Thursday, September 30, 2010

Letter to Editor, Thursday, September 30, 2010
Harris' methods are in violation of state statute
[Joe Harris was sent by Granholm to BH as state financial mngr.]

Editor,
You can get a prescription for drugs from your doctor. It will make you feel better or kill you. Gov. Jennifer Granholm gave Joseph Harris a prescription to cure Benton Harbor's financial problems; he must have had a pocket full of methadone, because he is killing this city and its residents.

At Benton Harbor High school, Mr. Harris told the citizens (with his boss present) he was working with the commissioners and he will continue to do so and that he would be transparent. His job description clearly states that he was to collaborate with the city officials to formulate plans to eliminate the city's deficit. He said he had and will continue to do so. He lied.

On April 10 President Obama said that the loud voices of the special interest should never be allowed to drown out the voice of the common man.

Public Act No.72 clearly states that Mr. Harris is supposed to collaborate with commissioners. I read this to him at the high school. Now all of a sudden he gets amnesia and disregards everything he said.

What's wrong with checks and balances? The only oversight committee connected to Mr. Harris' job is the Emergency Loan Board (appointed by Gov. Granholm) and they are all in bed together. Why shouldn't the commissioners and mayor meet with him? The last time I looked we were still a democratic nation.

Gov. Granholm is doing a darn good job of turning this blue state red. And for the first time in my adult life I am considering voting Republican.

George Moon, Benton Harbor

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/30/opinion/letters/2005675.txt

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Airs Thursday: Cooney, Upton debate on radio

Kalamazoo Gazette
John A. Lacko | Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette

ST. JOSEPH — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and Democratic foe Don Cooney took part Sunday in an hourlong debate recorded in the studios of Benton Harbor radio station WSJM-FM (94.9) and scheduled to air on the station at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to Cooney’s campaign. It will also be available online at www.wsjm.com.

Cooney and Upton have also agreed to a debate sponsored by the Kalamazoo Gazette and tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12.

The last day to register to vote in November’s general election, meanwhile, is Oct. 4. Voting information is available online at www.michigan.gov/sos.
Article with 2 comments:
"we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts"

County backs tax break zone for Whirlpool


Creating the rehabilitation district would allow appliance maker to apply for abatement, freezing taxes on properties
By Scott Aiken - H-P, Friday, September 24, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County commissioners Thursday agreed to support the creation of a commercial rehabilitation district to provide Whirlpool Corp. with a tax abatement on a planned $68 million world headquarters in Benton Harbor...The Benton Harbor City Commission has voted to create the district. But under the state law that allows the tax abatement, the county has a rejection right...The complex is part of an $85 million plan to consolidate Whirlpool's 15 operations in the Twin Cities into three, one each in Benton Harbor, Benton Township and St. Joseph.
The world headquarters complex is to be built on Main Street in Benton Harbor between River Street and Riverview Drive.
Another abatement being sought by Whirlpool is an amendment to the Harbor Shores brownfield plan to include property at the LeValley site and certain nearby properties the company does not now control.
A third abatement that requires county involvement would extend the Renaissance Zone designation for Whirlpool properties...Fette said approval of all the abatements would mean a $100,000 annual loss of tax revenue for the county.

JamesO wrote on Sep 25, 2010:
" "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..." "

we need a balance sheet wrote on Sep 25, 2010
" I...think it's time that our elected officials asked Whirlpool for a balance sheet comparing their donations to their tax breaks. Who wouldn't like to trade paying taxes for the ability to chose where and how to spend the money in donations. That's not how democracies work. We elect people to represent us in determining how the money is best spent in the public interest. As for the economic benefits of jobs we have actually lost jobs from Whirlpool while giving Whirlpool tax cuts. Middle class jobs we so desparately need have been sent to other states and out of the country..."

Monday, September 27, 2010

Herald Palladium - Propaganda Watch

Beginning of an article, followed by an informed reader comment

Joe Harris, flak catcher
He's the Slasher In Chief, but that's the job the governor gave him
By Julie Swida-H-P, Sunday, September 26, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - His own job is on the cutting room floor.
Still, Benton Harbor City Manager Ron Carter Jr. says Emergency Financial Manager Joseph Harris is doing exactly what he was sent here to do.
Most Benton Harbor city commissioners and several city residents disagree and say Harris is overstepping his authority. Others say he is doing his job, and doing it well.
Harris was sent to Benton Harbor in April after Gov. Jennifer Granholm declared that a financial emergency existed in the city. The declaration came under Public Act 72, also known as the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act...

