Gibson Township and the city of Pinconning

The past two Mondays, May 10 and May 17, I stopped by a couple of great places in Northern Bay County — Gibson Township (Bentley) and the city of Pinconning.

In Gibson Township, the board is working hard to add land to its park, as well as make some renovations to it. I hope that the board and the township residents can find a way to make the park bigger and better. It’s important that kids have a place to play, a place where they can go to hang out that’s safe and close to home. I support the board and am willing to do whatever I can to help.

When I was asked to make my short address to the board, we discussed the two most important things to the state of Michigan — jobs and education.

If the state works to bring more jobs to the area, more people will be able to afford to move to Gibson Township, and even more opportunities, like a new park, can be offered to the young people in the township.

And of course, we need to make sure children from Gibson Township and all over the state of Michigan, are guaranteed a quality education.

Then, this past Monday, I stopped at the Pinconning City Hall during a city council meeting. It was good to see Paul Jacques again, as I saw him a couple of days prior at the Northern Bay Ambulance Dinner at Third Street Deli in Pinconning. NBA serves five townships in Northern Bay, and Grim Township in Gladwin County.

Back to Pinny, though.

At the city council meeting, a candidate for the 31st district Senate Seat had actually requested an opportunity to speak, but he didn’t show, so council gave the time to me. Thanks Mayor Hall!

Anyways, as has been the theme of my campaign, we went in depth about the economy. I told the members of council and others in attendance how I am committed to working with groups that really make our small communities tick — county Economic Development Corporations, Downtown Development Authorities. I feel that many representatives in Lansing are not in tune with what these groups are doing, and therefore exclude themselves from assisting when they can. That is not that way I would represent the 97th District. I am ready and willing to serve as a mediator and negotiator to bring jobs to the area.

We also talked about some of the education issues that have hit home in Pinconning. Last year, a Pinconning Area Schools Board of Education member actually resigned after being threatened. I can’t help but feel like the state is partially to blame for an incident like this. Lansing has left schools out to dry, and needs to do more for our schools. We need to give them solid funding, and make sure our educational system moves forward, not backwards. The only way we can do that is offer a more diverse education.

On that last point, Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D - West Branch) recently had a bill pass that he fought very hard for. It allows students looking to go into a vocational or trade career to have different math standards for graduation. I believe this bill is good for the district, and good for Michigan. It offers more opportunities, which will progress our public education system.

It was good to be in Pinconning again. I seem to like the city more and more each time I go there. And if elected, I have actually made it a goal to bring businesses to Pinny’s downtown business district. It has several empty storefronts, and is just waiting to be a center of commerce, culture and entertainment. I can’t wait to watch it boom in the next few years.

I also have to say hello to Tom from the Pinny Journal. He’s such a great guy, and I was glad to see him Monday!

"I have lived in rural areas and small towns my entire life. They have great people and great values. I look forward to taking those small town values to Lansing."

Walking and knocking in the cold of Harrison

I officially have knocked on doors.

Saturday, May 8, I took a drive out to Harrison to introduce myself to the people of the city. I probably walked about seven miles, and spent about three and a half to four hours walking up and down the roads of the city, stopping at as many houses as I could.

First off, let me say thank you to all the good people who took some time to talk with me. It was great to hear your issues and concerns. Many of you mentioned education, and it’s good to see we are on the same page. I was also pleasantly surprised that we agreed on many, MANY different topics dealing with education, and the economy alike.

Also, a special thanks goes out to anyone of you who invited me into your house. It was freezing last weekend!

All of the people who told me “good luck” and “you got my vote” truly fired me up, and I will continue to spread the word about providing jobs for the 97th district and the state of Michigan. If anyone campaigning ever tells you that they don’t get discouraged or overwhelmed at times, they are lying! But the people I met in Harrison last weekend gave me even more motivation than I already had, and as long as unemployment is high, and our public schools are in a funding crisis, I won’t stop!

I want to give a quick hello to some of the people I ran into who have been through campaigns themselves — City Councilman Stacy Stocking (who is running for Mayor, as well), Clare County Sheriff John Wilson, and Hatton Township Supervisor Bill Hileman. They were all friendly and supportive. I wish all of them luck, as well.

I also want to mention an issue in the Harrison area — the construction of a motocross park in Hayes Township named Michigan Moto Mania. It is currently being held up, due to a lawsuit from a neighbor. I support MMM, and wrote a letter expressing my support to the Hayes Township Planning Commission. I also dropped a copy of the letter off at two businesses that had signs out front expressing support. Let’s make this happen! A copy of the letter is posted below.

