CAUGHTCHA BEING GOOD!

Corrie Coy

Picture
Corrie Coy and baby skunk. Courtesy photo
About eight weeks ago Jerry and Toni Hubbell witnessed a local resident turning over a trapped skunk to a DNR officer in front of their yard. To the Hubbell’s dismay, the officer let the skunk go in their yard after the resident left. After taking up residence there the skunk began destroying the yard. To make matters worse, it then had five babies. What were Jerry and Toni to do? On hearing about their predicament, Corrie Coy offered to take and care for the babies until they are old enough to be released. Thank you, Corrie Coy, Caughtcha being GOOD! 

MILTON TOWNSHIP
Proposed farmland preservation millage examined 

By Steve Yencich, Contributing Writer

When it comes to the topic of the Farmland Preservation proposal that will appear on the August 6th ballot, Milton Township property owners definitely want to talk. Monday’s board meeting featured lots of audience comments and a presentation on the proposed Farmland Preservation millage. The meeting began with five Milton Township property owners speaking in support and one local orchard grower speaking against the proposal.  

The proposed one mill increase in property taxes would be in effect for ten years and would raise monies necessary to purchase the future development rights from orchard owners who qualify for participation in the program. In doing so, that particular property would forever be retained as open farmland, not subject to future commercial or residential development.  

Supporters repeatedly suggested, “taking the long view” pointing to the township’s master plan in which residents cited maintenance of the rural character of the township as their top priority. “No single brushstroke makes a painting,” said one supporter pointing to the farmers, tourists, business and homeowners that provide the colors and texture to the painting that is Milton Township. Each component, he said, was essential to the overall picture, which is why he supported the proposal. However, not everyone agreed. 

A local orchard grower asked the board, “Why are we paying people to do what they’re going to do anyway?  Farming gets in your blood, and you do it because you love it.” He pointed to programs already available to farmers under Michigan’s PA 116, the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act. The act provides a variety of ways for agricultural land to be preserved including Farmland Development Rights Agreements that allow farmers to temporarily restrict their development rights in exchange for certain tax and other benefits. “There were two parcels a couple of years ago that went for a PA 116 lease deal. The State benefitted, and the farmers benefitted too,” he said.

Pointing to township zoning ordinances and restrictions, he also contended that there were already means by which the township could prevent commercial or residential development. He also raised issues of fairness and equity, saying, “The program also forces growers to subsidize other growers which is pretty tough.” It’s short-sighted.”
 
While no other opponents spoke out against the measure, supporters were not done having their say, pointing to the cost differential local governments incur in delivering services to farms vs. homes or businesses. This differential was an issue Township Supervisor Lon Bargy clarified further following the meeting. Bargy said it costs the township about 60 cents for every tax dollar received to provide public services to a farm, whereas the cost of providing roads, sewers, and other public utilities for residential and commercial constituents was much higher at about $1.40. Alluding to this differential, one supporter said, “Maintaining farmland is simply more cost-effective.  It all comes down to economics.”

Another supporter pointed out that preserving farmland was proactive means of containing urban sprawl, suggesting that unrestrained development could swamp the township as has been the case in other rural areas he’d seen elsewhere. Additional reasons for supporting the measure included positive experiences with similar programs approved in nearby townships.  

In his presentation on the proposal, Glen Chown, executive director of the Grand Traverse Regional Nature Conservancy, reported that Acme Township voters recently renewed their Farmland Preservation millage by a higher margin than the millage had originally passed ten years ago. Chown also referenced Peninsula Township’s Farmland Preservation program, where he said voters approved the measure in part, after receiving estimates that indicated running sewer and infrastructure up through the middle of the peninsula for residential development would cost the township approximately $1 million per mile.

Chown provided a brief overview, saying that if approved, the program would involve evaluating and ranking of farms applying for the program based on previously established standards and criteria. Upon approval, the farm owner would sell future development rights thereby placing a permanent restriction on the land between the township and a landowner, preserving their land for agriculture in exchange for a cash payment for those rights.  Doing so, Chown said, would provide farmers access to capital to reinvest in their operations, creating new jobs and additional benefits for the local economy.  

He said that while pollution due to agricultural runoff can be a concern with traditional farms, most farms here were orchards and that “fruit farms are a friend to water quality” as their root systems serve to stabilize soil and minimize runoff. Chown said concerns over water quality and runoff were far fewer for an orchard than a paved driveway or parking lot.

