Tuesday, March 27, 2007
New links added
Just a reminder that I've added some new links under that section on the ride side of the front page. Included in the new additions are a link to Barry County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Mike Callton's Barry Home Companion as well as a link to the blog for the Marshall Chronicle newspaper. For those of you who haven't bothered checking out the links now is a good time to do so. I try to add something every couple of months and clean out the dead branches when possible, so if you find a link to a site that no longer exists please let me know about it. You can feel free to use the comment section for this post as an "open thread" where you can talk about whatever you want, especially things you feel I'm not properly covering (though I'd appreciate instead of asking me to do it, you would simply tell us what YOU think about it) or you can always just tell others what goodies you've found by clicking on those links to prove that you actually read this...
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31 comments:
BANNER:
New County Jail, all for it!!!!!! I wondered what Don Nevins had been doing the last few years?
What peaked my interest the most is to get it away from its present location. I would prefer somewhere outside the City of Hastings. We do have a County-wide Bus System
Eaton County has a Governmental Complex on the outskirts of Charlotte (believe they probably annexed out to it). All-in-one shopping District.
Yes, I know the Sheriff must maintain an office in the County Seat. One room suffices for that. The Calhoun Sheriff moved to Battle Creek and maintained the old Jail in Marshall as his Road Patrol Headquarters. Believe he spends a few days a month over there.
I believe extending some of these so called "power" bases out of Hastings and into other County jurisdictions will give us all more of a feeling of one community. This is a small County and we need to pull together as one. Nothing big in Barry.
Locating the jail in Orangeville will eliminate the need for transportation.
I last wrote on this two track of media roadway in August of 2006, attempting to tell the voters of Barry Co. the mistake they were making in electing Tom Evans. They did not listen and we have now a pros. that no one else wanted.
I see it did not take long for Allegan Co. ( according to many of the ramblings of A3 a great county at least when he wants to slam the local dispatch center) to rehire her.
Again we got the left overs. Some of you who go on and on here should take the time to reveiw his current trial track rec. He is a loser.
Now on to a more current topic, I see A3 ( Larry) has suggested that we replace the State Police with a road patrol of the current sheriff's dept. Why would we need another parking lot for the sheriff to park his black stealth units. ( stealth is his words).
Take a moment and look at the parking lot at nights when he has so openly stated that he now has patrols out. The lot is full, call down to the jail after midnight and ask to speak to a road officer, they always answer.
So if I get your thought process right, you want to close the state police post, and spend more money on having the I blieve someone called them in a comment here barney fifes take it over, where is the tax savings in this move? Now I see he wants a new jail, maybe they could hire Comm. Englerth to build it and then he could pay his taxes. No out rage over this little matter, I am sure that someday he will pay.
Here is a question for Comm. Englerth when you were building the dog pound, and equipment was rented with donated monies, ie heay equipment like back hoe, why was it at one of your business work sites operating?
yes we have come a long ways here in barry county, and most of it is in reverse.
A new jail, if built, should occupy the present Presbyterian Church site and be directly connected to the District Court. Thi will eliminate transportation of prisoners by vehicle and place the current jail back on the tax roles.
The big question is IF. The Republicans in the State Senate have continued tp perpetuate the big lie that Michigan is a high tax state. Most of you have bought into the farce. Starting with Governor Engler, the Michigan Republicans have been in constant denial as to the need to revamp the Michigan tax structure from top to bottom and routinely avioded the truth of the decline in our state by selling off assets for one time, excuse the word, balanced budgets. Their last discrace has been to totally eliminate the SBT with absolutely no plan to fill the two billion dollar hole in the revenue stream except with continued blathering about reducing state government costs.
So I say IF because this may well not be the time to make such expenditures. To build the jail would require a Bond Issue and there remains a question as to the wisdom of doing so at this time. Revenue sharing and grant money will be eliminated or greatly reduced until a State Senate can be elected that will face fiscal reality, or better still, eliminated altogether.
... and then there is the issue of figuring out alternatives to playing cops and robbers.
We might be asking why "America" puts a higher percentage of its citizens in jails and prisons than every other country in the world except Russia.
Maybe it is because building and staffing jails and prisons has become a very lucrative business for people who would otherwise be unemployable, due to a propensity for violence.
el grillo,
So is that a name of your favorite Coastian Rician (sp) dish?
My prediction is that the new jail will become THE issue, the gun nuts will rally around the "sheriff" and no one will stop them.
I just wish someone would ask the question why was there three hangings on this "sheriffs" watch?
None for app. 14 years then we have three, the elected person should have to answer yet we will hear, "well he needs a new jail".
