January 23, 2007

The meeting of the Barry County Road Commission was called to order at 8:00 A.M. by Chairman Willcutt.

Members present:  Willcutt, Fiala and Managing Director Brad Lamberg.  Dykstra excused.

The agenda for January 23, 2007 was approved.

The minutes of January 9, 2007 were approved as read by the Secretary.

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to approve the payroll for payment.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

CHECK              NAME                                                                            AMOUNT

                            Barry County Road Commission                                       $87,774.52

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to approve the bills for payment.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

   Check               Name                                                                         Amount      

    20610                 ALLTEL                                                                         $170.36

    20611                 BLUE CARE NETWORK                                                   $18,457.96

    20612                 CITY OF HASTINGS                                                        $601.90

    20613                 DUANE WINDES                                                            $6.15

    20614                 MARK WEEKS                                                               $33.00

    20615                 NAPA AUTO PARTS                                                       $1,687.65

    20616                 ALEXANDER HAMILTON INSTITUTE INC                         $38.50

    20617                 APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES                            $284.72

    20618                 BARRY COUNTY LUMBER                                               $32.99

    20619                 BESCO WATER TREATMENT INC                                    $82.50

    20620                 BRENT CISLER                                                               $100.00

    20621                 COLEMAN AGENCY                                                       $75.00

    20622                 CULLIGAN WATER CONDITIONING                                 $15.78

    20623                 DUTHLER TRUCK CENTER                                              $46.54

    20624                 EAGLE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY INC                             $112.50

    20625                 FIDELITY INVESTMENTS                                                $6,827.81

    20626                 CHRIS BEBEAU BCRC                                                     $158.73

    20627                 HASTINGS ACE HARDWARE                                          $217.76

    20628                 HASLER INC                                                                  $57.00

    20629                 JDE EQUIPMENT COMPANY                                            $159.97

    20630                 JERRYS TIRE SERVICE                                                     $1,802.14

    20631                 KENT OIL COMPANY, INC.                                              $17,376.66

    20632                 LTAP/MTU                                                                    $675.00

    20633                 M&K QUALITY TRUCK CENTER                                      $27.76

    20634                 MANPOWER OF HASTINGS                                            $674.88

    20635                 MICHIGAN CAT                                                             $145.79

    20636                 MICHIGAN COMPANY INC                                              $76.55

    20637                 MODEL COVERALL SERVICE                                           $44.58

    20638                 NEAL’S TRUCK PARTS                                                    $906.06

    20639                 NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS                                          $352.71

    20640                 PENNOCK HOSPITAL                                                      $34.00

    20641                 PURITY CYLINDER GASES INC                                         $634.50

    20642                 QUALITY STAFFING SOLUTION                                      $1,533.11

    20643                 QUILL CORPORATION                                                    $124.28

    20644                 ROAD EQUIPMENT PARTS                                              $100.74

    20645                 S A MORMAN & COMPANY                                            $56.85

    20646                 SCOTT CIVIL ENGINEERING COMPANY                            $4,762.80

    20647                 STATE SPRING ALIGNMENT & BRAKE                             $3,491.71

    20648                 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY                                         $248.72

   Check               Name                                                                         Amount      

    20649                 TRUCK & TRAILER SPECIALTIES                                     $1,006.15

    20650                 VERNS REPAIR & SPORT                                                 $653.89

    20651                 VESCO OIL CORPORATION                                              $238.40

    20652                 WELTON’S INC                                                               $91.90

    20653                 WELLER TRUCK PARTS, INC.                                          $381.38

                            Grand Total:                                                                         $64,607.38

The floor was opened up for Vice-Chairman.

Commissioner Willcutt nominated Dave Dykstra for Vice-Chairman.

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to close the nominations and vote for Dave Dykstra as Vice-Chairman.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

Commissioner Willcutt to serve on the Parks Board and Commissioner Fiala to serve on the Economic and Development Board.

Ron Rochenberger discussed his driveway permit in Maple Grove Township, Clark Road with the Board.  Because of lack of required sight vision different options were discussed.  No action was taken by the Board.  Cutting and Filling of the hill was to be looked at or sharing of neighbors approved driveway.

