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Featured Stories

  • Three New CASA Volunteers Sworn in to Advocate for Children in Montcalm County
  • 38th Annual Heritage Festival offers various activities and events

Obituaries

  • Robert Richard Hall
  • Markay Susan (Moon) Bucholtz

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Public Notices

Notice of Adoption of Ordinances to Regulate Wind, Solar and Utility Battery Storage

November 20, 2024 - 12:50 pm

Belvidere Planning Commission

April 16, 2025 - 12:20 pm

Belvidere Township Special Meeting Minutes

April 30, 2025 - 11:34 am

Belvidere Township Special Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2025

Call to order 3:30 pm
Pledge
Prayer
Roll Call: Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Judy Spring-Clerk, all present
Public Comments: None
Agenda Approval: Tarin Minkel, moved to add the Assessor to the agenda, Brent Dietrich 2nd. Voice vote is unanimous and motion passes.

New Business: Leigh Murray motions to hire Gary Croff as park manager, Brent Dietrich 2nd, voice vote is unanimous and the motion passes. Shirley Wilkens will assist Gary with computer, Brent Dietrich motions to change manager pay to $1900 per month and give Shirley $100 per month to assist. Tarin Minkel 2nd’s. Voice vote is unanimous, motion passes.
Treasurer Interviews: Yolanda Lane and Nancy Snyder applied in last 24 hours. Leigh Murray wants to hold interviews today and vote to place a treasurer. We have till May 16th, before a special election has to be scheduled. After discussion it is decided to hold a special meeting on May 7th.
Assessor: Assessor reached out to board with no responses, Tarin Minkel wants to schedule an assessing Q&A with assessor(s) Tarin Minkel will reach out to assessor for best date to hold evening meeting with them.

Public comments: Mark Anderson, keep same philosophy for treasurer’s deputy pay etc. as precedent of Clerk’s deputy. Nancy Snyder asks if final budget is on website. Leigh Murray to send final copy of 2025-26 budget to Tarin Minkel to upload. New park manager Gary wants gas and paint to begin work at park. Brent will take care of getting those items. Tarin Minkel asked to review and determine Treasurers actual duties as past duties have not been according to statutory duties and we need to make changes before we elect new treasurer so they understand what they are actually agreeing to as well as the office hours the board is expecting. ARPA account needs to be addressed. Board agreed to discuss and determine at May 7th meeting prior to interviews.

Meeting adjourned at 3:55 by Leigh Murray, Supervisor

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

May 14, 2025 - 4:02 pm

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

The Belvidere Township Planning Commission will conduct a meeting on

June 10, 2025 at 6 pm

At the Belvidere Township Offices, 107 Vesta Street, Six Lakes, MI 48886

The Belvidere Township Planning Commission meeting will be held for the Township Blight Ordinance along with the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and published in compliance with the Michigan Enabling Act, 2006 P.A. 110

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES REQUIRING AUXILIARY AIDS OR SERVICES WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE HEARING SHOULD NOTIFY THE TOWNSHIP CLERK AT (989) 365-3783 IN ADVANCE WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE HEARING

