Category: On and off the Apron
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The Lights Are On …
A report on the regular council meeting of December 18, 2025 EMILY KAY VOTRUBA DEC 22, 2025 In December, if I can, I like to spend quality time reflecting on the year. For me this involves transferring perennial information (birthdays, holidays, meeting dates, important anniversaries and milestones) from this year’s…
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Letter from Holly O’Dwyer
In reference to the letter from Kristine Mills I posted on August 25, Village board of trustees president pro tempore Holly O’Dwyer asked that I publish this email she sent to Mills August 21, which O’Dwyer says she didn’t get a response to.—Emily Votruba
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Letter from Kristine Mills to Village Council
Kristine Mills asked me to publish this letter after she received what she feels was an incomplete response to her FOIA request for documents and information related to her contract position as rentals coordinator for the Life Saving Station and other Village venues. —Emily Votruba
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Help Shape the Future of Elberta
The Planning Commission will be holding a special meeting Tuesday, August 15 at 6 pm to discuss the results of the survey that was mailed out in June and formulate the community’s vision for our new master plan. Please attend!
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Guest Column: Electric Skateboard Debate Ramps Up
Please help stop Frankfort City Council’s ongoing effort to create an ordinance banning electric skateboards citywide. By Carolyn Thayer July 14, 2017 I’m asking for your help to spread the news about the Frankfort City Council’s ongoing effort to create an ordinance banning electric skateboards citywide based on the potential for a public safety…
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Coyote Crossing: November Council Meeting Reports
By Emily Votruba Regular Meeting, November 17, 2016 On the way to the regular council meeting, Linda Manville saw a coyote cross the road in front of her. The meeting was held at the Life Saving Station for the first time ever as far as anyone could remember. The room…
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Elberta Mercantile Closes First Season with Yummies
After a successful season, Mark and Carol would like to show their gratitude with a Fall Closing House Celebration. EMC will be providing delicious cider and snacks to thank their patrons for helping them make their dream a reality.
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Historical Photos Related to the Elberta Mercantile Co.
In their June 23, 2016 edition, the Betsie Current published my story about the new Elberta Mercantile Co. and the history of its location, the Gilmore Township Library building at 704 Frankfort Avenue. If you missed the paper copy, you can read the story, “Everything Old Is New Again,” online…
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Candidate Says Water Management, Passenger Rail, Internet Access Will Help NoMI Folks Stay and Succeed
Meet the Candidate: Lon Johnson Democrat 1st Congressional District Lon Johnson spoke at the Bayview Grille in Frankfort to a group of potential supporters on March 29 from 6 to 7 pm. Here are selections from his remarks, arranged by topic. Meet the Candidate is nonpartisan and offers any candidate…
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In Memoriam: Lawrence W. Crane
The man was one of the most important figures in the history of Elberta, and Andrew Bolander was unable to find an obit for him aside from a half paragraph in the Free Press and a mention of his passing in the Benzie Banner. So, on the anniversary of his death, Bolander thought it would…
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Making It Official: Elberta’s New Zoning Map
By Patrick McConnell The Village of Elberta will be getting a new, more comprehensive map soon! I recently spoke with planning commission member Bill O’Dwyer about the forthcoming zoning map improvements. Below are some of the improvements one can expect from the new map. • A much larger map that is more…
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Benzie Emergency Management Seeks Feedback on Its Natural Hazards Draft Plan
Get back to Frank Post, our county emergency management coordinator, by email or phone asap! (fpost@benzieco.net, 231-882-0567) Read and download the draft plan here: 2015 Hazard Mitigation Plan More information is available at the Region 7 website.
