Page 6 — Thursday, April 14, 2022 — The Hastings Banner
Area Obituaries
Elaine Garlock
Good Friday services for the community
are to be held at 1 p.m. at Central United
Methodist Church on Fourth Avenue with
several ministers taking part. A combined
choir will include singers from the Congrega-
tional Church, Zion Lutheran and Central
United Methodist churches. The local pastors
will share the service. The offering will go to
LAMA, the benevolent arm of the ministerial
association which provides utility and rental
assistance to local residents throughout the
year. Before this service began, people went
from church to church seeking help. Now all
such requests are channeled to one pastoral
member.
The early spring flowers are showing their
colors. Daffodils are among the earliest, but
tiny purple flowers are showing here and
there on lawns.
According to a Facebook posting, blue-
birds are back and have started their egg-lay-
ing after ignoring their newly built nests.
Reportedly, once bluebird nests were installed
along the Jordan Lake Trail, which runs fromEaton Highway (Barry County line) to the
campus of Lakewood Middle School and the
high school, the bluebirds moved in and have
come back each year.
The Red Cross has new rules that require
would-be donors to pre-register. It no longer
encourages walk-in donors.
On Palm Sunday, Central United Method-
ist Church urged its members to wear a cloak
to the morning service. There were some
unusual cloaks since that is no longer a com-
mon piece of attire. All manner of fabricswere used as wrapped coverings. Special
music was provided by sisters Lori McNeil
and her mother, Carol Reiser, of Hastings
with accompaniment by Marilyn Noffke on
piano. They sang “The Palms” by Faure, a
French composer.
By last weekend, the soil in cemetery urns
was thawed enough one could remove artifi-
cial flowers that were supposed to be out by
the end of March, according to cemetery
rules.
Happy Easter!Flap over Harvest Pointe tax-exempt
status erupts at township meeting
Savanah Kaechele
Contributing Writer
Thornapple Manor’s new 50-unit assisted
living facility, Harvest Pointe, hasn’t opened
yet, but it’s the center of disagreement over
whether it should be tax-exempt.
During the regular Hastings Charter Town-
ship meeting Tuesday night, the issue came
up under the agenda item “Sewer Extension
Agreement.”
Some board members didn’t see the tax-ex-
empt disagreement as relevant to the discus-
sion, but it became so when the question was
raised about tying the county-owned facility
into an existing sewer line for the project,
This agreement involves Thornapple
Manor tying into an existing sewer line for
the project. However, what started as three
words on the agenda soon became a much
larger discussion among board members.
Mike Smith, who serves on the township
board of review, started the conversation with
a summary of what took place at the most
recent review board meeting.
“I don’t believe it was just me – I think
everyone was pretty much in agreement.
They were rather demanding and a little bit
demeaning,” Smith said. “They were defen-
sive when we asked questions, and we felt
like we were being bullied a little bit.
“In the end, the board of review felt there
were some mitigating circumstances that per-
haps the new facility might be able to be
taxed – or be put on the tax roll – so we
declined to give them tax-exempt status.”
Don Haney, the Thornapple Manor admin-
istrator, has made it clear that Harvest Pointe
will not be paying taxes.
“One of the final departing comments from
Don Haney, or the lady who was with him,
was ‘Just go ahead and do this. We don’t want
to have to make the next step to the Michigan
Tax Tribunal. If the township board of review
decided to deny them, we would be forcing
them to waste taxpayer dollars.’
“And that’s not really up to them to deter-
mine how the township wants to spend its
funds,” Smith added.
As far as whether to deny their request,
Trustee James Partridge spoke up.
“We have to make sure we are doing the
legal thing,” he said, “that we are not allow-
ing a tax exemption that’s not allowed. We
had that in the past in the township, and it’s
really not our decision. It has to be based on
the laws of the state whether they qualify or
not.”
Smith agreed and added that, with the
information they were presented, the board of
review members did not feel Thornapple
Manor should be approved for tax exemption.
Clerk Anita Mennell added that if the deci-
sion to deny tax exemption was wrong, the
State of Michigan will tell them.
Supervisor Jim Brown gave the board
some information to compare Thornapple
Manor with other facilities in the area.
