421 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/767c943ee7460108b50e929b490cb964.pdf 67f0651af930e620378cc7678f02cdbd PDF Text Text ''TIH ~ BLU b T~MPO'' "House of Music" SA U GAT U CK He Id Ov e r DIRECT F ROl\I T H E FAM OUS SU'l'IIERLAND H OT E L IN CHICAGO IRA SULLIVAN His Trumpet & His Sax IRA SULLIVAN RECORDING ARTIST Chosen out of America's Top J a zz M us icians to do the Charlie "Bird" Parl{er Memorial R ecord Album. (Released soon) . Ira has 1>Ia ye d with the best J a zz M u sicians of our times ; To m ention a fe w : Art B lakey "Jazz l\'Ie ssenge r s," S tan Ge tz, "Charlie Parker, -Sonny Stit t, Horce S ilver, Oscar P e t t iford, J oe Jones, Max R oach , l\liles Davis, Roland K b-k, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Many ·Many More. This Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 17, 18, .19 and the "BLUE TEMPO ALL STAR JAZZ COMBO" GIDTAR - Gar y Allen CLARINET BASS - Harry Orr Robert Snyder DRUMS - Guest Star J AZZ SESSION SAT & SUN . - LIVE 4:00 P.M. MUSIC WED. THRU SUN. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Summers in Saugatuck-Douglas Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Kutsche Office of Local History Description An account of the resource Collection contains images and documents digitized and collected through the project "Stories of Summer," supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant. The collection aims to document the twin lakeshore communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, as they transformed through the state's bustling tourism industry and acceptance of minorities. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1910s-2010s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Various Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Michigan, Lake Allegan County (Mich.) Beaches Sand dunes Outdoor recreation Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Text Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-07_SD-BlueTempo_0003 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960 Title A name given to the resource Ira Sullivan at The Blue Tempo Description An account of the resource Advertisement flier featuring jazz musician, Ira Sullivan, playing at The Blue Tempo "House of Music" in Saugatuck, Michigan. The description reads: "Chosen out of America's Top Jazz Musicians to do the Charlie "Bird" Parker Memorial Record Album (Released soon). Ira has played with the best Jazz Musicians of our times. To mention a few: Art Blakey "Jazz Messengers," Stan Getz, "Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Horce Silver, Oscar Pettiford, Joe Jones, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Roland Kirk, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, and Many Many More." The flier is brown with age and the bottom highlights the different band members of the Blue Temp All Star Jazz Combo as well as dates for the music. Circa the 1960s. Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich) Allegan County (Mich) Advertising fliers Gay bars Gay culture Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by the Saugatuck Douglas History Center as part of the Stories of Summer project. Relation A related resource Stories of Summer (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c44c37c4fde1953dc9b7c8b545d62589.JPG b8511e8cd817cd1cdc7fb58a28b02764 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ronald Oakes collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs by Ronald Oakes, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and in the U.S. National Guard in the Iraq War. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968/2005 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/628">Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq war photographs (RHC-80)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Veterans Photographs Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80 Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80_Oakes-Iraq-DSCF0776 Title A name given to the resource Iraqi ammo dump just outside the wire of FOB Q-West Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 United States--History, Military United States. National Guard Military life Soldiers Photographs Description An account of the resource Iraqi ammo dump just outside the wire of FOB Q-West. Most of the bunkers are abandoned and people are living in some of them. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq photographs (RHC-80) Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Iraq War Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0abfcfb01d9fe1950f2fce62adbeae1f.JPG dd2d7af578cef0c903d68349ef3a65f4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ronald Oakes collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs by Ronald Oakes, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and in the U.S. National Guard in the Iraq War. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968/2005 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/628">Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq war photographs (RHC-80)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Veterans Photographs Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80 Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80_Oakes-Iraq-DSCF0900 Title A name given to the resource Iraqi cemetery along MSR Tampa between FOB Q-West and FOB Balad Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 United States--History, Military United States. National Guard Military life Soldiers Photographs Description An account of the resource Iraqi cemetery along MSR Tampa between FOB Q-West and FOB Balad. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq photographs (RHC-80) Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Iraq War Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/57f86e39f538636d8445926321c6857c.JPG 839d964492ce627006cd2dc695ba5ce8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ronald Oakes collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs by Ronald Oakes, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and in the U.S. National Guard in the Iraq War. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968/2005 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/628">Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq war photographs (RHC-80)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Veterans Photographs Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80 Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80_Oakes-Iraq-DSCF0893 Title A name given to the resource Iraqi civilians looking for work just outside the gate of FOB Q-West Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 United States--History, Military United States. National Guard Military life Soldiers Photographs Description An account of the resource Iraqi civilians looking for work just outside the gate of FOB Q-West. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq photographs (RHC-80) Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Iraq War Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/91fb26b675ac440a9f5deca4e1f4224a.JPG 911ed34a7a18892e10341667fecb0cc5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Ronald Oakes collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Description An account of the resource Collection of photographs by Ronald Oakes, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and in the U.S. National Guard in the Iraq War. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1968/2005 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/628">Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq war photographs (RHC-80)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Veterans Photographs Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80 Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-80_Oakes-Iraq-IAoutsidetheSouthEastgate2-16-05 Title A name given to the resource Iraqi guards at the rear gate of FOB Q-West looking south Subject The topic of the resource Iraq War, 2003-2011 United States--History, Military United States. National Guard Military life Soldiers Photographs Description An account of the resource Iraqi guards at the rear gate of FOB Q-West looking south. Notice how flat the terrain is and the lack of distinguishing features. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oakes, Ronald Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Ronald Oakes Vietnam and Iraq photographs (RHC-80) Relation A related resource Veterans History Project interviews, RHC-27 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Iraq War Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2005-02-16 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d9f657ce8965ebc4bdbd5add6f155696.jpg df0aa332f5a3c9f2189a974c993790dc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IronWilliam Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1973 Title A name given to the resource Iron, William Description An account of the resource William Iron, Theatre Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College teachers Universities and colleges – Faculty Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng 1973s https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/eb765e0cf5b77e9857ff7e51e1a5b7da.jpg dd26e8844aa4bd9242fe01f31066ede8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IrwinCharles_Photo01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource Irwin, Charles Description An account of the resource Charles Irwin, Athletics Director and Physical Education Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College teachers Universities and colleges – Faculty Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9d3983619dc46d1e100e9ea9f4830cc3.jpg 12d787fc77e315024dfde801e28ad81e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IrwinCharles_Photo02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource Irwin, Charles Description An account of the resource Charles Irwin, Athletics Director and Physical Education Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College teachers Universities and colleges – Faculty Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1007ab87214d3a4b8978ca2520db88fe.pdf e3511f546e3243f70b11cb76dc36aec4 PDF Text Text Is Christianity Dying? From the series: Tough Questions; No Easy Answers Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-5; 3:17-19; Luke 3:1-9; 19:37-38 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan August 10, 1997 Transcription of the spoken sermon Is Christianity dying? That is a tough question and there is no easy answer. Let me acknowledge at the outset that no one can answer that question with certainty. Is Christianity in trouble? Yes. If that is challenged by pointing out that it is in trouble in Europe and the West in general, but flourishing in Africa and some other regions, I would respond by saying that the same secularizing tendencies and advance of scientific knowledge that have put it in peril in the West will have to be dealt with wherever the Church extends itself. I suspect Christianity as an institutionalized religion is dying in the form in which we have known it. But, perhaps the question, "Is Christianity Dying?’ is not the best way to formulate the question. It would be better to ask as does Charles Davis in the book he entitled What Is Living, What Is Dead in Christianity Today? And I even prefer a further sharpening of the question: "What can Christianity become for us?" That is a crucial question and that is the really critical matter: What can this 200year-old religious tradition, through which and in which we have been formed, become for us? To become a significant shaper of our lives and an ongoing, dynamic faith tradition, Christianity must undergo a major creative transformation. Continuing on its present course in fundamentalist form, or even in strongly orthodox or timidly mainline expression, Christianity will not continue. Let’s probe this question and as we do, I will do as I have been driven to do throughout this series - I will focus on the phenomenon of religion because, obviously, Christianity is a religion and to examine it, we must be clear about the nature of religion. © Grand Valley State University   �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Lest you forget, I say again; religion is a construct of the human mind. We create religions as human beings. A religion is a humanly constructed symbol system that provides an orientation for our lives, supplying us with a map for negotiating life’s passages, offering us an interpretation of culture, history, human action and the transcendent Mystery of our existence. Feuerbach in the 19th century saw religion as a human invention arising out of the human situation of need and threat. In Feuerbach’s understanding, God was simply a human projection of one’s own idealized self. We have recognized the genius of Feuerbach’s analysis of religion, but we have demurred at one critical point; we have claimed that the creation of religion on the part of humankind is the consequence of a prior address from beyond or from our depths, an address that puts us in question, that calls forth our response in the form of religious faith, devotion and practice. Religious faith or awe or wonder or fear is response to an experience of some Reality. Charles Davis writes, The reality experienced in faith does not manifest itself as an object. It reveals itself as the term of a feeling response but remains hidden from us or unknown inasmuch as it does not appear to consciousness as an apprehensible object. ... feelings rest upon a oneness between the subject and what is felt.... Feelings are responses springing from what we are. They are responses of our being to reality as we meet it. Our feeling responses depend upon what we have become as beings, what we are as persons. Feelings are the resonance of reality upon human subjects, the arousal of our personal being through union with a reality present to us. In the case of religious feeling, the response of our spiritual effectivity to transcendent reality precedes knowledge and continues without any direct knowledge of a kind that would make the term of that response a known object. The reality that draws us where our own being falls off into nothingness, the reality that gives a sense of basic fulfillment at the center of our emptiness, remains outside our intellectual grasp. (pp. 9-10) Feuerbach’s claim that religion is a merely human activity with no referent beyond the human subject remains an unproven and unprovable assertion. The same is true for the claim I make that faith is response to that which encounters us, to the Mystery that meets us, but can never be grasped because it remains hidden. This is the watershed; the great Divide. But the claims are beyond verification; each of us must decide if we believe we are addressed by Someone, Something beyond us, or, conjuring up a fiction. © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 3   To conclude the latter is the end of religion as a viable, meaningful human activity; to conclude the former sees the variety of religions and religious beliefs and practices as modes of response to a Reality beyond us, although present to us. And that is our claim. That being