M I C H I G A N
N E W S P A P E R
O F
T H E
Y E A R
Copyright 2012, Leelanau Enterprise, Inc., all rights reserved.
Vol. 136 — No. 11
Lake Leelanau, Michigan 49653
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Three Sections
Labor Intensive
By Patti Brandt of the Enterprise staff
By Alan Campbell of the Enterprise staff
(Concluded on Page 19)
INSIDE
Sharing Christmas Cheer, Sec. 2
In Section 2:
✓ Project values reach high, Pg. 3 ✓ Npt. supports microbrew applicant, Pg. 5 ✓ Benefit nets $4,000, Pg. 11
In Section 3:
✓ Classified ads
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38413 30065
9
75¢
The joy of making Christmas
Right to work reverberates to Leelanau Co. Gwenne Allgaier of Cleveland Township rose at 4 a.m. Tuesday to become a part of what she considers a shameful episode in state history. Others on the other side of the aisle consider passage of a “right to work” law as another step toward unleashing Michigan’s economy. Allgaier joined about 50 other demonstrators from Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties on a charter bus to express their opinions against Right to right to work legislation work will that was signed into law later that day by Gov. be phased Rick Snyder. “I saw 10,000 to in as union 12,000 energized people. contracts are And lots and lots and lots of union people,” she renewed. said. “I don’t think any of us had the hope we would stop them from what they were doing, but we had to send the message that what they were doing ... was taking rights away, which is not what our democracy is about.” While labor members and leaders showed up en masse Tuesday at the state Capitol to protest — violently at times — passage of “right to work” legislation, county Equalization technician Susan Baatz said most local Teamsters Union members have had little reaction. Baatz, union steward for county employees organized through the Teamster’s Union, said on Tuesday that she had received “a couple” calls from union members with questions about the new law. She knew of no county employees who had traveled to Lansing to be part of an estimated crowd of 12,000 that chanted union slogans and expressed displeasure over the swift passage of a right to work law. Snyder signed the bill into law early Tuesday evening after passage by the state House along a party line vote earlier that day. “We will have more information next week as this moves along,” Baatz said. Many union supporters from the Grand Traverse area did attend the protests, said Betsy
44 Pages
MELISSA LOREDO helps her nephew, 2-year-old Austin Durga, with a craft project. The pair were at the Goodwill Community Holiday Needs event held Tuesday at the Little Finger VFW Post in Lake Leelanau.
Holiday Lineup We continue our coverage of Christmas activities this week. Section Two: • Covering lots of events. • Homemade Christmas cards. Section One: • Eggnog delight. • Bell ringers do their part, • Holiday Christmas page 2. concerts, other events.
With four children ranging from 6 months to 6 years of age, Briana and Rolando Leao of Elmwood Township can use a little help to brighten Christmas. On Tuesday the Elmwood couple was at the Goodwill Community Holiday Needs event, held at the Little Finger VFW Post, waiting for their turn to “go shopping.” “This is a really big thing for us,” said Rolando Leao, who makes his living by maintaining lawns in the summer and snowplowing in the winter. “Kids deserve presents. We try Of a new to get everything on our own, but what we can’t bike and get we ask for help to provide that for our tears: kids.” Briana agrees, saying ‘That’s why her children will like just I do this.” about anything they put under the tree. “Anything helps,” she said. “They’re not really picky. We appreciate the extra help from the community.” The children of Amy Bustos and Salvador Garcia may be a little more discerning, the Lake Leelanau couple said. The two girls want dolls, babies and Barbies, while the two boys like monster trucks and wrestling. “They love wrestling,” Garcia said, thinking he probably shouldn’t have let them watch it so (Concluded on Page 18)
Demoted director stands ground By Amy Hubbell of the Enterprise staff
Bill Crawford wants his job back. Crawford, former director of the BenzieLeelanau District Health Department, presented his request during what was described as a “nameclearing hearing” held Friday at the health department office in Benzonia. The hearing was held at his request, and was attended by a long line of supporters who spoke on his behalf. Included was his wife of 40 years, Liz. No one at the hearing spoke against him. “I believe that I was wrongfully and unfairly removed from my position as health officer,” Crawford said as he stood before an audience of approximately 40 supporters. “I was denied critical information that would have allowed me to more effectively defend myself and my actions.” One of the major made Supporters offer allegations against Crawford by sharp contrast female co-workers was that he stared at to sexual their chests while speaking to them. harassment His attorney, however, told members allegations of the Health Board that Crawford suffers from a seeing impairment that at times causes him to cock his head and look down to focus. No allegations of improper touching or advancements were made. In June, Crawford was demoted from his position as department director to that of sanitarian. His salary fell from $78,412 to $39,702. One harassment complainant claimed that (Concluded on Page 19)
MORE THAN 40 people crowded a meeting room at the Benzie Resource Center in Benzonia to support former health department director Bill Crawford, center. Crawford’s wife Liz, left, is standing strong with him seeking a retraction of sexual harassment allegations.
Former chief claims wrongful firing By Patti Brandt of the Enterprise staff
Former Leland Township Fire Chief Michael Fandel on Friday filed a lawsuit in 13th Circuit Court claiming wrongful termination. Fandel is claiming that his firing was a violation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act. Fandel, who had been with the fire department for 11 years, resigned in May. He later claimed he resigned as chief, but not as a volunteer firefighter.
The board terminated his position as firefighter in September. He is suing the Leland Township Board, the Leland Township Fire Department, the Leland Township Fire Board and Calvin Little, township supervisor and former Fire Board chair. As a result of his termination, Fandel claims he has suffered damages to his reputation and standing in the community, mental, emotional and physical (Concluded on Page 19)