News Briefs

Water parks will be ‘passive’ this year

LAPEER COUNTY — In a split decision, county commissioners decided last Thursday to close the water park features at both of the county parks for the 2010 season.

The matter has been weighing on commissioners' minds since last August when Parks Director Ken Elwert sought direction in light of falling revenues.

Torzewski Park in Oregon Township and General Squier Park in Dryden Township will become passive parks this year, available for picnicking, walking, baseball, volleyball, kayaking, fishing and other activities, but not offering water park facilities. Voting to close the water facilities were commissioners Lenny Schneider, Cheryl Clark, Ian Kempf and Dave Taylor. Commissioners Gary Roy, Linda Jarvis and Dyle Henning opposed the move.

By closing the water features at both parks, appropriation to the Parks Dept. will be reduced from the current budget of $254,800 to $157,761. That $100,000 savings will help to fill in some of the projected deficit commissioners are trying to eliminate. The facilities will not be dismantled under the latest decision. Elwert will remain as the sole parks department staff member. Commissioners made it clear they were open to discussions with local municipalities, groups or even private enterprise that might present other models for operating the water facilities.

Lapeer County ranks third in foreclosures

LAPEER COUNTY — With a 3.43 percent foreclosure rate at the end of 2009 and 1,227 filings Lapeer County is ranked third in the state of Michigan for rate of foreclosures.

Only Wayne and Macomb counties ranked higher on the list. Wayne County has a 3.86 percent rate, while Macomb is at 3.78 percent. Oakland County came in fifth on that list. Michigan is ranked number eight for foreclosure rates nationwide with 2.61 percent of housing units in the state having received foreclosure filings. The figure represents a total of 118,302 properties with filings, or 1 in every 38, according to RealtyTrac. That’s an 11.54 percent increase from 2008, and a 35.65 percent increase from 2007.

Once a property is posted in foreclosure, the owner can still seek to remedy the situation by paying the back taxes, along with fees and interest. Foreclosed properties are auctioned off. Last year, 15 properties were sold through the Thumb Area auction that was held at the Historic Courthouse. Two of those houses were purchased for Habitat for Humanity.

County jobless rate climbs in December

LAPEER COUNTY — The unemployment level in Lapeer County increased to 18.6 percent in December from 17.6 percent in November in numbers released last week by the Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

Lapeer County’s jobless rate was the second highest in the Thumb and mid- Michigan, behind Sanilac County at 19.2 percent.

The jobless figures were equally bleak across the state. From December 2008 to December 2009, unemployment rates rose in all 83 counties in Michigan with a median increase of 3.8 percentage points. Eighty-one Michigan counties recorded unemployment rates of more than 10 percent.

Unemployment levels in nearby counties for December were as follows: Genesee — 16.6 percent, up from 16.1 percent in November; Huron — 16.5 percent, up from 14.8 percent; Macomb — 15.2 percent, down from 15.9; Oakland — 13.3 percent, down from 13.8; St. Clair — 17.2 percent, up from 17.1; Tuscola — 17.8 percent, up from 16.7.

Otter Lake plans to provide summer jobs

OTTER LAKE — The Village of Otter Lake will be involved in the LakeVille School summer work program, council members voted this week . The Genesee County Summer Youth Initiative program allows the village hire students — ages 14-18, grades 9-12 — for a 10-week schedule (beginning June 21) to work on community projects.

The program provides work for the students and assistance to the school and local businesses at no cost to the village (100 percent of student wages are paid for through SYI). An estimated 500 students will be eligible to participate in the program. Village Clerk Joan Skias will create a set of job descriptions for the Village of Otter Lake. Students interested in job opportunities through the program should contact LakeVille High School Career Coordinator Teresa St. Aubin at 810- 591-4065.