Power Outages Concern Mackinaw City Residents
By Paul Gingras

The Mackinaw City Village Council addressed special event sign requests, a liquor license transfer, cast its ballot for the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau Board of Directors election, and fielded questions from the public regarding power outages that have plagued the village throughout the summer at the Thursday, October 4, council meeting.

The council is now operating with a new president, a new clerk, and two new village trustees, who offered opening comments prior to making their first decisions.

Responding to public inquiry, Village Manager Jeff Lawson said he is drafting a letter to Consumers Energy asking for an explanation regarding recurring power outages in the village.

For the first time, Mackinaw City has experienced frequent power outages, Mr. Lawson told The St. Ignace News. There have been about 10 since spring, the most recent on Monday, October 1. The outages tend to last from one hour to an hour and a half, depending on how long it takes Consumers to fix the problem, he said.

Most outages have occurred in the northeast portion of the village, affecting area businesses. The outages have also been shutting down the village lift-station, which pumps sewage. Gas-powered backup engines have compensated, but each time the power goes off, the village must dispatch an employee to monitor the lift station, Mr. Lawson said.

In other business, at the request of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, Council voted to allow banners announcing a Halloween-style celebration called Fort Fright Night to be placed below Colonial Michilimackinac's signs, at the intersection of South Huron and Central Avenue, and Nicolet Street and Central Avenue.

The signs were up Friday, October 5, and Saturday, October 6, announcing the weekend event. It was the second year the village approved the request, Mr. Lawson said, adding that the Fort closes prior to Halloween and therefore holds the event earlier in the month.

Pending an investigation by Police Chief Patrick Wyman, Council approved a liquor license transfer to Bonafide Food and Beverage, LLC., which owns a bar in Cedarbrook Village. The state ultimately approves the transfer. Village approval means the recipient has not violated any local laws, Mr. Lawson said.

As a member of the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau, the village council cast its vote for two of four area residents running for two open seats on the bureau's board of directors

The council voted for Sarah Grant and Fred Thompson. Terry Foley and Mike Reed are also running. The bureau will tally the votes when all are received; there is no official election day, Mr. Lawson said. The board of directors sets policies regarding how the bureau uses tax money to promote the area.

In response to a request by the Mackinaw Crossing's Merchant Association, Mr. Lawson informed the council that he is working on an amendment to the village sign ordinance, allowing signs to be placed near the Crossings' main entrances. The sings are intended to notify shoppers that certain stores in the crossings are open. They will be up from Thursday, November 1, through Tuesday, April 15.

Mr. Lawson is working with the Department of Natural Resources to locate signs on West Central Avenue, directing drivers to wood drop-off spots at the Michigan Welcome Center in the village. The signs are a measure to help prevent the spread to the Upper Peninsula of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that has destroyed ash trees throughout Lower Michigan.

A new infestation was discovered in Moran this summer.

The village master plan is abut 50% complete, Mr. Lawson reported. In his update to the council, he announced that the most recent chapter supports the existence of home-based businesses in the village, as long as they do not affect the residential character of neighborhoods.

Development of a marina commercial district is another project incorporated into the master plan. It would run from Etherington Street to the state dock. Further, the planning commission recommends limiting high-tech, research, and light industry areas in the village.

The master plan language speaks in "broad strokes," Mr. Lawson said. Once the document is complete, zoning revisions will detail how master plan recommendations will be carried out. Before it is adopted, a public hearing will be held to discuss the master plan.

The clerk and new trustees expressed excitement at the prospect of serving the village. Returning trustee Jeff Hingston encouraged the new board members to make good use of village information resources, particularly Village Manager Jeff Lawson.

New President Ronald Wallin called for broad public participation in village government.

Mr. Wallin, who has held the office in the past, offered a special tribute to outgoing president Robert Heilman, acknowledging his term as one of professionalism, quality, and efficiency.

The board approved resolutions that included similar praise for outgoing trustees Dave Edwards and Sandra Planisek.