Chown said that the Conservancy’s role is to help provide technical support and information. “We can’t tell you how to vote, but we can give you the information needed to make an informed decision.” When asked at meeting’s end if he’d heard anything that changed his mind, the orchard grower opposed to the proposal replied, “Not really.”  However, it was apparent supporters had not changed their minds either, which tosses the matter squarely in the laps of voters to decide come August 6.

In other matters, bids have been received for the planned sewer extension along Cairn Highway from Williams Drive to the intersection of Cairn and Cherry Avenue. Receipt of the bids enabled engineers to provide a more accurate estimate of hook-up costs for property owners. Original estimates indicated a cost of about $6,750 with the final cost estimate to be presented to property owners considering hooking up to the system coming in at $6,500.  

​The board’s next meeting is set for Monday, August 12, with a hearing set on proposed revisions to the township’s Short Term Rental ordinance scheduled for August 13 at 7 p.m.

THE SHARING ECONOMY AND YOUR TAXES 

If you use one of the many online platforms available to rent a spare bedroom or your vacation home, provide vehicle rides or to connect and provide a number of other goods or services, you are involved in what is sometimes called the sharing economy.  Also referred to as the on-demand, gig or access economy, sharing economies allow individuals and groups to utilize technology advancements to arrange transactions to generate revenue from assets they possess – such as cars and homes – or services they provide – such as household chores or technology services.  Taxpayers who participate in the sharing economy can find helpful information at IRS’s Sharing Economy Tax Center at WWW.IRS.GOV.  This information will assist taxpayers to understand how this activity affects their taxes. It also gives these taxpayers information to help them meet their tax obligations.  Here are several things taxpayers should know about how the sharing economy might affect their taxes.

1. Sharing economy activity is generally taxable.  It is taxable even if the activity is only part-time, is something you do on the side, or payments are received in cash.

2. Taxpayers who participate in the sharing economy may be able to deduct certain expenses.  For instance, a taxpayer who uses their car for business may qualify to claim the standard mileage rate, which is 58 cents per mile for 2019.  Make sure you keep good records, such as a mileage log recording the date, beginning odometer reading, where you traveled, the purpose of the trip and upon conclusion, the ending odometer reading.  Do not round the odometer readings.  For example, record 22,351, not 22,000.

3. If a taxpayer rents out their home or apartment, but also lives in it during the year, special rules generally apply when preparing the income tax return.  Usually rental income must be reported in full and any expenses need to be divided between personal and business purposes. Keep a log or calendar of every day the home or apartment is rented.  This information will be used when preparing the income tax return for allocation of expenses between personal use and business use.  If the dwelling unit is rented out fewer than 15 days during the year, none of the rental income is taxable and none of the rental expenses are deductible. Taxpayers can use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool, Is My Residential Rental Income Taxable and/or Are My Expenses Deductible? to determine if your rental income is taxable.

4. The United States tax system is pay-as-you-go. This means that taxpayers who are involved in the sharing economy may need to make estimated income tax payments during the year, as the sharing income is received.  These payments are due on April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the following year.  Taxpayers use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax to calculate and pay these estimates.  You will also need the 2019 Estimated Tax Worksheet, 2019 Tax Rate Schedule, and Instructions for the 2019 Estimated Tax Worksheet.  These worksheets and schedules are available at WWW.IRS.GOV.  Taxpayers involved in the sharing economy who are employees at another job can often avoid needing to make estimated tax payments by having more federal income tax withheld from their paychecks.  File Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate with the employer to request additional withholding. The Withholding Calculator at IRS.GOV can also be a helpful resource.

5. There are different ways to pay these estimated taxes.  The fastest and easiest way to make estimated tax payments is to do so electronically using IRS Direct Pay or use the Treasury Department’s Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

An emerging area of activity in the past few years, the sharing economy has changed how people commute, travel, rent vacation places, and perform many other activities.  Although this is a developing area of the economy, there are tax implications for the companies that provide the services and the individuals who perform the services.  IRS is working to assist taxpayers in this area by providing them the information and resources they need to file accurate income tax returns.  
​
Submitted by Char Kirchner, CPA, MSA and Rex Rudolph, CPA

Journey Through Time
with Jackie Weber

Business was booming 
Business was booming in Elk Rapids. River Street as it looked in 1912 looking east. The photo was taken by E.L. Beebe. Photo courtesy of the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society

Calling all volunteers to assist at the 2019 Harbor Days

The 2019 Harbor Days will soon be here, and we are looking for some helping hands to ensure that our guests have a great time. The festival will run from Wednesday, July 31 - August 3. We are need of assistance with greeting our guests at the Information Booth that includes selling swag. Also, we need assistance with managing a few of the games that run during the festival. You might be interested in participating as a banner carrier in the Grande Parade and the logistics team is also looking for those extra set of hands. Lastly, we are looking for that person(s) who have social media experience and would be willing to donate a few hours of their time during the festival to handle photos and posts to social media. We guarantee a fun time! So, if any of these areas are of interest and you have a couple of hours to spare, please contact Doreen at exdir@elkrapidsharbordays.org or phone 231.342.1058.