Accountabilty is what we need at the jail, and it is not there. Instead he is in the paper showing retired ladies from Gun Lake what his "SWAT" team wears.
Here's another question, take the time to see what his dog has cost the tax payers, and the handler lives where?
I have read and watched here and in the local rag for many a months about the so called mismanagement and corruption at 911, apparently it just wasn't there and never was.
Commissioner? englerth and his good buddy the "sheriff" are preparing to ram down our throats a bond or millage like you have never seen, yet there will be none who say a word in opposition to it.
Now whoever is writing in the name of Pol Watcher, (they appear to be of the fourth estate to me) is suggesting we rid ourselves of the state police. Question who will the sheriff answer to if they are gone? Not the public, try to attempt to FOIA something from down there, you will never get it. His comment, " I do not have to release that" hangs his hat on pending invesigation.
As I stated earlier, Barry County is clearly on the move, backwards. And the taxpayers thought Charlton Park cost them money.........
truthseeker
Try to FOIA the 911 Directors State Police Personnel File and seek the truth there. If the TRUTH is what you really seek?
You obviously are one of the castaways! Should have listened to the voters instead of spending all your time outside Barry County! Do you even live in Barry County?
a3, lived here all my life, I suspect more than you can claim.
not sure if any per. file can be subjected to foia. However you have given me a thought I will att. to obtain one in Prairieville Twp. to start.
truthseeker
You might not get their whole file, but you might be able to get their performance evaluations. Is it littered with gold stars? ;)
Better yet, talk with the Deputy who worked in Ionia County.
Intimidation can keep alot of things from coming out for what they really are!
Going backwards, LOL! Attack thy enemies, Jimmie and Tammy Fay Baker would be so happy to know you made the Admin Board?
Why do I have to turn up my goddamned television to hear it over the sound of someones car stereo? That car could be a mile away and annoy the hell out of me.
There I said it,... I feel old but I said it.
There just doesn't seem to be the fear of tickets, that there were when I was a young hooligan.
Do the police even ticket people for this anymore?
A3,
You lost me on your last post, I have no idea what a deputy who feels he was wronged in Ionia Co. has to do with you wanting a personnel file, I may be wrong but I just don't tink you can foia a personnel file.
However, I did make a call to Praireville Twp. today to find out
and will let you know the answer.
As far as the 911 Director of the State Police file, what has that go to do with the imcompence of the peson that was elected sheriff?
As I stated earlier, Barry Co. is moving alright, backwards....
Truthseeker
TS, you miss the finer points of a comment. No, you can't FOIA the personnel file. But, it raises a red flag, for most people, that the records are sealed. Apparently not you, what's the usual vote now, 5-2?
You don't get FOIA info over the phone either. Do you read much?
State Police Avoid Layoffs
Reporter: Associated Press
A deal has been reached to avoid the layoffs of 29 Michigan State Police troopers planned for this weekend.
The deal was reached Friday with the help of the troopers' labor union.
The Michigan State Police Troopers Association voted to give the state treasury $400,000 to keep the troopers on the job.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm confirmed a deal had been reached, but the details were not immediately released Friday.
The planned layoffs stemmed from state government's continued budget problems.
The state faces a budget shortfall of more than $600 million for the fiscal year that began in October.
FYI, the folks here in Barry Co. can rest a little better now.
a3,
that is what I found out yesterday, your P.F. is not obtainable under FOIA, it can be subpoenaed.
as far as 5-2 you lost me again.
remember anger is a very bad thing, mostly for yourself, more than likely those of who you write about really don't care what you think or do.
Have a blessed holiday.
truthseeker
You too Director!
Agnosticrat said...
"There just doesn't seem to be the fear of tickets"
If you live in Hastings, it might be because the Police Chief rides a Harley that can drown out the stereo of any teenager. It would be hard to enforce an ordinance when he breaks it every time he puts on his leather and wraps his legs around his rumbling hog ; )
I suggest you stop into the next city council meeting and raise the issue. I wonder how many people move out of the city because they can't stand the noise.
Hey Pol, been there, done that and got the T shirt. Chief vroomVROOM says it would cost $200 for a noise meter and they can't aford it. (He does not seem to know that it is illegal under state statute to operate a motor vehicle without a muffler that works, or that Ann Arbor enforces a noise ordanance that simply gets you a ticket if your loud noise can be heard 200 ft from the source.)
Maybe the city should put Jeff Pratt in charge. I bet he could do a better job. At least he would be easier to get along with.
And Prut?, Ann Arbors "ordinance" is a little more involved than just "heard from 200 ft from the source". If it weren’t, you would get a ticket.
patthetruth,
you may be right, "no fear of tickets" apparently one of our commissioners feels that way as he drives around with expired plates for the 2nd year in a row.