Resident wrote on Sep 27, 2010 5:24 AM:
" Someone tell me how there is going to be a city left without a fire department, a city manager, an administrative staff, city assessor and city clerk? Who will be left to run the city - oh that's right Whirlpool is already. Very convenient for them to eliminate the city assessor's position when the properties they are getting tax breaks on have yet to be assessed I wonder in who's favor they may end up? Wake up people.Governor Granholm brought in a task force in 2003 to revitilize Benton Harbor and this is what you got. She also had the heads of all governmental agencies sign a letter supporting Harbor Shores. Harbor Shores used Benton Harbor to get all their infrastructure paid for and where are the benefits of Harbor Shores for the city now ? "
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/26/local_news/1945995.txt

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Cotter blasts state again
Parole board's decisions 'abysmal,' prosecutor says

By Scott Aiken, H-P
Published: Friday, September 10, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter is not backing down from his contention that violent criminals are being released too soon from state prisons.
Speaking to county commissioners Thursday, Cotter repeated his earlier criticism that "money driven" decisions by the Michigan Parole and Commutation Board create risks for the public...

Maybe ...not wrote on Sep 10, 2010 4:42 PM:
" To Maybe, the judges do not need any more power! As corrupt, unfair and immoral as the local ones have proven to be, it would be horrible for them to have any more power. They abuse what they have already. The parole board should be given more information about each person and there should be more time spent on each case/person before the consideration for granting parole is given. "

get real wrote on Sep 10, 2010 7:37 PM:
" Violent offenders should be in prison, too bad that drug offenders are taking up so much space. Does Art have a solution, does he want more taxes, does he want to let drug offenders out? Besides self serving blame what does Art offer? "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1897157.txt

Friday, September 24, 2010

Harbor Shores propaganda is constant in Whirlpool's "company" paper, the Herald Palladium. Below are parts of two "golf" articles, each followed by reader comments.

Driving forward

[photo] Karl and Karen Karg of Glen Ellyn, Ill., enjoy hamburgers as they sit in front of a mural at the North Shore Inn Tuesday. The mural was painted by Eric Bradford and was commissioned to celebrate the recent Champions for Change golf match featuring Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Johnny MIller. The restaurant is near the 13th and 14th holes of The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, where the match was played.
Officials, business owners: Harbor Shores golf course grand opening event already paying dividends for area
By Julie Swida-H-P
Friday, September 10, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - The grand opening of The Golf Club at Harbor Shores was more than a fun event that participants and spectators will remember for the rest of their lives, Harbor Shores and other community officials said Thursday.
The event will have a far-reaching effect on the economy and reputation of the Twin Cities area, said the officials, who spoke to reporters at a media roundtable meeting Thursday...

We Liked The Livery Beer Flow Stats wrote on Sep 10, 2010 2:06 PM:
" we liked the Livery increased beer flow stats in the chart that went with the press release, oops, the well researched and sourced "news" story - more drunk drivers for the cops to pull over and generate revenue from. "

Pollyanna Belts Out Kumbayah wrote on Sep 10, 2010 2:07 PM:
" Pollyanna breaks out yet another resounding rendition of Kumbayah. Stenography at its finest. "

Oswald Spengler wrote on Sep 10, 2010 3:02 PM:
" Man, that mural is so cheesy. I hope they haven't gotten rid of the bullfighting scene, with the big 3-D bull! "

Dan Loops wrote on Sep 10, 2010 4:00 PM:
" This is a great thing... But the "participants and spectators will remember for the rest of their lives." comments have to stop. And lets face it, Whirlpool (Kitchen Aid) was not "selected", they bought (they are sponsers) the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championships. Not knocking what this brings to the community. But the bombastic marketing and over the top verbal junk is insulting to most people's intelligence. "

Albaby
wrote on Sep 10, 2010 8:30 PM:
" Is the airconditioner a Whirlpool? That's a classy location for the mural. Right uinder the A/C. LOL "

