Gogebic Courthouse has self-help legal aid stations

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — The Gogebic County Courthouse is the first courthouse in the U.P. to offer self-help computer stations that facilitate free legal aid to any citizen wishing to use them.

That news was part of a report shared last week by Judge Michael Pope of the 32nd Circuit Court.

He was addressing members of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners during their Nov. 8 meeting.

“We’re the second self-help center in the Upper Peninsula,” said Pope, explaining that Marquette County offers a similar system, albeit outside of its courthouse.

Pope said anyone with legal issues can use the computer system to search for various, related assistance. He explained that the system assures accurate filings because users cannot move from one page to the next without filling in the data correctly.

Commissioner Joseph Bonovetz asked whether private, local attorneys resent the possible loss of business such help might represent.

“We frankly don’t have enough attorneys in the area to help them,” said Pope, “and many people cannot afford an attorney.”

Pope also said Travis Boetto, a former employee of the county Sheriff’s Office, has been hired as a sobriety court case manager/pre-trial release manager. The position recently had been advertised at a salary of $46,467 plus benefits. Boetto is replacing Jeremy Busch, who has moved on to other employment.

In addition, the judge said that state adjustments should allow the county to save roughly $45,000 per year in judicial information services.

He expects additional savings due to Child Care Fund changes that sometimes may result in a 75% reimbursement to the county.

In other news, the board voted to appoint its chairman, James Lorenson, to an empty seat on the Gogebic County Fair Board.

Lorenson, who abstained on the vote, had been one of three applicants for the slot left open by the recent resignation of Randall Kashich. The other two applicants were Ed Lakner and Taylor Douglas.

In making the motion, Bonovetz said Lorenson’s position on the Fair Board would “promote better communication” between members of the county board and the Fair Board.

During the public comment session, Vicki Nelson of Ironwood Township questioned the action.

“We’re trying to involve the community in the fair,” she said. “It just seems repetitive to have two county board members on the (fair) board.”

“Jim Lorenson is a U.P. Fair Board member,” said Commissioner James Byrns, who will continue as the second county board member on the Fair Board. “He’s very knowledgeable on all this stuff. I think he’s been very helpful to the fair, and I think it’s in the best interest of everyone.”

Board members also:

—Voted to purchase from BIS Digital Inc. a District Court recording system at a cost of $28,794 and a Circuit Courtroom public address system for $16,883, along with headset replacements not to exceed $2,000.

—At the request of Heidi DeRosso, the county’s emergency management/911 director,

voted to approve an update to the County Emergency Operations Plan and Emergency Action Guidelines. DeRosso said the plan was due to expire in December, and the approved update is needed in the event of qualifying for state and federal funds.

—Voted to allow Cub Scouts to use the fairground multipurpose building for activities such as preparing for Ironwood’s December Jack Frost parade.

—Learned from Fair Board Member Linda Nelson that Autumn Hill has circulated a petition with several hundred signatures to save the fair. Lorenson asked her to place it on file with the county.

—Voted to accept and file an Oct 24 letter from James Gribble, chairman of the Friends of the Fair Inc., who asked that the county include the Friends in any continuing discussion regarding insurance of a storage barn north of the grandstand that burned in the Sept. 26 fairgrounds fire. Gribble said the 2015 construction of that building was a Friends project.

The board’s next regular meeting will be on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. in the Gogebic County Courthouse.