“If you look at Carveth Village over in
Middleville, it is an identical situation. Car-
veth Village is paying $101,101.88 a year in
taxes to the township of Thornapple and Mid-
dleville Village,” he said.
“If you look at Woodlawn Meadows out
there in Hastings, they are paying in total
$59,999.72,” he said. “So, if you want to
compare apples to apples, here is Thornapple
Manor opening up a facility that’s going to be
in direct competition with those two, plus
there’s almost 20 other smaller facilities in
the county.”
Trustee Bill Wetzel questioned how this
tax issue with the Thornapple Manor was
related to the agenda item involving the
sewer extension agreement for Thornapple
Manor.
“I’m not the brightest bulb on the tree, but
I see two different issues here,” Wetzel said.
“Are we going to approve them to extend this
sewage or not? Then we can address the
financial situation because, to me, it almost
sounds like blackmail to say, ‘Well, we are
going to charge you or we are not going to
approve it.’ And, to me, those are two differ-
ent issues.”
“Well, we have to bring the first issue up
because that was the first legal thing we did,”
Brown said. “We turned it down. And what-
ever we do after that, that’s something that
we are going to have to talk about.”
“But, basically, we are looking at a con-
struction issue and a tax liability issue,” Par-tridge said.
“Those are two different animals to me,”
Trustee Tim McNally agreed.
Wetzel proposed dealing with the sewer
extension first. Mennell then joined the con-
versation, recommending that they sign the
sewer extension agreement.
“It almost looks like, if we don’t sign this,
we are going to come in the back door to do
something else,” she said. “So I’m recom-
mending we sign this agreement and that this
other part is coming through as something
else. This is something entirely different, and
we shouldn’t be holding them hostage.”
“I mean they aren’t going to be in business
without the sewer, so there are no taxes avail-
able if they are not in business,” Partridge
said.
Although multiple board members were in
favor of approving the sewer extension agree-
ment, Brown’s recommendation was to sit
down with county representatives and talk
about this issue before they move any further
with the sewer agreement.
“My point is, if Thornapple Manor wants
to get into that particular business and be in
competition with everybody, they should pay
their fair share,” Brown said.
Smith asked when the sewer agreement
came to the township. Mennell said the
request was made Nov. 17, 2021.
“You would think that would be something
that’s, first and foremost, before they even
started the project,” Smith said. “It’s the tim-
ing then that almost makes the township look
like we are trying to blackmail, where I don’t
see it that way at all.
“They should have had this done long
before they even started the flipping project.”
Brown said Thornapple Manor officials
started the project before they had signatures
allowing them to do so.
“They basically went to the city to find out
if the city had capacity to take care of that,”
he said. “The city took a couple months to
figure it out and they said, ‘Yes, we do’ and,
at that point, the county started building, but
the city hadn’t signed the agreement that they
would take it, they just said, ‘Yes, we have
capacity to.’ So, the county started building
way before they had all their T’s crossed and
their I’s dotted.”
Partridge tried to keep the conversation in
line with the agenda item.
“I don’t see the sewer agreement as some-
thing we should hold off as a bargaining chip,
so to speak, for the tax issue,” he said.
“I can’t see us rushing to do anything until
we sit down with the county and discuss this
for the long-haul situation,” Brown said.
“Especially since we have two of our own
people who are literally across the street who
would be competing with them.”
“I don’t disagree that it’s probably a tax-
able situation,” Partridge added. “I just don’t
see the value of holding up the sewer line
unless you don’t want them there at all?”
“No, we can have them there, it’s just that
they would pay their fair share for that use,”
Brown replied.
“And I see that as a different day,” Wetzel
said. “I want to see us approve the sewer
extension and then we can hash out the tax
deal.”
“It’s not a hostage thing,” Brown said.
“‘Unless you pay us the fee, then we are
not going to extend the sewage,’” Wetzel
said.
“No, we didn’t say that,” Brown coun-
tered.
If Brown is planning to talk with county
representatives, Mennell said someone should
go with him. “Well, you need at least one
person to go with you,” she said. “You can’t
go by yourself. I just don’t feel comfortable
with that.”Partridge and Trustee Scott Savage volun-
teered to accompany Brown when he meets
with county officials. Treasurer Jenee Phil-
lips commented in favor of Thornapple
Manor, but reminded board members that
they are responsible for township taxpayer
dollars.