Resident
wrote on Sep 11, 2010 9:54 AM:
" As a long time resident and very involved in the development of the Arts District, I take offense that in some way, Harbor Shores had anything to do with that neighborhood coming alive. If it had not been the hard work and personal cost of those who bought and worked their butt off to get the Arts District going, there would be no Arts District. Whirlpool, Cornerstone, Harbor Shores had nothing to do with it. For that matter they did nothing to help other than be a bank and give out loans, and not great ones at that. Cornerstone has lied to many business owners in BH. I personally worked with the Benton Harbor Children's Art Fair for 6 years, Where was Whirlpool then? The District was always alive, now it is just to their benefit to advertise for it. Nothing stopped them from doing it years ago - but there was no benefit for them then. It is not their work - so stop taking the credit. Any place benefits when you have a PR firm working nonstop to promote it. "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1897865.txt

Golf challenge by the numbers

Friday, September 10, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - The national spotlight was on Benton Harbor on Aug. 10 as four golf legends played at the grand opening of the Golf Club at Harbor Shores.

About 4,000 people watched as Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus, the course designer, raised $1 million in the Champions for Change golf tournament. The money was given to the Benton Harbor Boys & Girls Club...

Resident wrote on Sep 11, 2010 3:36 PM:
" So how much free food and T-shirts and raffle tickets did you offer to get your statistics up?

Did Harbor Shore's ever get permission slips from the parents of the kids they used for their Earthday photo opportunity? When they had the youth of Benton Harbor cleaning up a known contaminated site adjacent to Jean Klock Park.

They continue to use the youth over and over again to pretend like they are really making a difference. Summer jobs taught them how to push a broom to clean not their streets, but Harbor Shore's streets. Challenging and rewarding work.

It is disgusting to read and reread this crappy PR is to how wonderful this all is. There is definitely better news to report Herald Palladium. Haven't you been bought off enough? Give it a rest with Harbor Shores. It is really nauseating. "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1897907.txt

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Is the rumour true that Harris is moving to Benton Harbor? And that, in reality, he's Whirlpool's hatchet man, working to dissolve every Benton Harbor department? Will Whirlpool replace BH with Harbor Town? Has this been in the works for decades, hence the most innocent and juvenile convictions in the state? Will this MONUMENTAL MISCARRIAGE of justice ever be prosecuted?

9 Benton Harbor officers face layoffs this week

By Julie Swidwa H-P
Wed., Sept. 15, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - Nine Benton Harbor patrol officers can expect to find layoff notices in their mailboxes this week after a unanimous vote by the union Monday to refuse a 25 percent pay cut.

Emergency Financial Manager Joseph Harris said three will be called back to fill grant-funded positions, resulting in a net loss of six full-time patrol officers. Harris said some of them will be offered part-time jobs...

always positive
wrote on Sep 15, 2010 1:36 PM:
" Now this is when whirlpool should step in and help fund their ailling city of choice. Oops. They only want tax breaks from their hometown city of choice. The amount of tax breaks certainly would make a BIG difference. "

Rick wrote on Sep 15, 2010 1:52 PM:
" Instead of laying off police officers and closing the fire dept, why dosen't Harris stop the city trash pick-up which has made the owner of Industrial Sanitation rich. "

BH Resident
wrote on Sep 15, 2010 3:38 PM:
" Why is Whirlpool giving money to the County and not to the BENTON HARBOR POLICE DEPT? And the city wants to allow Whirlpool to build down town. That's crap. Whirlpool doesn't give a darn about BH. "

Concerned wrote on Sep 16, 2010 5:10 AM:
" Harris is cutting every employee he can. But he is not cutting is own over a $100,000 a year or the City manager and his high paid assistant. That is a real concern to me. If the City is so broke then HOW does he justify his salary and having a City manager and a assistant as well. Harris is taking over every department and running them himself. To me he is going about this all wrong. He was brought in to manage the money and help to guide the City. But is has taken of the role of GOD over the City. Something is wrong with this picture. Or is he actually making the City FAIL on purpose. We better ask that question very soon or it will be GONE "