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Near Beer, Cont’d: Frankfort Beer Week
Frankfort holds its first-ever Beer Week the second week of Hoptober, Monday through Saturday, celebrating our new deeply local beer scene (thank you, Stormcloud Brewing Company). More than a dozen restaurants will be participating, creating unique items just for this event, made with Michigan beer. Stormcloud will tap their annual…
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Elberta Business Owners Speak! On State Proposal 14-1
By Emily Votruba Tomorrow, August 5, voters will decide whether to adopt a proposal to eliminate the personal property tax. The strangely worded measure doesn’t actually mention “personal property tax,” but instead says the following: Approval or disapproval of amendatory act to reduce state use tax and replace with a…
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Village Offers Beautiful, Affordable Event Locations
By Diane Jenks The Village of Elberta is struggling to survive with low fiscal scores and the threat of an emergency manager. The State of Michigan has many communities in this situation and is willing to help the village work its way back into the black. The departure of the…
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Bayview Grille Celebrates 4 Years on the Bay
By Ann Sinclair Located on beautiful Betsie Bay in Frankfort, Bayview Grille has earned its reputation as a popular destination for great made-from-scratch home-style food and Michigan-made beers and wine. Located in the building that once housed Celia’s by the Bay, Bayview Grille is the pride and joy of Dale…
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Our New Tax Assessor: Barbie Eaton
In late April this year, Marvin Blackford, longtime tax assessor for Frankfort, Gilmore Township, and Crystal Lake, retired, and Gilmore and Frankfort contracted with Barbie Eaton of Brown and Associates. Ms. Eaton kindly took the time to answer a few questions about her new position. 1. What is the role…
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Finally the Truth! About Garbage
By Emily Votruba Village garbage pickup, provided by Allied Waste (Republic Services) of Manistee, is every Friday morning. Put your trash out by 7 am to be safe. In the event of a Monday holiday, service will occur the next day (so, in our case, pickup will be Saturday). You…
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What’s Going Around: Rent Scammers
By Kimm X Jayne For any of you who list a property on HomeAway.com or VRBO, be aware of this scam going around. Someone reserves your place and sends a cashier’s check, but before you get the check, he or she “realizes” they overpaid you and part of that money…
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Preliminary DEQ Report on Cold Creek Spill
DRAFT Preliminary DEQ Report on Cold Creek Spill Audio of April 10 regular Beulah Village meeting.
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Frankfort’s Kinda Progressive Zoning Ordinance
By Emily Votruba It’s probably not anarcho-syndicalism in the making, but the City of Frankfort’s planning commission under the leadership of Bruce Ogilvie has put together a fairly progressive and forward-thinking zoning ordinance. The comment period is NOW, and the public hearing is set for Tuesday, March 11. Take a…
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Olson Presents Prioritization Results and Council Begins to Hash Out DEP
Full audio of the Dec. 30 meeting (2 parts): Full audio of the Jan. 2 meeting: At the January 2 meeting, Chris Olson came back with the compiled results of the Dec. 30 prioritization exercise, in which, after a long discussion, council members and staff placed dots next to items…
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Fuzz-y Math: Has the Sheriff Made the Case for the Public Safety Millage?
By Emily Votruba On November 5 (tomorrow), county residents will be asked to approve a funding increase for the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office. The 1.5 mill “public safety millage” will replace the jail millage (.9 mills) and is meant to allow the return of 24-hour road patrol, which proponents say…
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New Business: Eco-Building Products Open House!
