July 3rd, 2008

The developers of proposed theme park in Grayling are still working with a financial group being investigated by the FBI. The Wall Street Journal reports a probe into Remington Financial Group’s business deals in Pennsylvania and California.

The developers of Mainstreet America are trying to convince the Michigan DNR to sell 1800 acres of state land near Grayling. The DNR has asked to see proof that the developers have investors lined up to fund a new park. For help lining up investors, Mainstreet America has enlisted Remington. The financial group claims to be experienced at finding investment for complex real estate projects that cost over 100 million dollars.

But allegations have surfaced that Remington has a practice of charging up-front fees without any intention of searching for funds. The chairman of Remington denies any wrongdoing. A spokeswoman for Mainstreet America, Susan Haddad, says the report in the Wall Street Journal contains inaccuracies. And she says Remington is just one group involved in the proposed Theme Park.

DNR Official Mindy Koch says Remington is the only financial services group her department has met with regarding the land sale.

A report released today says Grand Traverse County fails to provide adequate legal defense services poor people accused of crimes. The National Legal Aid and Defender Association says that was true of all ten counties it studied, including Alpena and Chippewa. The report was requested by Michigan’s legislature. It criticizes the state for leaving the burden of indigent defense entirely to the counties. The report says the public defense systems vary widely and are under-funded.

Paul Shultz does defense work for the 86th District Court in Traverse City. He says public defenders don’t have the resources available to county prosecutors but should.

13th Circuit Court Judge Tom Power says the group that wrote the report is an interest group and it’s no surprise it concluded more money needs to be spent on indigent defense. He says the indigent defenders in his court do excellent work and he doubts the state could handle the program as well as local officials.

Read the report.

The Election Board for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians says it didn’t slander a candidate for the Tribe’s highest office. The board says the informal hearing held to review complaints against Derek Bailey was a reasonable way to resolve an election dispute. It says the hearing varied from election regulations but did not violate them.

Bailey has sued in Tribal Court. He says the Election Board rushed through an illegal hearing over charges that he used his work computer to view his campaign website. In a court filing, the board admits Bailey was not notified of the complaint against him and was not invited to defend himself.

The board decided Bailey did use his government computer inappropriately but that it wasn’t clear his actions amounted to campaign violations. The opinion went out in an email to everyone who works for the Grand Traverse Band the day before the election last month. The next day, Bailey lost a tight race to incumbent Tribal Chair Robert Kewaygoshkum. The Elections Board says the email wasn’t slander because Bailey did use his government computer to view his website more than 100 times and because the opinion suggested he didn't violate campaign laws.

The vote has not been certified because of this and other challenges.

May 16, 2008

Traverse City Light & Power announced today it now has a real estate option which may lead to new windmills in Charlevoix County. The deal is pending final zoning approval from Norwood Township, and the utility still needs to study whether the site would generate enough wind. The 400-acre parcel is a rock quarry, zoned industrial.

The utility is planning public meetings about the proposed windmills.

Construction wouldn’t start for another three years.

May 16, 2008

The state Court of Appeals this week ruled a Glen Arbor condominium association can continue to allow its residents joint access to Lake Michigan.

Oak Hollow Condominiums are not on lake front property, but together the owners have a hundred feet of shared frontage on Lake Michigan – zoned residential. Adjacent waterfront homeowners sued back in 2005, asking the courts to say the beach front could not be used by multiple families for swimming, picnicking, and kayaking.

It’s a property use sometimes called key-holing.

The lakefront neighbors don’t like the foot traffic down to the lake, and they argue their property values could drop.

But the courts have ruled, Glen Arbor residential zoning allows this type of use.

May 16th, 2008

State Attorney General Mike Cox has ramped up efforts to identify people who steal money from the elderly. His office says the crime is on the rise – and that 99 percent of cases go unreported.

But – even as the AG targets elder abuse – the state has cut back on social workers in Northern Michigan that help victims, according to Mary Marois. She retired recently as head of the state Department of Human Services offices in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties.

She says five years ago, there were six social workers who handled cases of elder abuse in the area. Now there’s just two. She says social workers often refer cases to law enforcement for criminal investigation, and their main job is to make sure the victim is okay.

Attorney General Mike Cox is now identifying potential victims by searching nursing homes for people with bills past due. Thursday he announced charges against a dozen people he believes have stolen money from an elderly family member. Three cases are in Northwest Michigan – in Cadillac, Mackinaw City, and Wolverine. More cases are under investigation.

May 16th, 2008

Michigan’s Attorney General says there will be no criminal probe of Meijer employees for campaign finance violations.

The company was fined the maximum allowed under state law this week by the Secretary of State, $190 million.

The AG says the agreement also bars criminal prosecution of individuals who may have acted criminally on Meijer's behalf.

But Grand Traverse Prosecutor, Al Schneider, says he’ll continue to push for an investigation. He says the law is on his side, he just needs to find someone to interpret it correctly.

Schneider says it’s the first time in Michigan’s history a prosecutor has been told not to pursue crimes that may have been committed in his county.

That's Points North this week.

Feature report

May 5th, 2008

State Representative Kevin Elsenheimer has decided NOT to run for the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The Bellaire lawmaker announced his bid earlier this year, but after discussing the roster of candidates with Republican Party leaders, he has stepped aside.

Elsenheimer's expected to announce soon whether he’ll now seek re-election for his House seat in the 105th District.

May 2nd, 2008

A private prison in Lake County shuttered in 2005 may re-open – bringing back jobs to a region that has struggled with high unemployment even in better economic times. The Florida-based company The GEO Group owns the building. It was originally built back when Engler was Governor to house maximum security youth prisoners in Michigan. It was closed in budget cuts under Governor Granholm.

The company announced plans this week to invest $60 million dollars to expand the facility to more than triple its current size.

The company plans to offer prison beds to federal and state agencies all over the country.

Lake County lost more than 200 jobs when the prison closed almost three years ago.

May 2nd, 2008

We had a caller asking for more information about gasified coal. One issue we touched on a few times, but would require a show to properly explore, is environmental concern about this kind of energy production. Peter Montague has a rigorous critique on Grist.

MUCC's concerns about the senate bills creating a new authority to handle oil and gas leases in Michigan, as introduced, are outlined here. As I mentioned in the show Sen. McManus has backed away from the current proposal saying it needs tweaking. I didn't locate any group in favor except M & M Energy.

Hear the entire show.