.
Junk pile? You bet, nothin but junk.
El col:
See El Gringo's post above mine. He explains it better than i...
The county can still own the park and buildings. It can be managed by a non-profit board like the Charlton Park Foundation. Do they have the ability to step up to the plate? I haven't heard of them before this blog and I've lived in the area for a while...
While the Charlton Park issue is finally getting some much needed attention, it is merely the tip of an iceberg that has great potential for Barry County.
Once the good ol' boys and gals resign gracefully and some bigger thinkers arrive back on the scene there will be discussions involving trail systems and other kinds of park-like activities that will benefit more than a few folks.
The Gaseous Steam Club has been left out of the discussion as well.
What limited institutional knowledge remains may be able to guide an aggressive Park Director to rekindle the fire under the hundreds of people who used to contribute countless hours of volunteer work.
The idea that knights in shining armor and their steeds will crush the grasslands is something that can be tolerated as long as they attract a king's ransom for goose jerky sandwiches and a few kegs of grog.
It is also important to remember that the welfare checks will continue in 2007, a fact that has not been regurgitated recently.
Sent,
I'm working on the answer to your question in the extreme bowels of elgrillo.blogspot and should have something for you by the end of the day. I pay for my internet by the minute so I need to do research offline.
The level of professional competence needed at Charlton Park is not going to be cheap. It seems unlikely to me that a person of the caliber we need would NOT accept the directorship knowing that so far as we know next December 31st the park will be boarded up lock stock and barrel and vacated except for some security people. Because of its uncertain financial future he/she would be unable to develope any meaningful projections or recommendations regarding its promotion or its orderly development. It would be a no win situation that few really qualifed people would accept. The idea that Charlton Park could be managed by a wet behind the ears intern is ludicrious.
Bird,
That is hummingbird poo. See my blog for actual numbers. I am currently working as a volunteer for a "wet behind the ears intern" who speaks several languages fluently, manages 29 employees, and sees more hummingbirds in an hour than you could name. I was one of those green recruits in my youth and would have worked my butt off in this kind of an opportunity. What we need is the kind of energy that makes hummingbird wings fly, not some old graybeard who needs to coast his way to retirement. We made that mistake and should learn from it.
Sent,
The data you requested is posted under "Charlatan Park" on my blog.
el grillo: Comparing an intern in the Central American county of Costa Rica with an intern in the good old US of A is NOT comparing apples with apples. Costa Rica is a wonderful county and you have chosen a wonderful place to spend your winters. May I congratulate you for your good judgement? Costa Rica has a lot to teach the US about conservation.
Mike: the Fayette park you mentioned which is located on the tip of the Garden Peninsula is a State Park. Do you have access to their balance sheet? If you do I'd like to see it. We've visited Fayete State Park several times. It is a neat restoration, very interesting. They have RV camping there and a protected harbor for those arriving in boats.
Colibri,
You missed my point so I will have to be more specific about management "interns". You seem to think that PhD's and old age are qualifications for a new Park Director, and that youth and energy are to be avoided.
Back in the good old days I decided to become an officer in the navy of the g.o U.S.A. I was 23 years old, fresh out of MSU, #7 on the draft board list,classified as 1A, and could paddle a canoe.
Within months I was considered experienced enough to have 5 major duties and 13 minor and got to drive our destroyer around which was being run by mostly teenagers. We had nukes on board. After a few years of this I was given many management jobs where I was not overpaid.
The primary criteria for the new Park Director will be the ability to dream big and to have a vision of 90,000 visitors enjoying the heck out of every inch of the Park. The "professionalism" you seem to prefer is another archeologist whose dream is to live in isolation in an historical village where people don't trample the grass in groups. This would allow him or her to classify all the rusted tools into categories with Latin names. A large staff of County employees with full benefits would enhance the comforts of this program.
This reminds me of a time when I had an employee meeting where we determined that our multi-million dollar store would operate more efficiently if we could lock out the customers.
El Gringo:
90,000? Dream big! Cereal City pulled about that and failed. Charlton Park is surrounded by 2.0 million folks in the counties that border us. How about 1/3 million? Anyone know what Meijer gardens pulls?