Next Wednesday! Delicious free food, beer and music at Eco-Building Products’ open house beginning at 7 pm. Come and meet our new business neighbors in the old Elberta Beach Market building: owner Jim Barnes and staff Greg Kindig and Lisa Richter. We kind of feel like we should be the…
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Village Deficit Crisis: Brief, Important Update
By Emily Votruba According to Reggie and Laura Manville, the state expects to see a plan that might realistically eliminate our $558K+ deficit within the next 5 years.* If the Village does not come up with an acceptable plan by October 17, it’s very likely, again according to Reggie Manville, that…
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A New Life for Perry’s Place
Art and Joan Moseler fulfill their dream of a return to Elberta. By Rebecca Hubbard “I was sitting in the front room after school one day and we had an early TV. I was watching Howdy Doody, and I looked out the window. The library [building, at that time] was…
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Putney Occupancy Rate Appeal Continues Tomorrow
Tomorrow night at 6 pm at the Community Building, the Elberta Zoning Board of Appeals continues its hearing on Loy Putney’s appeal of the Council’s decision to require an occupancy rate of no more than one person per 165 square feet in his new Bay Valley Inn apartments, which he…
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Village Homes: Tex and Terry McGregor’s Place
Terry and Tex McGregor moved to Elberta in 2011. Tex (and yes, that’s his real, given name) arrived first and built their blue house with its distinctive stone chimney and large quarter-circle windows on the lot once owned by Jim Clapp. For several years, the McGregors ran TNT charter service…
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Ag Futures: Paul May Fundraiser Brings Community Together
By Emily Votruba Tuesday night’s fundraiser for Paul May, our local beef/lamb/poultry/dairy farmer who has bladder cancer, raised over $21,000, with more coming in, according to one of the event’s main volunteers, Becky Noffsinger. Chef Glen Noffsinger, who did the cooking for the estimated 320 people in attendance, had only…
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Putney Appeals Square Footage per Person Requirement
Sometime between the afternoon of August 20 and 12:30 pm on August 21, Sharyn Bower posted this notice. Loy Putney is appealing the stipulation of council that he house no more than 1 person per 165 sq ft at the Bay Valley worker housing apartments. Since Putney had already completed…
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Council Contemplates Selling Old Library…And Much, Much More
It was another nearly three hour meeting, with lots of decisions made and some deferred. President Reggie Manville was back, after a three-meeting absence. Employee benefits were discussed and a vote was taken on Linda Manville’s proposal that employees begin contributing 20% toward their health-care premiums. This motion was voted…
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Wine and Song: Trina Hamlin Performs at Conundrum Café Aug. 16
On August 16, percussionist and harmonica player Trina Hamlin will fill the Conundrum Café with her passionate ballads and bluesy sounds. An hour prior to the 8 PM concert, St. Ambrose Cellars, known locally for their delicious meads, will be offering a tastings of their meads, red and white wines…
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The May Farm: Greener Pastures
During my three years in Ithaca, New York (which must have one of the premier farmers’ markets in the country), I was spoiled by delicious organically raised dairy delivered to a porch around the block from where I lived every week, in addition to abundant options for nitrite-free, free-range, organic,…
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Ann Arbor Railroad Retirees Convene Again August 4
Hey everyone, the Ann Arbor Railroad Retirees gather again, for the 28th year in a row, at the Blaine Township Hall on White Owl Road August 4, to celebrate their years of service in Elberta’s unique industry. All are welcome (bring food!), and the Alert encourages younger and non-railroad/car ferry…
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Frankfort DDA Seeks Board Members
This morning the Alert received the following from Josh Mills: [T]he City of Frankfort is soliciting dedicated members of the community to serve on the newly created Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Membership shall consist of business owners, business owner representative, property owner and/or resident of the DDA corridor. We…
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Elberta Odd Jobs: The Saw Filing-Man
If you have an idea for a story in this series on the amazing careers of your fellow Elbertians past and present, let us know at elberta.alert@gmail.com. By Pat Moyna My father, Earl Moyna, the Elberta rural-route mail carrier from 1920 to 1953, being a civil-service employee, was subject to legal…
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Proposed Free WiFi Area
The Alert obtained this printout of the proposed free WiFi coverage area from Frankfort City Council member Richard Haan. This is just a preliminary plan, not final; if you’re interested in this issue, contact a Frankfort City Council member or attend one of their regular meetings, on the third Tuesday…
