In My Opinion AuTrain Township Board of Appeals Decision

The October 2,2009 ZBA ruling and decision follows:
” A. Find that the decision and interpretation of Mr. William Rogers that the transient rentals within the AuTrain and the LS/R II Zoning District are legal non-conforming uses be reversed and nullified based upon the following grounds pursuant to MCL 125.3602,125.3604.
1. Mr.Roger's decision, declaration or statement is not in conformity with the procedures set out by law and the AuTrain Township Zoning Ordinance;
2. That Mr. William Rogers had no authority to make an interpretation declaring illegal non-conforming uses were legal under law or Township Zoning Ordinance;
3. That such authority if it existed, was not properly exercised since no public notice and hearing as required by law and the Zoning Ordinance was provided to interested property owners either before or after the announced decision was offered.
4. That the transient rentals are illegal, non-conforming uses within the LS&R II district, have been so from and after 1979 and cannot be made legal under any authority possessed by Mr. William Rogers by mere declaration.
B. Finding that the present proceeding noticed and held by the Planning Commission with respect to the review of non-conforming uses by declared improper as not in accord with the AuTrain Township Zoning Ordinance and the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.
C. This Board further find that the transient rentals currently operating within the LS&R II Zoning District(AuTrain Township) are illegal nonconforming uses and hence subject to Court-ordered abatement as nuisance. MCL 125.3407."

In My Opinion Support of Existing Zoning in 16 Mile Lake LS/R2 District

In My Opinion Why Hide the Truth?

Trustee Report Nov 2010

The purpose of the August 25,2010 AuTrain Township Board meeting was "The purpose of this special board meeting was to review the appeal and procedures regarding the Verhamme, et el vs. AuTrain Township and the recent Decision and Order by the Circuit Court.

As AuTrain Township Board Trustee , responsible for the Township's fiduciary and legal health, I spoke at this meeting about the legal costs incurred by the township concerning illegal transient rentals in the LS/R2 districts of AuTrain Township. I showed how both the Township and private parties have spent tens of thousands of dollars specifically as a result of the NON ENFORCEMENT of the zoning in this district. I also spoke directly concerning the Decision and Order by the Circuit Court.

Yet the minutes of the August 25,2010 meeting by Clerk Rogers have no mention of anything said by this Board member concerning these agenda related topics of great concern. Whether Clerk Rogers omitted this pertinent information by a Board member in the Minutes to protect her husband , the Zoning Administrator, or not: the crucial fact is that the complete omission of this discussion is in my opinion misconduct.

Because of a continuing practice of the Township Clerk Mary Rogers to write a personal version of the AuTrain Township Board minutes that do not reflect what actually occurred during the meeting I am forced to publish a Trustee report for the public to view.

I attended the September 14,2010 AuTrain Township Planning Commission meeting and was shocked to see the Township Clerk and Treasurer office used by Zoning Administrator Rogers to host a group of zoning violators.

When an opportunity for the audience to speak came I was the first to try but was constantly interrupted by planning Commission member Tom Balmes . Mr. Balmes was loud and disrespectful to me with his constant interruptions. I was also interrupted by another commission member Kim Rolfe. All in all I was intentionally interrupted close to a dozen times

As other people spoke, specifically the individuals in the group of zoning violators hosted by Zoning Administrator Rogers, emotions erupted and some interruptions from the audience occurred. I was among those that reacted, I said these four words "all of the above". Ironically the Planning Commission members that felt it was OK to badger and interrupt me found my four words worth a most vigorous audible chastising.

THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931750.157a Conspiracy to commit offense or legal act in illegal manner; penalty.Sec. 157a. Any person who conspires together with 1 or more persons to commit an offense prohibited by law, or to commit a legal act in an illegal manner is guilty of the crime of conspiracy punishable as provided herein:

The group of zoning violators left after they aired their views and the planning commission meeting then continued in a constructive manor with the opportunity for citizen input and cooperation as it has for many months.

In My Opinion AuTrain Township 2010 Accounting Deficiencies

In My Opinion by Harold Boaz

The Management Letter from Anderson, Tackman & Company

was included as part of the audit report for the AuTrain Township Financial Records for the year ending March 31, 2010. I had some questions and concerns that should be in the public eye. Internal Controls ensure that general financial operating information is accurate. Also Internal Controls safeguard assets, prevent fraud, ensure the accuracy of financial records, and assure that governmental regulations are being followed. In my opinion, accountability and transparency are essential for the township board, the voters, and the taxpayers. The taxpayers are the shareholders in all the township’s financial affairs. It appears to me that without adequate internal control mechanisms/procedures in place, there could be unchecked mistakes even fraud. We need to know all the details as to what was wrong and what is being done to correct the deficiencies. Clerk Rogers was given the responsibility in the Management Letter to correct the deficiencies by March 31, 2011. We need the whole story. What were the deficiencies besides the mention of a check written to Treasurer Clapp but not reported to the I.R.S.? What are you going to do to change your ways that you have always done in the accounting for AuTrain Township Clerk Rogers? Please don’t come up with an excuse that you are shorthanded because the Clerk and Treasurer each have a Deputy. Even though the Deputies are close relatives, maybe they could help with the work load enough to satisfy the Auditors.

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