the case, we can see Christianity as a human creation in response to the Mystery as manifested in Jesus of Nazareth. In sum: we affirm the Mystery we term God and we affirm the nature of that Mystery as defined in Jesus, the concrete, human, historical expression of the Mystery. Well, perhaps you breathe a sigh of relief; Christianity is then a genuine article, a faith response to the Mystery of Reality, to God. And that is true enough, except it is not the only religious response to the Mystery; religion is a universal phenomenon of humankind. Are we prepared to say that our response in the Christian tradition is the only response that reveals the Mystery and mediates a saving, healing communion? That’s one question; but there is a second: Has the tradition faithfully and adequately responded in light of the ongoing drama of creation and human development? Let’s deal with the second question first and let us be reminded of the temptation to which all religion in institutional form is subject, the temptation to freeze a given form and absolutize it, denying the dynamic movement of history and human development, and thus denying the imperative that the religious symbol system remain open to re-symbolization, to fresh expression and new forms. I chose the scripture lessons with this tendency of religious institutions to absolutize themselves in mind. A late seventh century B.C.E. prophet in Judah surveyed the moral and spiritual life of his people and found it wanting. Habakkuk, in the prophetic book that bears his name, cries out to the God of Israel, O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you, "Violence!" and you will not save? In a word, the prophet cries out to God to do something to turn the nation from its spiritual decay. The writing goes on to record the Lord’s response - the work becomes a dialogue between God and the prophet. God’s response: © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 4   ... a work is being done in your days that you would not believe if you were told. We learn that Judah is indeed in for judgment and that to be inflicted by the great and growing power of Babylon. Thus Habakkuk has his answer: God is doing something, but now the prophet has a larger problem. How can the God of Israel utilize a pagan power to bring judgment on God’s chosen people? Judah had strayed from God’s ways and the prophet sought God’s movement to judge and through judgment bring grace. But Babylon or, as they are called in the text, the Chaldeans? No way! That was too much. Israel was God’s chosen; Judah was God’s special people. Habakkuk simply could not conceive of God raising up a foreign power against God’s own. That attitude was always present in the tradition of Israel and always challenged by Israel’s own prophetic voice. It is such an attitude that was attached by John the Baptism who called the Jewish people to repentance on the banks of the Jordan River outside Jerusalem. It was the first century C.E., a time of apocalyptic expectations, a time of great ferment and expectation of some dramatic in-breaking of God ringing down the curtain of history. John the Baptist, like Habakkuk before him, was a fiery preacher of judgment calling God’s people to repent and prepare to meet their God. But the party line of the religious establishment resented such radical preaching and the exposing of their spiritual and moral apathy. Were they not God’s elect, immune to God’s purging action? No, claims John the Baptist. Do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor;" for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees... Luke 3:8-9 Jesus, too, ran headlong into the religious establishment, the guardians of the institutional forms and traditions of Israel. Luke tells us of the Palm Sunday procession to Jerusalem. The disciples are praising God with joy and no doubt displaying a festive holiday spirit. The Pharisees tell Jesus to make them cease their celebration, to which Jesus responds, ... if these were silent, the stones would shout out. And Luke tells us, Jesus came over the crest of the hill and saw Jerusalem in full view and he wept. He wept for what he saw as the inevitable horror that would befall the city because of the mind-set, the spiritual blindness he had encountered in the Temple establishment, which was also the center of political power. © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 5   If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ... you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God. ...Luke 19:41-44 What is my point? Simply this: Religion is a human construction in response to an address from beyond, an encounter with the Mystery of Reality that becomes present in the consciousness of humankind. All religious response is not the same, offering equal clarity or illumination, resulting in equal fruitfulness in human lives. Some responses are the result of penetrating insight, the Gift of the Spirit. Some have less of beauty and elevating capacity, but no religion is absolute; none is without human limitation and distortion. And none is absolutely essential for the unfolding of the Mystery of the cosmic drama. Let me expand on that for a moment. I raise the question, "Is Christianity Dying?" in this message. I would never have conceived of such a question when I arrived here in 1960, nor when I returned in 1971. To contemplate the demise of Christianity would have been beyond the boundaries of my thinking. Jesus was God’s supreme and last word; Christianity the one true religion, the result not of human construction, but totally of God’s revealing. History was moving toward an End at which point Jesus Christ would appear on earth and bring in the Kingdom of God. It never occurred to me that such simplistic thinking was one more instance of Habakkuk’s horror at the thought of Babylon breaking Judah, or John’s opponents who said, "Hey, we have Abraham as our father," or the religious establishment who refused God’s visitation in Jesus. Neither was I at all aware of the uncritical arrogance of such a position; o The arrogance of assuming God’s ways were synonymous with the human religious response of my tradition; o The arrogance of assuming no other human religious response could be the consequence of a genuine encounter with God; o The arrogance of assuming God’s ultimate purposes could not be accomplished apart from my religious system. It just never occurred to me. In spite of the prophetic core of the Hebrew Scriptures and the ministry of Jesus in his own conflict with the established religious structure, I failed to see that I had made an idol of my own tradition and absolutized it, as though God had created it rather than recognizing it as a human creation of response. © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 6   That it is a human response, a human construct does not mean that it is not response to authentic encounter, that the encounter has not yielded genuine insight into the nature of the Mystery as gracious, nor that the structured response does not mediate healing grace. All of that, I believe, is true of our Christian faith tradition; all of that has indeed been the fruit of Christianity. But, it is not the only tradition; it is not alone the true glimpse of the Truth. Earlier I raised two questions: Has Christianity faithfully and adequately responded to the Light of the ongoing drama of Creation and human development, and is it the only response that is genuine response to the Mystery? To the second question, I answer "No." To the first "Yes" and "No." Yes, Christianity has been a faithful response mediating true insight and grace, but "No," in the sense that it has become frozen, absolutized itself and failed to continue to remain open to new knowledge requiring new symbols bearing fresh understanding of the Mystery that is God, the cosmic process, the meaning of human existence and the wonder of it all. Unless Christianity undergoes creative transformation, it will die. In a recent interview in The Christian Century, a Yale professor of the philosophy of religion speaks of the failure of Christianity any longer to provide the integration of all other elements of life. Louis Dupré contends, ... religion must in some way integrate the profane and the sacred. Obviously, Christianity no longer plays an integrating role in the life of modern societies. Certainly for most people in the West, especially in Western Europe, it has lost its creative, formative power. Christianity has become simply one element of civilization among many others, and by no means the most important. In the past religious integration was handed down by a tradition. But that tradition itself has lost its authority in the eyes of our contemporaries, including most believers. (July 16-23, 1997, p. 655) Dupré sketches a historical perspective much as we have been attempting in this series. Why, he was asked, is it especially difficult to be Christian in our time? To that question, he responds, Culture as a whole has become secular in a way that it has never been before. One may plausibly argue that the 18th century was the first nonChristian century. Most leading thinkers and artists, even if they were not opposed to Christianity, ceased to take their inspiration from it: secularization became dominant. Still, even at that time, Western culture was so penetrated by Christian values and ideas that one might mistake entire passages of Voltaire or Diderot as having been written by believing Christians. Eighteenth-century culture was still steeped in a tradition that had been Christian since its beginning, and it was extremely difficult for these thinkers to free themselves from a language saturated with religion. © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 7   The 19th century was different. It was an epoch marked by a virulent antitheistic campaign to clean the culture slate of all Christian traces. Yet these attacks were the work of an elite; culture at large retained distinct remnants of its Christian roots. Even today ties still exist between Christianity and culture in Europe and more so in the U.S.. But on a more fundamental level, the West appears to have said its definitive farewell to a Christian culture. Little of the old hostility remains. Our secular colleagues are happy to recognize the debt our civilization owes to the Christian faith to the extent that the faith, having been absorbed by culture itself, has become simply another cultural artifact. Christianity has become an historical factor subservient to a secular culture rather than functioning as the creative power it once was. The new attitude of benign atheism was, I think, prepared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the three most prominent secularizers of the time, Marx, Freud and Nietzche. The interviewer then asks: Why single them out? How did they differ from the earlier atheists you mention? For Marx, Freud and Nietzche, the idea of forcibly eradicating religion had become unnecessary. Religion for them was a passing symptom that was rapidly vanishing by itself. Already Marx had moved beyond the idea of atheism as a mere assertion of the unreality of God. For Marx, concentrating on atheism distracts us from the positive task of liberating humanity from social oppression. Lenin’s active atheism, in which he used the state to try to destroy religion, is actually a fallback to earlier attitudes about religion. Freud admitted that no one can be forced not to believe. But as rational thought shows nothing in favor of religion and everything against it, to persist in a faith because no argument can decisively refute it is for Freud the sign of a lazy mind. Nietzche preached a spiritual gospel, a new religion without God, beyond Christianity and atheism, that could still learn much from the old faiths. Moving further in that direction, contemporary secular culture, especially in its communications media, shows a surprising openness toward religion. But little suggests that this interest surpasses the purely horizontal cultural level. Culture itself has become the real religion of our time, and it has absorbed all other religion as a subordinate part of itself. It even offers some of the emotional benefits of religion, without exacting the high price faith demands. We have all become atheists, not in the hostile, antireligious sense of an earlier age, but in the sense that God no longer matters absolutely in our closed world, if God matters at all. © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 8   Further along in the interview, Dupré suggested what I believe will be essential if Christianity is to be renewed and find new and vital expression. He had spoken of the necessity of individual spiritual renewal and then the statement was made, Your view of the spiritual life seems to encourage interfaith encounter. He responded, In our age we have come to understand our faith within the context of the aspirations, desires and needs expressed in so many forms since the beginning of the human race. We have learned to respect these many ways of humankind’s longing for God in the light of our own faith. Some Christians have been inspired to integrate pious attitudes and meditative practices derived from other faiths within their own, without betraying Christianity’s unique identity. In doing so they are following ancient examples. Christians have received so much from the Hebrew mother faith of which they are no longer aware. Also from the fourth century on, Greek fathers generously borrowed Neoplatonic speculation to an extent that, via Gregory of Nyssa, Dionysius and Maximum Confessor, late Greek piety has shaped the very nature of Christian mysticism. Why should we then not be allowed, as even the desert fathers were, to borrow meditative exercises that centuries of pre-Christian practice have left us? In fact, here also the analogy of faith urges us to see the existence of other religions in the light of God’s providence. Buddhist silence may help the Christian in deepening insight into the mystery of the Trinity where the Father is the silent source of the eternal Word. And how could God’s omnipresence in Vedantic Hinduism not remind the Christian of the Spirit, qui replevit orbem terrarum—who fills the entire world? Such analogies cannot be fortuitous to the Christian mind, and we do well to heed them as signs of a divine Providence that, with loving care, rules not only Christians but all humans. It would be wrong, however, to regard these analogies as justifying a syncretistic relativism that entitles each person to compose his or her own religious collage. This attitude, all too common today, shows a lack of respect not only for one’s own faith but also for those faiths one so casually dismantles for spare parts. It is yet another manifestation of that radical anthropocentrism, the main enemy of sincere religion, that tempts believers to bring the language of transcendence down to the level of purely human wants and choice. Without detracting from the providential nature of other faiths, Christians cannot ignore the fact that this same Providence has led them to a faith that is not a "choice" but, for those chosen to it, an absolute summons. To relativize faith is, I think, to subvert its fundamentally