Elk Rapids News and Features | Elk Rapids, Michigan

Caughtcha being Good!

Anna Alexander & Ellacyn Rahn

Courtesy photo

After hearing that trash and litter were becoming unsightly at nearby Glowicki Field, Cherryland Middle School students, Anna Alexander and Ellacyn Rahn decided to do the right thing and dedicate their recess time to picking up trash under and around the bleachers. Thank you, Anna and Ellacyn for your kindness and taking the initiative to help keep our schools and community clean

ELK RAPIDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber welcomes the Yuba School

Roy Challender, Brian Lewis, Nita Finch, Shirley Lewis, Jan Engle, Donna Sayler, Karen LeClair, Rich Sayler, Pauline Barber, and Ed Bussa. Courtesy photo

The Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting last Saturday to celebrate the Grand Opening and completion of the historic Yuba School by the Yuba Historic Society, 5825 Yuba Road, Williamsburg. Contact Donna Sayler for information on the school or for events at rdsayler@gmail.com.

ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS
School Board Update

By Mark McAlpine, Contributing Writer

News this past week that current Superintendent Julie Brown has applied and made the final cut for the Kingsley School Superintendent position sparked public comment in support of Brown. The board declined to comment on their plans due to the confidentiality required by school policies. They did confirm that a special School Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 8 at 6 p.m. for the purpose of approving a performance evaluation of Brown. The Study Session portion of that meeting will be dedicated to completing a periodic performance evaluation of Brown and held in closed session at her request.

Several personnel issues were approved during the meeting. The resignation of Athletic Director Jim Standerfer, effective December 31, 2022, was approved along with the retirement resignation of teacher Kristin Zemper, effective January 30, 2023. The hiring of Helen Clark was approved as Elementary Independence Facilitator. A full slate of winter coaches was approved. Dan Rathburn from Owen Ames Kimball provided an update on a variety of ongoing construction projects in the district.

All Things Clearwater

The Clearwater Township Planning Commission met this past Monday, December 5 with the main topic of discussion still focusing on the survey results surrounding the short term rental ordinance currently being crafted by the group. Chairman Von See, a Clearwater resident since the early 1960s, shared a unique perspective on the growth he has witnessed throughout the township, and the effects of the recent rise in the short term rental market.

One of those effects mentioned that has not fully been discussed in the survey is ground water runoff and wastewater treatment, according to Chairman Von See, and a need for a long-term plan to protect the lake. Several township residents present at the meeting, and a few participating on Zoom, were in agreement that protecting the ground water and surrounding lakes and rivers is critical. As the density of structures and pavement increases, less and less area is available for absorption and filtration, which, if not addressed, will only continue to be a problem.

Members of the public offered a detailed look into the level of official complaints that have occurred over the past several years, highlighting several freedom of information requests to the township and Kalkaska Sheriff’s Office, and it was discovered that very few complaints were actually received at short term rental locations. While it was noted that not all complaints are received officially, most of those that were took place in areas of the township not generally associated with the short term areas, and a concise and detailed map representing this was presented to the board.

The township survey regarding short term rentals will continue online until December 15, with the link to it going out in the township’s end-of-the-year newsletter mailed with tax statements, or at www.inovativegrowth.org/clearwater-str-survey .

The commission hopes to finish the drafting of the ordinance in the near future, and will present it to the township board, where more discussion will occur prior to its implementation. Get involved in Clearwater Township at clearwatertwp.com. Submitted by Jim Leffew

IMPROPER EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT CLAIMS

IRS is encouraging business owners to maintain some healthy skepticism when being approached by third party companies advising them to claim the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Known for charging a percentage of the tax savings as their fee, third parties are offering to calculate and prepare the necessary forms for the credit, sometimes using very aggressive tax positions, without assuming any of the risk. IRS warns businesses to be cautious of companies guaranteeing tax saving that are too good to be true. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for the information reported on their tax returns. An improper claim of the ERC could result in taxpayers being required to repay the credit along with penalties and interest. We expect ERC audits in the future as IRS scrutinizes ERC claims.

The ERC was authorized under three separate pieces of legislation. The ERC originally enacted as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), is a refundable tax credit available to qualifying businesses, including tax exempt organizations, that paid qualifying wages to some or all employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 extended the credit to the first and second quarters of 2021 with slightly increased eligibility requirements. Finally, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, extended and modified the credit for the third and fourth quarters of 2021.