Used equipment bids were opened up at 9:00 A.M.

#1 Sign Baking Oven
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $20.00
Al Conklin $7.50

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Sign Baking Oven to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#2 – 55 Gallon Drum, 40wt Oil
Bidder Bid Amount
No Bids

55 Gallon Drum of 40wt Oil was not awarded due to no bids.

#3 Clemco Sandblaster
Bidder Bid Amount
Deyman Trucking, Inc. $150.00
Jack Phillips $25.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award ClemCo Sandblaster to Deyman Trucking, Inc.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#4 Craftsman Engine Diagnostic Analyzer
Bidder Bid Amount
No Bids

Craftsman Engine Diagnostic Analyzer was not awarded due to no bids.

#5 Fine Thread Bolts
Bidder Bid Amount
Vince Wiltshire $230.00
Go Go Auto Parts $176.00
Jack Phillips $93.50
Tom Burghdoff $75.00
Al Conklin $66.00
Earl Willison $44.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to reject all bids on the Fine Thread Bolts.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#6 Blue Work Bench
Bidder Bid Amount
Lanny Blankenship $50.00
Earl Willison $27.01
Mark Ashley $26.00
Go Go Auto Parts $48.00
Al Conklin $40.00
Karen Richardson $25.00
Bob Miller $23.00
Jack Phillips $20.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Blue Work Bench to Lanny Blankenship.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#7 Steel Cable
Bidder Bid Amount
No Bids

Steel Cable was not awarded due to no bids.

#8 Steel Cable
Bidder Bid Amount
Lloyd Goyings $100.00
Randy Dunn $32.00
Jack Phillips $10.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Steel Cable to Lloyd Goyings.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#9 Steel Cable
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Steel Cable to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#10 Steel Cable
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips No Amount Listed

Steel Cable was not awarded because there was no amount listed on the bid.

#11 Tire Bead Breaker
Bidder Bid Amount
Joe Dunham $70.00
Jack Phillips No Amount Listed
Deyman Trucking, Inc. $50.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Tire Bead Breaker to Joe Dunham.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#12 –  6 Steel Gas Cans
Bidder Bid Amount
Go Go Auto Parts $46.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 6 Steel Gas Cans to Go Go Auto Parts.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#13 Time Clock
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Time Clock to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#14 Compactor #333
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $35.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Compactor #333 to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#15 Miscellaneous Shelving
Bidder Bid Amount
Earl Willison $5.01
Bob Miller $4.00
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Miscellaneous Shelving to Earl Willison.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#16 Cement Forms
Bidder Bid Amount
Jerry Reese $85.00
Al Conklin $60.00
Jack Phillips $35.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Cement Forms to Jerry Reese.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#17- 100 Gallon Diesel Fuel Tank & Pump
Bidder Bid Amount
Lanny Blankenship $400.00
Don Osborne $45.00
Jack Phillips $25.00
Lloyd Goyings $211.00
Raymond Bond $106.00
Randy Dunn $225.30
Greg Shook $180.00
Tom Hughes $167.00
Go Go Auto Parts $101.00
Tom ReynHout $105.00
Jim Carl $76.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 100 Gallon Diesel Fuel Tank & Pump to Lanny Blankenship.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#18 – 50 Gallon Gasoline Fuel Tank & Pump
Bidder Bid Amount
Tom Hughes $127.97
Tom ReynHout $55.00
Raymond Bond $55.00
Lloyd Goyings $76.00
Jack Phillips $25.00
Randy Dunn $125.00
Go Go Auto Parts $101.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 50 Gallon Gasoline Fuel Tank & Pump to Tom Hughes.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#19 – 275 Gallon Tank
Bidder Bid Amount
Al Conklin $5.00
Bob Miller $2.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 275 Gallon Tank to Al Conklin.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#20 Steel Work Bench
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $8.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Steel Work Bench to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#21 Steel Work Bench
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $7.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Steel Work Bench to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#22 – 50 Gallon Sprayer Tank
Bidder Bid Amount
Earl Willison $31.01
Al Conklin $10.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 50 Gallon Sprayer Tank to Earl Willison.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#23 1977 Ford 9000 Water Wagon
Bidder Bid Amount
Craig Hamilton $1,558.00
Al Conklin $300.00
Earl Willison $695.01