Judith Spring, Clerk
Belvidere Township, MI
989-365-3783

May 20, 2025

Tamarack District Library

May 21, 2025 - 3:27 pm

Belvidere Minutes May 20, 2025

June 4, 2025 - 4:13 pm

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING MAY 20, 2025

Call to order 6pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Roll Call Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Judy Spring-Clerk, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Yolanda Lane-Treasurer – All present
New Treasurer, Yolanda Lane introduces new Deputy Treasurer, Susan Ingersoll
Public Comments- Pat Stuller-asked to have the flags at front of room moved around. Sandy Gomes-asked if we could use people who need community service hours to clean up area behind township building. Can a porta potty be placed back there? Noted she has asked multiple times. Eric VanHouten- Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Cemetery, 10:30 am, Monday, May 26, 2025. Rick Outman & Leigh Murray speakers. Flags on pole-tattered, need flags on some service members graves.
Approval of minutes- 4/15 motion to approve with correction Tarin Minkel, 2nd Brent Dietrich. 4/18 motion to approve Leigh Murray, 2nd Judy Spring, 5/13 Motion to approve with correction, Leigh Murray, 2nd Brent Dietrich
Voice vote unanimous, all motions pass
Agenda Approval- Leigh Murray motion to accept, Brent Dietrich, 2nd, voice vote unanimous, motion passes
Department/Committee Reports- Fire- 4 grass fires, one shared grass fire with Cato Township. Zoning- permits approved, violation issued and violation on Killdeer is now compliant. Cemetery- 1 full burial, 2 lots sold, 3 foundations ordered. Campground- April/May to date earnings $6,155. Planning Commission- Public Hearing on Blight ordinance on June 10, 2025.
Monthly Expenses to be paid $70,747.37. Tarin Minkel asked if there is enough money in the general fund at the beginning of the new fiscal year 2025.
Yolanda will transfer tomorrow morning before checks are sent. Yolanda Lane moves to approve payment of bills, Tarin Minkel 2nd. Unanimous voice vote, motion passes.
New Business-
Trash Day, super success with only 3 volunteers. 111 + residents brought trash, some twice. 29 tons of trash hauled away. Resident asked if we could have a clean up after the trash day. Nails, paper etc. left at site.
Dizzy Days- Fireworks, Tarin Minkel moves to have the township pay $4,000 towards the fireworks display, Judy Spring 2nd. Voice vote is unanimous, motion passes.
Community Federal Credit Union- Tarin Minkel moves to delete all existing names on the accounts at Community First Federal Credit Union EXCEPT Judy Springs and then add Yolanda Lane to all CFFCU accounts, 2nd by Brent Dietrich. voice vote unanimous, motion passes.
Zoning ordinance-Tarin Minkel moves to adopt the newly revised zoning ordinance as recommended by the planning commission. Roll call vote-Tarin Minkel, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Judy Spring, yes, Leigh Murray, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes. Motion passes unanimously.
Blight Enforcement- 6/10/25 Public Hearing, BJ Cogswell says there could be an addition if the recommendation for condemned housing is done by the public hearing. Tarin Minkel suggests the enforcement should be handled by an off-duty police officer if we can get one due to heightened emotions,
violations and confrontations. Township needs to have a job description, # of hours to work. Judy Spring agrees we need an officer due to possible dangers. Discussion will continue at June meeting on this topic.
Old Business –
Townline Lake-waiting for Jordan Rasmussen, attorney, to set up meeting Horseshoe Lake- 62 signed petition for weed control, 9 signatures not valid. County Drain Commission looking into this.
Board Comments – Tarin Minkel asked where the following items stand now: GComm lease- Jordan working on it, Trash audit- Jamie at Granger doesn’t have it scheduled. Tarin states we need to know soon so we know what to do with the monies currently in the account. Damaged Tree at the campground- getting quote, IRS letter on civil penalty of $8700 From 2022. Other docs have been found-no resolution yet. Inventory of Isabella Bank security box- Leigh to send copy to Tarin. Drafting Policies/procedures-Leigh waiting for the new treasurer to take office Planning Commission vacancy- discuss at June meeting, ZBA vacancy- discussion at June meeting. Website-Tarin is the only
one trained to use it. BS&A- still need to do budget adjustments from 24-25. ARPA report- Leigh supposed to talk to Forrest, 4/28 minutes show final SAM report needed/not done.
Judy read resignation letter from Andy Reynolds. Minkel moves not to accept resignation letter and to have a sit down discussion between Township Board members and maintenance person. 2nd by Spring. Voice vote 3 yes, 2 no.
Motion passes.
Public Comments-Nancy Snyder- boat launch, Townline Lake-Brent Dietrich says gravel will be done after Memorial Day but before the next meeting.
Wants budget to actual, when BS&A fixes problem. Mark Anderson- concerns on items not being on agenda, blight enforcement, don’t look for trouble, written complaints only, Foster Swift payment, why over $9,000. Eric Van Houghten- commercial garbage is different from residential. Contract needs to be more equitable. Township needs to take hard look at cost, with the new blight ordinance we may not need a garbage contract. Sandy Gomes- need to have a list for residents of what can be disposed of, if not where they can take it. Gary- Campground Mgr., need to make site costs the same at $35 for 30 amp & 50 amp service because they pull the same amount of electricity. Tents should be $25, monthly rental should be $750. Brent Dietrich motions to change fees as Gary recommended. Tarin Minkel 2nd. Voice vote-passes unanimously. Dave Kelsey- blight enforcement not as dangerous as zoning violations.