For 2020, the maximum credit is 50% of the qualifying wages, not to exceed $10,000 per employee for all quarters, paid under the following circumstances:

1.   The business sustained a full or partial suspension of operations due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority.
2.   The business experienced a significant decline in gross revenue during any quarter during 2020, which is defined as any calendar quarter that experienced a greater than 50% decline in gross revenue compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019. The eligibility period ends on the earlier of January 1, 2021, or the calendar quarter following the first calendar quarter in which gross revenue was greater than 80% of the gross revenue for the same calendar quarter in 2019.
For 2021, the maximum credit is 70% of qualifying wages, up to $10,000 per employee per quarter, paid under the following circumstances:
1.   The business sustained a full or partial suspension of operations due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority.
2.   The business experienced a decline in gross revenue during any of the first three quarters of 2021, which is defined as any quarter that experienced a greater than 80% decline in gross revenue compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019.
3.   The business qualified as a recovery startup business for the third or fourth quarters of 2021. Only recovery startup businesses are eligible for ERC in the fourth quarter of 2021. A recovery startup business is a business that started during the pandemic, beginning operations after February 15, 2020.

Eligible businesses that experienced a decline in gross revenue or were closed due to a government order and did not claim the credit when they filed their original Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, can take advantage by filing Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, to claim the credit for 2020 and 2021. If you filed Form 941 or 941-X to claim the ERC, you must reduce your tax deduction for wages by the amount of the credit. If you claimed the credit and failed to decrease your deduction for wages, you must file an amended business income tax return. Eligible employers cannot claim the ERC on qualifying wages that were also used to obtain Payroll Protection Program loan forgiveness.

For more information, go to WWW.IRS.GOV and in the search box type ERC.

-Submitted by Char Kirchner, CPA, MSA and Rex Rudolph, CPA

Sip & Support for the Friends of the Elk Rapids Library

On Thursday, December 15, Elk Rapids businesses will be open for holiday shopping during their annual Ladies Night, and the Friends of the Elk Rapids Library will be there to support the community and spread awareness. With other events also scheduled for that evening, the Friends worked with business owners and organizations to plan an evening everyone can enjoy.

“It will be a fun night to socialize, shop, and support each other,” said Bobbitt Bellingham, the board’s membership chair. “We want to spread the word about what our group does and the benefits of our library, but we’re also looking forward to being downtown to support our local businesses and organizations.”

Sip & Support will be at Cellar 152 from 6 to 8 p.m. Light appetizers will be available, and Cellar 152 will feature a special Sip & Support drink. For more information, contact the Friends at friendsoftheelkrapidslibrary@gmail.com.

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
Village Council Update

By Mark McAlpine, Contributing Writer

The Elk Rapids Village Council entered closed session during their scheduled December 5 meeting to discuss disciplinary action and the formation of a committee to review recommendations presented in the final 96-page legal investigation and report publicly released at their November 21 meeting covering the October 2021 payroll overpayment. The Elk Rapids legal staff submitted 12 recommendations in that report with disciplinary action the first recommendation. All trustees were present except for Melisa West who had an excused absence for the meeting.

Following the three-hour closed session, the council reopened the public portion of the meeting to report a series of actions approved in the closed session. The council confirmed that four individuals were interviewed in the closed session. They included Kristine Davis, current village treasurer; Kerri Janisse, former treasurer and current planning and zoning administrator; Bryan Gruesbeck, village manager; and Kaitlyn Szczypka, village clerk. A committee was formed to make recommendations on items 2 through 12 of the final legal review. Barb Mullaly, Kellie Sergent and Laura Shumate were named to that committee.

The council approved disciplinary action for three village staff members with responsibility for payroll and reporting to the Village Council. With a unanimous vote, the council approved a letter of reprimand to Kaitlyn Szczypka. On a vote of 5 to 1, the council approved a two-week suspension without pay for Kerri Janisse with interim monthly and final 90-day performance reviews. On a vote of 5 to 1, the council accepted the resignation, effective February 28, 2023, of Bryan Gruesbeck, village manager.

In regular business before the closed session, the council presented a Certificate of Appreciation to former Village President James Janisse for his service to the community. Bryan Gruesbeck, village manager, reported that the village will be notified on December 14 if it has been successful with an application for $300,000 in grant money from the State Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used for park improvements. In addition, according to Gruesbeck, an opportunity to work with Paddle Antrim for a Sparks Grant exists. A resolution was approved to apply for the Sparks Grant by the deadline of December 19 if the Trust Fund grant is not approved. The council approved the nomination of Emily Petrovich to a partial term, ending February 2023, on the District Library Board.

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
Planning Commission Update

By Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer

The Planning Commission met Tuesday, November 22 at 7 p.m. Once the public hearing began several people stepped up to have their voices heard. Everyone agreed that changes should not be made to the amendment. The state government is in the process of making some big decisions regarding STRs. Frustration could be heard in each of the commenters’ voices as they spoke. Planning and Zoning Administrator Kerri Janisse reassured everyone that because the Planning Commission was asked to review the section it doesn’t necessarily mean things will change. The commission carries out reviews intermittently to ensure that all is working as needed. The Village Council asked the commission for the current review regarding purchasers not having to wait on a list for a license versus someone who is changing their property to a STR for the first time. After a brief discussion it was agreed that nothing needed to change, and that recommendation will be sent back to council.

