You can view the video here:
http://beaverislandnews.com/2012%20Octo ... mments.htm
The Airport Committee announced that Mead and Hunt stated that the funding for the new terminal building in the form of a grant was going forward with construction to begin in 2013.
Joe Moore, editor
Beaver Island News on the 'Net
Beaver Island Airport Commission Announcements and Comments
Moderator: Gillespie
-
Jlafreniere
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:01 pm
- Location: Beaver Island
Good god, the fleecing of America continues. This is the same Hunt & Mead that said that Beaver Island will have 20,000 flights a year right? A lie, built on a lie paid for by future generations. The 2% fuel tax is a myth Mike. There is no magic pot of money. Also, the State and Feds I believe ended up with the bill from the Airport court case that cost well over 1 million. Good lord Mike get real.
Mike, you should sell one of the homes you own here and give the proceeds to the townships. That way you could reimburse the tax payers for all the money you and your Airport committee has cost us. Oh, on that note would you please release the cost of the Airport committees trip to the Shanty Creek Resort for a un-posted meeting you held a while back. Thanks buddy, I know you are all about openness, accountability and transparency.
I have watched the entire 18 hours of court proceedings regarding the Airport trial. I don't live in the world of myth or rumor. I saw the facts presented before a court of law and it STUNNING to see such levels of incompetence and arrogance from such a small group of people. Why the entire Airport committee has not been replaced with new people I have no idea.
@John Runberg. One thing you can count on is that we do know it will be the Island tax payers who will get the utility bills for this massive, over priced and unneeded building.
Here is a reminder of what the Airport Committee has cost us.
From the BIA http://www.beaverislandassociation.org/
â??In December 2011, the circuit court entered judgment of $1,085,992.61 against Peaine and St. James Townships and in favor of the Albins in the eminent domain case regarding acquisition of land at the Township Airport. This judgment amount does not include the $191,000 which the Townships had already paid to the Albins as their estimate of what the property was worth. (In an eminent domain case the plaintiffs (the two townships) had to deposit their estimated amount in order to file suit.) The total cost to the townships was: $1,276,922.61 which includes the value of the property taken, interest ($292,910.69), and attorneysâ?? fees ($264,970.63).
The Townships have already paid $191,000. They will need to pay cash of $27,175 (1/2 from each Twp.) MDOT will also contribute $27,175. The remainder of the funds will come from the Federal Government, partially from discretionary block grant funds administered by the State and partially from the annual allocation of $150,000 in federal funds available to the Township Airport for approved projects. However, this money is not free and the judgment is not a minor amount. In addition to what has already been paid, it appears that some of the federal funds which had been available for construction of a terminal or other airport improvements will not be available to the Townships as those funds will be used to pay part of the judgment. The amount of funds which will be used in this manner has not been released, but the Airport Committee at their last meeting indicated that they were going forward to refurbish the menâ??s room at the terminal, because the funding of a new terminal will be delayed.
The jury of six people selected by attorneys for the townships and attorneys for the Albins found the following:
1. The Albinsâ?? property was taken in 2003 which made the Township liable for interest of $292,910.69. This is because in 2003 an agreement that had been reached could not be consummated as it didnâ??t follow MDOT regulations, and the Townships sent a letter threatening eminent domain. The township didnâ??t follow through with the process, did not take any action until 2007 when an appraisal was ordered, and didnâ??t start the proceedings until 2010. Leaving the Albins property under threat of condemnation for seven years created the liability for interest to 12/31/2011, the date the taking was finalized).
2. The Townships were required to buy all of the Albins' parcel, 150 acres. The townships only needed 21 acres, but because the taking was out of the middle of the property and destroyed access to a part of the property, took away the ability to create five bluff lots, and because the Airport plans show a projection of 20,000 flights a year (including jets) to and from the property, the remaining property was determined to have no marketable value.
3. The value of the property taken was $693,000. This value was based on two appraisals, one ordered by the Townships and one ordered by the Albins. The jury took the Albinsâ?? appraisal which was less that the Townships appraiserâ??s value. Further, the Townships offered $5000 an acre for the original 21 acre parcel, thus setting a high price themselves. The difference in value between the Townships offer and the jury award is the basis for determining attorneysâ?? fees.â?