Elk Rapids District
​Library Corner

Picture
Upcoming Events:
The Island Squirrels: an Environmental Club for Kids Ages 3 and Up. July 14, 2 p.m. Kids can make a native seed bomb, take a walk that engages all 5 senses, and celebrate the 2nd Annual World Chimpanzee Day! And, kids can become an official Island Squirrel, a curious caretaker of their environment. 

Summer Reading Program at the HERTH. July 17, 10:30 a.m. We’ll welcome back Cameron Zvara for an amazing and funny magic show.   

The 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Island House Library. July 21, 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to enjoy live music, antique cars, a photo booth, storytelling, and kids’ games. Cake, ice cream and lemonade will be served and a special presentation will acknowledge the many people who have made the library a wonderful place. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and spend the afternoon!

Laughter Yoga with Angela Essick Dykes. July 26, 11 a.m. Part of the year long Happiness Project, this program will help you stretch and free the belly laugh inside you. 

The E.R. Scrabble Society: B.Y.O.Board. Mondays, 1:30 p.m. Play a game with your fellow logophiles.

Drop In Knitting with Kate. Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8. Need help turning a heel? Not sure where you are in a pattern? Kate can help.

~~All programs are FREE and open to everyone. Please call the library at (231)264-9979 for more information.~~ 

Crane Count: 1000! We made it to our goal and our collective wish for a more interconnected community. Thank you to all who made a crane. See them fly in the Harbor Days Parade! 

Village of Elk Rapids
Harbor Commission update

By Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer

The Harbor Commission met on Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m.  After the Approval of Minutes from the previous meeting Harbormaster Mike Singleton gave a rundown of the things completed that also coincided with the old business. He explained that the web cam was in and working. It is viewable via the Elk Rapids website. He has contacted the 9 and 4 News to ask if they would include it on their broadcasts as they do other local marina web cams. Junction boxes have also undergone repeated inspection to ensure their safety as the flooding has damaged those in other local marinas. The new Wi-Fi access points are up and running to the happiness of all those visiting the harbor. Fuel pumps have been inspected and are good. The Sunday concerts have started and will run through the summer with the exception of August 4, which is during Harbor Days weekend.

Under the Council Report it was suggested that three shopper docks be kept open year-round; slips 29 and 30 would be for staging only while slips 1 and 2 would be shopper docks with a two-hour time limit. Further all the transient docks would be converted to seasonal for 2020. After discussion the motion was made and carried. Chair Joe Fisher voiced his concern over money that is earned from the boaters being used to clean and maintain the various bathrooms, citing that the public made much more use of it than the boaters. It should be taxpayer money being used for that instead.

Under New Business Karen Sheppard requested a 50% refund for boat slip 190 since she was in the process of selling her boat. Even though her request was before the deadline she sent an email requesting the option of keeping the slip if the sale fell through. Since the boat was sold and removed after the July 1st deadline the Commission voted for no refund. There was a special Harbor Commission meeting on June 29 with Chris Minidis from Windemuller explaining the upgraded electrical system in the harbor. Although virtually unattended by the public it was very informative for those that did attend.

Don Reynolds stepped up for Citizen Comments to thank the Harbor Commission for their help and support in making this year’s Fishing Expo on June 19 a success.  Reynolds gave a breakdown of how the money was spent as well as the event. This year a floor plan was used instead of the previous forum style so that people could wander where they wanted to see and do things.  The new format seemed to work better. Plans are already being made for next year. Reynolds also commended the Harbormaster’s team that helped out saying they were extremely helpful and knowledgeable.  
​
   The next meeting will be held Monday, August 5 at 7 p.m.

ELK RAPIDS TOWNSHIP
Elk Rapids Township Update

By Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer 

 The Elk Rapids Township Regular Meeting was held Tuesday, July 9 at 9 a.m. Dave Handley stepped up during Public Comments to address the e-coli issue. He suggested that the geese that arrive every spring might be the cause of the outbreak. He asked if any testing had been done to find out if it is human e-coli or animal. There has been testing done but no results for 30-60 days. Handley further suggested doing a sampling over the course of a year to see what effect the geese do have on the area.