The Master Plan update stated that there has been a lot of positive feedback and good suggestions. There will be one more meeting on Thursday, December 15 at 8 a.m. In Planning and Zoning Administrator Janisse’s update, she said that she has received her first ADU application, so it will be a chance to see how well the system works. The Bridge Street housing project proposal has been extended until December 15. Updates regarding the Elk River Inn can be found online. The process is running smoothly. Janisse encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact her or the village manager. The Village Council update by Barb Mullaly touched briefly on the investigation of the payroll overpayment. Mullaly stated that things were being looked into. Further information is available online for everyone to read. Parks and Rec has an online survey that Mullaly encouraged everyone to participate in. 13 Ways will have a final presentation Wednesday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m. There will be no Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in December. The next Planning Commission meeting will be Tuesday January 24 at 7 p.m.

Polar Express Christmas Railroad

Everyone enjoyed the Polar Express Railroad exhibit at Bayfront Beach and Bike. Photo by Tom Vranich

The holiday season began in earnest last Saturday with a Polar Express train display, Santa’s reindeer, and gifts galore for Christmas shoppers in downtown Elk Rapids.

The Polar Express train display is located at Bayfront Beach and Bike at 130 River St. and will run Wednesday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. each week through Christmas.

Christmas Rapid City style

Everyone came from near and far. Santa was there while the Grinch drove a car. The kids lined up to get their gifts and the parents sang songs in their Christmas mitts. The mood was jolly, the hot cocoa did flow. Everyone put their raffle tickets in for all the bikes in a row. Tents were up to keep everyone warm, but it was the love and comradery that really showed good form.

Tis the season and it happens every year. Rapid City residents get together to spread the cheer. Some days happiness is scarce but on this day everyone’s love shone fierce. Text and photos by Jennifer Griffin

The 21st century veteran:
Hello Antrim County!

My name is Matt Weller, and I am here to serve our brothers and sisters on their next mission in life. I was born in Petoskey, graduated class of 2001 from Petoskey High School and enlisted in the US Navy Seabees in 2008. I was stationed in Gulfport, MS as a Steelworker 3rd Class Petty Officer with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 where I was active duty for five years and deployed to Afghanistan/Centcom, Eastern Europe/Eurcom, South East Asia and countless other countries for Disaster Relief.

After getting out in 2013 I fell back in love with my passion of photography and film. When I’m not out and about shooting videos or taking pictures, I can be found with my beautiful wife, Jordan, and my loyal yet crazy dog Freyja.

I always love a good chat, so if you see me, please introduce yourself. I cannot wait to learn and grow with our great county, but most of all, I can’t wait to help our local veterans seek the help that they need.

AMVETS still seeking support for veterans

The Elk Rapids AMVETS Post 114 Ladies Auxiliary will be providing Christmas presents this year for veterans in nursing homes, assisted living and transitional housing.

We can’t do this without your support though, and we are working on raising just short of $2,000. A giving tree has been set up just inside the door by the parking lot on the north side of the AMVETS building at 410 Bridge Street. Next to the tree is Santa’s locked box with a slit in the top. All donations will remain secure until it is time to pay for shopping.

Please help us provide a little cheer to the men and women that have worked so hard to secure our country and your freedom. Most of their wishes are small. We’ll be working hard to make these dreams come true.

Just take an envelope from the tree, slip in your gift money and deposit it in the lock box (checks are preferred but cash is acceptable and will be safely locked). All together you will be helping us provide a little brighter Christmas to almost 50 veterans. The tree will be up through December 23.

Chamber accepting money donations for “Ham for the Holidays”

In a year of tremendous challenge, many families are feeling more of an economic pinch than usual. Good Samaritan Family Services, an Antrim County non-profit, is attempting to meet those needs by providing families with food, clothing, and emergency services. Stacy Nelson, executive director, says this year’s most urgent need is food for Christmas dinner. In response, “Ham for the Holidays” has been launched by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will be accepting cash and check donations to help purchase 300 hams purchased wholesale by the Village Market in Elk Rapids.

“Good Samaritan does tremendous work for Antrim County families, and we are proud to support their efforts,” said James Hunter, chamber director. “We’re confident our very generous community will step up and help us meet this goal of 300 hams for our neighbors’ Christmas dinners.”

To contribute, stop by the chamber office with your cash or check donation, or mail your check to ERACC, 305 US 31 N, Elk Rapids, 49629.