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 1977 Ford 9000 Water Wagon to Craig Hamilton.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#24 1979 GMC Brigadier Flatbed Truck, Tandem Axel
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $408.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to reject all bids for the 1979 GMC Brigadier Flatbed Truck.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#25 – 1989 Ford F350 4X4 Dually Dump Truck
Bidder Bid Amount
Vince Wiltshire $1,510.00
Randy Dunn $1,325.00
Jack Phillips $510.00
Tommie Conrad $1,029.29
Ken Elliott $1,001.00
Go-Go Auto Parts $576.00
Mark Meek $601.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 1989 Ford F350 4×4 Dually Dump truck to Vince Wiltshire.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#26 – 1989 GMC 3500 4X4 Crew Cab Dually w/Utility Box
Bidder Bid Amount
Mark Meek $1,701.00
Tom ReynHout $1,151.00
Go-Go Auto Parts $876.00
Jack Phillips $426.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 1989 GMC 3500 4×4 Crew Cab to Mark Meek.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#27 – 3 Pt. York Rake 8′
Bidder Bid Amount
Larry Poll $200.00
Jack Phillips $167.50
Randy Dunn $150.00
Tom Hughes $107.00
Wayne Forman $75.00
Mark Ashley $52.00
Jerry Reese $100.00
Scott Bond $62.00
Kim Conners $175.00
Larry Cranmore $127.00
Ken Elliott $101.00
Al Conklin $25.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 3 Pt. York Rake 8′ to Larry Poll.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#28 – 3 Pt. Back Blade 8’6″
Bidder Bid Amount
Jim Carl $226.00
Russ Chaffee $100.00
Jack Phillips $131.00
Tom Hughes $157.77
Ken Elliott $110.00
Wayne Forman $75.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 3 Pt. Back Blade 8’6″ to Jim Carl.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#29 – 3 Pt. Brush Hog 5′
Bidder Bid Amount
Capital Area Sportsman League $750.51
Ken Glupker $407.00
Jack Phillips $142.00
Mike Lucks $300.00
Don Bowers $301.00
Jerry Reese $300.00
Al Conklin $65.00
Larry Poll $100.00
Ken Elliott $151.00
Wayne Forman $280.00
Dave McClelland $261.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 3 Pt. Brush Hog 5′ to Capital Area Sportsman League.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#30 – 1943 Jaeger Cement Mixer 3 1/2 Cubic Foot
Bidder Bid Amount
Go Go Auto Parts $176.00
Dan Price $101.00
Ken Elliott $110.00
Jerry Reese $105.00
Al Conklin $50.00
Mark Meek $101.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 1943 Jaeger Cement Mixer 3 ½ Cubic Foot to Go Go Auto Parts.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#31 – 1992 John Deere AMT 626 Gator With Cab
Bidder Bid Amount
Capital Area Sportsman League $3,001.51
Raymond Bond $1,268.00
Mike Lucks $600.00
Mark Meek $501.00
Go Go Auto Parts $476.00
Ken Glupker $975.00
Jerry Reese $905.00
Earl Willison $595.01
Larry Poll $500.00
Steven Leary $520.00
Don Bowers $601.00
Randy Dunn $1,006.25
Larry Blankenship $1,400.00
Pat Cusack $1,277.00
Kim Conners $300.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 1992 John Deere AMT 626 Gator with Cab to Capital Area Sportsman League.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#32 Set of 4 Portable Truck Scales
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $21.00
Tom Burghdoff $20.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Set of 4 Portable Truck Scales to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#33 Set of 4 Portable Truck Scales
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $16.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Set of 4 Portable Truck Scales to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#34 – 12 Yard Dump Box
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $100.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to reject all bids for the 12 Yard Dump Box.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#35 – 12 Yard Dump Box
Bidder Bid Amount
Randy Dunn $255.00
Al Conklin $55.00
Jack Phillips $100.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 12 Yard Dump Box to Randy Dunn.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#36 – 12 Yard Dump Box
Bidder Bid Amount
Randy Dunn $212.00
Jack Phillips $100.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 12 Yard Dump box to Randy Dunn.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#37 – 1987 Amer Cleaner Pressure Washer Steam Jenny
Bidder Bid Amount
Daryl Brodbeck $50.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to reject all bids for the 1987 Amer Cleaner Pressure Washer Steam Jenny.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#38 Roller
Bidder Bid Amount
Tom Hughes $27.77
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Roller to Tom Hughes.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#39 Office Dividers
Bidder Bid Amount
Al Conklin $10.00
Jack Phillips $6.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Office Dividers to Al Conklin.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#40 Partial Role of 3/8″ Hydraulic Hose
Bidder Bid Amount
Jim Carl $26.00
Jack Phillips $13.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Partial Role of 3/8″ Hydraulic Hose to Jim Carl.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#41 Air Conditioner
Bidder Bid Amount
Scott Bond $18.00
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Air Conditioner to Scott Bond.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#42 Miscellaneous Shelving
Bidder Bid Amount
Tom Burghdoff $20.00
Jack Phillips $10.00
Bob Miller $4.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Miscellaneous Shelving to Tom Burghdoff.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

