http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, August 1, 2024 25
The Salvation Army will be host-
ing a Mini-Golf for Good event on
Friday, Aug. 9, says Capt. Mika
Roinila.
The fundraiser will be held from
1-6 p.m. at Hit-Em Here, located at
1790 E. Columbia Ave.
“This will be a family friendly,
mini-golf event that involves play-
ing 18 holes through some chal-
lenging holes that will engage every
player,” said Roinila. “A shotgun
start will take place at the top of
every hour, and players will putt
their golf ball through an outhouse,
through wagon wheels, over water
hazards, up inclines and around
obstacles.”
He extended thanks to owner
Judy Helper for her sponsorship of
the event, as well as to the Battle
Creek Community Foundation,
Southern Michigan Bank & Trust,
Hill’s Gutter Service, Muffler Man,
Hackett Construction & Millwright,
Craig Campbell’s Hot Ziggity hot-
air balloon, and several other indi-
viduals.
Available tee times are 1, 2, 3, 4
and 5 p.m.
There also will be a silent auction
in the clubhouse, as well as a hot
air baloon ride by Craig Campbell’s
Hot Ziggity balloon.
There is a fee to attend the event,
which includes the course fee and a
concession meal of a hot dog, chips
and a drink.
Pre-registration is requested and
can be done by scanning the QR code
on Salvation Army ads for the event
or by calling (269) 963-3640.
The rain date is Aug. 16.Capt. Mika Roinila, right, is shown
with Judy Helper, owner of Hit-Em
Here Golf Course.Salvation Army fundraiser
is Aug. 9 at Hit-Em Here
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The ReminderHi, My name is Michael bye Republican Candidate for Emmett Township Supervisor.
First and foremost, Emmett Township is in dire need of a “Great Leader”! If elected I will demand accountability
when faced with complex challenges in and outside the township. I believe I have the unique ability to shape the
future of Emmett Township. Our township that we know and love has been broken for decades. I will give residents
my greatest effort to repair the township by working with residents, employees and board members. I want to touch
on some issues of concern to me:
Since 2020 our township has had a turnover rate of 25 people that have come and gone.
Our supervisor signed an (NDA) in 2022 with the MEDC (Main Developer of Mega Site). This document sur-
faced in 2024, after a FOIA request by a concerned citizen. There was no knowledge by the board of an NDA. NDA’s
don’t go without compensation. When challenged she said she didn’t know what she was signing.
Our Sewer System is and has been at full capacity for over four years now and our lift stations are in dire need of
replacement. Fire Keepers Casino was to use 50% of our sewer capacity in the beginning. Now with their new 200
room hotel expansion they are using 80%. We need to build a strong relationship with Fire Keeper’s to get funding to
increase capacity of our sewer system. If a small business were to come to Emmett Township we could not accom-
modate them with sewer/water utilities.
Our Public Safety vehicles are now being sent to the City of Battle Creek for vehicle maintenance. Oil changes
and topping off fluids is costing the township $289.00 per vehicle. The vehicles are 2017-2020 Chevrolet Equinox
mid-size SUV’s. In 2020 Emmett Township was paying $56.00 for oil changes at Will’s Auto on E. Columbia Ave. in
Emmett Township.
We are paying Access Vision approximately $71,000 per year for filming our monthly board meeting and plan-
ning commission meeting.
Supervisor Belles decided to remodel the township hall using ARPA money the township received during the
COVID era. She spent $130,141.50 on an architectural firm. Remodeling cost $932,000. The board ultimately voted
it down.
In 2023 the Chik-fil-A restaurant donated (25) Chik-fil-A Gift cards for Public Safety Officers. These cards were
valued at $400.00 per card times (25) cards equaling $10,000 value. Supervisor Bellas turned over (9) Gift cards after
she was questioned by board members and a re-call action was pursued by board member Jim Mead. Three out of
the four re-call allegations were upheld by the Election Commission under Michigan Election Laws the petition to
re-call was thrown out because all allegations were not accepted by the Elections Commission. To date (16) cards
have not been accounted for having value of $6400.00.
This Chik-fil-A ordeal is a prime example why we need a Forensic Audit done at our township. There have been
so many discrepancies within the township and no one has any answers why we have them. A forensic audit is long
over due.
The township takes annual bids for lawn care maintenance on our local cemeteries and township hall. Bids came
in and the township awarded the bid to a part-time on call firefighter at Emmett Township after he was told what the
other bids were he lowered his bid $9,000 and they accepted this bid. He was still $7,000 higher than the lowest bid
and was still awarded the lawn maintenance contract.
The township has settled (2) of the pending lawsuits against the township costing the township and the insurance
company over $400,000 to date. The other three are still active.
Over the past (24) months I have attended township board meetings every second Thursday of the month begin-
ning at 6:30 p.m. at the township hall. I was totally shocked to see local residents whom were there to obtain a Special
Use Permit or just had an issue they wanted resolved and were silenced with Supervisor Bellas. There is absolutely no
solidarity in our township board. The Hatfields’ overrule the McCoy’s by far. In the past (4) months I have had the
pleasure of meeting over (300) residents by going door to door and in and around the township. In conversation 59%
of these individuals didn’t even know the present Township Supervisor’s name. Always remember anyone can buy
political signs and place their name on the ballot for position within the township. When an individual gets elected
they can do a great job or a bad job and still receive a paycheck. An elected official has no subordinate.
If you have a question or concern in this article please contact me (269) 317-1601 [email protected].
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope to see you on August 6th, 2024 for the Primary
Election at Victory Life Church for Precincts 2, 3, 4 and Emmett Township Hall for Precinct 1.
Respectfully Yours,
Michael Bye
Republican Candidate for Emmett Township Supervisor
PAID FOR BY MIKE BYE, 8251 EAST DRIVE N, BATTLE CREEK, MI 49014