Consent Agenda was passed but there were no reports from the sheriff or commissioner. The MMR Report stated that there were only 11 calls in which nine people were transported to the hospital. The Fire Department Report stated that there were only six incidents: two involved EMS, two false alarms and two cancelled water rescues. Chief Williamson and his team attended the Active Shooter Training downstate. He called it very eye opening. There are plans to put together a local version of that.

Tom Vranich with HERTHA said there were two bids received for the masonry repair of the building. The next item that will need repairs before winter are the windows. HERTHA is looking into grants and not asking the Council for money. However, they would like to have the council write a letter of recommendation for their grant writing process. A motion was made and passed to approve $7,500 for the masonry repair.

The Maple Grove Cemetery is going to need more help than anticipated as more trees are falling down. There was a meeting held at 4 p.m. on July 9 for discussion and presentation to the public. Under Farmland and Open Space Development Rights a brief presentation was given as to the importance of the program not only to the current but also future generations. The workings of the program and its various success were also noted. The Harbor Road drain is almost completed. A 4-inch pipe has been put in place, which should resolve the drainage problems once completed. The council has still heard nothing from the heirs for the Wilcox land. The council is hoping that the family will donate the land for the park so as to alleviate further issues with restrictions as to development. The Acme to Charlevoix Trail will come up the west side of US 31 but once it enters Elk Rapids it has not yet been determined where it will go. TART is working with the local community to help determine the best route. Under Announcements and Correspondence, it was noted that there will be road construction projects beginning in August. There will be a 70th anniversary celebration for the Island House Library on July 21 at 2 p.m. There are flyers about the anniversary available. 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 6 at 9 a.m.

REESE ISENHART
Town grieves over loss of former Elk 

PictureReece Isenhart with an ever-present smile after finishing the Bayside Marathon this season. Courtesy photo
The Elk Rapids community was in shock on Sunday, learning that Reese Isenhart had passed away early in the morning due to a sudden heart attack. Isenhart, 26 years old, and a 2011 Elk Rapids graduate, was a varsity starter in baseball, basketball and football, followed by four years of college football at Northwood University. As an Elk, Isenhart stood 6’6” and weighed in as much as 240, allowing him to be a three-year varsity starter in football. 

Isenhart was an anchor of the offense and defensive lines, earning all-conference as a senior for the 2010 team that went undefeated during the regular season at 9-0. This squad earned the school’s only Lake Michigan Conference title and is the last Elk football team to win their conference since the 1979 squad. The 2010 group is also the lone Elk varsity football team to beat St. Francis, winning 20-15 on the road, highlighted by an Isenhart-led goal line stand. The team would fall at home in the opening round of the playoffs 22-15 to Negaunee, a game that still sparks anger in those players to this very day. “Reece was a captain for our 2010 team, which was a special group. He was a tremendously hard worker and had the leadership qualities you like to see in your captain. He matured so much as he grew older, both on the field and into the person we all knew. Even as he got sick with cancer, he handled the adversity with his Christian faith and a smile on his face, and you really felt he was going to beat it,” said former Elk varsity football coach Ed Schindler. 

In basketball, Isenhart was all-conference as a senior. His size made him a dominant center for two years on varsity, where he was a key part in winning a district championship in 2011. A group of Boyne City fans once remarked “it wasn’t fair that Elk Rapids let Isenhart come home from college to play on the high school team.” After graduation, Isenhart committed to play football for the Division II Northwood Timberwolves, recruited by former assistant coach Kyle Kolbe. “Reece had exceptional agility for a big man, he had tremendous feet which made him a desired offensive lineman coming out of high school,” recalled Kolbe, “What really stood out about Reece was his ability to light up a room when he entered. He was the most positive, uplifting person I had the opportunity to be around. Through any situation that was thrown at him, he made the best of it.  Reece didn’t have bad days; he believed all days were good and he lived his life that way.  I’m very grateful to have been a small part of Reece’s life. The impact he left on people shows the true marks of the man he was.” Despite his talent at the high school level, Isenhart admittedly struggled early at the college football level, but he found a way to adapt. 

“The college game was so much different from high school. I went from being one of the biggest on the team in high school to the bottom of the depth chart,” Isenhart said. In his third season a special teams coach approached him about switching to long snapping, as the position was open due to a graduating player. Isenhart embraced the role, and through hard work and dedication was named the 2015 Special Teams Most Valuable Player. “In 14 years of football I never scored a touchdown, but the MVP award was a great honor to be voted on by my teammates,” Isenhart said.

