The Mackinaw City Village Council voted 4-3 Thursday, August 7, to delay action on a planning commission recommendation to place Shepler's lakefront parcels in a district that prohibits motels and hotels. The matter was delayed to include the participation of business owner Bill Shepler and Planning Commission Chairman Robert Most. The issue will be addressed at the Thursday, September 4, village council meeting, when both Mr. Shepler and Mr. Most can attend.

Village President Ron Wallin and trustees Matt Yoder, James Alford, and Janelle Bancroft voted for the delay. Trustees Belinda Mollen, Jeff Hingston, and Lana Jaggi voted against.

The parcels in question have no zoning specifications on current village maps. Property owners Bill and Chris Shepler say placing the parcels in the marina commercial district would devalue their property and could put the company out of business. Some members of the public and the planning commission insist prohibiting construction of motels and hotels on the waterfront is essential to retain open waterfront views downtown, which draws tourists, helping ensure the long-term prosperity of the village.

The decision should have been made August 7, at the first council meeting following the last planning commission meeting, council members said, however, at the request of Chris Shepler, who could not attend August 7, the vote was delayed. Planning Commission Chairman Robert Most cannot attend the Thursday, August 21, meeting. Village President Ron Wallin said Mr. Most should be present to answer questions regarding the proceedings of the planning commission meeting at which the recommendation was made.

In preparation for the Ironworkers Walk of Fame streetscape project, the council authorized village staff to conduct credit card transactions to handle payment for bricks to be included in the streetscape. The bricks will include the names and projects of ironworkers and be part of a larger streetscape project on North Huron Avenue. Council also authorized the opening of an account at Citizens National Bank for the deposit of funds for the project.

The council voted unanimously to waive a $1,000 sewer connection fee for the Mackinaw City Lions Club to connect its Cedar Street building to the new sewer line. The building is to be leased by Wawatam Area Senior Citizens for activities.

Farmers Market Approved

A farmers market, approved at the meeting, began at Conkling Heritage Park Sunday, August 10, after the matter was studied and recommended by the village facilities committee.

An organic chicken farmer of 16 years and market participant for 10 years, Val Willis of Cheboygan will be in charge of ensuring that only properly inspected goods will be sold at the market. Her job is to ensure that the market follows state standards, she said, and once a year the Michigan Department of Agriculture will inspect the market.

There will be no crafts sold at the market. It will include locally grown fruits and vegetables. Jellies sold must be produced at licensed kitchens, and honey, syrup, and meat must be produced by farmers who know proper protocol for washing and cutting. The meat must be properly refrigerated, she added.

"The biggest thing is that the person selling [a product] has to produce it, which connects our community to our farm base. That is very important and that is a part of all markets," she added.

The market could help other local vendors, she pointed out. In Petoskey, 400 to 600 people pass through when a market is operating. Traverse City's farmers market draws as many as 1,000 people walking through.

"And they come there specifically for the market, but then they spread out down the street and spend the day there," she added. "That is one of the reasons why the farmers markets in other communities are so popular. It is a draw that helps everyone in the community."

Farmers who want to participate must apply. Any questionable applications will be forwarded to the village council, Ms. Willis said.

The market will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, until mid- October.

Emerald Ash Borer Plan

Approved

Council approved a grant contract between the village and the state to develop a local program to deal with ash trees that may be infected by emerald ash borers, insects that are destroying ash trees throughout the region.

The village will pay $1,750, an amount to be matched equally by the state.

The village staff will inventory ash trees along Mackinaw City streets, list the number, inspect the trees for signs of the insects, and develop a plan to treat them or replace them, if necessary, said Village Manager Jeff Lawson.

Good Morning America

ABC's Good Morning America may come to the area next June for a segment on the St. Helena Lighthouse and the Eagle Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girls Scouts who have been working on its restoration and maintenance. The lighthouse is west of St. Ignace.

Scouts have "turned this derelict building into almost a completely restored light station," said Dick Moehl, president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, in reporting the network coverage to the village council.

Mr. Moehl estimates the value of their work at $1.3 million.

Filming was planned for this summer, but the scouts had left the site before the television crew could get here, he said.

The Lighthouse Keepers considered bringing scouts back to the St. Helena Island for Good Morning America coverage, but the network has a policy of not covering staged events, Mr. Moehl said.

In lieu of the Boy Scouts feature, Good Morning America scheduled coverage of a Shepler's Lighthouse Cruise for August 12, but canceled August 8.