divine character. Here I think Dupré points to that which we have begun to experience - © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page 9   that encounter with other genuine faith traditions not only leads us to a new respect for the breadth of response to the Mystery in the broad spectrum of religious traditions, but also deepens us in our own faith tradition and enhances our own spiritual experience, enriching it and authenticating it as indeed revelatory and the mediator of grace. What we are recognizing is the distinction between faith as response to the address of God, the Mystery of our existence, and the structure of beliefs that are formulated in response to that revelatory encounter. Such a formulation of beliefs is the human construction of a religious tradition. The encounter is initiated from the other side. Religion is the consequence, a human activity of reflection and the attempt to give some shape to the experience of the Mystery. In the words of Charles Davis, The absoluteness of faith is the absoluteness of total demand and total response in an experience of unrestricted love in relation to hidden transcendence or mystery. Faith is the drive toward transcendence, the thrust of human beings out of and beyond themselves, out of and beyond all the limited orders and human certainties under which they live, in an attempt to open themselves to the totality of existence and reach unlimited reality and ultimate value. It is a total response to the felt reality of a total demand. That absoluteness of faith should not be confused with a certitude of belief. (p. 67) Faith, Davis points out, gives assurance of a lived relationship, not absolute intellectual certitude. The human construction of religion takes the form of concepts and propositions. These cannot give absolute certitude; they are human constructs, not to be identified with the Divine. They are pointers, gropings, partial, limited, in a word - human. As David claims, Faith has a paradoxical character. It is a presence that is at the same time an absence, because no positive experience can lay hold of the transcendent. At the heart of faith is a negative experience, an experience that seems like a non-experience, because it is the breakdown of every finite experience, of all our concepts, images and feelings. Faith follows a narrow path between idolatry on the one side and nihilism on the other. Much religion is idolatrous inasmuch as it absolutizes some finite experience or expression. When faith is not idolatrous, it is difficult to distinguish from nihilism, because the presence it mediates is as transcendence, an absence on the human level, its plentitude is a void or emptiness of finite reality and meaning, its love co-exists with a sense of abandonment. What distinguishes the negative experience of faith from the unfaith of nihilism is precisely the refusal of closure, the willingness to accept a world without boundaries, even though on the cognitive level that © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page10   demands the surrender of a stable truth, a fixed center, a final meaning of our religious texts and of our human existence. (p. 76) Is Christianity dying? In its present form, unless it undergoes creative transformation, "Yes." But, God is not dead; the Mystery continues to breathe through the whole cosmic process, enlivening all that exists, beckoning us toward fuller spiritual life. And the concretization of the Mystery in the humanness of Jesus, in which our faith tradition finds its center, still challenges us to humane existence lived in the Presence of God. This is the amazing possibility to which this incredible moment in our life together calls us; this is the opportunity of a lifetime. We are cut loose, set free, not to separate ourselves from our spiritual heritage, but to open ourselves to a whole new appreciation of the encounter from beyond ourselves, calling us beyond every limited understanding and formulation to wonders not yet dreamed of. Thus, Christianity will not die, but live, transformed, standing in continuity with the heritage of faith we have entered into, continuing to provide us with insight, meaning and confident assurance. Its authentication will be its capacity to connect with our ongoing human experience. No longer will authoritarian claims, whether of tradition, Church, or Bible, be submitted to. That is not to deny the reality of divine revelation; it is simply to recognize in Davis’ words, that The appeal to revelation belongs to a culture in which the important truths concerning human life and society are handed down by teachers having authority and are proclaimed for acceptance as sacred. Such a culture no longer exists for us. Post Enlightenment, the appeal is rather to critical rationality and that presupposes an open community of discourse in which all the members participate in seeking knowledge and in which any claim to acceptance must rest upon evidence and argumentation open to scrutiny and criticism by all. Biblical criticism will not be reversed. We simply know, as Davis declares, The typical biblical book does not come down to us all of a piece from some acknowledged prophetic figure or divine messenger, but as the documentary sediment of the history of a people, with originating factors too complex for disentanglement with more than changing probability. This has changed our understanding of the authority of a biblical text. It is © Grand Valley State University �Is Christianity Dying? Richard A. Rhem Page11   not that of an oracle from on high but that of an expression of the religious identity of a particular people. (p. 110) Nevertheless, what we find in the Bible are paradigms of faith, expressions of the total response of persons and a community of persons whose experience of having been addressed elicits the absoluteness of trust in the Mystery of grace. Habakkuk found himself in turmoil over the ways of God; his parochialism was shattered; he did not pretend to understand. But his encounter with the Holy One of Israel issued in that beautiful expression of trust with which his writing concludes. In a word, he says, "Strip me of everything, let disaster come; Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and makes me tread upon the heights. Such trust is absolute, even when life is confusing and answers to our questions evade us. Such trust is enough in life, in death. References: Charles Davis, Interview, The Christian Century, July 16-23, 1997, p. 655f). © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/db1c0b8c4e1d51a10971cd4c559cc50d.mp3 08823404cd64b316f074b5e2c0838f97 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XII Series Tough Questions: No Easy Answers Scripture Text Habakkuk 1:1-5, 3:17-19, Luke 3:1-9, 19:37-38 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Charles Davis, Interview, The Christian Century, July 16-23, 1997, p. 655f. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19970810 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1997-08-10 Title A name given to the resource Is Christianity Dying? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 10, 1997 entitled "Is Christianity Dying?", as part of the series "Tough Questions: No Easy Answers", on the occasion of Pentecost XII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Habakkuk 1:1-5, 3:17-19, Luke 3:1-9, 19:37-38. Mystery Nature of Religion Pluralism Religion as a Human Construct https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/02175317c329c45622a313c4516d2d48.pdf f7dccb3e85b4190d62e375dbdb2e991a PDF Text Text THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER RESOURCE CENTER PRESENTS: OnGoing LGBT Conference: Is ay the New Black? l>f.,\lt IIA&,\CM OPEN I. F.TTEIU TO TIIE Nf.XT PPl!.SIOENT HEADVOCAT GAYIS THE NEW BLACK The Last Great Civil Rights Struggle . - . .. , . . . . - - .. : � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GVSU Sexuality and Gender Flyers Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rainbow Resource Center Women and Gender Studies Department Women's Commission Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity Description An account of the resource Digitized posters, flyers, event notices, and other materials relating to gender expression and sexuality at Grand Valley State University, with materials spanning from 1974 to 2019. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1974/2019 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digitized from collections at the Rainbow Resource Center (formerly the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center), Women and Gender Studies Department, Women's Commission, and Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Subject The topic of the resource Gender identity Gender expression Sexual orientation Women's studies Queer theory Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-09 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-09_SGF_LGBTQ_2009_OnGoing-LGBT-Conference-Is-Gay-the-New-Black-Poster Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009-10-12 Title A name given to the resource Is Gay the New Black? Description An account of the resource Poster with a synopsis on the topic, and information of the event, including the place, time and date. The 2009 Race and LGBT event of the LGBT OnGoing Conference series. Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Community centers Gay rights Civil rights Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived The Rainbow Resource Center Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Rainbow Resource Center https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ee725ca2a820f86005d9d46472f1d69.pdf 910433f86ab6296a3ad236841961041a PDF Text Text Is It Enough To Be Human? From the series: Can I Honestly Believe? Text: Luke 15:20; Psalm 103:14; Genesis 2:17 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan August 16, 1998 Transcription of the spoken sermon I’m going to say something radical for a change. I’m going to say this morning that you are very beautiful people, that humankind is amazing, marvelous, and wonderful, and I think that in the church we’ve given people a bum rap. If you’ve grown up in the church as I have, and spent your whole life in the church, you won’t have a terribly high impression of your human nature. Oh, the church has not only had bad news to tell about the obstreperousness of the human person; it has had good news, too. Good news about the fact that, in spite of how bad you are, there is hope for you if you heed the word of the preacher and bring your offering envelope every week and support the institution loyally and follow the code of conduct that the community communicates to you. Now, you understand that this is all of grace, but there’s a lot of effort involved in it. I believe that in the church we have been concerned for you. We wanted to keep you safe. Knowing the beast that rages in your breast, we’ve tried to hedge you in and keep you going down that straight and narrow path. For your own good, you understand. But, also, it’s been good for the institution, of course, since we mediate grace, kind of hold the spigot, and might have some influence upon whether or not you ultimately, at the end of this vale of tears, find heaven’s gate open for you. Well, perhaps you say that’s a bit of a caricature, and it is, of course. But, there’s a lot of truth in it, too. In the church, human nature has been brushed with a stroke of somber hues. We have not celebrated the human person. We have tended, on the other hand, to put the human person down, to be very clear about the potential for evil, to point to the load of guilt, and to indicate the end thereof, which is destruction. This morning I want to say that, being human, you are amazing, wonderful, and miraculous. That, being human, you represent the movement of that whole cosmic drama that has been unfolding for fifteen billion years. That it was the intention of the Source of all being, that ultimate Mystery of all things, that this © Grand Valley State University   �Enough To Be Human? Richard A. Rhem Page 2   whole drama should emerge eventually in someone like you that was thoroughly rooted in the earth, but also conscious and aware, knowing a measure of freedom and responsibility. As the statement on the inside of the cover of your liturgy by David Tooland, a Catholic scholar, states, you are the soul of the universe. You are the voice of the universe. You are the black box of the universe. In you this cosmic drama has come to awareness, to consciousness. Although you are and remain thoroughly rooted in the earth, your physicality being very much with you, nonetheless, that physicality, that body, is the bearer of spirit, and spirit doesn’t exist apart from its grounding in the physicality of the person, and with that human being there has come this amazing, miraculous creature that is you. I dare to proclaim that, even in church. Now, saying that, I don’t want you to hear this as a whitewash of the human creature. One of the dangers of making statements like that is that someone is going to go out of here and say, "Well, today he denied original sin," or "He doesn’t think that human beings are sinful." Let me read you a little statement that I have read you before but which I think is eloquent in its recognition of the potential for disaster that lives in the soul and heart of all of us. These are the words of a great preacher of a former generation, Carlyle Marney. He said, Man is the most dangerous and savage of the beasts. His bite is poisonous, his hand a club, his foot is a weapon. Knives, clubs, spears are the projectiles to bear his hostility. Nothing in nature is so well equipped for hating or hurting. Confuse him and he may lash out at everything. Crowd him and he kills, robs, destroys, for his crime rate increases in proportion to his crowding. Deprive him and he retaliates. Impoverish him and he burns villas in the night. Enslave him and he revolts, pamper him and he may poison you, hire him and he may hate both you and the work, love him too possessively and he is never weaned, deny him too early and he never learns to love. Put him in cities and all his animal nature comes out with perversions of every good thing. For greed, acquisitiveness, violence were so long his tools for jungle survival, that it is only by the hardest effort that these can be laid aside as weapons of his continued survival. Well, that’s not a very pretty picture of the human person, and who of us would deny that it’s true? We see it every day, played out in our society and, to the extent that we are self-aware, we see the seeds of it all within our own hearts and our own souls. So, don’t hear me whitewashing the human being as though there is nothing negative to say. But, what I do want to say is that, in light of our understanding of human nature, in the light of our understanding of the human person coming at this point in that cosmic drama, in the light of our understanding of our animal nature being the ground of our spiritual nature and symbiotic living in tight union with it forever, in the light of all that, we can come to some new appreciation and understanding of our human condition. Part of the problem, I think, in the Church’s