Fine example of local elected officals, and he wants to tell us how to spend our tax dollars?
We continue the march backwards.
TS
You can fool the cops, state anyway, by buying a car that looks like your County issued car? How bout buying a dummy mannequin and put in one car. Leave that one in Barry County, in plain sight, and they'll think you're living here.
The idea of laying ANY State worker off and losing them to another State on its face appears to be a valid argument. However, closer examination reveals that Michigan can get through growing pains, as they have been for the last ten years or so.
All the "Baby Boomers" started retiring. Look at any police car going by and they are mostly "Little Opies!" State, County, and local pd's have been going thru transition due to all the retirements. The average "years of experience" is not high anymore.
But, the pd's are going through growing pains and the officers are getting better and better each year.
It's an approx. every 25 year evolution. This bunch will all retire around the same time, give or take a few years. What does the PD do? Retrain with new and younger ones.
We survived the "Baby Boomer" loss and we can survive any necessary layoffs due to the lack of money.
Don't be scared by all the idle threats of calamity if we don't dig deeper into our assets and give more and more.
Ag3, Love the Mannequin thing. Laughed my A-- off.
I agree with the last statement too. this is but a cycle. Many in this state have been laid off for one reason or another, why should state troopers be any different?
And TS. I hear the Allegan head Prosecutior was forced to take her back. I also know that Tom was asked to stay on at his last position (thats in writing)so it was not as if he were not wanted. You may dislike him personally for some reason but so far he has done a good job here.
Hasn't the 911 Scoundrel vested his retirement, he's been there 15 or more years. He apparently wants to go down in SHAME, like his last 23 year "career" ended in!
How do good, decent state cops support someone who left in disgrace?
How did the County Board who hired this guy conduct their investigation?
Are you too arrogant to leave with a little dignity? Afterall, you were "cleared" of all charges! LOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOLLOL
kids dad,
his last position was at barry co. and he was let go. as far as the matter in allegan co. you are wrong.
ts
I read the letter from Montcalm County (I may be wrong on the county) that Tom presented. It was the position he left there to campaign here. They definitely did not want to lose him there. Not only his supervisor, but most everyone that worked with him up there signed it. And I do believe BOTH Julie and Tom were let go here in Barry County by the now disgraced former prosecutor Gordon Shane McNeil so that made them equal in that respect. What made Tom better I believe was that he had not given a free pass to any major drug traffickers like Julie had done.
Others that read this blog have better info on Allegan County. I did get my info from them as well as confirming it from someone within that office. I hope that all were wrong about how she was employed and I hope you are right as she is a very nice person. In my discussions with her I found she is intelligent and warm but coming from multiple sources that were not connected (as far as I could tell) I can only believe it was true in that she managed to somehow force her way into that office. I would have no trouble supporting her for some position that doesn't require her to face down our counties worst headaches (I believe Judge Fisher would even second this). I think she would make an excellent domestic attorney or maybe a subordinate position to a prosecutor in which she handles juvenile cases. Until she hardens her resolve some I would oppose her taking a position like she did have though.
If you do not like Tom Evans as our prosecutor, present someone that is better. It will be tough to do for sure. I approached several local attorney’s prior to Tom stepping forward but none would even consider taking it on. It would involve a pay cut and tougher hide than they currently had.
TS: A Judge has to hold a hearing and approve the opening of "sealed" personnel file. In reality (someplace far from you), this doesn't occur much! A mere subpoena will not cut it. Tom Evans is doing a great job as County Prosecutor.
All Police Departments have a bunch of cars and SUV's sitting around. You have to have extra ones or sit on your butts waiting for aging ones to be repaired, Even Hastings has a relevent percentage of their cars sitting or in garages since they don't have many. Get real! Get help! Talk about something you know about. Like the mixed emotions and brain activity tormenting your mind!
As for no one caring about what I say? They don't hear you either, it is too comical watching you turn red, the steam come rolling out, and you blow your top. ronnie come grab the little guy again!
911 scoundrel makes the editorial again! Good lambasting from Mr Jacobs, AGAIN! When are you people going to wake up and sweep the slime off our sidewalks?
Is this scoundrel even worth the penny cost of one letter of print? They are sending out "packets" to all jurisdictions, trying to justify their positions and to keep this knucklehead dangling from the rafters.
Does he have "something" on all you that "blindly" and "ignorantly" keep him there? As his name goes deeper into the slime, your names goeth with him. You are all losing your credibility. Do you see the nasty stares when you want into the local establishments? Maybe there should be a Super Walmart, one that you can hide your shameful faces in and not be recognized! Maybe they just know your names, not your faces? Remember, your children will have to live down your shameful acts of today!
