The late arrival of absentee ballots prompted Mackinac Island City Council to send a letter of protest to the Election Liaison Division of the Bureau of Elections in Lansing, with city leaders expressing concerns that their "election rights were being compromised." The decision to send the letter was made during council's Wednesday, November 8, meeting.

Council agreed that City Clerk Karen Lennard, working with Alderman Mike Hart, would draft a letter of protest to the Bureau of Elections regarding the late arrival of absentee ballots for the November 7 election. By law, the absentee ballots are to be received by September 23. They arrived October 6, reported Mrs. Lennard. It was only because she had prepared mailing envelopes prior to receiving the shipment of ballots that she was able to get the ballots into voters' hands in time, she said.

The regular poll ballots are legally required to arrive by October 28. They reached the Island October 27, she reported.

Council gave its preliminary approval for a request from Chris Szabo, owner of Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub, to host three outdoor functions at his restaurant on Main Street. He proposed to use the sidewalk and a portion of the street, which would be blocked off to allow consumption of alcohol outside. Mr. Szabo would like to erect a snow fence to mark the area for a Beach Party Saturday, January 6, a Super Bowl Party Sunday, February 4, and a St. Patrick's Day Party Saturday, March 17.

Council also said it would assist Mr. Szabo with letters of support when he seeks approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation for closing off a portion of Main Street, which also is state highway M-185.

Council approved a permanent roof overhanging the sidewalk at the new coffee house being constructed between May's Candy Shop and Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub at 7308 Main Street. Owner Victor Callewaert made the request.

Council approved a bid from Webers' Floral and Gifts of St. Ignace to spend $1,679.25 for garland, roping, and wreaths to decorate the downtown area over the holiday season. This is the same price the city has spent for the greenery for the last three years. Council also agreed to spend $525 to clean the carpets at City Hall.

Council will seek additional information before granting a permit to film a motion picture, "Murder Mystery Movie," in October 2007.

Council tabled a new use application form for Great Turtle Park, submitted by the city Recreation Department. The reservation form would be required for groups seeking to have sole use of the park for a specific day or period of time. While requiring a refundable deposit to cover potential property damage, no fee would charged for use of the park under a reservation, under a proposal submitted by the Recreation Committee.

Council approved four temporary motor vehicle permits for Phil and Lee's Homes of Wells to install Gary and Martha Cousino's Forest Bluff home. The permit requests were tabled at the October 11 meeting, when council was advised the home's foundation had not been completed.

Two temporary motor vehicle permits were approved for Belonga Plumbing of St. Ignace on behalf of Carriage Tours to allow the installation of a waterline to the Carriage Tours horse barn on Cadotte Avenue in the four corners area.

A temporary motor vehicle permit was issued to Kyle Christie of AT&T for use of a van to provide efficient service during the winter months for installation and repair of phone lines. Council will advise Mr. Christie the vehicle is not for convenience and only is to be used for phone work.

Roese Contracting of Pickford was granted a temporary motor vehicle permit for one day. The company is working with AT&T to bury cable on the Island.

Mackinac Island Fire Department's aerial and ground ladders will be tested and a temporary motor vehicle permit was issued for a pickup truck that would be used in the testing procedure. The permit was issued for one day only.

Four temporary motor vehicle permits were issued to Al and Jim's Tree Service of Harbor Springs to trim trees at Windermere Hotel and Jeannette Doud's house on Main Street. Tree work also will include John Davey's East Bluff home, and on Market Street trees were trimmed at The Carousel Shops, The Town Crier office, and the old Medical Center.

Dean Gillespie of Mackinac Island received a temporary trailer permit to remove junk from the Village and transport it to the Arnold Dock.

Owing to the Thanksgiving holiday, council's next meeting will be Monday, November 20, at 5 p.m. in council chambers on the second floor of Community Hall.