understanding in dealing with human nature is that biblical paradigm that begins with an understanding of the human being © Grand Valley State University �Enough To Be Human? Richard A. Rhem Page 3   created perfect, given the gift of freedom, then in proud revolt falling from that perfection into a state of alienation from God, and therefore having to be redeemed by the grace of God. That’s the biblical paradigm. We find it in the stories of Genesis. We find it in the theology of Paul, articulated explicitly. The creation of the person in perfection, the fall of the person through revolt, the redemption of the person by grace. Let me suggest to you, in the light of our understanding of human nature and human history, of social development, let me suggest to you that we try to find another paradigm. Three years ago I suggested that the word emergence has a better image for who we are, from whence we have come, and whither we are going. Emergence rather than fall and redemption. Emergence as being a part of the whole evolutionary development of the totality of reality. If we were to take the 15 or so billion years of the cosmic reality and condense it down into one year, then the human being would have appeared in the last minute or two of that year. We are relative newcomers to the scene of history and cosmology and, in the statement that I printed also for you today to which I referred last week from U.S. News & World Report, the suggestion is that if we are the youth movement of the human story, then with the infinite resources in the star factories of the universe, who knows what further development there will be? Who would say that we are the acme of God’s creative act? Who would say that we are the pinnacle; that we are that to which all creation was pointing? Who knows but what there are stages and dimensions of which we have not yet dreamed, and who knows whether or not we, the human family, have not been the instrumentality through which the universe has turned the corner? Because it has: we are really something! With the human person, the universe has become conscious. With the human being, the universe has a voice, the universe has become aware of itself, is able to celebrate itself, is able to reflect on itself and on the other and on the Source and resting place of all. To be human is to be an amazing, marvelous, miraculous creation. But the idea of emergence indicates to us that we bear the marks of our past, and how did we come to where we are, if not by the exercise of instincts for survival? How did we get to this point, if not through the utilization of that instinctual nature that enabled us to continue to move in the continuum of the creative process? And if it is true that spirit is grounded in flesh, then that flesh still bears all the marks of that long evolutionary climb. We didn’t get here by being innocent children. We didn’t get here by the careful exercise of human reason. We got here clawing our way. We are jungle bunnies. And although we have moved to a point where we become conscious of that, and where we become conscious of another way to be, crowd us a little bit and we very easily slip back into that survival mode, that instinctual response. The miracle of the human being is that we can talk about that. We can look at our behavior. We know when we are denying our best insights. We know when we are acting against love and compassion and justice and care. We know when it is © Grand Valley State University �Enough To Be Human? Richard A. Rhem Page 4   selfishness, when it is fear, when it is jealousy that is driving us. We have that awful capacity to be able to jump out of our skin and take a look at ourselves. That’s the amazing thing about being human. If I suggest that that biblical picture of perfection and fall and redemption can better be replaced by an idea of continual emergence, that doesn’t mean that there are not profound insights in the scripture about the human condition. We can understand the Genesis writer not wanting to blame God for all of the hell on earth, and so the explanation is that God created us good, we revolted, we are responsible for all of the evil. But, in the midst of portraying that picture, there were some very, very deep insights. The writer did understand our rootedness in the stuff of creation, being made, formed by God out of the dust of the ground, the mud. David Tooland says out of stardust. The recognition remains, however, of our oneness with creation. The Hebrew poet, understanding that, was able to give us a sense of the compassion of God for us in our condition. God knows our frame, he writes. God remembers that we are dust. Like a compassionate parent, God has mercy on us. I think what the poet was saying is that it’s all right to be human. God knows you’re human. Whatever the creative process has produced in us, it is a process that has integrity and authenticity and we are part of the whole, and that’s all right. God knows our frame. God remembers that we are dust. Oh, we beat ourselves up. We’re so hard on ourselves because there is that struggle between that ideal toward which we aspire and the actual performance which we put out. We get down on ourselves because we fail again and again and again. We despair, we get discouraged. The Psalmist says, "Look, God knows who you are, and God intends you to be who you are, and God embraces you as you are." I believe that Jesus, standing in that tradition, was trying to say something like that in the beautiful story of that son who went into the far country who declared his independence, who went through the separation process, who came upon bad times, came to himself, became aware and then, still with a bit of manipulation, thought, "You know what? I think I could talk the old man into bed and breakfast." He came back with his rehearsed speech, only to be overwhelmed with a father weeping, kissing him, embracing him, smothering his wellrehearsed story. It seems to me that Jesus was saying that all the Creator God is waiting for is the creature to become aware and finally to be home in the embrace of God. At home in the wonder of the universe, at home with the tensions of being human. Oh, good grief, it’s not easy to be human. We are so fragile, so vulnerable. Jim Essebaggers goes to the doctor and the doctor says, "Cancer." A candle burns for Beth Cresse, who in a moment has her life wiped out, leaving husband, children and parents and a community mourning this marvelous person. The flowers at the table celebrate the sprite of a life, an angel of six years old who dies! So fragile. So vulnerable. So perilous. And yet, and yet in those very experiences, in those very moments in the darkness of the valley, in the light of our fragile © Grand Valley State University �Enough To Be Human? Richard A. Rhem Page 5   existence, in the pain and the loss of it all, there comes forth from this human person love and care and beauty that defies the darkness! How can it be? I want to tell you, you are really something, human crowd! You have your life rooted in the dust, even if it’s stardust, and you have all of the animality of your physical nature that’s alive and well. You carry with you all of those instinctual patterns that can be triggered in a moment, creating hell on earth, and you can sing and you can laugh, and you can dance, and you can love and embrace. God, what it is to be human! What a wonder and what a marvel you are! And how good it is to be here together for just a few moments, to become aware of it again and to feel the embrace of grace once again, and to sense that inspiring spirit that lures us with love and beckons us with grace, and embraces us in the wonder and the worry of being human. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4b20cef3aa7cbd922f5dbeae166217aa.mp3 af947abdc3976622a4f18c4251912130 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XI Series Can I Honestly Believe? Scripture Text Luke 15:20, Psalm 103:14, Genesis 2,17 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19980816 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998-08-16 Title A name given to the resource Is It Enough To Be Human? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 16, 1998 entitled "Is It Enough To Be Human?", as part of the series "Can I Honestly Believe?", on the occasion of Pentecost XI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Luke 15:20, Psalm 103:14, Genesis 2,17. Consciousness Emergence of Human https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9a459f682f4dae7338897a1f9d2ac811.pdf 79bdc2b68bdfd5be07279df48d61cd32 PDF Text Text Is it really only Day 6? by windoworks We’re in this for the long haul so its time to think about what we can do to keep ourselves busy and cheerful. If you’re now working from home you probably have more than enough to do, so really I’m just speaking to those like me. I hate the word retired so when asked I write ‘author’. I used to write ‘artist’ but since I broke my wrist I haven’t created any more windows. Who knows? Perhaps I have time for both now. So, a quick roundup of the day’s developments so far: in Michigan everything is continuing to slowly close except grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals. No extra visitors at hospitals, and I heard that staff may be checked before entering for work. Our local cake store is closed except for previous orders, and our local butcher is taking orders by phone with credit card payments only. Their doors are locked during business hours and they contact people when their order is ready. The ‘doors locked’ part freaked me out a bit. In New Zealand they have begun deporting tourists who flout the 14 day self-isolation rule and my oldest ZL has begun working from home. In Australia, Sydney, ZB is working from home and the daycare facility for OB will probably close at the end of this week. In Melbourne, AB is already working from home and his rowing association has suspended all regattas and they are discussing training options. CB is still walking the dog 3 times a day and keeping carefully away from everyone. People out running cross right over to the other side of the street when they see him coming. Here are some gems from FaceBook to make you smile. #songsofcomfort. Every day Yo Yo Ma records himself playing a classical piece which he dedicates to us all in this time of stress Classic fm. Italians singing or playing instruments from rooftops, balconies or through their open window www,openculture.com Italian messages. They asked Italians all over the country to record a message online to themselves of 10 days ago (if only I’d known what I know now). Illuminating and strangely cheering And finally, today’s photo: �This photo is of me, suitably attired, in the Great Mosque in Abu Dhabi. I had to put on this synthetic hijab-like gown and pull the hood up over my hair. Actually, I got told off for having some hair showing and had to adjust it. It was a beautiful mosque but I was faint from the heat and the damned hood kept slipping forward over my eyes. It was stunningly beautiful, all constructed and decorated in marble and I’m glad I saw it and I never have to go there again. Abu Dhabi is another city built in the desert like Dubai. We stayed in a gorgeous golf themed hotel but what we saw of the rest of the city was pretty sterile. Writing this blogpost is one of the highlights of my day so I hope you’re enjoying reading it . Till tomorrow then - stay safe and warm � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource COVID-19 Journals Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Libraries Description An account of the resource This collection of journals and personal narratives was solicited from the GVSU community by archivists of the University Libraries during the events of the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic. During this unprecedented crisis the university closed suddenly, following federal and state guidelines of social distancing to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. The university closed its campuses on March 12, 2020, and quickly moved students out of campus housing. Faculty swiftly transitioned to fully-online teaching for the remainder of the Winter 2020 semester, and all campus events, including commencement, were cancelled. The purpose of the COVID-19 Journaling Project was to document the individual and personal experiences of GVSU’s students, staff, faculty, and the wider community during this time of international crisis. Some project participants were university student employees who were compensated for their journaling. Other participants were granted stipends or extra credit for submitting entries to the archives. Still others participated without any compensation or credit. The University Archives remains grateful to all who submitted journals, for helping us to understand the impact of this crisis on our community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Archives. COVID-19 Journaling Project Subject The topic of the resource Epidemics Grand Valley State University College students Personal narratives COVID-19 pandemic, 2019-2020 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context COVID-19_2020-03-17_BenjaminPamela_PD-Day-06 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Benjamin, Pamela Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2020-03-17 Title A name given to the resource Is it really only Day 6? Description An account of the resource Daily journal entry of Pamela Benjamin, spouse of GVSU history professor, Craig Benjamin, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally self-published on WordPress. Subject The topic of the resource COVID-19 pandemic, 2019-2020 Epidemics Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids (Mich.) Personal narratives Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Archives. COVID-19 Journaling Project Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/09bc57f989035914c584330e132eafc6.pdf 8098a707555493ff3e2f258bafd53c2f PDF Text Text Is Religion Really Escape From Life? From the series: Tough Questions: No Easy Answers Scripture: Jeremiah 45:5; John 12:20-28 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan July 27, 1997 Transcription of the spoken sermon A question I often ask myself as a pastor, a teacher of this religious community, is whether I am an agent of human wholeness or of human weakness. Do I enable my people better to face life and cope with reality as I understand it, or, do I shield and shelter you from life and reality, perpetuating beliefs and ideas that are really at odds with what I believe to be true about the universe, the human experience and the nature of religion? We are considering tough questions for which there are no easy answers and in this sermon I raise the question whether religion is really an escape from life. By that, I mean whether our religious belief and practice may be an expression of human fear and weakness in the face of the reality of our human experience and, further, whether perhaps religion’s focus on another world and a hereafter becomes a detriment to the full engagement with and celebration of this world and this life. As we saw last week, religion is a universal human phenomenon; the study of the human species from the most highly developed societies to the most remote and primitive, manifests religious belief and practice of one sort or another. That is because religion’s origin lies in the core questions that reside in the human consciousness. At some point in the cosmic evolutionary development of billions of years, the energy of the Big Bang coalesced into inorganic matter that, over the stretch of billions of years, evolved into organic or living matter. The development eventuated in living matter, in the case of animal life, coming to consciousness. Self-consciousness, awareness of oneself and of the other. With selfconsciousness dawned the realization that death is universal; the human creature recognized the fact of mortality and the presence of suffering, anguish, questions that cannot be repressed finally, questions about the meaning of existence. It is out of such deep questions that religions arise in the multi forms of their manifestations. © Grand Valley State University   �Religion Escape from Life? Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Our focus last week was on the question at the core - What Lies Beyond Death’s Veil? I suggested that perhaps that was the core question of the core questions about human existence. There is, however, an equally anguishing question – the more human existence came under thoughtful scrutiny, and cumulative human experience became available for reflection – and that is the question of human suffering. Let me make it concrete; we need no long treatise on the mystery of suffering and how suffering defies meaning and reduces us to numb silence. Late Friday evening I was called and responded by making a midnight run to Grand Rapids, Butterworth Hospital, The Children’s Unit. Five-year-old Lydia Hatton had been brought in in order to try to bring excruciating pain under control. For 16 months she and her parents, Brett and Carla, have carried on a fierce battle against the killer cancer that refuses to be stymied and defeated. The child is beautiful, brilliant, adorable. And the child’s body is racked with pain. And the child is dying. A child. Wide awake at midnight, she counted to 100 for me. No stone has been left unturned to find a cure and health for Lydia. The suffering increases as the end approaches. What does one say to Brett and Carla? One best not say anything; I told them I have nothing to say. I was there simply to hug them and hold them as we wept together. Certainly, death consciously confronted raised the questions that gave rise to religion. And, perhaps, even more for us, who have become aware of the full scope of the human drama, suffering drives us to the questions of meaning and meaninglessness. Religion has been throughout human history the means by which, through which, people have responded to the reality of death and the painful aspects of life. Religion has provided a teaching, a cultic form for worship, and a way to live, or a moral code. Until the 18th century, God’s existence was taken for granted, however God might have been conceived. Worship, through cultic action, sacrifice, penance and prayer, was the means to gain favor, be in harmony with, appease or cajole the deity, thereby preserving life and securing blessing. Thus, fear, suffering, a sense of vulnerability and weakness before powers and forces beyond a person’s control were the origin of ritual, sacrifice and prayer - the ingredients of religion. Ludwig Feuerbach, to whom I referred last week as the source of the projection theory that led to the whole development of modern atheism, saw God as a human invention. This is what he meant by projection. Feuerbach claimed that religion is fundamentally a product of human instinct for self-preservation, of human egoism. The person projects an objective Being as real beyond him or herself and that Being possesses the powers, desires and wishes in ideological © Grand Valley State University �Religion Escape from Life? Richard A. Rhem Page 3   form which the human being finds in him or herself. The person then worships this transcendent Being, which is only one’s own idealized self. In weakness, the person depends on this supernatural being of their own construction. Feuerbach claimed, "What man wishes to be, he makes his God." Consequently, the idea of God is nothing but human fantasy born out of desire for this perfect being to exist in order to be leaned on in the midst of life’s trials, suffering and uncertainties. This, Feuerbach claimed, cultivated weakness in humankind. Rather than celebrating humanity in its infinite spirit, we worship a perfect being "out there" and miss the grandeur of this world. He saw it as his task, a task given even more radical expression by Karl Marx, to turn the attention of the human species from God to the human, from heaven to earth, from the hereafter to the here and now. In his critique of Feuerbach, Hans Küng in Does God Exist?, begins by recognizing much truth in Feuerbach’s description of religion and the role it plays in human experience. The evidence of religion as a human security blanket, as a buffer against the darkness, the pain and the suffering of human experience is too obvious to question. In the wake of the emergence of modern atheism, scholars from various fields have expressed the implication of a heaven devoid of God and an earth devoid of heaven. Eric Fromm in Man for Himself, has written, There is only one solution to his problem: to face the truth, to acknowledge his fundamental aloneness in a universe indifferent to his fate, to recognize that there is no power transcending him which can solve his problem for him. The biologist Jacques Monod, in his Nobel prize winning work, Chance and Necessity, declares, If he accepts this (negative) message in its full significance, man must at last wake out of his millenary dream and discover his total solitude, his fundamental isolation. He must realize that, like a gypsy, he lives on the boundary of an alien world; a world that is deaf to his music, and as indifferent to his hopes as it is to his sufferings or his crimes. (p. 160) Such expression of the consequence of the development of modern atheism has a chilling effect, but it does point out a major function that religion has performed in the human story. Fearful of being alone, of being powerless, a pawn of arbitrary and capricious cosmic forces, the creature come to consciousness devises a means by which to tame the powers, to appease an offended deity, to gain favor and blessing. No one surveying the human story and aware of the function of religion can deny that there is much truth in such an analysis. Before we rise up in protest and accuse those who have come to such a conclusion of godlessness and wickedness, we would do better to take seriously the critique, to recognize the validity of this description of religion’s role in the history of the race. © Grand Valley State University �Religion Escape from Life? Richard A. Rhem Page 4   Having done that with as much candor as we can summon, we might then go on to inquire whether, having analyzed religion thus, that is all there is to say, or might there be something more? That religion can be used to deny the darkness and escape life’s harsh edge, to project to the future what is longed for and missed in the present, cannot be denied. To the question, "Is Religion really an escape from life," one can only answer - all too often. That religion as a human structure in its wide variety of forms is a coping mechanism for conscious creatures quaking before threat and loss is too obvious to deny. I have no argument with Feuerbach or Marx or Freud or Nietzsche on that score. To the degree that religion has, consequently, debased the person and dehumanized people, causing them to remain in infancy and adolescence rather than growing to maturity, taking responsibility for their lives and their world, working at transformation and the movement toward Spirit and shalom, I, too, would criticize it and distance myself from it. But, this I would claim against those who say Religion is nothing more than escape - might religion be universal not simply because of the universality of human death and suffering that has spawned its presence, but because of a response to an encounter from beyond or from the depths? Might not the human creature in his or her consciousness be aware of an inner dialogue with "Something" or "Someone," a dialogue in which the first word issues from the other side? And is there not evidence that religion has been not only a coping structure to keep the darkness at bay, but also a divine imperative to speak some word, to act out some conviction no matter what the price? Has not religion also been a force for transformation of society, challenging established orders that have become demonic and oppressive. I think of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, certainly one of the great human spirits of this century who was martyred 52 years ago as the Second World War was ending - a victim of the darkness spread by Hitler and the Nazi regime. He saw the underside of religion. He saw how religion appealed to human weakness. He saw how its institutional forms could be coopted by political power and how the religious institution sought to perpetuate itself by addressing the human being at his or her weakest point. I’ve included in the liturgy some citations from his Letters and Papers from Prison. But, one cannot read that spiritual testament without recognizing that it was precisely his spiritual center that enabled him to throw himself into the conflict, to risk and finally offer up his life in the cause of humanity which is, he believed, the cause of God. It was from Bonhoeffer that I learned of Jeremiah 45. In his thin volume there are over a hundred scripture citations, but five times he refers to Jeremiah 45. Obviously, it became for him a key life text. © Grand Valley State University �Religion Escape from Life? Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Jeremiah’s secretary, Baruch, who recorded Jeremiah’s words, was in despair. When Babylon carried off the exiles, they left some Jews in the land, among them Jeremiah and Baruch. But now those who remained were going to flee to Egypt for protection. Jeremiah spoke against it, but was forced, nonetheless, to go along and it was true also for Baruch. In chapter 45, Baruch cries out in weariness and despair. God’s word comes to him through the prophet You sought great things for yourself. Seek not your advantage. Be true to your risky faith; ask no more. But, there is a promise I will give you your life. You will survive. Or, at least that for which you stand, that for which you have stood up - that vision, that truth - that will survive. Jeremiah’s life was taken in Egypt. Bonhoeffer’s life was taken by the Nazis. But, they lived, true to their vision. That is to live. And what shall we say of Jesus? As the crisis broke upon him, in the phrase of John’s gospel, "The hour," he said, What should I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Is religion really escape from life? Much religion much of the time is just that. But, that is not its truest, highest function. It can also be response to a word, a call from beyond, from the depths to commit oneself to an alternative vision. Sometimes, like Jesus and Jeremiah and Bonhoeffer, we are caught in the dismantling phase - to tear down and pluck up, to use Jeremiah’s call; sometimes we may die in the darkness with the exhaustion of Baruch, the dereliction of Jesus, "My God, why ..." But, if some truth has grasped us, some vision possessed us, then to be true to that vision, that word is to find life by losing life. Such religious passion is not escape; it is rather the catalyst to engagement with life - and that is the only life worth living. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ea7c5d5d927d588cb1c6ffc2439821b9.mp3 1207256c35e74632d0902a333b131287 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost X Series Tough Questions: No Easy Answers Scripture Text Jeremiah 45:5, John 12:20-28 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19970727 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1997-07-27 Title A name given to the resource Is Religion Really Escape from Life? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 27, 1997 entitled "Is Religion Really Escape from Life?", as part of the series "Tough Questions: No Easy Answers", on the occasion of Pentecost X, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Jeremiah 45:5, John 12:20-28. Nature of Religion Suffering Transformative Love https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/605066ba16afbff8b3ceab10eba6f43c.mp3 78f57a6e9c77e7a26a8e67d83cb485e2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XIX Series The Church On the Way to the Future Scripture Text Romans 3:29 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19901014 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990-10-14 Title A name given to the resource Is There One True Religion? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 14, 1990 entitled "Is There One True Religion?", as part of the series "The Church On the Way to the Future", on the occasion of Pentecost XIX, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Romans 3:29. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/13647f8b2d151e2d35b8a09b1903a798.mp3 bdcd28cff8cf96920890feb6b493be61 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XI Series God's Prodigal Love Scripture Text Ecclesiastes 2:11, Luke 15:14 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860803 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-08-03 Title A name given to the resource Is This All There Is? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 3, 1986 entitled "Is This All There Is?", as part of the series "God's Prodigal Love", on the occasion of Pentecost XI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Ecclesiastes 2:11, Luke 15:14. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f7e3e5a3072f85c5a4ad0434c0c116b7.pdf af1fc90d68f8e5a3ee08265605ac6911 PDF Text Text [ I I ISABELLA COUNTY @@~~~[g[M][g~@□\Y/[g ~lb&~ ~--1986----- �FR~M THE LIBRARY OF Planning & Zoning Center, I nc. ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN I • INTRODUCTION II. PHYSICAL FEATURES Prepared by: EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT �• • II II I S ABE L LA C O U NT Y BOARD OF C O MMI S S I O N E R S October 1986 Steve Rudoni, Chairperson Thomas Gross Max Berry James McBryde Richard Curtiss Gladys Mitchel 1 Robert Decker I S ABE L L A C O U NT Y P L A N N I NG C O MMI S S I O N October 1986 George Bowlby (past member) Delbert Ringquist (past member) Bernard Flint Norman Rowan Wayne Husted, Chairperson William Ruddell (past member) Evelyn Kent (Chairperson, 1985) Richard Sherbarth Marnie Leitch Pamela Webb-Driscoll (past member) Katharine Lindfors Larry Wentworth (past me~ber) Bruce Pape Howard Quackenbush, Secretary �I S ABE L LA C O U NT Y D E P A R T M E N T O F R E S O U R C E MA N A G E M E N T Bruce Rohrer, Director Caroline Ramsey, Recording Secretary Dan Jones, Planning Assistant (Former) E AS T C E N T R A L MI C H I G A N P L A N N I N G D E V E L O P M E NT R E G I O N Douglas Bell, Chief Planner Shelly Rajewski, Program Planner Karen Johnson, Secretary Donald Platt, Executive Director ■ ■ ■ I AND �TABLE OF CONTENTS C Page Section I. INTRODUCTION A. B. c. • • I I. PHYSICAL FEATURES A. B. C. D. E. F. I I I. E. F. G. H. I. J. • • • Airports Libraries Health Services County Facilities Parks and Recreation Public Water Supplies Public Sewer Facilities Fire Protection Police Agencies Public Education Facilities 2 3 5 8 8 12 17 20 20 25 28 29 34 39 39 43 47 49 50 50 53 54 55 58 60 60 62 62 PLAN DEVELOPMENT 65 A. 66 66 67 B. C. VI. Topography and Surface Features Soils Climate Surface Water Resources Groundwater Resources Agricultural Lands COMMUNITY FACILITIES A. B. C. D. V. Land Use Population Housing Characteristics Transportation Cultural Constraints Local Economy ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES A. B. C. D. E. F. IV. Purpose and Enabling Legislation Administrative Structure History of Isabella County 1 Introduction Methodology Community Input COUNTY DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 72 �TABLE OF CONTENTS ■ Section VII. • I VIII. ~ • • • • • • ~ ~ • • • • Page AGRICULTURAL COMPONENT 79 A. B. C. D. 80 80 91 92 THE LAND USE PLAN A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. J. IX. X. Introduction Agriculture in Isabella County Methodology Important Farmlands I dent i fi cation General Concepts Agricultural Lands Inland Lake Districts Primary Trade Center Secondary Trade Centers Rural Trade Centers Community Facilities Parks and Recreation Areas Other Considerations 97 98 100 101 101 102 102 103 104 106 IMPLEMENTATION 108 A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. 109 110 111 116 116 119 120 122 General Considerations The Need for Cooperative Planning Farmland Issues The Chipµewa River Corridor Inland Lake Issues Local Planning and Zoning Revision of the County Zoning Ordinance Short-Term Implementation and Continued Planning APPEND ICES A. B. C. D. Bibliography Plan Review and Adoption Documentation Community Participation Supplementary Social and Economic Data �LIST OF TABLES Page Table • I •• ~ I I I I I-1 General Land Cover/Use 10 I I-2 Historical Population Data 14 I 1-3 Population Projections 15 II-4 Social Characteristics 16 Il-5 Increase in Housing Units 19 11-6 Local Historic and Cultural Sites 24 11-7 Isabella County Employment Categories 26 11-8 Major Isabella County Employers 27 IV-1 Public and Quasi-Public Water Supplies 59 I V-2 Public School Enrollments 64 VI I-1 County Agricultural Statistics 89 VII-2 County Crops Harvested 90 �I I I I ~ I I I I I I LIST OF FIGURES Page Figure I-1 Administrative Structure 4 I I-1 General Land Use 11 II-2 Historic and Cultu ra 1 Sites · 24 I I I-1 Topography and Surface Features 33 I I I-2 General Soil Map 37 I I I-3 Soil Erodibility 38 III-4 Drainage Basins 42 I II-5 Groundwater in Bed rock 45 I I 1-6 Groundwater in Gl ac i a1 Deposits 46 IV-1 Regional Airports 52 IV-2 County Parks 57 I V-3 Fire Protection Districts 61 IV-4 School Districts VII-1 Number of Farms 65 83 VI I-2 Average Farm Size 84 VII-3 Average Farm Value 85 VI I-4 Average Value Per Acre 86 VI I-5 Total Farmland Acreage 87 VII-6 Total Cropland Acreage 88 VII-7 Prime Farmland Soils 94 vu.:.8 Act 116 Farmlands 95 VI 1-9 Isabella County Farmlands 96 VII I-1 Future Land Use Map 107 �I. INTRODUCTION I • A. Purpose and Enabling legislation The purpose of this planning study of Isabella County is to prepare a Master Plan that will meet the following objectives: I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. Prepare a plan that is consistent with the County Planning Act, Act 282 of 1945, as amended. Among other duties, the Act states that a County Planning Commission s ha 11 : a. Make studies, investigations, and surveys relative to the economic, social and physical developments of the county; b. Formulate plans and make recommendations for the most effective economic, social, and physical development of the county; c. Cooperate with all departments of the state and federal governments and other public agencies concerned with programs directed toward the economic, social, and physical development of the county, and seek the maximum coordination of the county programs of these agencies; d. Consult with representatives of adjacent counties in respect to their planning so that conflicts in over-all county plans may be avoided. 2. Prepare a plan that is technically sound and that focuses on current issues. 3. Provide a means for the municipalities within the county to participate in the planning process. 4. Provide a means for county residents to participate in the plan development process. 5. Provide information and a broad framework for the county's decision-makers to assist them in routine matters. This will identify both the limitations and the opportunities facing the county. 6. Search for innovative, creative, and sound ways to improve the environment of Isabella County in a manner that is consistent with community goals. 2 �B. Administrative Structure The basic administrative structure for Isabella County planning and zoning functions is depicted in Figure I-1. As shown, the appointed nine-member Planning Commission acts as an advisory body to the Board of Commissioners. There is also an appointed five-member Zoning Board of Appeals as specified in the County Rural Zoning Enahling Act (Act 183 of 1943). Professional staff is maintained in the Department of Resource Management, which includes the County Engineer and engineering technicians, and a Planning Assistant. Personnel responsible for zoning administration and code enforcement are located in a separate department. Staff includes the Building and Zoning Official, and Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Inspectors. 3 �------------- •• BASIC ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING FUNCTIONS FIGURE I-1 VOTING PUBLIC . . . BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 7 Elected Members COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Appointed ' .... I DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OCle Enforcement ....... STAFF Engineering Staff PLANNING COMMISSION 9 Members Appointed Planning Assistant ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 5 Membeis Appointed ....... ..... .. . . . ..... .. . . . ..... ....... . . . . . . .. Administrative Interaction . . . . . . . . Advisory Interaction --- �I C. History of Isabella County Isabella County is located in the center of the lower peninsula of Michiyan. This area contained, at one time, one of the most magnificent pine and hardwood forests in all of the Great Lakes region. It served as part of the winter hunting grounds for the Chippewa Indians who lived in and around what is now the State of Michigan. The Chippewa Indians may have lived and travelled in this region for as many as 10,000 years before the appearance of white explorers and settlers. Father Henry Novel, successor to Father Marquette, spent a winter in this area in 1675 with the Beaver Clan of the Chippewa Indians. It was almost 200 years before the white man returned to the Central Michigan area. Isabella County was desiynated as a separate county in 1831. It was not until 1850 that lumbermen, migrating westward from Maine, took an active interest in the lumber potential of this region. settlers of this area arrived in 1854. The first permanent These early settlers were for the most part, lumbermen and Chippewa Indians. The Chippewa Indians from throughout the state came to settle in Isabella County in accordance with an 1855 treaty that designated nearly six townships in the county as the Chippewa Indian Reservation. To support these early settlers, both Indian and white, the Indian Mills were established in 1857. saw mill, grist mill and blacksmith shop. These consisted of a A stone marker now stands at this historical site where the Indian Mills operated from 1857 until 1870. This marker is located north of Mt. Pleasant on Old US-27 on the north side of the Chippewa River and on the west side of the road. The land now occupied by the City of Mt. Pleasant was at one time a 200 acre parcel of white pine. This land was purchased, platted, and named Mt. 5 I I I I I I I I I I �-I I I I I Pleasant by a lumberman, David Ward, in 1863. The white pine trees were lumbered off to clear the site for the city. The last treaty with the Chippewa Indians of the Saginaw Swan Creek and Black River Bands was signed on October 18, 1865 at the Isabella Indian Reservation. This treaty designated all unsold land in six townships, nearly 100,000 acres, as belonging to the Chippewa Indians. The next 20 years were marked by continuing legal difficulties as farmers and Indians arrived in an area where lumbering interest held vast I I I I I I I I I I I I I ill-defined tracts of land. With legal technicalities and difficulties in interpreting the law, the ensuing claims and counter claims as to boundary lines and property ownership reduced the reservation to just two sections which now remain in Chippewa Township. In 1893 an Indian industrial school was established on the reservation by the federal government. Grades K-9 were taught there and the curriculum included home economics, construction, carpentry, brick laying, arts and crafts, and other trades. The school was highly regarded and was thought by some to be superior to the public school system at that - time~ This school proved to be a valuable asset to the Indians of the reservation throughout its 40 year existence. The early 1900 1 s brought a steady decline in farm employment due largely to modern technology and labor saving equipment. This loss of employment in the county was offset by the upstart of the petroleum industry in Isabella County. The first commercial oil production was established in 1928 ten miles east of Mt. Pleasant. The need for petroleum products, which was created by America's involvement in World War II, led to further oil 6 �I field discoveries throughout the county. Today Mt. Pleasant is considered to be the "Oil Capital of Michigan." Further influencing the growth of Isabella County was the state's need for hiyher education. This need led to the establishment of the Central Michigan Normal School in 1892. 1954. The school was granted University status in Central Michigan University has since grown to an annual enrollment I I I ~ of approximately 16,000 students. •I NOTE: I I I The preceding section on the history ·of Isabella County was prepared by the Isabella County Department of Resource Management. •I 7 i �----------------- I I I I I I I I I I 1· I I II. A. PHYSICAL FEATURES Land Use With the exception of the Mt. Pleasant urbanized area and the Villages of Shepherd and Rosebush, Isabella County is largely rural with agriculture as its primary land use. Residential development is concentrated in the City of Mt. Pleasant, in adjacent Union and Chippewa Townships, and in the smaller incorporated communities of Shepherd and Rosebush. Existing land use is categorized in Table II-1 and illustrated in Figure II-1. Commercial development exists mainly in the Mt. Pleasant area, and along the US-27 business route and the M-20 corridor. Industry is concentrated in industrial park areas in Mt. Pleasant and adjacent Union and Chippewa Townships. Some additional scattered industrial development exists near the unicorporated places of Blanchard and Winn, in Broomfield Township, and in Shepherd. Central Michigan University and the Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities, both in the Mt. Pleasant area, are the two major state-owned public institutions in the county. Significant residential development has taken place in Sherman and Broomfield Townships in the vicinity of Lake Isabella. This represents a trend of attracting both year-round and seasonal residents to these areas. Additional concentrations of residential development are found in the unincorporated communities of Millbrook, Blanchard, Winn, Loomis, Beal City, and Weidman. The unincorporated Vernon City area, at the north county line, is strongly associated with the City of Clare in Clare County. Residential expansion has also occurred in Deerfield and Coldwater Townships, and in the Coldwater and Littlefield Lake areas. 8 �i In addition to its developed and cultivated areas, Isabella County possesses abundant lakes, streams, and wooded lands. These areas provide both residents and tourists with numerous recreational opportunities. These features have also provided attractive sites for year-round and seasonal residential development. It should be noted that Isabella County has completed a Current Use Inventory as part of the Michigan Resource Inventory Program. been submitted to the DNR Land Resource Programs Division. The data have The final maps and related information should be available in late 1986 or early 1987. The land use data and accompanying maps produced through this program provide an extremely valuable tool for future planning efforts. The land use inventory is highly detailed, as all parcels five acres or larger are categorized. The land use data currently provided in Table II-1 and Figure II-1 should be considered preliminary estimates based on a number of sources. They should be replaced by the much more accurate Current Use Inventory when it becomes available. 9 �"I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE II-1 ISABELLA COUNTY GENERAL LAND COVER/USE·, 1985 ACRES PERCENT OF TOTAL Agriculture 238,200 64.4 Forest Land 85,400 23.1 Water Areas 3,300 1.0 Urban and Built-Up 7,600 2.1 Transportation 11,900 3.2 Minor Cover/Uses 23,400 6.2 369,800 100.0 LAND COVER/USE TOTAL Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1982 Resource Inventory, Isabella County, Michigan. 10 �• • • • • • • • • •■ C5C.EOL>. co . • V E. R..tJ ON II ~ . , I· ~r: • _L • NOTE: THIS MAP SHOWS THE MA.JOR LAND USES IN GENERAL FORM ONLY• IT DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOW THE PRECISE LOCATION OF EVERY PARCEL OR CATEGORY OF LAND USE IM THE COUNTY • ■ • • • • • • • •r. €3 • • I .. FIGURE II - 1 I LAND USE (J URBAN ~ RESIDENTIAL CONCENTRATIONS D AGRICULTURAL ■ WOODS, BRUSH & SWAMP I] PARKS, RECREATION & OTHER PUBLIC SOURCE: ISABELLA COmTY CURRENT USE INVENTORY (PRELIKINAllY), MICHIGAN RESOURCES INVENTORY PROGRAM, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, 1985 • • co. •• ISABELLA COUNTY. MICHIGAN �I I I I I I I I I I I I B. Population To provide a framework for a discussion of social characteristics, it should first be noted that Isabella County is influenced by a number of emerging national trends that will have short and long-term impacts. Among the major influencing trends are: Continuing decline in family size over the next decades. Average family size dropped by 1/2 a person over the past ten years and will approach the same figure over the next decade. This reduced size is due to fewer children in traditional families, more married couples deciding against having children, a greater number of single person households, and an increased proportion of elderly households. - Median age will continue to rise substantially as the post World War II baby boom ages and as children decline as a proportion of the population while senior citizens increase. Along with this, the median years of schooling will most likely continue to increase. - Economic growth will focus principally on the service and high-technology areas rather than on traditional heavy industry. - Most growth will probably continue to shift to rural areas where people will either commute into urban areas (like Mt. Pleasant) or into smaller rural towns (like Shepherd). . - The Great Lakes States like Michigan will probably continue to lose economic and population growth over the next decade, but they may become more attractive over several decades because of their major resource of fresh water supply. - Family size, economics, and compactness in life style, will result in somewhat smaller housing units and more development of townhouses, apartments and other intensive, more efficient housing. With these perspectives and purposes in mind, this plan can focus on the specific conditions of Isabella County. 