Harrison, your support and kindness is appreciated. Let’s continue to fight, and continue the mission to take it back!

To the members of the Planning Commission:

I am writing this letter in support of the Michigan Moto Mania off-road vehicle park in Hayes Township.

I understand there have been issues between Mr. Longenecker and some residents of the township, and that there have been issues between your board and township residents. However, I am positive that the overall impact of the 200-acre motorsports mecca will be economically beneficial to Clare County and Harrison.

Motocross races and events aren’t made up of just a few people hauling bikes in the beds of their trucks to the track for a race. The races include families traveling with expensive trailers, campers and equipment. They often drive hundreds of miles and stay for a weekend. The track could open up entrepreneurship opportunities for new businesses that would sell bikes, four-wheelers, gear and merchandise. Essentially, motorsports are big business.

We should also address the benefits the track would offer to local riders and residents. So often during my campaign, I have heard the complaints about young people graduating high school, and then going to college or getting a job out of town, and never returning. For the young man or young lady serious about motocross, this could keep them around. This park could be an entertainment destination for locals, as well. For people my age, or younger, this could be the type of attraction that makes them proud of their community. This may what they tell their friends or relatives from out-of-town about. When a person is proud of their community, they don’t mind spending their life there. They don’t mind giving back to their community. If Michigan Moto Mania makes a generation of Clare County kids proud of their county, I believe it’ll create a new generation of homegrown leaders.

In the March 30 issue of the Clare Sentinel, in the story “Neighbors try to stop park,” a parent quoted in the second-to-last paragraph said, “This sport is really about growing kids.” I couldn’t have said it better. While someone living close by may associate the park with noise, these kids may associate the park with their favorite rider hitting a jump and pulling off a back flip (which looks absolutely beautiful). When a township resident says it destroys their paradise, these young men and women probably say it creates their paradise.

Visiting campers in Clare County will be able to ride along the side of the road to get to the park, thanks to the county ORV ordinance. I believe that overall tourism in the county will see huge boost when the park is operating, and the ordinance will play a role in that. If elected, I look forward to working with Michigan Moto Mania, Clare County elected officials, and Hayes Township elected officials to make sure the park is not only profitable, but a good neighbor and friend in the county.

These disagreements show one area where I feel many state representatives are currently failing. There are many different issues that need to be addressed here —environmental issues, noise issues, economic issues. But I don’t see a lot of negotiating, and I don’t see a lot of compromise. I believe that if all parties were brought to the table, a deal could be made that could put an end to the lawsuits, and bring about opportunities for many people in Clare County. We can make this happen without causing strife and anger amongst friends and neighbors, if only we communicate and hear everybody’s concerns. If I can be of any assistance now, or in office, I am available to help.

I hope Michigan Moto Mania is soon open, and I strongly believe once it is, many other doors will open. Let’s make it happen. Thank you and good luck.

Tim Barnum

Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 97th District

Buckeye Township

On April 28 I visited another township meeting in Gladwin County. Buckeye Township is a swampy, wooded area that once was home to the Buckeye Oil Company, which actually provided the funds for the Buckeye Township Hall.

First off, let me say the township hall in Buckeye Township is definitely a one-of-a-kind. When I arrived, I thought maybe it was an old school house or church, but turns out it's always been a township hall. It was completed in 1939. Inside, there is an interesting stage area, as well.

After visiting with Liz Looker (who has Standish ties), Gladwin County Road Commissioner Larry Miller (the same guy who was joking around at Bourret Township, and is mentioned in that blog entry); and hearing about what’s going on the county level from county commissioner Josh Reid, I talked with the board about creating jobs.

We talked about investing in green energy and using what we have in the 97th district to its full potential. Helping out sectors that create jobs in the community was also discussed.

Next, the focus turned to education. Everywhere I go, people are concerned with this topic, as school funding is in a state of crisis and people are moving away, causing school districts through Gladwin County to lose even more funding. This, of course, leads to fewer opportunities for students.

Buckeye Township’s board also passed mosquito control at its meeting. I can honestly say I saw about three mosquitoes in the hall during the meeting, even now, in early spring. Being surrounded by swamps, the mosquitoes have to be a nightmare in the summer. I just want to say good luck to the township with its newest service, I hope all goes smoothly. Also, kudos to the fire department for installing equipment to capture diesel fumes, which will protect the firefighters who may have to stand near the truck for a long time during a fire.