SPRING LAKE New village manager picked Faced with selecting a new village manager, Spring Lake officials decided Monday they prefer the home-grown variety. After a brief discussion, council unanimously selected Otsego City Manager Curtis Holt, a Spring Lake native and former high school football star, as its first choice for the village's next top administrator. "This individual fits the bill," Councilman Jim MacLachlan said, adding the community needs an administrator who possesses enthusiasm, experience and the necessary qualifications. Curtis' hiring will be contingent upon negotiating an acceptable contract, which council will have to approves. Holt, 32, earns more than $54,000 annually.
He told council last week he would expect a pay hike if he came to Spring Lake after six years of running the southeastern Allegan County community of Otsego, which has a population of 4,000. When the position was advertised, the pay range listed was $45,000 to $55,000 annually. Council members talked briefly Monday about the ramifications of hiring someone who is already at or above the top end of that range. They decided it was more important to hire someone like Holt, who has experience in "key" areas such as downtown renovation and budgeting, than to focus primarily on how much the person will earn. FREMONT One change made in school board officers The officers for the Fremont Board of Education only had one change at the organizational meeting Monday.
Ron VanderMolen was elected secretary and other positions remained unchanged. VanderMolen replaced Ken Schuiteman as a school board member. Schuiteman did not seek re-election in June. Doug Harmon was re-elected to his fourth year as president. Holly Moon was re-elected vice president and Leslie Hindes treasurer.
2B sured, according to a fire report. REETHS -PUFFER School board selects leadership 47 Phyllis Miller school has been re-elected president of the Reeths-Puffer board. Trustees also elected Ken Timmer vice-president; Daryl Falkowski secretary; and Kathy Smith treasurer. The board will continue to meet on when the there first two Mondays of each month with the exception will of April 1 break. be no meeting because the district will be on spring MUSKEGON COUNTY Intermediate school select officers mediate Nancy Miller School has been elected president of the Muskegon Area InterDistrict.
She succeeds Stephen Stream. Mary Anne The other officers are John Swanson, secretary, and Greg Hartman was elected vice-president Monday. Pittman, treasurer. The MAISD oversees myriad services for 12 Muskegon County public school districts and provides some services for parochial schools. services would be too expensive for individual school districts to oper- The ate and include teacher training, printing services, centralized special education and gifted and talented programs.
The MAISD employs and arts consultants who offer expertise to teachers and students in all districts. MUSKEGON No changes at the top of school board Charles Johnson Jr. was reappointed to another one-year term as president of the Muskegon school board at a recent organizational meeting. Board member Jean Graves was reappointed vice president of the school board and Bill Ashley will continue as board secretary. The only change in leadership from last year is in the treasurer's from post, now held by board member Billie Bruce.
She took over that post former board member Matthew Kisosondi, who recently resigned. The appointments took effect July 1. Group of 15 try for fire chief's position A three-person panel is in the process this week of interviewing 15 candidates for the Muskegon fire chief position, said City Manager Bryon Mazade. The 15 were selected from a field of 89 applicants, he said. Three applicants from the Muskegon Fire Department are among the 15 Mazade candidates.
said. None of the other applicants was from Muskegon County, Kenneth Chudy, a Muskegon fire captain, was appointed acting fire chief July 8 following the July 7 retirement of Chief Larry Robbins. "Our goal is to make a selection by the first part of August and have the person aboard by Sept. 1," Mazade said. "It's a difficult goal because we're in the midst of the budget process." Mazade said members of the panel are "looking for someone creative and innovative.
"We're looking for someone who has the ability to look at the fire service in a way that will put us into the year 2000 and beyond in terms of looking at current and new principles that can be implemented in our he said. Fire damage estimated at $7,000 A fire started by an electrical box short circuit damaged a Muskegon building early today. Muskegon firefighters responded to the Muskegon Boiler Works from building, 1204 Eighth, shortly before 5 a.m. and found smoke coming the roof of the building and fire in the north end. The blaze, which did an estimated $7,000 damage, was confined to the boiler room.
The fire had spread through paper and wood materials stored in the area. The building is owned by Leigh Stevens of Norton Shores and was in- MONTAGUE: Bike event to raise funds for teen The United Methodist Church in Montague is having a bike-a-thon Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon to raise money for Jeff Thompson, a 17-year-old Montague High School student who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Volunteers will take pledges for every mile they ride on a course set up on streets surrounding the church. The goal is for volunteers to complete 10 miles on the course.