We need a dreamer, a visionary, who can hire the county commissioners as interns to work scrubbing rust off Irv's junk. That should keep them from meddling in the affairs of the park. Maybe we can teach the parks board how to recycle, raising funds for the park? Or have them pick dandelions.
The days of millages supporting parks and recreation are comming to an end. Might as well figure something out versus griping about not having a millage!
Where are the Barry County residents that are visionary, the ones we seek so?
el grillo: Ooooops, we're not communicating. I'm sorry that you misinterpreted my entry. I was not campaigning for a Father Time or a PhD as a prerequisite for a park director. Re PhDs: I personally think that all to many PhDs lack insight into how to solve ordinary everyday problems... many or them lack ordinary common everyday horse sense. It has always been my understanding that in this country "interning" is a requirement for pre-graduates before they are granted a degree. The purpose of an internship is provide a student with on hands opprtunity to work alongside a knowledgeable mentor. Charlton Park is on life-support right now and its prognosis is not bright. Our job is to how best to get it off life support and back on its feet... we don't have a lot of time to determine the best course of thearpy for it. One possible course of action would be to call in "specialists" in financing, public relations and management to give us their objective assessment of the patient's problems. Many of these consultants can be found in our nearby universities. Here again, while their recommendations and advice should be seriously condidered they have to be filtered through the prism of our ideas, capacities and goals. By the way, no one has yet provided me with a logical explaination as to why libraries aren't self supporting.
I was an intern once. I only have a BS (BullSh*t). I want an MS (More Sh*t), and eventually would like a PhD (Piled higher, deeper).
Many PhDs in academia have no clue about the real world. I work with them all the time in my field. But wait, this a topic for another blog, another day.
Leadership isn't learned, it is earned.
Hummingbird,
MiBio won't reach his (or her) goal of a Masters Degree without continuing to do at least the minimal amount of homework. Mike Lewis is pointing out that over the last 14 years in Barry County hundreds of highly-qualified, trained and experienced citizens have stepped forward to volunteer their services to the County Personnel Committee and the County Administrator for openings on boards and commissions. The current process requires those who are not appointed to continue to re-apply for each new opening posted in the Hastings banner. Eventually they tire and apply themselves elsewhere. The BCP&RC has a reputation of rejecting qualified applicants in favor of good ol' boy political favorites. I could name one former qualified and experienced appointee who quit in disgust after a few meetings.
We don't need faculty members of universities to do studies and put on seminars regarding the Charlton Park issue. It is time for the rubber to hit the road.
We don't need a resident archaeologist to examine our fuzzy navel. We need a leader for the Park that can see the potential and exploit its assets to increase attendance. We taxpayers are paying the BCP&RC $20 per person who visits the Park. If we agreed to pay the new Park Director a minimum wage salary, plus $1 per visitor bonus, we would soon be paying the right amount to the right person. Even better would be to not pay a salary at all and just continue to provide the generous County benefit package, plus the bonus. On this basis we are currently paying too much.
What MichBio fails to recognize in his feeble attempt at humor is that the current BCP&RC members consider an annual attendance of 30,000 visitors perfectly acceptable. I use the imaginary number of 90,000 visitors merely as what would be three times larger than the current mindset. Allowing that stagnant inertia to continue in leadership positions is a formula for closure of the Park. I suspect that stagnant political leadership was what condemned the Cereal Bowling League.
What MichBio also fails to recognize is his own potential. I am a volunteer at a botanical garden where an endemic bird, the Chestnut Mandible Toucan, attracts hundreds of photographers and bird-watchers each year. Perhaps MichBio could do a thesis on the endemic species of “Charlton Park Sewer Mouse” that could do the same thing. Oh, I forgot. Thornapple Lake doesn't have sewers and the residents prefer to dump their sewage upstream from the Charlton Park swimming hole. If the Environmental Health Department was doing its job, the Recreation Area would be closed.
This problem is not going to require someone phenomenol to fix things. Nor is it going to take someone highly educated with a PhD. leadership is great if it comes in the package but is not something to force the applicant out if he/she lacks it. What this is going to take to make the park stand on its own at this point is just shear effort. All of the other things could come later but for right now it is just a problem of numbers. Numbers meaning attendance. Keep this simple and it will work.