Adjourned 7:04 pm

Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk

Belvidere Township Refuse Ordinance

June 25, 2025 - 11:56 am

Belvidere Township Minutes – June 17, 2025

July 2, 2025 - 2:14 pm

BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING JUNE 17, 2025

Call to order 6pm Pledge of Allegiance Prayer- Roberta Murray
Roll Call Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Judy Spring-Clerk, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Yolanda Lane-Treasurer – All present

Public Comments- Chris Bryne-resident, asking for relief of the $500 township fee to apply for a Federal license to provide gunsmithing from his home. This fee is just too high.
Eric VanHouten-Townline Lake boat launch still rough. Wants ownership to DNR flipped quickly, also thinks we should analyze cemetery GPS
Karen Smith-new resident on N. Carlson, terrible blight, what is township doing?
Approval of minutes – motion from Tarin Minkel, trustee to approve, 2nd Brent Dietrich. Voice vote-unanimous, motion passes.
Treasurer Report- Balances, Yolanda Lane, Treasurer says she can’t sign some checks as they are wrong. Board takes time to review and approve the remaining checks with those incorrect to be corrected and then approved/pay. Yolanda Lane, motion to approve partial vendors and payroll approval, 2nd Brent Dietrich. Voice vote-unanimous, motion passes.
Planning Commission-Scott Chandler, permit, PC is working on questions for the Township, next Planning Commission meeting August 12, 6pm.
Board meeting-Leigh Murray, introduces Mark Anderson as Deputy Supervisor, Mark Anderson talks about Roberts Rules and how they should be used for Board meetings for uniformity and how it helps the Chairperson (Supervisor) to control who speaks. Township has a policy from 11/10/21. Mark doesn’t feel it’s meaty enough and wants a revision. Leigh Murray asked for motion to use Robert’s Rules for Board meetings. Yolanda Lane, motion to use RR’s
2nd Leigh Murray. Tarin Minkel is not fully prepared to vote, says we should take time to look at this then move forward. Motion on table, vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Tarin Minkel, Yolanda Lane and Judy Spring, no. Leigh Murray tables till the July meeting.

Contacting attorney-Leigh Murray recommends township agent (Supervisor) should approve any call to the attorney. Motion by Leigh Murray, Supervisor should authorize all Board members to talk to the attorney’s. Yolanda
Lane asked, what does that mean? Leigh says legal fees too high and it’s a way to have someone decide if the request is of importance enough to spend
the dollars on. He said we are already close to being over budget. Tarin Minkel noted the fees are not broken down and include the Planning Commission which has it’s own budget and the new zoning info. Tarin said she and
Leigh talked about the Debenture Account which can be used. Leigh amends his motion- all attorney fees should go through the agent (Supervisor,) as some may be fraudulent. Brent Dietrich 2nd. Roll call vote-Leigh Murray, Brent Dietrich, Yolanda Lane voted yes. Tarin Minkel, Judy Spring voted no. Motion carries.
ZBA-Brent Dietrich was appointed to the board. Leigh Murray motion to add Brent, Yolanda Lane 2nd. Roll call vote unanimous. Leigh Murray, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Judy Spring, yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes.

MTA subscription-cost $2,417.82 annual fee to continue. Judy Spring motions to pay annual subscription, Tarin Minkel 2nd with discussion. Does this include online /webinars? No, vote is to continue subscription without online/webinars. Voice vote is unanimous, motion carries.