Sponsor envelopes can picked up at the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Todd Pharmacy, Hunt's Hardware and the Montague branch of the Muskegon County Library. Money raised will be used to help the Thompson family with nonmedical costs. Any extra money raised will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. GRAND HAVEN Council wants highway comments Grand Haven city council members want to know what residents and business owners think of several controversial changes aimed at improving the city's traffic flow on and around Beacon Boulevard before they give the green light to any modifications. A transportation committee formed by the Association of Commerce and Industry has been studying ways of improving traffic on Beacon Boulevard U.S.
31 between Robbins Road and the drawbridge. The primary goal of the study is smoother traffic through one of Michigan's great bottlenecks by placing traffic lights at half-mile locations: Robbins Road, Taylor Avenue, Pennoyer Avenue and Jackson Avenue. That means taking out some lights and moving others. The ACI committee members first outlined the litany of proposed changes, some of them simple, others complex and expensive, for the Grand Haven City Council in early June. The council has informally endorsed many of the recommendations, which must also be approved by the Michigan Department of Transportation after the city gives its formal OK.
A formal vote on the more than 30 suggested changes is expected in about a month. But in the meantime, the city council decided Monday i it especially wants to hear what people think about several changes that are all related and have caused the most discussion among the council and some other residents. By ROGER MORGENSTERN Chronicle staff writer The city's most talked about eyesore was the subject of even more talk Monday night. Randy Postma said Monday he has a contract to demolish the AP Parts buildings in 90 days, as soon as the city approves a rezoning request for a Walgreen drug store on the site. City officials said they would work with Postma through the planning commission, but also are pursuing "all legal options" to make sure Postma gets the site cleared and redeveloped quickly.
Neither side had any documented plan of action for the abandoned factory site. Last week, city officials backed off earlier statements made by Marina THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE, TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1995 More talk on AP Parts; no action yet Mayor John Singerling that the city would likely begin condemnation proceedings if Postma didn't present a demolition plan, traffic study and proposals for redeveloping the site by Monday night's meeting. The city now says it would pursue all legal avenues open to it to get the site cleared, which "included but was not limited to" beginning costly and lengthy condemnation measures. City officials declined to comment on why their stance has changed tone. Singerling repeated that revised stance Monday night and asked City Attorney Scott Smith to work with Postma's Grand Rapids attorney to gain access to the site so the city can get an appraisal done lawsuit GRAND HAVEN MUSKEGON or more boat owners to Rudholm's corporation when he operated the marina before this spring's court judgment.
After the court case, Balcom ended up with his marina back but would not honor the 1995 slip contracts signed and paid to Rudholm's corporation. In court, Rudholm's attorney Edward Newmyer outlined a settlement in which the slip owners would be refunded their 1995 slip fees paid Rudholm's corporation or given pro-rated credits by Balcom. "We have full satisfaction of the entire judgment," Newmyer told Kobza, thinking all outstanding issues between the parties were solved. Then Balcom's attorney Shawn Davis stood to restate the settle- "I'm aware of no existing cases which support the position of (the bookstore)." Circuit Judge James M. Graves Jr.
comment. The controversial Muskegon Heights firm in May claimed the newspaper violated its constitutional rights by refusing to publish advertisements. In fact, the advertisements were already running when the lawsuit was filed, said Gary Ostrom, Chronicle publisher. Later, Chronicle officials declined to publish what they considered to be an offensive photograph. Michael D.
Wade, Odyssey's attorney, argued The Chronicle violated Odyssey's free speech and other constitutional rights. The photo it wanted published, Wade said, was no more offensive than various lingerie ads carried in the newspaper. "What we have here is a question of good faith and fair dealing," Wade said. "We would anticipate this paper would place advertisements similar to other legitimate businesses." Wade could not be reached after court for further comment. William Newman, The Chronicle's lawyer, argued that newspaper officials have the right to review and approve what is published.
"The publisher's prerogative to accept or reject (material) is a constitutionally protected right," Newman said. "It's a process a publisher faces not only with ad copy but with news. The First Amendment guarantees that." Ostrom said he was pleased with Graves' decision. "I felt from the beginning this suit had no merit; it was baseless." on the property. and Postma needed to know Appraisal information would be the time city planning wants, Singerling, commission a memused to determine a fair-market for the property, informa- ber, replied, "you've heard for tion needed if the city begins for- years what we want to see and value mal condemnation against to get that damn building down.