Only one or two bloggers here have voiced concern as of late over the lack of events (causing the low attendance) at the park. This would/should be the first order of business. The current park authority has discouraged and actually driven away park events. These events have generated attendance and income at the park in the past and so have a documented track record. Word of this action by current park authority has gotten around so fewer businesses/groups have applied to use the park. Nasty cycle but that is life.
The acceptable canidate may very well be some young college grad hungry for thier first "win" in life. It may also be some older retired and very experinced person with much time on thier hands. Arguing about this now is just a waste of energy.
Having been involved in more than one instance of turning around a bankrupt company and returning it to profitability I have learned that for right now the park just needs stability. It doesn't need anything "new" or any huge investment in People or infrastructure. Just simply being open for use by groups and businesses for events will generate cash flow.
Once the park stabilizes and becomes self funding (and it will) the county populace can either find someone to "lead" it into another evolution or simply leave to be what it is as there is nothing to be ashamed of in this. "Leading" it into something new while it is going under is foolhardy and will more than likely mess things up even more.
And for Mike Lewis, Go Man! it is obvious who researches and who has difficulty paying for internet service. I am not the only one to notice this. You have provided much NEW information to this discussion. Not all feasible but all interesting thoughts. Exploring each and all of these new ideas is what this should be about. No one here has brought up Bowens Mill yet. Research this and find out how a simular setting but privately owned park can thrive (might be because the current management of the park has driven away events that ended up there, lol).
Michigan Bio., you seem to have a better than average grasp on this problem too. Several have commented on this that read this blog. Rational thinkers with experience in this field are listening. Keep providing your information.
I stepped forward when I first moved to Barry County to be on the Park and Rec board. Instead of someone with nearly 20 years experience working in the tourism field, they put a maintence man from the Hastings Garage on the board, then, put me on a board I didn't even apply for! I politely declined.
So, you are not going to see me on any government run board in Barry County anytime soon. I even had a county commissioner (remaining nameless) show up on my doorstep, calling me at all hours pleading with me to fill a vacancy a few years back. That vacancy was Jeff VanNortwick being booted off the board and they needed some schlep to take his place, because it was already pre determined that he was going to be replaced! Boy, am I glad I politely declined. [Ok, I took my phone off the hook and drew the curtains].
I'm not being humourous when I state that Charlton Park should shoot for 1/3 million. 30,000 (is that all that is coming? Sheesh) is pathetically low.
I know my potential and it has been realized and then some. I probably outed myself if anyone in here reads the Banner. I'd be very happy to serve as a board member but NOT for any form of government. I'll step forward when the time is right, but, I've got way too much on my plate right now (Graduate school, 2 jobs, and I already serve on several boards, one is for a statewide conservation organization as Vice-chair).
So I think I know what it takes to be successful. It takes a group of motivated leaders who don't have some piddly government board micromanaging and putting a member of their club in the mix to mess things up! Privitize!
I thought I was being funny with the whole BS MS PhD thing...thanks for the kind comments and keeping me on the straight and narrow!
I am also rather new to Barry County and do not have the depth of knowledge about the politics of the area that some of you more veterans do-- but don't hold that against me.
Maybe we need some outsiders to come in to break the chain of our inbred government ineptitude? I tried when I first arrived, boy, was I naive!
el grillo: FYI Today's Banner has a front page story about next Thursdays public meeting at the Commission on Aging faciltiy. It was written by editor, David T. Youngs. The body of the item recapitulates the history of CP, the recent millage renewal defeats. The story also presents a sumnation of the financial and management problems out there. Just thought you might want to know.
Bowens Mills, from what I understand (and anyone who knows otherwise can feel free to correct me), just barely scrapes by. I'm sure they would love to see the funding Charlton Park gets and one wonder what the Sabins could do with that as seed money. While we're throwing other examples into the mix I might as well bring up Battle Creek's Kingman Museum which I somehow earlier failed to cite. Kingman closed recently and has now just re-opened with some new life and hopefully a solid plan to survive and prosper.
One the best things the park can do is serve as an educational institution and draw school kids (as well as grant money for that service). A saavy state rep could even reach across the aisle and convince the Governor and the Dem majority in the state house that one cure for Michigan's ailments is tourism which might be strengthened by giving some funds to an interesting historical attraction right in the middle of West Michigan (and inside his district).