12 �Historical population data for Isabella County and its political subdivisions are shown in Table II-2. On a county-wide basis, the population more than doubled during 1940-80. population increased about 21 percent • In 1970-80, the county However, many of the outlying townships experienced a much higher growth rate. Most notably, Broomfield and Sherman Townships each increased by over 70 percent , and Deerfield Township grew by more than 50 percent. Population projections are shown in Table II-3. population growth is expected to be more moderate. In the future, The projections show a net population increase of about 6 percent for the county during 1980-1990. Beyond this, the population will continue to grow at a rate of about 14.5 percent during 1990-2010. It must be stressed that these project,ons are based on historical trends and information on existing conditions. In the future, other factors that cannot be predicted may significantly affect the rate of population change. Age distributions, racial characteristics, and income levels for the county have been summarized in Table II-4. In comparison to the state, the Isabella County population is younger and composed of fewer small children and persons over 65. This trend is reflected most strongly in the figures for Mt. Pleasant. In very general terms, it may be said that Isabella County residents are younger and a bit less affluent when compared to the state averages. Additional selected social and economic data are shown in the appendix. 13 �•I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE II-2 ISABELLA COUNTY Population per U.S. Census Local Unit 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 738 1, 191 2,128 628 882 916 901 610 1,456 1,097 1,358 1,032 887 1,767 1,071 907 616 1 , 151 2,046 619 842 799 885 566 1,381 1,021 1,263 942 682 2,596 1,092 1,070 672 1,648 2,458 494 1,063 856 896 536 1,543 1,109 1,358 1,003 634 3,932 1,214 1,057 727 2,552 2,803 531 1,419 921 1,010 606 1,757 1,254 1,758 927 819 4,611 1,310 1,065 1,246 3,784 3,141 2,160 1,059 1,215 966 1,916 1,698 2,042 1,105 1,405 5,306 1,389 1,218 Townships Broomfield Chippewa Coe Coldwater Deerfield Denver Fremont Gilmore Isabella Lincoln Nottawa Rolland Sherman Union Vernon Wise 714 Villages Shepherd Rosebush 852 899 1,293 1,416 439 1,534 336 8,413 11,393 14,875 20,52~ 23,746 25,982 28,964 35,348 44,594 54,110 ~ Mt. Pleasant TOTAL �\. L TABLE II-3 ISABELLA COUNTY Population Project;ons for Local Units County totals supplied by Michigan Department of Management and Budget. C.M.U. figures supplied by Mt. Pleasant D~pt. of Community Affairs. Local Unit 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 1,292 3,967 3,276 730 2,261 1,095 1,263 990 1,989 1,770 2,125 1,122 1,432 5,650 1,427 1,266 1,384 4,296 3,529 772 2,446 1,169 1,356 1,048 2,134 1,906 2,285 1,177 1,507 6,213 1,514 1,360 1,551 4,870 3,964 853 2,768 1,285 1,513 1,160 2,329 2,147 2,571 1,292 1,660 7,124 1,638 1,497 1,625 5,160 4,162 882 2,930 1,321 1,579 1,202 2,375 2,262 2,706 1,326 1,709 . 7 ,633 1,654 1,540 1,669 5,359 4,300 894 3,038 1,349 1,623 1,220 2,440 2,336 2,789 1,334 1,725 8,046 1,697 1,580 1,703 5,528 4,412 899 3,129 1,368 1,658 1,229 2,491 2,395 2,856 1,332 1,729 8,420 1,729 1,610 1,621 1,769 2,021 2,158 insufficient data for projections · 2,259 2,348 Town~h_i.e_s Broomfield Chippewa Coe Coldwater Deerfield Denver Fremont Gilmore Isabella 'Lincoln Nottawa Rolland Sherman Union Vernon Wise Vil_l ag~s Shepherd Rosebush City C.M.U. 15,978 Ba 1 • of City -~0§! Mt. Pleasant 23,047 15,650 _]_,.§.5± 23,204 13,230 8,447 2f~677 13,500 8,833 22,333 13,750 9,051 22,aoY 13,900 9,211 23,111 TOTAL 59,702 57 ,300 59,899 62,399 64,200 65,599 NOTE: For calculating Mt. Pleasant projections, CMU enrollments were b~eken - -. down as follows: 20% out-of-city commuters; 45% living on campus; 35% _ living off-campus with 90% of these living in the city. • �I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE II-4 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS AGE DISTRIBUTION(%) UNDER 5 POLITI CAL UN IT MICHIGAN ISABELLA COUNTY Mt. Pleasant City Shepherd Village Rosebush Village & 18 OVER --- 7.4 6.6 3.7 8.0 7.4 70.3 75.2 86.8 66.8 64.3 & 65 OVER --9.8 7.1 6.2 9.6 13 .4 MEDIAN AGE 28.8 22.7 21.5 26.7 27 .1 RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS RACE White Black American Indian Other Spanish Origin* NUMBER % OF TOTAL 52,326 488 681 615 (662) 96.7 0.9 1.3 1.1 ( 1.2) *Also recorded as White I NCO ME POLIT I CAL UN IT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN FAMILY FAMILIES _!Ii POVERTY (%) MICHIGAN ISABELLA COUNTY Mt. Pleasant Shepherd Rosebush $19,224 15,002 13,576 17,995 12,266 $ 22,108 18,318 19,293 20,450 16,429 10 .4 18 .9 16 29.8 7.5 15.6 �C. Housing Characteristics During 1970-80, Isabella County experienced a significant increase in the number of housing units that was substantially larger than the statewide increase in housing (Table II-5). Much of this can be attributed to the general trend of rural areas growing faster than the cities and to the rapid growth of Central Michigan University. As in many other communities, the increase in housing greatly exceeded the population growth. The portions of the county showing the largest increases in housing are generally either in locations adjacent to the urbanized areas or in places that provide attractive environmental features such as wooded lots or water frontage. More detailed housing data for the county and its political subdivisions are provided in the appendix. Median housing values in the county are high in relation to the state average. The range of values indicates that the highest values are generally associated with Mt. Pleasant and the adjacent town~hips, and with fairly new housing development in Deerfield Township. Lower housing values are concentrated in the outlying townships that are intensely agricultural and less densely populated. This refle~ts a commonly seen relationship between cities and their outlying rural areas. The Appendix data also show that the majority of homes are owner-occupied, rather than occupied by renters. The only exception to this is in Mt. Pleasant with its large student population. The 1980 Census also provides information on the age of existing housing units. Of the county's housing units, about 28 percent of the present structures were built in 1939 or before. These surveys also indicated a total housing requirement for low to moderate income persons of 2,528 units although 17 �' 'I only 553 units available. The adjusted need is for 1,861 new units and 569 rehabilitated units. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 18 �TABLE II-5 INCREASE IN HOUSING UNITS .. HOUSING UNITS 1980 % I NCR EASE 21.4 42.8 POLITICAL UNIT 1970 MICHIGAN ISABELLA COUNTY 12,149 17,344 4,820 6,439 559 136 33.6 264 708 849 182 433 251 338 302 523 226 615 356 316 1,380 449 291 479 1,319 1,093 264 742 397 400 351 703 566 805 408 517 1,954 487 420 81.4 86.3 28.7 45.0 71.4 58.2 18.3 16.2 34.4 150.4 30.9 14.6 63.6 41.6 8.5 44.3 MT. PLEASANT Shepherd Rosebush Townships Broomfield Chippewa Coe Coldwater Deerfield Denver Fremont Gilmore Isabella Lincoln Nottawa Rolland Sherman Union Vernon Wise " '• ~ I Ill I I I I I I 19 I I I �f f Ii I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I D. Transportation The main north-south route is US-27. State Highway M-20 is the main east-west route and cuts across the approximate center of the county. The two major routes intersect in Mt. Pleasant, the residential, commercial, and inqustrial center of the County. Isabella County is served by 1,315 miles of roads. miles and 1,237 rural miles. These include 78 urban Urban mileage includes state trunklines, roads, and local streets within incorporated cities and villages. Rural mileage includes primary and local county roads and rural trunklines. Rail service is currently provided to Isabella County by the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railroad. The portions of this line that extend through Gratiot, Isabella, and Clare Counties were purchased by the State of Michigan and a subsidy was provided to the ConRail system to operate this section. Transportation in Isabella County is also served by the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport and by private inter-city bus lines. Public transportation is available through a countywide bus service, provided by the Isabella Co. Transportation Commission, that has grown steadily since its organization in 1974. E. Both fixed-route and demand service are available. Cultural Constraints Cultural constraints are defined as manrnade features that limit development. Such constraints can take the form of physical barriers, or they can be features protected by legislative action. fall into the following categories: Cultural constraints generally 1) historical and archaeological sites, 2) highways and railroads, and 3) state and federal lands. 20 �Barriers imposed by highways and railroads in Isabella County have been identified in II-D, 11 Transportation. 11 In another category of constraints, there are 1,880 acres of state-owned land in Isabella County. The bulk of this is located in Denver Township and forms part of the Chippewa River State Forest. Another parcel of committed land is the 510-acre Saginaw-Chippewa Indian Reservation in Chippewa Township. An additional 800 acres of Reservation lands are distributed in 21 allotments in six townships. Local sites of historic and cultural value are listed in Table II-6 and their locations shown in Figure II-2. Only four of these are actually listed on the State Register of Historic Places: Doughty House, Central Michigan University, St. John's Episcopal Church, and Mission Creek Cemetery. However, the other sites are of major importance because of their local significance. Additional sites have been recommended by the Planning Commission. Very little information is available concerning archeological resources in Isabella County. Studies conducted in neighboring Midland and Gratiot Counties have identified archeological sites ranging in age from the Paleo-Indian period (roughly 12,000 years ago) to recent times. Most sites were small camps of the Late Woodland period ( roughly AD 600 - 1600). would expect the sites in Isabella County to be quite similar. One The few known archeological sites that have been identified in Isabella County are located in Union, Chippewa, and Deerfield Townships, and have also been listed in Table II-6. 21 • �TABLE II-6 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I LOCAL HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES SITE MAP NUMBrn 1. Bader Bldg. (now the 2. Ferro Manufacturing Bldg. (now Pickard Industrial Park - site of WWII manufacturing) 3. Mt. Pleasant Regional Center (site of former Indian School) 4. Doughty House 5. Simmons Jewelers (original site of CMU) 6. Isabella Co. Fairgrounds (not shown) 7. CMU Cultural and Natural History Museum 8. Indian Mills Site (not shown) 9. Harris Mill 11 CreaJT1ery 11 ) 10. Sacred Heart Academy 11. St. John's Episcopal Church 12. Riverside Cem~tery 13. Clark Historical Library 14. Gerald Poor Museum 15. Mt. Pleasant Railroad Line 16. Ori gi na 1 Post Office 17·. Saginaw - Chippewa Indian Reservation 18. Art Reach Center 19. Calgary Cemetery 20. Mission Creek Cemetery 22 �TABLE II-6 (continued) LOCAL HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES Additional areas sugyested by the Isabella County Planning Commission (not Mapped): GENERAL LOCATION SITE Blanchard, Rolland Township Blanchard Millpond Sherman/Coldwater Townships Sherman City area Rolland Township, Section II Indian burial mounds Isabella County Archeo1ogical Sites*: Union Township, Sections 1 and 2 Chippewa Township, Section 9 Deerfield Township, Sections 20, 22, and 33 *Information provided by Archeology Section, Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State, January 1986. • • • I 23 �J Ir 11 Ii f 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I ISABELLA JIISTORIC AND COUNTY CITY OF Mr AND VICINiiYPLEASANT FIGURE II-2 �~ F. Local Economy Isabella County data for general employment categories, numbers of employees, and payroll amounts are displayed in Table II-7. This information shows that the categories with the largest numbers of employees are in the professional services (health, education, etc.), retail trade, and manufacturing areas. In terms of payroll, the largest industries are services ($34 million), retail trade ($26 million), manufacturing ($23 million), and oil and gas extraction ($17 million). Major Isabella County employers are listed in Table II-8 along with their products and numbers of employees. Central Michigan University is by far the largest single employer with over 2,000 employees. The Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities and Central Michigan Community Hospital employ over 1,000 persons in the health care and human services areas. Several firms engaged in oil and gas exploration and production employ over 500 persons. About 900 persons are employed at several manufacturing firms. In addition to specific data on Isabella County employers, the 1980 Census (Summary Tape File 3A) also provides information on where people work. These figures show that roughly 80 percent of the Isabella County labor force works within the county, and about 20 percent commute outside the county for employment. The majority of the commuters travel to the Tri-City (Midland-Bay City-Saginaw) or the Lansing metropolitan areas to work. These commuting patterns are made possible by the highway system, fuel efficient automobiles and, to some extent, the current lower fuel prices. 25 • • • • • • • • • • • _I �• • • •~ • • • Table 11-7 ISABELLA COUNTY EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES Industry # Agric., Forestry, Fis he ri es of Firms Emp 1oyees Payroll J.1 7 24 203 Mining (incl. Oil & Gas) 34 674 17,148 Construction 74 317 5,464 Manufacturing 41 1,203 22,969 Transport. & Utilities 23 218 4,252 Wholesale Trade 72 726 15,311 296 3,260 26,413 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 81 577 8,393 Health Services 56 1,081 15,695 Other Services 225 2,212 18,255 Non-Classified 69 79 1,407 121 620 Retai 1 Trade Federal Civilian Source: ECMPDR, 1986 26 000 1 s) �Table II-8 MAJOR ISABELLA COUNTY EMPLOYERS EMPLOYER PRODUCT/SERVICE EMPLOYEES Central Michigan Univ. State university 2,110 Reyional Center for Dev. Disabilities Mental health facility 610 Central Mich. Comm. Hospital Medical services 425 Delfield Co. Food prep. equip. & freezers 400 Morbark Industries Wood harvesting equip. 