A number of letters and commentaries have circulated regarding the land issue and subsequent trial. Hopefully an informed and involved public can help us learn from this experience and keep from making similar errors in the future."
No wonder why so many people are fleeing the Island and putting their houses and property up for sale.
Shame,
Mike, you should sell one of the homes you own here and give the proceeds to the townships. That way you could reimburse the tax payers for all the money you and your Airport committee has cost us. Oh, on that note would you please release the cost of the Airport committees trip to the Shanty Creek Resort for a un-posted meeting you held a while back. Thanks buddy, I know you are all about openness, accountability and transparency.
I have watched the entire 18 hours of court proceedings regarding the Airport trial. I don't live in the world of myth or rumor. I saw the facts presented before a court of law and it STUNNING to see such levels of incompetence and arrogance from such a small group of people. Why the entire Airport committee has not been replaced with new people I have no idea.
@John Runberg. One thing you can count on is that we do know it will be the Island tax payers who will get the utility bills for this massive, over priced and unneeded building.
Here is a reminder of what the Airport Committee has cost us.
From the BIA http://www.beaverislandassociation.org/
â??In December 2011, the circuit court entered judgment of $1,085,992.61 against Peaine and St. James Townships and in favor of the Albins in the eminent domain case regarding acquisition of land at the Township Airport. This judgment amount does not include the $191,000 which the Townships had already paid to the Albins as their estimate of what the property was worth. (In an eminent domain case the plaintiffs (the two townships) had to deposit their estimated amount in order to file suit.) The total cost to the townships was: $1,276,922.61 which includes the value of the property taken, interest ($292,910.69), and attorneysâ?? fees ($264,970.63).
The Townships have already paid $191,000. They will need to pay cash of $27,175 (1/2 from each Twp.) MDOT will also contribute $27,175. The remainder of the funds will come from the Federal Government, partially from discretionary block grant funds administered by the State and partially from the annual allocation of $150,000 in federal funds available to the Township Airport for approved projects. However, this money is not free and the judgment is not a minor amount. In addition to what has already been paid, it appears that some of the federal funds which had been available for construction of a terminal or other airport improvements will not be available to the Townships as those funds will be used to pay part of the judgment. The amount of funds which will be used in this manner has not been released, but the Airport Committee at their last meeting indicated that they were going forward to refurbish the menâ??s room at the terminal, because the funding of a new terminal will be delayed.
The jury of six people selected by attorneys for the townships and attorneys for the Albins found the following:
1. The Albinsâ?? property was taken in 2003 which made the Township liable for interest of $292,910.69. This is because in 2003 an agreement that had been reached could not be consummated as it didnâ??t follow MDOT regulations, and the Townships sent a letter threatening eminent domain. The township didnâ??t follow through with the process, did not take any action until 2007 when an appraisal was ordered, and didnâ??t start the proceedings until 2010. Leaving the Albins property under threat of condemnation for seven years created the liability for interest to 12/31/2011, the date the taking was finalized).
2. The Townships were required to buy all of the Albins' parcel, 150 acres. The townships only needed 21 acres, but because the taking was out of the middle of the property and destroyed access to a part of the property, took away the ability to create five bluff lots, and because the Airport plans show a projection of 20,000 flights a year (including jets) to and from the property, the remaining property was determined to have no marketable value.
3. The value of the property taken was $693,000. This value was based on two appraisals, one ordered by the Townships and one ordered by the Albins. The jury took the Albinsâ?? appraisal which was less that the Townships appraiserâ??s value. Further, the Townships offered $5000 an acre for the original 21 acre parcel, thus setting a high price themselves. The difference in value between the Townships offer and the jury award is the basis for determining attorneysâ?? fees.â?
A number of letters and commentaries have circulated regarding the land issue and subsequent trial. Hopefully an informed and involved public can help us learn from this experience and keep from making similar errors in the future."
No wonder why so many people are fleeing the Island and putting their houses and property up for sale.
Shame,
AE Wirth