Right on Childrens Dad. Political stabilization of CP should be the number one priority of the Board of Comissioners.
My reasons for suggesting bringing in a few outside consultants to present objective unbiased assessments was that hopefully it might help wring out some of the emotion related to these issues. Secondly, consultants might get us reading off the same page in out discussions.
El grillo should remember that he is way ahead of almost everyone in his undedrstanding of Barry County finances and its power structure ... he should be patient with those of us who are playing catchup.
However, time is getting short so perhaps we don't have the luxery of being deliberate. I would like to respectfully suggest that the County Board of Commissioners might do well to consult their legal counsel about what options they would have to establish a credible Barry County Parks and Recreation Commission that is (unlike the present board) a semi autonomous entity. The commissioners have a lot on their plate right now in organizing themselves, developing budgets and financial projections, appointing committees etc but it seems to me that their CP problem should be one of their top priorities.
Bird,
Thanks for the heads up on the Hastings banner. My copy takes 12 days to arrive, which makes my news from there over two weeks old.
My three adult children don't read the Hastings banner with any enthusiasm, if at all, so I get my info from the underground. The folks in Middleville, etc. read the four metropolitan newspapers from the corners of the County.
It doesn't appear that you have read my entries at elgrillo.blogspot, but if you find the time and interest the financial data is there (with account numbers, etc.) It is boring as is most of what I know, and there is no Court Beat section.
I would be curious if the DTY stuff in the Hastings banner is the same as mine. I try to be accurate, but I won't have easy access to the Courthouse until April.
What the??
Google is evidently having technical problems. They changed all of my postings from el colibri to anonymou. Hope it straightens out shortly.
The reason that Charlton Park lost the Civil War Muster was that Ken Neil wanted them to pay for their camping while they were there performing. Of course they left. There is nothing there to see and its the same old thing. Gee Bluegrass Festival? GONE just like all the rest (events that would bring in people but could cause some wear and tear on the park. Weingartz has to go. The answer? until they can actually have something happen with the park Im ok with closing it. Why pay for what you dont use?
To Mike Callton: I've never met you but I've heard good things about your leadership ability. I think you were very gentle with Mike. I have to agree that it's ok to make constructive critism and suggestions. However, when someone repeatedly accusses our elected representatives of hiding funds and making decisions in secret it is a over the top. For some reason some folks who haven't been very deeply involved in government think that elected officials spend ten or fifteen minutes a day and perhaps a hour or so in meeting once in a while. They haven't a clue how many, many hours you spend each week doing the publics business.
Mr. Lewis is a bully, and I am not sure that sabotagizing is a word.
Mike L.,
You need to back off a bit.
Dr. Callton was part of a dysfunctional Commission that has been incestually ineffective beyond his recent control. Your accusations apply to history and not to the future. The present is still in transition.
He has swept much of the slate clean and has made some pretty significant shifts in the last 34 days, in spite of having to drag 2-5 good ol' boys along with him.
While he has not adopted every single idea I have presented, he has considered each one and has to choose his battlegrounds.
It is fun to participate in this blog, and it may be that the information spreads farther than the few participants from time to time, but it is a long way from being the only guiding light in the universe.
The quote by Commissioner Adams that the Internet is a place where decisions are made only illustrates how limited our County news coverage is in Barry County. The Hastings banner is not widely read in our four corners where our culture is dominated by the metro communities.
The suggestion that Commissioner Adams might have been a good choice for Chairman was based on support from people who neither blog nor read the Hastings banner, but instead attend various special interest group meetings that have driven politics in Barry County for many years. It would be interesting to hear some input from these folks between bursts from their assault rifles and the clatter of their manure spreaders.
Pol Watcher: I enjoy reading this blog and check it out everyday. You provide a great place for folks to exchange ideas. I just noticed for the first time that the statement immediately below the name for this blog states: "From somewhere in Barry County a lone blogger seeks to expose sordid scandals and slimeballs of the west Michigan political scene."
I personally think that this statement is too negative and tends to attract bloggers with an ax to grind. This is ok except when they fixate on the negative and seldom if ever offer positive suggestions to solve problems. Again, let me express my appreciation for sponsoring this site.