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On the Old Stone Road: A Stone Worker’s Log, part 1
Michael Murphy holds certificates from the Great Britain Dry Stone Walling Association and the Dry Stone Conservancy of the United States and is a certified instructor with the Dry Stone Conservancy. He designs and builds walls, stairs, walkways, benches and special features in dry stone. He will be teaching a…
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7 Questions for Stormcloud Brewing Company Kitchen Master John Snyder
1. So you’re the new chef at Stormcloud Brewing, and you’re a 1999 Kalamazoo College English major with a music minor. Does your cooking have a deep structure to it? And how does that relate to a universal grammar, if such exists, of breweries? Well, I am heading up the…
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Petals & Perks: The Europification of Main Street Continues
Alert reporter Chip Marks spoke with Chris and Victoria Mekas about their new combination coffee and flower shop, which opened for business May 15 in the old Java 429 spot on Main Street. Chip got this response and some great photos. We took occupancy of the commercial space at 429…
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Gilmore Township Meeting Report, April 2013
By James Ward April 9, 2013 ELBERTA LIBRARY—Present: Carl Noffsinger, Doug Holmes, Ron Beyette, Sharyn Bower. Guest: Don Tanner, James Ward Don Tanner, our county commissioner for District 7, spoke about the reorganization of health care services. Benzie County is among the 21 counties in the Northern Zone that shares state…
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Putney Team Responds to PC’s Request for Additional Information on “Elberta School Apartments” Plan Ahead of Hearing Tonight
By Emily Votruba Last night (May 6), the Alert received an email from Loy Putney’s attorney, Bradley Putney, with answers to some of the questions the Planning Commission asked at the first hearing on his proposed Elberta School Apartments, on April 16. According to Village attorney Edgar Roy, a number…
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New Sleeping Bear Birding Trail Is First in State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (from Douglas Cook, president, Benzie Audubon Club) April 2013 MICHIGAN’S SLEEPING BEAR BIRDING TRAIL CONNECTS THE DOTS Michigan’s coastline and habitat diversity have long been a draw to bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Birders and eco-tourists spend millions each year in the enjoyment of their pursuits. Now,…
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Evacuation/Stop Work Deadline Passes, Putney Workers Still On Site, Work Continues
By Emily Votruba Village zoning administrator Ken Bonney came by today to give the Alert a copy of the letter he sent to Loy Putney April 24 outlining the reasons for the stop work/evacuation order. Letter from Ken Bonney to Loy Putney April 24 The letter outlines the history of…
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Plan for Frankfort Beach and Cannon Park Created by MSU Students
“The City of Frankfort was provided an opportunity to have a Master Plan created for the Lake Michigan Beach and Cannon Park area. The Master Plan study was performed by the Michigan State University Planning Department. The MSU Planning Team consisted of four (4) senior level undergraduate students. They have…
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Stop Work, Evacuation Order Issued on Putney’s Elberta School Apartments
By Emily Votruba April 25, 2013—This morning a stop work and evacuation order was issued to Loy Putney by Zoning Administrator Ken Bonney for the proposed Elberta School Apartments. The families who moved in over the weekend of April 20 need to move out by Monday, April 29, Bonney said.…
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Putney Begins Moving Workers in to Elberta School Apartments; Zoning Still up in the Air
By Emily Votruba Three days after the Planning Commission’s inconclusive hearing on Loy Putney’s special permit application to put apartments in the old Bay Valley Inn Property, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development approved and licensed three of the completed units, and workers will begin to move in.…
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Grand Vision Meeting: Assisting Government or Agenda 21?
By Eric Pyne UPDATED 4/29/13 UPDATED 4/24/13 MILLS COMMUNITY HOUSE, April 22, 2013—The “Framework for Our Future” Input Expo at the Mills Community House in Benzonia drew members of the public and some protesters. “The Grand Vision,” a project of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, held an open house…
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Planning Commission Hearings on “Apartments” Definition and Putney’s Special Use Permit Application
By Emily Votruba Next Tuesday, April 16, beginning at 7 pm, the Elberta Planning Commission will hold two public hearings at the Elberta Library (704 Frankfort Avenue). The public is asked to consider the Commission’s proposed definition of “apartments.” If approved by the commission and the village council, this definition…
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Spring Cleanup!