“I do think it is important to say that what-
ever your personal feelings are on this, we
had taxpayers come in that live in this town-
ship and had issues with this, so it’s our job to
at least look at all sides of it and put it out
there for those who decide in the state of
Michigan where we stand on this,” Phillips
said. “As a treasurer, if we are losing money,
then we shouldn’t be losing money for our
taxpayers, it is our job to look at that and see
what’s right.
“I want to see this facility go through,” she
added. “God, we need this kind of care.”
In the end, McNally made the motion to
accept the sewer extension and Wetzel sec-
onded it. Brown and Savage were the only
two to vote against the motion.
“So, what do we want to do?” Brown
asked when the vote was over.
“Five yes’s and two no’s, so the motion
passes,” Mennell said.
During the supervisor’s report, Brown
shared the possibility of repaving Indian Hills
Drive. About 30 percent of the main road
going into Indian Hills is in the city. He said
he plans to get together with the city and dis-
cuss repaving the whole thing.
“We are going to sit down and go through
all the details and see what it will take to do
the entire road,” Brown said. “At the very
least, if we can’t get together and see about
doing the whole thing, we can just do about
half of it.”
Mennell reminded Brown that someone
who lives on the road would have to send in
a signed petition for the road to be repaved.
“It can’t be the township doing it,” she
said. “Someone that is out there has to pick
up the petition and submit it to the township.”
“Well, I live there,” Brown said.
“OK,” she said, “Just know you guys have
to do it first before it comes to us.”
“Oh yeah, I know,” Brown replied. “We
have a lot of homework to do.”
In other business, the board:- Heard during the first public comment
portion of the meeting that Bob Teunessen
will be running for District 1 County Com-
missioner. Later, when board comments took
place, Savage announced he also will be run-
ning for the District 1 County Commissioner
seat. Commissioner Howard Gibson is the
incumbent in District 1. - Approved Brown’s request to attend the
Michigan Recycling Coalition Conference in
Lansing May 11-13. The total cost for atten-
dance will be $375, if paid by April 20,
including any of the board members who
wish to attend – not just Brown.
“I move we send him,” Wetzel said to
laughter from around the room. - Heard the clerk’s report from Mennell,
who notified the board she has sent out 276
absentee voter ballots thus far. She also said
she will be sending out new voter ID cards.
“With all the redrawing of district lines, I
will have to resend out new voter ID cards to
everyone that we have,” Mennell said. “I will
be using people that craft our ballots and stuff
to do this, so I will be sending out 2,400 voter
ID cards. I am going to be using this service
because they will do them for about 60 cents
each and it includes the postage and printing
and all that. So, it’s probably going to cost us
about $1,500 to send out, but we have to do
this every 10 years.”
The next township board meeting is sched-
uled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the
township hall.
Doris B. Hendrian, age 97, of Hastings,
MI, passed away on April 6, 2022. Doris was
born on March 31, 1925, in Detroit, the
daughter of George and Esther (Fierk) Hen-
drian.
Doris was a 1981 graduate of Oakland
Community College. For over 40 years, she
was employed by General Motors, Wixom
Tool & Die, and Manix Construction as an
office manager. After retiring, she moved to
Hastings to be near her sister.
Doris enjoyed researching genealogy, fam-
ily history and spending time with her family.
Doris was preceded in death by her par-
ents; brother; sister-in-law; brother-in-law;
niece, and nephew.
She is survived by her sister of 93 years,
Audrey Ruth Renner; eight nieces and neph-
ews; 25 great-nieces and nephews, and many
great-great nieces and nephews.
Respecting Doris’ wishes, there will be no
service. Interment will be at Ottawa Park
Cemetery in Clarkston, MI.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.David Harold Otto, age 94 of Middleville,
passed away peacefully on April 4, 2022.
Dave was born on April 10, 1927 in Mid-
dleville, the son of Harold and Neva (Sherk)
Otto. Dave was a 1945 graduate of Thornap-
ple-Kellogg High School. On May 1, 1948
Dave married Lorraine Wheeler at Mid-
dleville United Methodist Church, and
together they shared 73 years.