IN the KNOW
wrote on Sep 17, 2010 12:22 AM:
" Ok who is behind the Township water plant? None other than Jim Boothby and his wife. WHY? They do not wish to be a part of the community any more. If people would only look at what is happening you can see for yourself. St Joe needs more capacity. Benton Harbor was able to get the grant and St Joe could not. So why was there a new connection pipe put under the river a few years back to join Benton Harbor and St Joe. The real reason: so that St Joe can get water from Benton Harbor when they run short. Why? So that in time the water plants will be under an authority much like the one in St Joe now and the townships. All but Benton as Benton wanted to be on their own and used The Benton Harbor situation to scam the voters. I am hoping that once all the new pipes and valves and such is placed and the total costs are figured the citizens will be outraged that they were scammed. This whole area is going to be in time a Water Authority and a New town in time watch and see what I say. There is a reason for what is going on and why it is happening. But that reason has not been made public as of yet. The talk of combined Fire services is only the start of things to come. St Joe is land locked and no way to gain land for future expansion and more tax base. Benton Harbor has the land and the river front and that will be the driving force to make the changes in the future. Why do you think Whirlpool decided to build there??? You answer that one HARBOR TOWN "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/15/local_news/1922291.txt

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Stage set for Whirlpool incentives

(Comments)

Benton Harbor City Commission OKs measures that will allow company to seek tax breaks on $68 million office complex

By Julie Swidwa-H-P
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - A package of resolutions approved by the City Commission on Tuesday brings Whirlpool Corp. a step closer to getting incentives the company is seeking to build a $68 million world headquarters office complex in downtown Benton Harbor...

Not Fooled wrote on Sep 8, 2010 1:23 PM:
" Bringing "1.100workers into downtown Benton Harbor" should not be interpreted by the lay reader as adding 1,100 jobs! Come on people...who do really think Whirlpool is doing this for? First of all, Muhammed has absolutely no clue what he is talking about, and Jeff Noel is a smooth talking front man who summed up what Whirlpool is really about when he stated that "Whirlpool could have benefited from lower tax rates inother communities." The cart is driving the horse! Time for more "WE LOVE WHIRLPOOLl" signs in the area (lol). "

sick of the outsourcing wrote on Sep 8, 2010 1:35 PM:
" whirlpool, you want tax breaks - bring back the jobs sent to Brazil and Mexico! then we will talk tax breaks! "

Tom Joad wrote on Sep 8, 2010 2:46 PM:
" Small business is the engine that drives the American economy, not large multi-national corporations that outsource U.S. jobs and hide their profits in overseas tax shelters. These are the businesses that should be receiving tax breaks, not Whirlpool. "

Deb wrote on Sep 8, 2010 2:53 PM:
" No company that exports JOBS should benefit from any tax break. "

really wrote on Sep 8, 2010 9:16 PM:
" And this too shall pass. More lies and heart ache for the people of Benton Harbor. "

Oswald Spengler
wrote on Sep 8, 2010 10:23 PM:
" Jeff Noel asks, "how do we attract new business so that over time we can lower the millage rate?"

Who is this "we", Jeff Noel? You don't run the city. It's not you who decides the tax rate.

Coming soon: Joseph Harris, Ron Carter and the commissioners lower taxes (pushed on apparently by Jeff Noel). Marcus Muhammad supports his vote with talking points from the Wall Street Journal op-ed page, Heritage Foundation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Club For Growth.

Benton Harbor is getting weirder and weirder all the time. "

Nelly wrote on Sep 9, 2010 2:08 AM:
" The debt mongers and haters are in the house! While it is great point out the difference in the millage from one city to another, Mr Noel should also have mentioned the fact that the people of Benton Harbor subsidize public transport, airport, and utility services for those nice folks in Benton Township. WE pay more in taxes because we and (Niles) provide more services through the property tax levied.

Maybe if St Joe, St TWP, and Benton TWP all paid their fair share of the additional services provided their citizens, the rates would be much closer. "

Common Sense Rules Clarification
wrote on Sep 9, 2010 8:05 AM:
" This is not about the WHR tax breaks as they are what they are but a desire to keep the debate accurate. While "common sense rules" is accurate in the fact that the U.S. has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, he/she fails to also acknowledge that we also have one of the most charitable set of allowances for tax credits, deductions, and write-offs which lowere to true effective level of that rate. Public policy is much more nuanced than what is discussed here which is unfortunate. Corporations are doign just fine from a tax standpoint and have teams of accountants and tax attorneys to ensure such. The area which really deserves attention is the tax burden of truelly small businesses. I bet if you look at it from a relative percetnage of revenue, they pay a far higher rate than larger companies. "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/08/local_news/1888618.txt

Monday, September 20, 2010

Letter to the Editor and comments. Topics: Whirlpool stolen land development and Berrien county prosecutor Cotter.