Starting pulling out all that stuff you’ve been meaning to get rid of. The Village will hold Spring Cleanup on Saturday, May 11, from 9 am to 2 pm. You may bring as much of your cr*p as you like, at a rate of $20 per full-pickup-truck load; no tires or…
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Benzie Conservation District Fracking Forum (Video)
On February 27, the Benzie Conservation District hosted a forum on the process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a natural gas extraction practice that, in part because of fairly recent technological and chemical innovations, is creating a natural gas boom across the nation. Jonathan Maue took this great video of…
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March Elberta Council Meeting Report: Holier Than Thou
By Emily Votruba VILLAGE COMMUNITY BUILDING March 21, 2013—Sharyn Bower announced that the County Board of Commissioners would be holding their regular meeting at the Village Community Building on April 16 at 6 pm as part of their tour around the county. The Planning Commission will hold two public hearings…
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New Post Office Hours
At long last, the new post office hours have been announced. Starting May 4 (prom day), the weekday hours are 9 am to 1 pm. Saturdays remain same, from 8:30 to 10:30 am. PO box mail will be available for pickup by 10 am Monday through Saturday.
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Gilmore Township Meeting Report, March 2013
By James Ward March 12, 2013 ELBERTA LIBRARY—Present: Carl Noffsinger, Doug Holmes, Ron Beyette, Sharyn Bower, and Linda Manville. Guest: James Ward The treasurer’s report and minutes were approved from the meeting in February 2013. A motion was seconded to close the regular meeting and go into a public hearing on…
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Gilmore Township Meeting Report, February 2013
By James Ward February 12, 2013 ELBERTA LIBRARY—Present: Laura Manville, Carl Noffsinger, Doug Holmes, and Ron Beyette. Guest: James Ward The treasurer’s report was accepted. New business included the approval of Charlie Hendershott, Ken Holmes, and Bob Delanoy to the Board of Review. Further New Business included the following: The Axtells…
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Elberta Planning Commission Meeting: Defining Apartments, Dredging
By Emily Votruba Transcription by Lois Schram March 5, 2013 ELBERTA LIBRARY—During initial public comment, Scott Gest said the community mapping is wrapping up for the Grand Vision. There was to be a meeting the following week. A report by Ken Bonney, new zoning administrator, was added to the…
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February Elberta Council Meeting Report: Same Playing Field
By Emily Votruba VILLAGE COMMUNITY BUILDING, February 20, 2013—A date and the spelling of Jennifer Wilkins’s name were corrected on the January meeting minutes. Wilkins’s name was also added to the agenda under the Beach Committee report, as she is a new member of that committee. PUBLIC HEARING ON 2013–14…
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Jeffery Stratton on the Benzie Bus
The first in what we hope will be a series of stories by local people on their investigations of transportation issues. Submit yours to elberta.alert@gmail.com. Doesn’t have to be long, and we’ll check your spelling. Till then, safe travels! By Jeffery Stratton I decided I would take public transportation the…
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Strict Construction: The New County Property Maintenance Code
By Emily Votruba At the February 19 County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners voted 6 to 1 to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code (see link below). The vote occurred during the department head reports portion of the meeting and was not on the agenda. After a presentation by Robert Theobald…
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Residential Solar, Residential Care
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, FRANKFORT—Jim Barnes of 823 James Street needs to submit drawings showing his plan for the solar panel array he intends to mount on his garage to the Frankfort City Planning Commission, plans that demonstrate adequate steps taken to reduce the chance that someone walking through his…
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New County Property Maintenance Rules Are Intensely Detailed, Possibly Unconstitutional
Thanks to the Joyfield Residents group on Facebook for making the pdf of the new county property maintenance code available. We haven’t actually read it yet, but you can! We’ve heard it’s pretty strict, which should please lovers of neatly trimmed grass, but cause some headaches (and pocketbook aches) for…
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News from Homestead Township
By Jeffery D. Stratton The Homestead Township board of trustees met March 4, 2013, at 7 pm in the Township Hall in the Village of Honor. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the agenda, and the approval of last month’s minutes. NEW BUSINESS The board…
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Food Trucks at Elberta Beach?