Postma's friend, Deborah Rode, "We're tired of talking about the property's legal owner. plans and the promises. Now want to proceed with every Postma showed up by himself with at option we've got," Singerling Monday's joint work session "We want to see that building the city council and planning com- appear The talk tonight is mission to discuss the property's couraging, but it's talk." future. But he did not have a comdetailed de- Council members said of Postma's pleted traffic documented unimpressive track record study, plans molition on the plans site's or redevelopment. eral failed redevelopment plans since buying the complex in City council members expressed make them hesitant that if the their frustration but were hopeful is cleared, it will remain vacant that zoning issues can be resolved for years.
next month with the planning "You have a very serious credicommission. bility problem, and I'm sorry When Postma's attorney Arthur tell you that," Councilman Dennis Spalding said at one point that he Swartout said to Postma. 1 agreement sinks in court ment. The deal collapsed when Da- gan. vis told the court Balcom still "We will not agree to that," would pursue a $178,000 judgment Newmyer said of the continuance against Rudholm's corporation in of the $178,000 judgment, much 60th District Court, a result of the which is based on legal fees original case between the two par- expert witness costs in the original ties.
Rudholm tried to purchase trial. the marina and operated it for a Kobza was clear that his intentime as Balcom Marina Inc. tion was to settle the boat slip The two attorney's looked at sue that has many of the affected each other in disbelief. The hopes owners paying double or without of the boat owners in the court- slip this summer a summer room were dashed. slipping away.
The $178,000 judgment had not "I want that portion of been considered in the deal. Each agreement on the slip rentals side assumed it: would be dealt done," Kobza instructed the two with to their satisfaction. The deal parties. Seeing that neither side fell apart and at approximately was willing to give, judge 3:30 p.m. an angry Kobza sent the hauled both attorneys into parties to a side room to negotiate chamber at around 4:45 p.m.
further. By 7 p.m., the judge and the two They returned 30 minutes later attorney emerged with no resoluno closer to a settlement than they tion but promising to schedule anhad been when the afternoon be- other court date. 1 City reorganization remains in limbo From local reports There was heat aplenty, along with pleas for action, but when Muskegon Heights City Council members ended their discussion Monday on proposed organizational changes for city staff, they were right where they began. No action was taken on the changes, first proposed by City Manager Melvin C. Burns II nearly a month ago.
Council members wrestled with the issue at length Monday in their committee-of-the-whole meeting, but the proposal never made it to a vote. The structure of several city departments has been in limbo since the proposal by Burns that the city's parks and cemetery operations be merged with the department of public works and its recreation operation be moved to the department of planning. Meanwhile, complaints continue about the condition of the city's parks. A citizen at Monday's committee meeting logged his complaint about the parks, stating that grass at Mona Lake Park was underwatered and in poor condition and grass at Johnnie O. Harris Park had gone uncut.
The complaint triggered further discussion on the proposed organizational changes, which had been last considered and then tabled indefinitely at a regular council meeting last month. Parks foreman Londary Hughes said parks crews simply need more bodies. In the past, he has said his crews are so taxed dealing litter, vandalism and other law violations that they are simply unable to properly maintain the parks. By DAVE ALEXANDER Chronicle business editor The parties in a dispute over Balcom Marina caught a critical case of "settlement interruptus" late Monday afternoon before Muskegon County Circuit Judge Michael Kobza. After an afternoon of tough hind-the-scenes negotiations to settle disputes arising from a judgment in a lawsuit over ownership of the marina between Donald Balcom and Sig Rudholm, the parties' attorneys stood before Kobza outlining a just-resolved out-ofcourt settlement.
It was a settlement that quickly fell apart and left the boat-slip issue unresolved when negotiations broke off in the early evening. Apparently, the two sides had resolved the issue of approximately $33,000 in dock fees paid by 40 Judge dumps porno store's lawsuit By MICHAEL G. WALSH Chronicle staff writer A Muskegon judge Monday threw out a lawsuit against The Chronicle brought by an X-rated bookstore that alleged the newspaper refused to print its advertisements. Circuit Judge James M. Graves Jr.
said of Muskegon, owners of the Odyssey Adult Theatre and Book Store, 700 East Broadway, had no basis for its complaint. "I'm aware of no existing cases which ch support the position of (the bookstore)," Graves said, granting The Chronicle's bid for quick decision. Graves also denied the porn firm's attempt to amend its charge to say The Chronicle breached its contract. According to Michigan legal procedures, such a change in the complaint could occur only if contract language was ambiguous. Graves found the document easily understandable.