# 43 Miscellaneous Shelving
Bidder Bid Amount
Earl Willison $5.01
Jack Phillips $5.00
Bob Miller $4.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Miscellaneous Shelving to Earl Willision.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#44 Miscellaneous Shelving
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $10.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Miscellaneous Shelving to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#45 Miscellaneous Shelving
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Miscellaneous Shelving to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#46 – 1997 409 Stainless Monroe Sander Unit
Bidder Bid Amount
Ken Glupker – ACRC $2,000.00
Burkett Excavating $580.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 1997 409 Stainless Monroe Sander Unit to Ken Glupker – ACRC.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#47 – 1997 409 Stainless Monroe Sander Unit
Bidder Bid Amount
Ken Glupker- ACRC $2,000.00
Burkette Excavating $580.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 1997 409 Stainless Monroe Sander Unit to Ken Glupker – ACRC.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#48 – 5 Gallon Paint Shaker
Bidder Bid Amount
Lloyd Goyings $111.00
Al Conklin $20.00
Jack Phillips $20.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award 5 Gallon Paint Shaker to Lloyd Goyings.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#49-  1 Front & 1 Rear Weaver in ground Hoist
Bidder Bid Amount
Deyman Trucking $200.00
Jim Carl $101.00

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award 1 Front & 1 Rear Weaver in ground Hoist to Deyman Trucking.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

#50 Thompson Cyclone Seeder
Bidder Bid Amount
Jack Phillips $21.50
Wayne Forman $5.00

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to award Thompson Cyclone Seeder to Jack Phillips.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

#51 Hydraulic Attached Lift
Bidder Bid Amount
Ken Elliott $51.00
Tom Burghdoff $40.00
Jack Phillips $17.25

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to award Hydraulic Attached Lift to Ken Elliott.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                              Nays, None

                              Motion Carried

Managing Director read a petition to stop brush cutter.

Dear County Employees,

Thank you for your hard work on behalf of the people of our county.  This morning we all woke to find several inches of newly fallen snow, and yet the county road crews already had many of our streets plowed and safe for travel.   Thank you for this.

I would like to share with you concerns expressed by my neighbors living along the west and south shores of Fine Lake in Barry County.  Over the last five years, the County Road Commission has been using a “Brush Hog” machine to manage the right of way along county roads.  Many of us are deeply worried about the impact of this machine on our trees.  We feel strongly that the county needs to desist in use of this machine and return to a more controlled form of careful, clean-cut pruning.

Yesterday I walked around to visit several of my immediate neighbors with the enclosed petition.  In just a short hour or so I was able to collect nearly twenty signatures.  So far, I have found almost everyone I’ve spoken to as passionate in their objections as am I.  Should we need to collect additional signature, I am sure that would be readily possible.

I grew up in Barry County, and I have fond memories of the beauty of the roads, roads that were once lined with big, old, beautiful trees.  Sadly these trees are increasingly nothing more than a memory.  Although we are just one small group of neighbors, I hope that you will take our

concerns to heart and give this matter your attention.  We will certainly appreciate your time and effort. 