By Emily Votruba At the February Parks and Rec Commission meeting last night there was some discussion of food concessions down at the beach. Nobody in the room could remember a time when snacks were sold down at the beach, though Katy denHeeten recalled the swingsets and picnic tables she…
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News from Homestead Township
By Jeffery D. Stratton The Homestead Township board met February 4, 2013, at 7 pm in the township hall in the Village of Honor. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the agenda, and the approval of last month’s minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT Eagle Scout Travis Oder,…
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Gilmore Township Meeting Report, January
By James Ward January 8, 2013—Board members present: Ron Beyette, Carl Noffsinger, Doug Holmes, and Sharyn Bower. Guests: Dennis Holcombe, Mike Jones, James Ward Recent personnel changes include the resignation of Michael Barnes from the Township Planning Commission. Connie Barnes was approved to be his replacement. The new zoning regulations were…
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Elberta Post Office Will Go to Four-Hour Schedule
Post Office public meeting results: within just over a month (approximately 37 days), our post office will go to a four-hour-a-day schedule, two hours on Saturdays. Exact hours are yet to be determined, but it will likely be 11 am to about 3 pm weekdays, 8:30 am to 10:30 am…
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POV: A Business Owner Weighs in on the Proposed Downtown Development Authority in Frankfort
Dale Evans, co-owner of the Bayview Grille at 727 Main Street, Frankfort, took time to express his views on the proposed DDA. For more on the DDA, see Colin Merry’s coverage in the Record-Patriot and the Alert‘s coverage of the first meeting. Q&A questions by Emily Votruba. Thank you for…
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Gilmore Township Meetings Roundup, November and December
By James Ward November 13, 2012—Board members present: Ron Beyette, Carl Noffsinger, Doug Holmes, Laura Manville, and Sharyn Bower. Guests: Donald Tanner, Carolee Ness, James Ward Donald Tanner, newly elected County Commissioner for our district (VII), thanked the voters for their support. He discussed the upcoming process of allocating funds for…
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DDA Meeting, Part Deux
The continuation of the proposed Downtown Development Authority meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., tonight (Tuesday) at City Hall. If you have any questions, call Josh Mills at (231) 352-7117. Our brief report on the first meeting can be found here.
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Gilmore Township’s New Zoning Ordinance
A draft of Gilmore Township’s new zoning ordinance is available online. Planning Commission chair Dennis Holcombe said today that it’s 99% finished and is with the attorney awaiting a few minor wording changes. He expects the final draft will be posted within the week. A public hearing was held on…
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Near Beer: Stormcloud Brewing
The official announcement finally came today, January 15, 2013, over Facebook: This summer a little light industry rolls in to 303 Main Street in Frankfort. The Alert spoke with Stormcloud Brewing Company owner-operators Brian Confer and Rick Schmitt about their project, which will occupy the former site of the Caddy…
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Proposed Downtown Development Authority Would Sequester Funds for Improvements to Entice New Businesses
FRANKFORT CITY HALL—Frankfort City Council held a public hearing this evening on its proposed Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Development District (seen below outlined in yellow). City Superintendent Josh Mills made a presentation on the proposal, along with city attorney Peter Dorn. Business owners Dale Evans, Bob Korten, and Steve…
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What’s Eating the Local Food Movement?