Let me just support el colibri in his comment. Pol watcher might well consider your most constructive obsrvation.
Governing (politics) if you will, is the art of the possible. While I have long been critical at the conduct of Barry County Government It is my impression that many of those with whom I disagree do have the public interest at heart and merely differ on the process and objectives.
None the less, one still cannot forgive the excessive pay and benefits extracted by County Comissioners....but let's just see what unfolds in the next year or so.
Meanwhile, clean the slate as far as possible on the Parks Board, re-establish public trust and pass a mileage for a short term, 3 years or so, to enable a new team to put the place on a solid footing.
Monies spent on public projects to not constitute welfare checks.
Well, pat,
Money spent on public "projects" is definitely not welfare checks, but if the public is not involved in the "projects" they are having their taxes wasted.
Operating expenses are not public and are not projects. There is no reason for certain commissions to have millage support for general expenses while other commissions have to justify their Budgets annually for a chunk of the General Fund.
Charlton Park has a bogus wish list of $3,500,000 worth of "public projects" that need to be brought to the public in the form of a millage request. That would be the appropriate way for us to have our taxes administered.
The only reason they are afraid to bring their wish list to the public is because they already realize that much of it is frivolous.
Look how they spend:
The Michigan Campaign Finance Network compiled a list of top spending PACs.
I found it very interesting.
It can be found at:
http://www.mcfn.org/final06pac150.php
Everyone is too angry.
I am sure it is because of the description under the title.
ola el grillo: The REMINDER carried a public service announcement about Thursdays meeting at the Commission on Aging. Unfortunately one of my kids is having back surgery on the east side of the state and it is doubtful if I'll be able to attend. Too, the weather has been bitterly cold... lots of cancellations... unfortunately I suspect that this will affect the attendence.
My goodness! The county-wide paper is getting its feet wet!
Permit me to offer an analogy between Cinderella and County government. Dr. Mice, I mean Mike, has been given the reins of 7 other mules. He can't pull the carriage alone. If 4 of the mules decide to stand still and not move, the carriage continues its lack of forward motion. His job isn't to pull the carriage, but to try to get at least 4 of the mules to move forward with a series of commands that he hopes they will understand. If, as has been the history of the County Commission, 4 of the mules decide to back up, or veer off into the woods, or head back to the feeding area, the carriage will follow those mules.
If only 3 mules try to head back to the trough, they will be dragged forward anyway. If only 3 try to pull the carriage forward on Dr. Mike's commands, it still won't budge.
Riding in the back is the “invisible” footman, Mousal, I mean Michael. He would like to direct the carriage. He just doesn't know where the passengers want to go. He has some ideas about where he would like to take them but they only told the driver their destination. Even at that, they ranted on blogs, wrote memos on scraps of paper, and stood up in front of other passengers and shouted. The driver is stuck with sorting out the mixed messages.
At least two of the mules are dedicated to standing in place or being dragged along. No other mules could be found to take their places, so their task is to carry their harnesses and try to avoid being trampled by the others. One or two others waffle between pulling, pushing and standing still.
If you remember the story, it wasn't the mice or the rats or even the pumpkin that screwed up. It was Cinderella the passenger that diddled around and couldn't remember the simple task of leaving the dance on time. As I remember, she had a really good excuse. Something about a “charming printer”. There are some passengers who are advising sitting still with the door hanging open and waiting for the little twit to show up on her own. As I recall, they tried this before and ended up carrying the pumpkin home, barefoot.
Was that the sound of a clock starting to chime? Dr. Mice, I mean Mike, asked you to show up February 8th. On February 9th the shoe will fit, so wear it.
el grillo: Don't forget that someone needs a road map and a compass. A GPS fix on the present whereabouts of the coach wouldn't hurt either.
As much as the COA church reminds me of past govermental abuse of power, I would attend if I was a bit closer.
I wonder if we have enough Chairs for tonight’s meeting? Hmmmm.
We’ll need nine for the County Board and their Administrator.
We’ll need four for the statutory members of the BCP&RC.
We’ll need two for Jeff and Hoot.
We’ll need four for the appointed members of the BCP&RC.
We’ll need one for the County Treasurer.
We’ll need six for the Park employees.
We’ll still need one for Dr. George Shannon.