You can reach me several ways.  I spend part of my year away from Michigan, teaching history at a community college in Illinois (I return in the summer to spend time with my father who lives here year-round).  So I will give you my work address and my father’s address, as well as my e-mail address.

Thank you again for your time and help.

Sincerely,

Beth Ingle

596 Oak Grove

Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Rock Valley College

3301 North Mulford Road

Rockford,  IL  61114

PETITION

Respectfully addressed to the Offices of the Barry County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, and Governor Jennifer Granholm on this the 4th day of January 2007.

We the undersigned, residents of Barry County, feel most fortunate to live in a county remarkable for its natural beauty.  Many of us choose to live here precisely because of the natural glory of the region, and our community memory is deeply connected to our lakes and forests.  Over the last few years, however, many of us living at Fine Lake have become increasingly concerned about the way in which County officials now choose to manage the trees that line our county roads.  Instead of thoughtfully cutting and pruning only such branches that might harm power lines or impair the line of sight for drivers, the County now turns to a machine that brutally twists branches and limbs from trees, leaving the mother tree a broken, splintered lump.  Indeed, many of our roads, once line with majestic, fine Oaks, now look more like war zones – the wanton destruction is such that locals now call the “Brush Hot” machine used in this operation the “Raping Machine.”  Moreover, the shattered limbs and branches are left to lie along the side of the road, ugly clumps themselves a constant reminder of the destruction that has ensued (and surely, hazards for passing motorists).

Although we appreciate the financial constraints under which the county operates, as well as the need to maintain roads that are safe for all, we equally believe in the necessity to preserve the great legacy of our county’s natural beauty for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come.

Therefore, as neighbors, we have decided to come together and write this petition and humbly request that the Barry County Road Commission immediately and permanently desist in employing a “Brush Hog” to maintain the right of way along county roads, and instead return to a road management strategy relying upon prudent and careful pruning of trees and bushes in order to preserve both the safety of the community and the long-term viability of our environment.

We further request that new trees be planted to replace those which have been destroy as a result of current Road Commission practices, and we submit photos for your review to highlight and document our concerns.

We appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing this petition.

Sincerely,

Name                                      Address

Jan Bain                                   548 Oak Grove, Battle Creek,  MI  49017

Don Bain                                  548 Oak Grove, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Janet Damon                            14451 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Burrell L. Stults             14427 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Deanna M. Stults                      14427 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Julie Sutton                               14413 Acorn Cove Trial, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Robert Damon                          14451 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Nancy A. Brownlee                  14541 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Robert Brownlee                      14541 Acorn Cove Trail, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Reva Zeno                                584 Oak Grove, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Beth Ingle                                 596 Oak Grove, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Richard Ingle                            596 Oak Grove, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Jane E. Noto                            13896 Fineview Bluff Drive, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Joseph J. Noto                         13896 Fineview Bluff Drive, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

George A Martin                      12880 Manning Lake Road,  Delton,  MI   49046

Fred Pessell                              13884 Fineview Bluff Drive, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Sheryl Pessell                           13884 Fineview Blue Drive, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Dawn Frost                              3445 Westshore Drive, Battle Creek,  MI   49017

Randy Frost                             3445 Westshore Drive, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Walt Herwarth             3334 Westshore Drive, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Chris Cole                                2714 West Hickory, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Chuck & Mary Ann Cook        Mill Lake, Battle Creek,   MI   49017

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala that Fort Custer could rent brush cutter with Road Commission operator April thru June.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

Rezoning Pecks Pit to mixed use was discussed and no action was taken.

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt to have a Act 317 policy developed.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

Motion by Commissioner Fiala seconded by Commissioner Willcutt authorizing employees to get hepatitis vaccinations at Road Commission expense.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

Motion by Commissioner Willcutt seconded by Commissioner Fiala to schedule February 6 and February 20, 2007 meetings for 6:30 P.M.

     ROLL CALL:  Yeas, Willcutt & Fiala

                               Nays, None

                               Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 10:50 A.M.

_________________________________                   __________________________________

Chairman                                                                      Secretary

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