By Emily Votruba EVENT Tuesday, December 4. The Northern Michigan Culinary Arts Community invites the public to a talk by Patty Cantrell, “Local Food: A Prescription for National Healing.” With free, locally sourced appetizers made by SEEDS kids and some of our area’s most talented chefs. 7 pm to 8:30…
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Betsie River Meeting with Ray Franz
A quick update: About 40 people showed up at City Hall for the hastily called meeting with Josh Mills, State rep Ray Franz, and the DNR’s Frank Foster. They assembled discussed possible reasons for the problem we’re experiencing with low water (including the dredging of the St. Clair River) as well…
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Officials to Meet about Betsie River
According to Josh Mills: “There will be a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday (tomorrow), October 17, 2012 ,at 2:30 regarding the status of the Betsie Bay river mouth. The meeting will be facilitated by State Representative Ray Franz and State Representative and MDNR Committee Chair Frank Foster. There is…
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Leaked: Consumers Power Line Map
An anonymous source gave the Alert a copy of the map below on Thursday morning. The source said the map had been presented at the Blaine Township board meeting Wednesday night and was taken by someone present at the meeting. The Blaine Township board had invited Consumers Energy reps to…
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Council Meeting Report for August 16, 2012
Waiting for Somebody to Do Something By Emily Votruba BILL SOPER asked that “Parks and Rec credit card” and “village taxes” be added to the agenda. The meeting lasted two hours. Absent was Ken Holmes, who was recovering from hip-replacement surgery. INITIAL PUBLIC COMMENT Cheryl Gross spoke about…
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Phragmites Treatment Thursday
Vickie Smith, of Wildlife and Wetlands Solutions, will be applying an herbicide to stands of phragmites on Thursday beginning at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting. She’ll begin with the stands near the Luedtke Boneyard and proceed around to the Elberta M-22 and railroad/trail bridges, after noon. The spraying will be postponed if…
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Elberta Village President Seeks Betsie Dredge
By Emily Votruba This year’s salmon run may or may not be salvageable now, says Elberta Village president Reg Manville, but dredging will be necessary to avert the next possible low-water casualty: the spring steelhead run. The Alert spoke with Manville Tuesday night by phone. Manville also made a statement on the…
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Future of the Elberta Post Office
Postmaster Tim Flynn will be taking his early retirement “option” at the end of this month. On October 16, a public hearing will be held on the future of our Elberta post office, at 12 noon in the Community Building on First Street. Come out and make your voice heard. Options…
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DNR Officer from TC Arrives at Betsie Salmon Scene, Shoos Away Diggers
Story by Emily Votruba Photos by Chip Marks Sergeant Robert Torres of the Traverse City DNR enforcement office arrived at the mouth of the Betsie River this evening at about 5:30. He had been called to the scene by reports of the efforts of citizens to save the fish as…
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Law Enforcement Arrives at Betsie Bay to Close Fishery at Mouth of River
At about 5:15 Monday, the Alert got word from county commissioner Don Tanner that law enforcement officials were headed to the crowded scene at the east end of Betsie Bay to put a stop to both the fish saving and fish snagging taking place there. Per the DNR’s September 14…
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Sandbagging the Bay
Since the word began to get out last Thursday about the potential salmon spawn crisis, a number of ideas have emerged to deal with the problem. The DNR has already been inundated with phone calls from concerned fishermen and business owners. As the Alert reported Friday, Fisheries Management is issuing…
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DNR, Local Leaders Respond to Salmon Crisis: “Leave the Fish Alone”
By Emily Votruba Historic low levels in Lake Michigan (the lowest since 1961) have caused extreme low water in Betsie Lake. Thousands of salmon are dead and dying as they try to breach the sandbars and get into Betsie River to spawn. Don Tanner, Benzie County commissioner and a licensed…
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Partial Fishing Ban, Dredging Considered to Save 2012 Salmon Spawn
Per an email received today from Dennis Holcombe, chair of the Gilmore Township planning commission: “I talked to the DNR this morning. They had just returned from a site visit here in Elberta, they walked the area. Their analysis is that the level of Lake Michigan is the lowest it…
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Sheriff’s Dept. Investigating Platte Valley Auto Sales Fraud Allegations
Sheriff Rory Heckman said this morning that the Sheriff’s Department is in the middle of its investigation of alleged fraud perpetrated by Platte Valley Auto Sales owner Dave Purchase and his sister Brenda Purchase. Asked if any arrests were planned, Heckman said, “We are right in the middle of an…
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Council Meeting Report for June 2012
INITIAL PUBLIC COMMENT An unidentified woman spoke regarding the beach: “Whether an ordinance is needed or not, I urge the council to take action and move on protecting the fragile environment.” She cited three clear tracks including the well-established track at the base of the dune. She questioned the claim…
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Zoning Board of Appeals Upholds Putney Land Use Permit Denial
The Zoning Board of Appeals, minus recused members Reg Manville and Ken Holmes, voted unanimously to uphold zoning administrator Carl Noffsinger’s initial denial of a land-use permit to Loy Putney, who back in December 2011 petitioned to use the former Bay Valley Inn property as worker housing. The three-plus hour…
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Next Wednesday…
To learn more about this project of the Elberta Historic Preservation Committee, go to the Apron Savers Facebook page, and check out the Ann Arbor Car Ferry Memories page while you’re there.