Excerpt from a 9/16 Letter to the Editor (HPalladium)

Editor,

I have enjoyed Jean Klock Park all my life...
...the illustrious leaders of Benton Harbor and Whirlpool were keeping up the hype that "no one goes to Jean Klock Park."
...What next? Probably luxury condos on all public waterfront property, or casinos, strip joints, hotels and motels. Then it probably will mean some more bars. Oh, and we can all have corporate "campuses" that won't employ any of our residents.

What is important to [our "leaders"] is that they carry out the orders of the entities who want to develop every square inch of lake front property, make a profit, get filthy rich and move on.

That's it, take away all the residents' personal freedoms and let the developers and corporations have their way. Is that the way you want it? If you don't wake up, that's exactly what will happen.

Too many people still have their heads in the sand.

Lea'Anna Locey, Benton Harbor

****************************************

Letter to Editor comments

The Federal Farmer wrote on Sep 17, 2010:
"Let's hope that visitors to the area take their dogs to the Whirlpool Golf Course to poop."

Another windbag supporter
wrote on Sep 16, 2010:
"I bet Mr. Cotter don't advocate should felons have work, some of them may not turn to street crimes in the community, and I bet Mr. Cotter when putting his foot in his mouth never takes this foot out to advocate for a better juvenile justice system in this state. Mr. Cotter knows full well how to gain followers and support by egging on those that whine about tax dollars spent on criminals. Mr. Cotter is a foot inserting in thy own mouth windbag, who needs to do a better job in application of the laws and stautes of this state. Maybe someone should do some research to find out how many of his cases are questionable?"

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/16/opinion/letters/1916267.txt

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Below are three HPalladium readers' opinions. All are in line with NAACP-BH strong support for Don Cooney's US House of Rep. campaign to oust incumbent Fred Upton, heir to Whirlpool trillions.

Letter to Editor - comment

spare me wrote on Sep 16, 2010 10:10 AM:
" You only need to take a look at Fred's [Upton] contributors. Being on the communications committee he takes donations from all the big telecommunications companies that stand to make great profits on increased limits and fees for the whole internet. We pay now for higher speeds next we will pay for greater access. The internet is an economic engine for purchasing, information and should not be hampered by corporate interests who only want profits that come from control not capitalism. It's time to rebel against Fred and his corporate buddies "

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/15/opinion/letters/1915235.txt

9/15 Letter to Editor (HPalladium)

Upton on the wrong side of net neutrality issue

Editor,

I was amazed to read of the attitudes of Fred Upton, our local representative in the U.S. Congress, that were published in an article in a recent edition of The H-P.

If true, he appears to have sold out to a group of interests that are determined to milk the "free" Internet for corporate profits in a manner that will stifle growth of this valuable resource. The USA is already falling far behind the rest of the world in the speed of local services, and the loss of net neutrality will only accelerate their lead.

The Internet is a valuable resource for advancement of science, industry and free speech, and we certainly can't afford to sacrifice its growth for the profit of a few greedy corporations or compliant politicians!

Daniel Groteke, St. Joseph

9/14 Letter to Editor - Excerpt

...At the national level, Don Cooney is a compelling candidate for election to the House of Representatives. Don is currently in his sixth term as a Kalamazoo city commissioner, where he focuses on issues affecting working families. He has developed a detailed plan for bringing jobs back to Michigan by promoting new industries (e.g., green energy, technology, local food processing), providing tax incentives for companies that expand their work force or supply skills training for their existing workers, and investing in education from early childhood through college...

Larry Feldman, Lakeside

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Readers comments below

$28 million and 14 years later, BH airport work nears hoped-for completion in 2011
By Scott Aiken - H-Palladium
Sunday, September 12, 2010
BENTON HARBOR - It is a project being done in fits and starts, an undertaking at the mercy of the flow of federal funding.