Bank Accounts-Angela Brott from Isabella Bank spoke explaining how to take Townships 10 accounts to 2. Accounts will be fluid with a set balance and the second account to sweep to FDIC where they will be FDIC covered and still earning interest. Township can move money as needed from one account to another within 48 hours. Both the accounts will be checking and no new checks will be required. Yolanda Lane motions to take current 10 accounts down to 2. Tarin Minkel 2nd, unanimous vote, motion carries.

Planning Commission-BJ Cogswell, asks new Zoning Book be approved June 17, 2025. Leigh Murray motions to approve, Tarin Minkel 2nd. Roll Call vote, Leigh Murray, Tarin Minkel, Brent Dietrich, Judy Spring and Yolanda Lane vote Yes. Vote is unanimous and motion carries.

Refuse (blight) ordinance- Tarin Minkel motion to approve as amended by Township attorney. BJ explained changes were only language clean up and adding violation and validity to correct language. Yolanda Lane
2nd. Roll Call vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes, Judy Spring, yes. Motion carries.

Planning Commission approved to reduce number of persons on commission From 7 to 5. Leigh Murray motions to approve resolution to adopt, Yolanda Lane 2nd. Roll call vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Brent Dietrich, Yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Judy Spring, yes. Motion passes unanimously.

BS&A- received corrections from BS&A, working on updating 2024-25 info.

Budget- is now in computer system. Yolanda Lane working with the IRS on the penalty of over $8800 due to the fact many of the taxes were not filed correctly.
Credit Cards- dropping debit cards to go to more secure credit cards. Tarin Minkel motions that each of three credit cards should have an individual limit of
$1,000 each per month and a total overall limit of $3,000. Three cards: Clerk, Maintenance, Fire Department. Judy Spring 2nd, voice vote- unanimous, motion carries.

Cemetery GPS-Christy, have a report of general nature do not have the Google Earth report, couldn’t open. Company is sending in flash drive form. Brent motions we not pay till we get what we paid for, Yolanda Lane, 2nd. Voice vote, unanimous, motion passes.

Adding Blight Enforcement Officer-Leigh Murray motions to appoint Dave Kelsey, zoning administrator as he brought in 3 recommendations from neighboring townships. Brent Dietrich 2nd. Tarin Minkel asked if the township has a job description and did anyone else apply? Leigh said no job description and he did not advertise. Motion on the table and is voted on, vote is unanimous, motion carries.

Board comments- Christy Reynolds, Cemetery Mgr.- thanks to all who helped get the cemetery looking great for the Memorial Day service.

Yolanda Lane- thank you Angela Brott, Isabella Bank
Tarin Minkel- park phone update, have to increase plan to unlimited due to large increase in usage. Roads update-first chloride spread has been made.

Public comments-Nancy Snyder-thanks Leigh and Brent for Townline Lake boat launch fix. Don’t take away refuse millage and what is being talked about the Treasurer’s salary? Heard board to reduce Clerk and increase Treasurer.
Greenville paper saying township spending over $600,000 on roads, not the
$304,000 the township says. Leigh said her time was up and she continued to speak. She was very upset when she had to sit down.
Dave Kelsey, thanked board for voting him in to refuse enforcement job. Angela Brott-Leigh showed up at Dizzi Days meeting. If $500 is raised he will go in the dunk tank.
Karen Smith, when does blight officer begin? 30 days after the approval vote.

Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk

Upcoming Events

Classifieds

Classified Ads

Classified Ads cost $10 for the first week and $5 each additional week as long as there is no changes to the ad. The ad is due the Monday before the Thursday edition of the newspaper. Lost and found pet ads are free. Please send Classified Ads by e-mail: lannewsroom@nullgmail.com.