In each of his four years at Northwood Isenhart earned a spot on the All Academic Excellence Team, graduating with a major in finance. Isenhart worked for Hagerty since 2016, promoted recently to the level of accounting clerk. On Monday over 50 employees in his division at Hagerty shut down the phones, reflecting with a moment of silence to honor Isenhart. “He always stood out in a crowd, not only because he was so tall, but because he always had a smile on his face,” remarked a co-worker.

 In May of 2017, constant pain in his back that began as a junior in college sent Isenhart into the hospital for spinal fusion surgery. The back pain was thought to be from years of football and sports, and the surgery left him pain free for a few weeks, but then returned more intensely. A second surgery in June revealed Isenhart had stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the cancer had spread to his abdomen and chest. He underwent six weeks of chemo and a month of radiation treatment and was declared cancer free, and pain free. Combining his athlete mentality with his strong Christian faith, Isenhart began walking in early 2018, and worked his way into running. In May of this year, he ran in the Bayshore Marathon 10K race.

As Isenhart’s sudden passing became known Sunday, social media exploded with the news. Friends that had been with him recently, to people he had come in contact with over the years began to post online their grief, along with tributes, pictures and many stories of a man that would “light up any room,” and was blessed with an infectious smile and laugh and had a genuine love and concern for people.

“Reece was a motivator, a leader, no one could ever match the energy he had. He walked in the room the whole room would light up, when I saw his smile it was like nothing else mattered in the world except the fact that I was able to be in his presence. He was very smart and talented, I always looked up to the way he could talk intelligently and hold a conversation with such understanding,” said Broc Crandall, a friend and teammate since the sixth grade. Kyle Doran, another longtime friend echoed those sentiments. “Reece was my closest and best friend. I’m one of many that say that about him, as he was someone whose personality drew you in, making you trust and love him. He was caring, selfless, and strong. He always trusted in God and he implored those around him to do the same. On top of all of this, Reece was the most fun person to be around. People flocked to him at parties, bars, and any social event you can imagine. He was the life of the party. I have a hundred hilarious stories about him that I could share, but I’m not sure he would want me spilling them all out,” Doran said. 

Another close friend, Justin Sayer said, “Reece didn’t know how to have a bad time. He could spark up conversations with strangers like they have been friends for their entire lives. He was always the glue that got everyone together, no matter what the obstacles were. His smile was radiant and could change anyone’s mood just with the sight of it.” 
​
As the day went on, former teammates, even athletes that played against him, classmates, friends, co-workers, and a great many that had met Isenhart just one time in their life turned to the internet to express disbelief and sorrow, along with positive tales of the influence he had made on them. People came together in many posts to praise to an individual whose presence could brighten a room, tell bad one-liner jokes, crone out a country song, offer counsel to a troubled person or make a friend of a stranger. Often when a person passes away, it is said they touched everyone they met. Regarding Reece Isenhart, this saying is a fact rather than a cliché. It is indeed a rare individual who makes a positive influence on everyone he comes across, merely by naturally being himself. Isenhart passed suddenly at just 26 years of age, but the memories and stories of the life he led and the positive legacy he left will survive for much, much longer.

ER Lions Club honors students, installs new board

The June 27 meeting of the Elk Rapids Lions Club included a number of highlights, including recognition of this year’s student scholarship winners, installation of the club’s 2019 officers and board, along with the presentation of a special award to a longtime member
Picture
Scholarship winners The 2019 Lions Club Scholarship winners were officially recognized at the club’s June 27 meeting. They included (from left): Remington Shively, Olivia Travis, Amanda Trzaska and Kyla Pryde. All of this year’s winners are 2019 graduates of Elk Rapids High School and were awarded $1,000 each. Courtesy photo
Picture
New officers and board The new officers and board of the Elk Rapids Lions club were installed at the June 27 meeting. They include (from left): Pam Lein (second-year director), Shirley Hill (secretary), Chuck Garrison (president), Kim Ranger (immediate past president), Dave Lein (vice president) and front, Jim Ribby (Lion Tamer). Not pictured: Marybeth Casassa (treasurer), John Grossa (Tail Twister) and Don Ranger (first-year director). Courtesy photo
Picture
Special presentation Longtime Elk Rapids Lion Dan LeBlond was presented June 27 with a special International President’s Certificate of Appreciation “In Recognition of Distinguished Achievements in Fulfilling the Mission of Lions Clubs International,” submitted by Lions International President Gudrun Yngvadottir. LeBlond has been a member for more than 16 years and has held virtually every position within the local club, sometimes twice. He will be making a permanent move to Florida this fall and is already a (snowbird) member of a Lions Club in The Villages. Courtesy photo