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Putney Land Use Hearing Tomorrow
The public hearing on the land use permit denial(s) for the Bay Valley Inn property, purchased by Loy Putney, will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, May 30, at 7 pm at the Village Community Building. All are welcome to attend and give their comments. This is a resumption of the hearing…
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Public Hearing on Putney Land Use Denial Postponed
About 55 people turned out on Wednesday night, April 25, as the Village Council, sitting as the zoning board of appeals (ZBA), attempted to hold a public hearing on the land-use permit denial issued by zoning administrator Carl Noffsinger for Loy Putney. Putney has purchased the former Bay Valley Inn…
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2012 Water Festival Event This Saturday—Fun Overflowing
Download the pdf: Water Festival Schedule 2012
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Putney Sues Village over Bay Valley Inn Property
UPDATES * The office of Plunkett Cooney confirmed yesterday (4/9) that Gretchen Olsen is representing the Village and its agents in the Putney litigation. ** Channel 7&4 reported on the case yesterday (4/9) evening. The video may be viewed here. Note that because of the ongoing litigation, the news reporter…
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February 18: Way Too Much Going On
Once again, Shiver by the River Day is jam-packed with ways to amuse and abuse yourself. This year the day begins and ends in Elberta, with a 5K prize run starting at 9 am at the sunset lookout, and a chili cook-off and live music at the Shed that’ll burn…
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Water Main Break Getting Fixed
DPW Ken Bonney says the water pipe rupture on the corner of Sheridan and Frankfort Avenue just outside Mix’s Barbershop probably occurred on Friday—he’ll know when he checks the water meter. Because of the holiday and the need for Miss Dig’s involvement the leak could not be repaired until today.…
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Abandoned by the System
The following story appeared in print issue 9 of the Elberta Alert. By Emily Votruba KELLY BEATON WORKED as a welder for about 11 years at a shop in Honor, until he was laid off. He never had health care coverage as an adult and didn’t care much for going…
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Foghorn: Mayfair, Park and Rec, Beach
The Mayfair Tavern will be closed for renovations until November 10. They’re tearing up some flooring, among other things. Come out for the Harvest Wine Dinner event on the 17th. This month’s Park and Rec meeting was canceled. The next meeting, under new P&R prez Art Melendez, will take place…
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September Council Meeting Report: Signs
DIANE JENKS ASKED that audio recordings be made of all future council meetings. Linda Manville asked Village treasurer Laura Manville to find out the renewal date for the Village employees’ health care package and where we stand vis à vis the new state health care benefit bill for municipal employees,…
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Foghorn: Sell Your Stuff at E²: Eclectic Elberta
E²: Eclectic Elberta! For the third year, Conundrum Café and Park and Rec are running a free market day on Labor Day Sunday (Sept. 4). Do you have something, anything, you want to sell? (Food, crafts, vintage items, et cetera…) Booths are free. Call 231-352-8150 to reserve a spot. Or…
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World Premiere of Chaotic Harmony
Elberta’s own choreographer, Gretchen Eichberger, premieres her dance tribute to Gwen Frostic, Chaotic Harmony, next Saturday and Sunday at the CSA Meeting House. A collaboration with the writer Anne-Marie Oomen and the musical trio Breathe Owl Breathe, as well as four dancers and three speakers, the piece integrates spoken word…