Now, after 14 years and $28.2 million spent or allocated, a completion date is on the horizon for the runway safety project at Southwest Michigan Regional Airport...

angry tax payer wrote on Sep 12, 2010 1:39 PM:
" Since it is my tax money paying for all of this and it is federal mandated, then commerical flights should be coming in and out. It is a major pain the rear, to have to fly to kazoo or sbend, and then get a rent a car. It is just not right that this is only for Whirlpool!!!! "

So Like... wrote on Sep 12, 2010 1:58 PM:
" ...where are all those jobs that have been continually promised with all those airport millages? Come on, where are they? BTW: what's wrong with flying into/out of SBN...it's closer than most folk in Chicago to ORD? "

Hopeless wrote on Sep 12, 2010 4:23 PM:
" All the plans in Benton Harbor but no Fire Dept. The ISO - (Insurance Services Office Rates) will the so high that the Business will not be able to get insurance. Thanks Joe Harris "

Steve wrote on Sep 12, 2010 6:30 PM:
" JamesO: this is a challenge to you: Prove your point! We've heard this rift for years but still no jobs. Most airmail comes into So.Bend; no commercial service,; wealth transfer from taxpayers to private airport users takes investment money away, etc. BTW: Bringing folks in for golf doesn't count. I dont want words- I want facts, numbers, stats, revenue vs. costs, etc. "

mikell
wrote on Sep 12, 2010 6:58 PM:
" Sorry no factory jobs putting together widgets for $20 an hour. All the widget production because nobody would back the union. Union had power America was great and now look management has power and Were dying "

Marge Inovera wrote on Sep 12, 2010 8:05 PM:
" Don't the FAA requirements have some relation to the intended uses of a runway. I notice that Andrews University has a dinky little airport, but it's used for flight training in tiny little planes. If the FAA wants more runway, then it's presumably for Whirlpool's jets. OK, if Whirlpool needs it, let Whirlpool pay for it. "

always positive wrote on Sep 12, 2010 11:15 PM:
" Ross International Airport - The airport to nowhere. "

frr wrote on Sep 13, 2010 1:20 AM:
" I GUESS THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS RUNWAY WILL NEVER GET A CHANCE TO USE IT, ITS ONLY BEEN 14 YEARS. OH WELL IT TOOK THEM ALMOST 50 YEARS TO BUILD THE EXPRESS HIGHWAY TO SOUTHBEND BUT WILL NEVER FINISH IT HERE. AND BENTON HARBOR STILL DOES NOT HAVE A ON AND OFF RAMP OF ITS OWN TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CITY TO DETROIT AND CHICAGO. WHAT A JOKE. WE THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN JUST USED UP. MAYBE WE SHOULD QUIT
GIVING THEM OUR TAX DOLLARS SO FREELY."

What a Joke wrote on Sep 13, 2010 8:46 AM:
" Marge Inovera is right. This project is for Whirlpool and the Cornerstone spin on this article/project is going to be another Harbor Shores. "

Pilot wrote on Sep 13, 2010 10:28 AM:
" Hey Mike, If you really lived out there you would know that there have NEVER been 100 flights a day at the airport.

The ESTIMATE is that there have been 100 takeoff's and landings. Clearly, NOT the same thing.

Sixty five million dollars flushed down the toilet on that airport in the last twenty years and for what? "

Really
wrote on Sep 13, 2010 10:51 AM:
" It was to be a six person board, Al Todd is the representative from Lincoln Township but he is a department head for the city of St. Joseph. The city of st Joe also has a representative on the board. Does that mean the city of st Joseph really has two votes? Is this an agenda by st Joseph to control Benton Harbor's airport. Mr Todd should resign as the Lincoln Township representative, so there is a true transparent view of the airport board and its workings. "

So Like Again... wrote on Sep 14, 2010 7:24 AM:
" ....where are all the jobs this thing has promised to bring over the last 25 year? I mean, why else do we need this thing? If folks who use private aircraft lived in Chicago, it'd take 'em longer to get to their plane there than in the Twin Cities getting to South Bend. "


http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/12/local_news/1862855.txt

Friday, September 17, 2010

Below find one comment as posted on the Herald Palladium.

A sharper eye at courthouse
New X-ray machine sees both sides of scanned objects

By Scott Aiken - H-P
Friday, September 17, 2010
ST. JOSEPH - New security equipment bought for the Berrien County Courthouse with a $50,200 federal grant is already paying off, an official said Thursday.

An X-ray scanner installed inside the entrance about a month ago has revealed knives and marijuana, courthouse security Director Joseph Zangaro told county commissioners...

Joe wrote on Sep 17, 2010 4:27 PM:
"The courthouse can be very busy, Zangaro reported, but a cell phone ban put into effect several years ago has cut down on the number of people who show up to watch trials or other proceedings."

