Markkanen to address Ojibway closing in Marenisco Thursday

By P.J. GLISSON

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Marenisco - Members of the Marenisco Township board of trustees learned at their Monday evening meeting that state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Houghton, will be present Thursday to discuss the status of the former Ojibway Correctional Facility.

Township supervisor Richard Bouvette reported that Markkanen will be at the township hall in Marenisco at 1:30 p.m. that day. Bouvette said he expects other officials, as yet unnamed, to attend as well.

Bouvette said he still has not received word on the township's appeal to the state Court of Appeals. The Feb. 7 appeal was in relation to a lower court's ruling against Marenisco's attempt to sue the Michigan Department of Corrections for closing OCF at the end of last year without properly notifying residents here in advance.

"I'm kind of amazed," said Bouvette regarding the lack of response so far. "I would hope we get our day in court soon."

Meanwhile, Bouvette said he has heard that the state of Michigan may remove the former prison's self-sufficient sewage facility. When he said he couldn't imagine them being in any hurry to do so, trustee Kelly Dunbar added, "Why they're doing it at all makes no sense."

At the same time, the state Republican website reports that Markkanen has been making a formal effort to "repurpose" the former prison.

Toward that end, Markkanen proposed an amendment to consider OCF among other proposed locations as a training academy for correctional officers.

"The closure of the Ojibway prison devastated the surrounding communities," Markkanen stated. "Rather than letting the vacant facility continue to deteriorate and turn into a community eyesore, we now have a chance to breathe new life into the building and fulfill the state's need for a training facility."

Markkanen's proposal passed the state House last month and advanced to the state Senate.

Markkanen and other representatives of this region have shown ongoing sympathy for the closing of the prison and the impact that loss has had on the community at large.

Regarding potential word on the state appeal, Bouvette said Monday night, "I don't know that the prison will reopen, but there should be some resolution of the issue."

Water building to be demolished

In other news, the board also:

-Voted to take bids to demolish the township water building, which stands next to the Gogebic County Road Commission building on the corner of Mill and Main streets. Bouvette said that, when the job is done, the township likely will build another smaller structure there for storage.

-Purchased just over seven acres of land for $3,900 from a landowner whose property unintentionally had included portions of the township cemetery, softball field, and shooting range. Bouvette said the purchase should solve most of the land issues.

-Heard from township clerk Donna Kenney that her class of 1979 intends to donate a bench to the Marenisco park. "We're hoping other classes will follow suit," she said regarding related initiatives. Kelly Dunbar and his father, Jim Dunbar, will make the bench.

-Heard a complaint from Valerie Miller that older citizens would appreciate having Fourth of July activities split between the township hall and the new pavilion, rather than only at the latter, as they were this year. She said air conditioning in the hall makes it more comfortable and that the new pavilion was too crowded this year. Bouvette advised her to attend next year's Fourth of July committee meetings.

-Heard a complaint from Karen Wilke that a neighbor of hers was clearing trees on his property, which she described as "one of the prettiest lots left in Marenisco." Bouvette explained that the landowner has the right to do what he wishes with his property.

The board's next meeting will be on Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Marenisco Township Hall. The public is welcome.