"I simply don't see any ambigu- ity in the contract," said Graves. "(It) is about as clear a contractual term as I've ever seen." Odyssey could ask for a rehearing from Judge Graves or take the matter to the state Court of Appeals. Thomas Newhouse, owner, could not be reached for However, Burns said he believes the central problem is management. "Part of the problem goes back to how equipment staff are being used," he said. "For you to tell me to sit here and be responsible I need a structure that allows me to do that." Burns had asked the council to approve a plan that would eliminate the position of cemetery and parks director Ken Jacobs, who retired last month.
The plan provided for an additional foreman, or assistant, who would provide administrative aid to public works director Henry Witherspoon, whose administrative responsibilities would increase. The foremen who oversee the cemetery and parks operations would report to the person in the newly created position of public works foreman. At the council's meeting last month, the city budget, which was to go into effect July 1, had been held up by the opposition of three council members, who acknowledged that they had problems with the organizational proposal. The budget required two-thirds approval. The organizational plan required only a simple 4-3 majority.
The budget finally passed after Councilman Herman Ivory, one of the three who voted against the budget, called for a "gentlemen's and ladies' agreement" that the disagreement on the departmental reorganization would be worked out at a later date. But council members Monday were unable to resolve, their differences. Teen witnesses testify in court about night club death Chronicle News Service Living in Grand Rapids for only three months, 23-year-old Thanh Mai usually stayed at the home he shared with friends. But on June 18, two other Vietnamese friends in their 20s talked him into joining them for teen night at the Red Zone Night Club in Alpine Township. Seated at a table by himself while the friends danced, the slightly-built Mai stared off into the crowd until he was confronted by a stranger.
"He said, 'What are you looking at, recalled 17-year Shannon Marie Orr, who then testified that the same man who made that racial slur against Mai also threatened her to change her testimony fingering his friend, Michael Hallman, in Mai's But Orr who was among three teens to testify Monday before Rockford District Court Judge Steven Servaas that they were intimidated by friends of the suspect didn't change her story. Hallman, a former all conference football running back at Kent A 44 what long- 12 it's the we' legal said. disen- sev- 3 at 1983 site to of and isa the his 4 ROCKFORD City High School, was bound over to Circuit Court on a charge of involuntary manslaughter and remained out on a $7,500 cash surety bond. Orr testified she went to the club on teen night and was looking for a girl for Hallman to dance with when the confrontation happened. Orr testified the murder victim was sitting alone at a table when her ex-boyfriend uttered the slur.
Hallman approached, asking what was going on, and the boyfriend said the victim was looking at them funny, Orr testified. "Hallman said he would take care of it and hit him. You could hear it, a fist cracking against face," Orr testified. She said Mai fell to the floor and Hallman then left the bar and changed his shirt, hiding his old clothing underneath a folding car seat, before returning. Mai died in Butterworth Hospital from brain injuries five days after the incident.
Hallman, who lives with his grandparents at 40 W. Division, in Casnovia, was charged with involuntary manslaughter on July 5. Hallman's friend warned Orr not to tell what happened, Orr testified. He later threatened her on the phone, she said. Another acquaintance from the bar, Erica McKinney, also allegedly told Orr "you better watch your back," Orr testified.
McKinney, 20, was the only witness for. the defense in Monday's preliminary hearing. McKinney testified that she witnessed the event from across the bar and that Orr was with her and not with Hallman, as Orr had testified. Servaas described Orr as "the most credible witness." Christine Lynn Foley, 18, testified more that she watched from no, than 10 feet away on June 18' when Hallman slugged the seated 23-year-old Vietnamese native from behind. She said Hallman then tossed a blue bandana on the victim, then picked it up and fled.
"He (Mai) was just sitting there watching people dance. Somebody came up and hit Foley paused and declined to answer prosecutor's questions about who hit Mai, until Servaas insisted. "It was Mike," she said, slouching forward and holding a hand to her forehead. She later testified that she had been threatened but refused to identify anyone while in the courtroom. Kent County Sheriff's Detective Edward Rusticus later said she was identified a suspect, who allegedly seated in the courtroom making threatening signs at her.
But the judge said, "Her version of: what happened wasn't real credible." All of the witnesses, as well as Hallman, were regulars at the nightclub at 5707 Alpine Ave. NW, a haven for teens and frequently the scene of fights. To Philip Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American reporter for a local Vietnamese radio show on WBYW, the incident was "racially motivated." I $..