Attention Crafter;

New Life UMC, 6584 Howard City Edmore Rd, Six Lakes MI. Is hosting a Craft Show, October 10th & 11th,(10am to 4pm) Venders are needed. Call for more information. Linda Peterson: 989-814-0691, or, crrtptcth@nullgmail.com, Carol Enyart: 989-818-2631,or, carent55@nullyahoo.com Church:989=352=7788, or, www.newlifeunitedmethodist.com

Fresh Garlic

Our garlic is in, fresh and pungent. Stop by to get yours, dawn to dusk. Closed Sunday. Green Meadows, 8951 3 Mile Road, Lakeview.

About the Lakeview Area News

Dick Boomer started the Lakeview Area News in 2006 with his granddaughter Dana Keilholtz. They started the process in January 2006 and the first issue came out March 9, 2006. The original address for the newspaper was 318 S. Lincoln Avenue in downtown Lakeview, Michigan. Dana started doing production and layout and advertising design. Rich Boomer (Dick’s son) and Kim Boomer (Dick’s daughter-in-law, the wife of his other son, Chris) were the first advertising sales persons. Dick Boomer handled the finances.

The first week in April 2006, just four weeks after the first newspaper was published, Linda Huckins started writing for the newspaper. Linda was transplanted from out east with a journalism degree and lots of newspaper and magazine experience. “My dream has always been to open a small-town newspaper, but I didn’t have the capital,” she said. “When I walked into the Lakeview Area News office, I knew I was home. Working there was the next best thing.” That same week, there was a death in the Keilholtz family. Linda volunteered to cover the front desk at the office so Dana and Dick could attend the funeral, and she has been with the newspaper ever since.

Dana needed some time off to help her husband grieve and Linda agreed to fill in. After a few weeks, there was a shift in responsibilities. Linda took over production and layout and handled editorial issues and writers as well as doing some of the writing herself. Rich and Kim had to leave the newspaper because of other obligations, so Dana then concentrated on selling and designing ads. As the paper grew in popularity, the job became too big for Dana to handle alone. Lisa Jensen took over some of the ad design responsibilities and Pam Hufford came on board as a sales person. The 29” broadsheet design was too large and cumbersome. It was decided to switch to a smaller 25” size, which most local newspapers use. At the same time, they switched printers to Pioneer Press in Big Rapids.

Robin Ward came to work for the newspaper when Dick Boomer owned the paper and she stayed on working for Dana and Linda. Robin put in many long hours proofing and editing the paper as well as performing layout duties. It was during those years that she developed the Ruffs by Rosco column expressing the world through the eyes of her faithful dog, Rosco. Robin still writes that column, and it is one of the newspaper’s most popular features. Our many thanks to Robin for her dedication and support of our newspaper.

Within a year, the newspaper expanded coverage into Six Lakes, Remus, Blanchard, Edmore, Howard City, Amble, Stanton, Sheridan, and other areas surrounding Lakeview.

The response has been overwhelming. Several local people wrote weekly or bi-monthly columns, others willingly submitted articles on a regular basis, and others submitted story ideas.

In October 2007, Dana and Linda bought Dick out and took over the newspaper as partners. The newspaper then became the Lakeview Area News, LLC. They continued running the paper until February 2010 when Dana bowed out and Linda became sole owner. By this time, Pam Hufford no longer worked for the paper. Two other ad representatives joined the staff – Julie Camp and Kristina Marsh. Linda hired other office and layout staff as well. Two are still working at the newspaper – Sandy Dean, who is office/billing manager and ad designer, and Kelly Wright, who is layout editor.

In September 2011, Linda sold the newspaper to the current owners, Gerald (Jake) Kinsey and Charlene Kinsey. The name stayed the same, except it no longer is an LLC. Linda stayed on as Managing Editor for a couple years to run the day-to-day operations, and the Kinseys handle the business end. Linda retired in 2014, but she continues to write articles and helps in other ways. The first issue under the Kinseys’ leadership came out September 15, 2011. Shortly after buying the newspaper the Kinseys started renting their current office space in the Lakeview Family Chiropractors building at 960 S. Lincoln Ave in Lakeview.