We’ll need one for the Chair of the Gas & Steam Club.
We’ll need one for the Chair of the Park Foundation.
We’ll need one for the remaining volunteers.
We’ll need one for WBCH.
We’ll need one for the Hastings banner.
We’ll save one for the Reminder, just in case.
We’ll need one for the Cooperative Extension Service.
We’ll need one for MSU.
We’ll need one for the UofM.
We’ll need one for KCC.
We’ll need one for the BCF.
We’ll need one for the Chair of the Economic Alliance.
We’ll need one for the County Economic Development Director.
We’ll need one for the County Chamber of Commerce.
We’ll need two for the Farmer’s Porkland Preservation team.
We’ll need one for the Farm Bureau.
We’ll need one for the County Agent.
We’ll need one for the 4-H program.
We’ll need one for the Sheriff.
We’ll need one for the Mourning Dove Hunters Assn.
We’ll need one for the Historical Society.
We’ll need six for the Chairs of the major event committees.
We’ll need two for the VFW and AmVets.
We’ll need two for the Davis’s.
They’ll need six for the banks and credit unions.
They’ll need one for the Supt. of Hastings schools.
They’ll need one for the President of the Hastings Business Class.
They’ll need one for the Hastings Cinema.
They’ll need two for Mooville and the Dairy Queen.
They’ll need one for the Chair of the Ministerial Alliance.
They’ll need one for the Chair of the “Barry County Players Club”.
They’ll need two for the sawmills.
They’ll need one for the Building Trades Class.
They’ll need one for Lyons Septic Service.
They’ll need one for Judge Fisher.
They’ll need one for the Prosecutor’s office.
We’ll need sixteen more for the Township Supervisors.
We’ll need six for the Planners from the townships that have their own.
We’ll need one for a Williams&Works intern.
We’ll need one for the Future Pork for Wetlands Committee (FPWC).
We’ll need one for the political party(s).
We’ll need three for the ousted former Commissioners.
So far, that’s over a hundred Chairs. Oh! I almost forgot! We’ll need one for the General Public.
We’ll also need a big box to hold the excuses and apologies, and somebody to eat all the leftover refreshments.
Sorry, Dr.Mike. It was a valiant effort, and an important learning experience, but the buck just swerved back to your desk. When it comes to leadership, you’re it. Buenas suerte!
El Grillo:
Great analogy!
I hope they have a chair for me. I plan on observing.
Yours in the private tourism sector, MiBio!
Buenos tardes: Yesterdays Banner had a short front page story urging the public to attend last evenings meeting at the Commission on Aging. I just got through talking with one of my kids. She said there were about 100 in attendence. The modedrator was state representative Brian Calley. It is her understanding that the meeting went well. Mr. Calley gave every one a chance to express themselves and the comments were mostly positive and constructive. It was our understanding prior to the meeting that a representative from the news media would be in attendence. Perhaps there is some light at the end of the tunnel.... time will tell.
Ellie stop that, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz long ago reserved by me for your rants.
Latest 911 update, 911 Admin Board "civilian leader dog" reelected to his Chair ( small elementary hand-me-down). No one else wanted it. Only a burned out state copper would pull the ladder up to the rafters and tie the rope.
Ohhhhhh, little charlie kneestrom went off on Our County Prosecutor, all on audio tape. Someone have the tech knowledge to FOIA this and publish it on a blog for all of Barry County to hear, especially the 16 Townships and the other burgs they are keeping up-to-date on how well things are going out there? kneil had to physically restrain him, several ways depending on who you talk with.
kneil, when he comes after me don't restrain, just pick him up off the floor and call 911 (there is no eleven, so don't waste valuable (or is it?) time looking).
Ag3
Welcome back lonesome George!
We missed your myopia.
You can have the Zzzzzzz.
I'll take your 911911911911911911911911911911911911911911.
I can't remember.
Am I supposed to deposit it on every posting?
Am I supposed to wipe afterwards?
It's been a long and refreshing time.
Definitely wipe it!
Back to the original posting, I have it on good authority that the meeting was well attended, there were an adequate number of chairs, and many intelligent people made significant contributions. It appears that the corner has been turned and the light is now visible down the tunnel.
The most significant accomplishment is that the County Board is congealing into a cohesive, constructive, creative and positive future-seeking mass.