Dave was a fourth generation and lifelong
farmer on the family’s 175-year-old farm. He
was a member of the Farm Bureau and Mid-
dleville Lions Club. Dave was also a member
of the Barry County Steam & Gas Engine
Club and attended many shows around Barry
County with his tractor.
Dave and Lorraine enjoyed spending win-
ters in Lake Como, FL for many years.
Surviving is his wife, Lorraine Otto; children,
Ken (Mary Laura) Otto, Marty (Mary) Otto, Tom
(Jeri) Otto, Chris (Jan) Otto; close family friend
and former exchange student Rainer (Birgit)
Lehfeldt; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchil-
dren; several nieces and nephews.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents;
infant son, Roger Otto; brother, Robert (Rose
Marie) Otto; sister Joann (Roger) Whittemore.
Dave’s family will receive friends on Sun-
day, May 1, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Otto’s Turkey
Farm (7640 W. State Rd., Middleville, MI
49333). Private burial will take place in Mt.
Hope Cemetery.
Memorial contributions to Middleville
Rotary-Polio Plus Program to eradicate polio
will be appreciated. Please visit http://www.beeler-
goresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave
a condolence message for David’s family.
David Harold Otto Doris B. Hendrian1699 W. M43 Highway,
Hastings, MI 49058.945-1351 North M-43 Hwy.
Hastings
945-1301 W. Green St.
Hastings
945-This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches
and these local businesses:HASTINGS FREE
METHODIST CHURCH
"We Exist To Be An
Expression Of Who Jesus Is
To The World Around Us".
2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box
8, Hastings. Telephone 269-
945-9121. Email hastfmc@
gmail.com. Website: http://www.
hastingsfreemethodist.com.
Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant
Pastor Emma Miller, Worship
Director, Martha Stoetzel.
Sunday Morning Worship:
9:45 a.m. Kids Church and
Nursery are available. Our
worship center is set up for
social distancing. Aftermath
Student Ministries: Sunday 6
p.m.SOLID ROCK BIBLE
CHURCH OF DELTON
7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765,
(corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-
43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor
Roger Claypool, (517) 204-- Sunday Worship Service
10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and
Children’s Ministry. Wednesday
night Bible study and prayer
time 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
ST. ROSE OF LIMA
CATHOLIC CHURCH
805 S. Jefferson. 269-945-
4246 Pastor Father Stephan
Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m.
Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m.
Sunday.HASTINGS
BAPTIST CHURCH
309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings.
Matt Moser, Lead Pastor.
Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages;
10:30 a.m. Worship Service;
Senior High Youth Group 6-
p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Family Night
6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth
(Children Kindergarten-5th
Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle
School Youth Group; 6:
p.m. Bible Study and Prayer.
Call Church Office 948-
for information.CHRIST THE KING
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH (PCA)
328 N. Jefferson Street.
Worship 10 a.m. Nursery
provided. Pastor Peter Adams,
contact 616-690-8609.WOODGROVE
BRETHREN
CHRISTIAN PARISH
4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor
Randall Bertrand. Wheel-
chair accessible and elevator.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Time 10:30 a.m.
Youth activities: call for
information.LIFEGATE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273,
Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor
Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-- Website: http://www.lifegatecc.
com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m.
Wednesday Life Group 6:
p.m.
PLEASANTVIEW
FAMILY CHURCH
2601 Lacey Road, Dowling,
MI 49050. Pastor, Steve
Olmstead. (269) 758-
church phone. Sunday
Service: 10 a.m.WELCOME CORNERS
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
3185 N. Broadway, Hastings,
MI 49058. Phone 945-2654.
Worship Services: Sunday, 9
a.m.Worship
Together
...at the church of your choice ~
Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches
available for your convenience...
Fiberglass
ProductsThornapple Manor’s 50-unit assisted living facility
known as Harvest Pointe has sparked discussion in
the Hastings area lately. Thornapple Manor has
requested tax-exemption status due to its facility
being government-owned. However, there has been
some disagreement on whether the facility should
be tax-exempt.