The Townships of Glen Arbor and Empire are currently accepting applications and resumes for the position of fire chief. The Glen Lake Fire Department is a full-time, unionized, ALS transport agency which provides fire, rescue and EMS services to approximately 2,000 year-round residents.
When the Glen Lake Chamber’s annual Pumpkin Festival was moved into the Township Hall due to rain, the swiftest and most accessible messaging—the new Township digital sign—was unavailable. Due to a regrettable dispute about its impact, the sign was turned off. Totally dark! Not to be used.
Glen Arbor just can’t seem to catch a break from its own communication goof-ups. After a terrific uproar over the surprise new large digital sign foisted on an unsuspecting populace, followed by an Aug. 21 meeting attended by 70 taxpayers demanding better communication, the township called a special meeting to deal with the question of the sign. Problem is, the meeting was called on Aug. 29 for an Aug. 30, 4 p.m. meeting, giving townspeople less than a 30-hour notice.
Since the sign went up in early August, the overall reaction has been unfavorable. One objection is that it is too big, yet Gretzema points out that the digital portion matches the size of the old yellow trailer sign. That said, there are two signs now rather than just one that’s back-to-back, like the old sign, which doubles the impact of the trailer sign.
“It is controversial,” admits Glen Arbor township supervisor Peter Van Nort, when asked about the new digital sign which was installed on the front lawn of the township hall in early August. Commonly referred to as “the Sign,” it’s actually comprised of two signs placed at opposing angles so it can be read from either direction. Few will miss it as they drive by.
Cherry Republic’s Bob Sutherland plans add new retail with attainable housing units upstairs, more parking and a septic field in 2019 to accommodate Glen Arbor’s growth.
This Independence Day, Leonard Thoreson and his wife Sally (Salome) will be the honorary parade marshals in Glen Arbor’s Fourth of July Parade. Come cheer them on. The parade starts at Glen Haven around noon and winds down M-109 and M-22 through the heart of town.
Bob Hawley (Republican) and Peter Van Nort (Independent) are running for Glen Arbor Township Supervisor. We conducted the following Q&A with the candidates.
After serving as Glen Arbor’s chief executive for 16 years, township supervisor John Soderholm is stepping down for several reasons. “Sometime it gets so you need new blood in the system,” he said. For Soderholm himself, it’s a case of “service fulfilled. We accomplished a lot and there are some new challenges.” Plus, Soderholm feels he is at a point in life where time is getting short. He prefers now to focus on his personal life.
Many Leelanau homeowners are hoping the governor’s state of disaster proclamation following the Aug. 2 megastorm will help fund their debris cleanup. Unfortunately, they may find those hopes dashed, especially if they expect financial help any time soon.