"Exonerated" is quite a stretch. It is more that Attorney General State Police investigators did not want to investigate one of their own, one who is supported by some lame "civilian" hiding or concealing his state police affiliation. How can you hide and protect one who could did not even have the fortitute to finish 25 years of service to the organization that conceals his misdeeds?
ronnie neal sat in on the interviews of the employees over all the charges? This is a mockery of justice. Barry County, do we not have the strength and power to recognize Bozo neal and his cronies and rid us of them, like we did the Sheriff?
Good Job Mr Jacobs. One favor I ask, don't publish his picture, it gives credence to the likes of someone who deserves NONE!
To the jurisdictions, look closely at the documents there Bozo's send you. See if there are survey's from the users of the 911 system; i.e. the citizens, the police/fire/ems workers. The answer is NO!
The ETSC or whatever they call it, sends a small group of their members to look 911 over and "report back"! The 911 scoundrel is a member of the ETSC, he will be a member of a future committee that "investigates" one of the same people from this group. He also will give them a good rating.
The sheriff of Van Buren Co. I am told was the ne in charge of the reivew at Barry Co. Central Dispatch.
I do not see how this has any connection with state police.
It would appear that a3 is just not interested in the truth.
Again, I will ask the question, Find out why the Jacob's family has a dislike for the director and you will solve the reason they continue to suggest the wrong doing.
As far as the Att. Gen, goes, anyone who has half a brain ( a3) would know that Mike Cox would not allow anything to get in front of him haiving a headline. a3 no offense but you spend way to much time nursing the bottle and you really need to seek professional help for your issues.
Instead of spending night after night alone at the Bedford Steak house, seek out some help that will start you down the road to recovery. 12 steps that is all it takes, we will support you and help you thru this.
Again, the SHERIFF of van Buren Co. Dale Gribler conducted the audit and invesitgation for the ETSC... The SHERIFF....
The other audit / reivew by the county's own libility carrier, why would they cover anything up??????? The I am told the county's own auditors looked at the books of 911 and concluded that they were beyond reproach, don't take my word for it, ask Mr. Brown & Mr. Callton, or are they part of the comspiracy also?
The first step to recovery is admitting you (a3) have a problem.
ts
F.W.I.W.
I just finished reading the report that a3 eludes to in his comments.
Turns out that motorola gave $60,000.00 in equip. because they did not finish the update at 911 on time.
At least according to the report that was given out, the money was used to buy fire pagers for the county fire depts. Thus did not have to come out of taxpayers pocket to purchase them.
I have not confirmed this with a neighbor of mine that is a fire fighter for Nashville Fire Dept. but I am going to.
Plus it said that there was another 100 page report that the post commander did. However I did not see that, just the one that went to our twp. office.
I have said it before, find out why the Jacobs family dislikes the 911 director, and you will answer the question to their obsession to this issue.
It also said in the report that the county insurance company that audited the dispatch called the operation a leader in the industry in how it is run. Not to bad for Barry Co. I would say.
I hope the county commission promotes this accomplishment to others, sounds like the insurance costs could go down as a result of the insurance companys findings.
ts
We're not talking here about who gave what dollars to who? We're talking about a 911 Center ran by a tyrant, who lights up like a lit fuse, a 4th of July giant firework! Did the Sheriff do anything outside the 911 Center to conduct his "investigation?" Alot of Sheriffs out there are ex state cops, is he one? Calhoun and Kazoo has them. Citizens have no idea who they are voting into office Today. Many are transients and could not tell you who their Village President is!
As for your friend and the bottle, I would suggest a cell phone photo be taken of him and exposed on your responses. Pol, can you accomodate this gent in downloading the pic to the site? There's only a one step program I'm looking for, and it's coming partner!
Clarification needed again due to remarks of the Truth Seeker (who wouldn't know truth if it hit him on his noggin at the golf course). We (a3) have no hatred for the state boys! We just have the gall, that gets you so red and fiery upset, that they are going to have to take their cuts like everyone else.
We have the gall to say they are not so dog gone necessary as you think. They are a duplication of effort. There are bad, good, average, above average, outstanding, and darn near perfect cops in every Deptmt, even the Barney Neil outfits. I'm for one centralized operation, call it what the people want! I don't hate, YOU DO! You hate everyone who dares front you, question you, or in any way disagree. "Breaking News": YOU KNOW NUTTIN MUTTIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You take all collective chats on here and add them all together, or try to anyway. Do you cut out newspaper parts and paste them rambling onto a board or your bedroom walls? Maybe a stay at a good psychiatric ward would do you well!
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