Kudos to the Chair, and all.
I echo the above.......God help me!!!!!!
We could open a Second City Comedy Club at Charlton Park. Thursday night would be a non-smokers night, then two shows on Sat/Sun nights. Gary Fields from Battle Creek could bankroll it. Skits would be live 911 Admin Board Meetings. Charge admission, have wing-dings (no offense Ellie), hot doggs, and some donuts for the good ole brown and blue patrons. Get the Grand Rapids Police Bagpipers, the Detroit Police Band. FM 93.7 could host.
We could even have a Ron and Charlie Show! Pennock Hosp could pitch in, the United Way, Pizza Hut.
... and now we interrupt this program for a word from our sponsors .. the Charlton Park folks!
Done then!
Ag3 has invited all non-whites, and (apparently) smurfs to the park for a party!
el Grillo: Yesterday's Banner carries a front page report on the meeting at the Commission on Aging. I think you will find it very interesting [entertaining?] There were a number of community leaders there from all walks of life. The story quotes a number of people. Of course no official business was transacted. From what we've been hearing it looks like some decisions regarding the composition of the overall board and its relationship to the Board of Commissioners should be announced shortly. Cheers
Bird,
While I don't agree that disbanding the BCP&RC and creating a monster with fewer teeth is the best idea, I do think the majority of County Commissioners will be forced to go this route to keep the ship afloat.
In the longer view, we will need a policy board that has the weight of eminent domain, as the BCP&RC already has. The lesser commission is a victory for the anti-trail individuals.
el Grillo: I hadn't thought about eminent domain before.... this is certainly a consideration in the mix. I'm all for the Paul Henry trail and hope it can be completed. It would be a wonderful addition to the recreational opportunities in SW Michigan. The talk about bikers throwing empty cans and trash all over, having wild sex parties etc is a boggy man if I've heard one.
In my not very humble opinion, the trail issue and the park issue confront similar problems. Just as we have never had a Charlton Park Board, but act as if we did, the Paul Henry Trail makes believe that the trail from Caledonia to Vermontville and beyond is a single entity. When the trail becomes managed by the people who are directly affected locally, in segments like the PHT in the Middleville area, the problem will solve itself. The policy oversight that is part of the mix will need to come from an organization that isn't bogged down with personal issues, as with the park. Right now the organizational structure is the BCP&RC which can no longer function as a policy board and will probably need to be disbanded in order to create a wiser entity.
It would have been more productive if the current embedded members of the BCP&RC had resigned, but they seem to be grasping firmly to their egos and deck chairs.
el grillo: I assume the deck chairs you refer to are on the Titanic?
What I love about this thread is the attendance by bloggers who can grasp the subtleties, who have read some important literature, and who see the role of investigative probing as something that does not soil any underpants.
My reference to the Titanic might have been improved by a reference to "Remember the Maine", but many wouldn't remember.
FYI, WHAT THINK YE?
Todays REMINDER carries two CP related items. #l. An ad for an,"interim administrator, part time,Charlton Park. Responsible to oversee day-to-day operations of the park and planning for summer events". Item #2. A two
colunm wide, 8" deep PR insert authored by Mike Callton stating his thoughts about the immediate future of CP and soliciting public reaction. Mr. Callton lists his mailing address as well as his email address. I will probably respond.
The ads by Dr. Mike are paid for by him, as opposed to the free stuff allowed elsewhere in the paper, so it shouldn't be call PR.
Whoops!
An oversight possibly?
Did anyone come up with money for C.P.?
No?..Well then, Good meeting!
Just to be repetitious, Agnosticrat, money mysteriously appears when valuable goods and services are offered, and just as quickly evaporates when there is nothing in the pot but smoke.
Tossing money in the pot has been tried without success.
Dr. Mike is still fishing for people like you who have ideas to share. Fish or cut bait.
el grillo: FTI The Board of Commissioners met this evening. They dismantled the old system and created two new boards. One to oversee the Village and Museum and one to oversee the Recreational Parks and trails. Sorry not to give more details or opinions but we've got to study the written handouts a little more before commenting. I suspect that this Thursdays Banner should have a more details and commentary on implementation.
I'll dance with the date that brung me.
Sell!
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