I find it very interesting (and slightly disturbing) that the people running the courthouse note this approvingly. I don't think we should be happy that they've managed to find a marginally "justifiable" restriction so inconvenient to modern life that it actually dissuades people from seeing our justice system in action.

Cell phones are allowed at the US Supreme Court building in Washington, but are too much of a threat for the court building in Berrien County, Michigan? Come on!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Below find interesting comments as posted in the Herald Palladium

Whirlpool picks developer

Whirlpool has selected a developer for the new office complex...Pizzuti Companies of Columbus, Ohio, is committed to using local contractors whenever possible [catch the irony?]

Those are headlines of a 9/10 Herald Palladium article; here are some comments which
follow:


THANK GAWD OUR DAILY DOSE OF whirlpool wrote on Sep 10, 2010 2:01 PM:
" Thank You Gawd and hp for our Daily Dose of all things whirlpool !!!! we were jonesing !!!!

it had been, what, 24 or maybe 48 hours since our last blast of all things whirlpool !?!?!?!

Goebbels would be so darn proud. so darn proud. "

Wont Quit wrote on Sep 10, 2010 2:23 PM:
" Let me get this straight....Whirlpool beleive so much in investing in this area that they decided to spend their construction dollars with an out of state firm?. Guess the area construction companies and those employed by those companies don't match up to Whirlpool's standards! So much for more local jobs! Read my lips....Whirlpool is going to do what is good for Whirlpool and could give a rip about anyone else here! WE LOVE WHIRLPOOL (lol) "

brett wrote on Sep 10, 2010 3:16 PM:
" Whoa, ugly buildings! Better go back to the drawing board. They cleaned up the bums nicely though "

Deb wrote on Sep 10, 2010 5:10 PM:
" Just another slap in the face from good old Whirlpool. "

Where ... wrote on Sep 10, 2010 6:03 PM:
" ...are the signature 'Whirlpool red' bricks? "

BH RESIDENT
wrote on Sep 10, 2010 7:43 PM:
" Where will the people that hangout along the river go. people still fish there and hang around....Will the whirlpool folks make it so they cant come around.. "

Big Surprise Non Local wrote on Sep 10, 2010 9:32 PM:
" a place that i worked at tried for years to get just a small piece of the pie from the washtub company. never good enough though we did business with corporations larger than the wersher company. go figure.

that outright hostility to local really chafes the ol' chaps.

funny ( not in a ha ha ha way however ) how it took some comments about the lack of locals on the golf course construction before a local construction firm showed up and prominently parked its trailer / tool crib out by the highway. until then there weren't any locals working on it.

but we are urged to support local buy local think local.

not too many 2 way streets around, it seems. "

Resident
wrote on Sep 11, 2010 8:23 AM:
" All those jobs for local people - just another of MANY lies from Whirlpool. I just can not believe how naive the locals are in this area who think Whirlpool is doing this out of the goodness of their heart. Where else in this country can they get waterfront property for basically nothing and get tax breaks for it with their own airport and golf course. They now have control of all the waterfront property in BH. They now own the town. It isn't for the community they are doing this - it is for Whirlpool. They should spend their money on making better products made to last like they used to, not the crap they sell now. "


http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2010/09/10/local_news/1898476.txt

Friday, September 10, 2010

Former Benton Harbor police officer Andrew Collins is back in the community as a civilian. Are you sitting down? This criminal cop served a mere 7 months of a 37 month conviction for incessant drug planting on Benton Harbor African-American residents.


http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2009/01/andrew-collins-was-not-lone-actor.html



http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2009/01/collins-article-commentary-in-caps.html


http://bhbanco.blogspot.com/2009/01/story-gets-bigger-in-berrien.html

Friday, September 03, 2010

NAACP will host well-known speakers, the attorneys Sam Adam & Sam Adam, Jr. from Chicago who defended the former Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich, and Judge Deborah Thomas from Detroit

NAACP-Benton Harbor branch will hold the
Annual Freedom Fund Banquet - Sat. Oct. 9, 2010, 7pm
Donation $50
Lake Michigan College, Upton Room
2755 E. Napier Ave.

Everyone welcome. Doors open at 6:30pm. The theme is New Day, New Way!

We are cordially inviting you to attend a brainstorming prior to our annual banquet at 6pm. Please help us continue the fight for freedom and justice by sending a donation.
Whirlpool is doing everything within their power to make sure we fail.

Please mail tax-deductible donations to:
NAACP
1940 Union St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022