293 Randell Manufacturing Comm. kitchen equip. 160 Formsprag Co./Dana Corp. Indus. clutches Giant way Retail & food distrib. Coca-Cola Bottling Soft drinks Central Mich. Newspapers Newspaper publishing 200 LaBelle Management Restaurants 230 James Bigard Drilling Oil & Gas Industry 250 Ind ri l Oil & Gas Industry 200 Lease Management Oil & Gas Industry 88 City and County Govt. Government SOURCES: 50 180 30 234 Michigan Dept. of Commerce, Office of Community Development; updated by ECMPDR and Mt. Pleasant Office of Community Affairs, July 1986. 27 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ' ~ �ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN • "I III. ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES I •I I Prepared by EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 28 �I I I. A. ENVIRON MENTAL FEATIJRE S Topography and Surface Features The surface features of Isabella County are of glacial origin, and the , , ~ , ~ , •~ entire county is deeply covered with glacial drift materials, particularly on the west side. There is considerable variation in relief with elevations ranging from 700 feet above sea level in the southeast corner to over 1,200 feet in the northwest corner, Bundy Hill at 1,270 feet, is the highest point in the County. The eastern area averages 780 feet and is 200 feet above the level of Lake Huron to which practically all county lands ultimately drain. Topographically, the eastern and southern portions of the county are flat or gently rolling while the western and northern areas are moderately rolling to hilly. The land has a diverse vegetative pattern owing to the effects of the glaciers which deposited sediments and carved the lakes and streams. Three distinctive topographic divisions occur in a general north-south direction. The eastern part of the county is in the wide Lake Plain which joins Saginaw Bay to the east. The southeastern corner and much of Coe Township is part of the old Saginaw Lake bed, and the land there is nearly level with an increase in elevation occurring in benches rather than slopes. The numerous depressions in this general land formation have become ponds which are mostly intermittent, receiving and holding water during periods of heavy rainfall and runoff. Most of the Lake Plain area is broadly undulating and, at its western edge, it rises very gently toward the uplands with no definitive transition from one area to another. area do not vary more thaIT twenty to forty feet. Elevations throughout this The western edge of the Lake Plain runs through the county beginning in northwest Wise Township and continuing irregularly through Isabella and Union Townships until it reaches the southern county line in western Coe Township. 29 Streams in the Lake Plain �are small and flow through narrow valleys which are cut several feet below the adjoining land. Natural drainage in much of this area is deficient. The water table is high and in some flat, sandy areas the surface soils are saturated even in summer. Throughout the mid-area uplands the terrain is gently rolling with elevations gradually increasing towards the west. good with most land draining to the streams. however do not have well defined channels. Drainage is generally very Small intermittent streams The North Branch of the Chippewa River, with headwaters just north of the county, is a relatively small stream, flowing through a shallow valley, with short slopes on its eastern bank and rising land on its western bank. The loam soils, which occur extensively, are underlain with clay and thus have poor sub-surface drainage. The western belt has a greatly varied topography with valleys and plains which are quite striking. Much of the land is fairly smooth but, in contrast, several very high isolated hills such as Bundy Hill, mentioned above, are found. In some parts the slopes vary from gentle to strongly rolling. Most of the area is well drained to the streams, but frequent depressions in the northwest also collect and store excess waters. Internal drainage is predominately good because water can move freely through the light textured soils and sub-surface materials. Two principal valleys extend north and south through the county, and then join south of Weidman to form a broad plain. Some poorly drained, swampy areas are found throughout this plain area. The valley of the Chippewa River, flowing eastward from the west county line, is deeply defined and steep almost to Mt. Pleasant. In the context of long-range planning, slope must be considered as a serious topographical constraint tti land development. Slope is the measurement of the vertical change per one hundred feet of horizontal 30 �' '• • '' '' ' 'I I distance. For example, a 25 percent slope indicates a vertical change of 25 feet in 100 feet of horizontal distance. Figure III-1 shows the topographic and slope characteristics of Isabella County. The slope characteristics are shown as ~roup 1 (suitable to all land uses (<8%)), or group 2 (conditionally suitable to some types of land use (>8%)). The group 2 slopes require on-site investigation to determine the specific slope before the actual evaluation and rating of a site's suitability for development. Steeply sloped areas are a major land use constraint. These areas are limited in their development potential because of the associated difficulties and costs of construction. High costs are associated with the development of steep slopes because: 1. Heavy surface and groundwater runoff require extensive drainage facilities. 2. Erosion is severe and natural control measures are difficult to maintain. 3. Soils are usually shallow resulting in bedrock close to the surface. 4. Road construction is difficult and, in severe conditions, retaining walls are required. 5. Extensive excavation is usually required. 6. Excavation of bedrock for public sewers may be required due to the presence of shallow soils. 7. Soil and rock creep may occur since the land tends to reestablish the equilibrium that existed prior to excavation. 8. Septic tank and tile field installation become difficult or impossible. Also, the generally shallow soils result in inefficient waste treatment in the tile field system. Generally, slope can be classified as follows: 31 �I Slope Description Development Characteristics 0-8% Level to gently sloping Suitable for al 1 kinds of development Low sediment runoff 8%-16% Moderately sloping Limited residential development Disturbed areas result in moderate erosion and sediment loads 16%-24% Excessive slope Very limited development potential Moderate erosion from all land; heavy sediment loads from disturbed areas Greater than 24% Very steep slope Development is generally unfeasible and uneconomical Water Quality Impact Heavy sediment load from most land Slope, as a factor in land use decision-making, is most critical in the western portions of Isabella County. These are the areas marked by moraines, and have the most potential for conflict between the soil suitability and the slope constraint. The topographic slope map of the Isabella County indicates those areas of greatest relief throughout the county and, therefore, most likely to be subject to developmental restrictions because of slope considerations. 32 �•I I I I I I I I P~IYSICAL FEATURES MAJOR ORAi NAGE BASINS -t, COLDWATE.R. R.IVER. ·2· S. Bit CHIPPEWA R.IVER. ·3-PINE. R.IVEA. 4· LITTLE SALT R.IVER. · 6 · N. BR. CHIPPEWA RIVER -1, S. BR. . BIC SALT RI VER. ·8 · N. BR. . BIG SALT R.IVER. ·~· TOBACCO RIVER. -5· CH I PPEWA RIVER. .,,C RIDGE LIN ES /011111Ulf DRAINAGE BASINS .-•- SECONDARY RIDGE LINES MINOR RIDGE LINES ~J,~ 100 FOOT CONTOUR. LIN ES ~ LOW AREAS I I I I I I ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN FIGURE III-1 �B. Soils The major determinants of soil suitability for land use include the composition of the soil, permeability, drainage characteristics, susceptibility to erosion, and depth to bedrock. To avoid problems such as groundwater contamination, buckling and shifting of foundations and roads, severe erosion, and the loss of important agricultural land, the suitability of the soil for all land uses must be assessed. This planning report will not attempt to reproduce the detailed information contained in the soil survey. Instead, the Isabella County Soil Survey (USDA, 1985) is incorporated as part of the Comprehensive Plan by this reference. For a brief overview of the County 1 s soil resources, Figure III-2 illustrates the 12 soil associations present and describes their characteristics. • • • • • • • • •~ The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) has developed detailed soils data for Isabella County. This information has been presented as a County Soil Survey (USDA, 1985), and became available in late 1985 as this plan was being prepared. The importance of the soil survey information to land use decision-making cannot be overemphasized. The best overall description of the Isabella County Soil Survey and its applications is found in the survey itself. The foreword to the survey is directly quoted below: This soil survey contains information that can be used in land-planning programs in Isabella County, Michigan. behavior for selected land uses. It contains predictions of soil The survey also highlights limitations and hazards inherent in the soil, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and the impact of selected land uses on the environment. This soil survey is designed for many different users. Farmers, foresters, and agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil 34 �~ and the management needed for maximum food and fiber production. Planners, community officials, engineers, developers, builders, and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sites for construction, and identify special practices needed to insure proper performance. Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlife ~anagement, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help them understand, protect, and enhance the environment. Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils are seasonally wet or subject to flooding. to be used as a foundation for buildings or roads. High clay or wet soils are A high water table makes a soil poorly suited to basements or under~round installations. These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soil map. The location of eacn soil is shown on the detailed soil maps. the survey area is described. soil. Each soil in Information on specific uses is given for each Help in using this publication and additional information are available at the local office of the Soil Conservation Service or the Cooperative Extension Service. Areas having highly erodible soils require special consideration in planning. Soil erodibility is a function of texture, slope, vegetative cover, precipitation, permeability, organic content, and other factors. shows a general Isabella County map of soil erodibility. Figure III-3 The erodibility ratings are based on the designations made by the Department of Natural Resources under Michigan's Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1972. soils with the highest susceptibility to erosion are mainly found in the central and southeast portions of the County. 35 l l 1 ] Some are too unstable poorly suited to use as septic tank absorption fields. in this soil survey. ~ The I I 1 I I I I ~ ~ �The Soil Conservation Service, through its Resources Inventory, has estimated average annual erosion rates for Isabella County. For all cropland (184,200 acres), the annual erosion rate is 815,600 tons, or 4.4 tons per acre. The Soil Conservation Service can provide specific management recommendations to land owners for ways to reduce soil erosion. 36 �J LEGEND* NEARLY LEVEL TO ROLLING, WELL DRAINED TO POORLY DRAINED SOILS f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 84 ·so' OSCEOLA! COUNTJV_ Remus-Spinks Association: Nearly level to gently rolling, well drained loamy and sandy soils; on moraines and outwash plains !GLADWIN -ii~OUNTY I Perrinton-Ithaca Association : Nearly level to gently rolling, well drained and somewhat poorly drained loamy soils; on moraines and till plains Guelph -Londo-Parkhill Association: Nearly level to gently rolling, well drained , somewhat poorly drained , and poorly drained loamy soils; on moraines and till plains N Marlette-Spinks Association : Nearly level to rolling, well drained loamy and sandy soils; on moraines and till plains T. 16 N. NEARLY LEVEL , SOMEWHAT POORLY DRAINED AND POORLY DRAINED SOILS 1 Pipestone-Kingsville Association : Nearly level, somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained sandy soils; on glacial deltas , till plains, outwash plains, and beach ridges NEARLY LEVEL AND UNDULATING,SOMEWHAT POORLY DRAINED AND POORLY DRAINED SOILS Londo-Parkhill-Wixom Association: Nearly level and undulating, somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained loamy and sandy soils; on till plains, outwash plains, and beach ridges T. Ithaca-Ziegenfuss Association: Nearly level and undulating, somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained loamy soils; on till plains 15 N. Londo-Parkhill Association: Nearly level, somewhat poorly drained and poorly drained loamy soils; on till plains ,-43°40' NEARLY LEVEL TO HILLY , SOMEWHAT EXCESSIVELY DRAINED, POORLY DRAINED, AND VERY POORLY DRAINED SOILS [TI Mecosta-Cohoctah Association: Nearly level, somewhat excessively drained and poorly drained sandy and loamy soils; on stream terraces, outwash plains, and flood plains Coloma-Pinnebog Association: Nearly level to hilly, somewhat excessively drained and very poorly drained sandy and mucky soils; on outwash plains and in upland drains and depressions NEARLY LEVEL TO STEEP, SOMEWHAT EXCESSIVELY DRAINED AND WELL DRAINED SOILS T. 14 N. I Coloma-Remus Association: Nearly level to steep, somewhat excessively drained and well drained sandy and loamy soils; on moraines, till plains, and kames r-l---lll----1----+----l----+.-\A----l----+---l-----1.!I NEARLY LEVEL TO GENTLY ROLLING, VERY POORLY DRAINED, SOMEWHAT POORLY DRAINED AND WELL DRAINED SOILS Adrian-Thetford-Spinks Association: Nearly level to gently rolling, '!ery poorly drained, somewhat poorly drained, and well drained mucky and sandy soils; in upland drains and depressions and on outwash plains * The texture given in the descriptive heading of each association refers to the surface layer of the major soils in that association . compiled 1984 T. 13 N. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY I _ _ J3_1_ GRATIOT R. 6W. R. 5W. R. 4W. R. 3W. GENERAL SOIL MAP SECTIONALIZED TOWNSHIP I COUNTY 2 1 6 5 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN scale 1: 190,080 18 17 16 15 14 13 Each oreo outlined on this mop consists of more than one kind of soil. The mop is thus meant for general planning rather than o basis 19 20 21 22 23 24 30 29 28 27 26 25 for decisions on the use of specific tracts. 31 32 33 34 35 36 1 0 U..' I I l I 0 I I 1 2 I I 3 I Miles 3 I 6 I Km �, If • • • • '• LEGEND K=SOIL ERODIBILITY FACTOR f.:0J LOW SUSCEPTIBILITY ~ MODERATE SUSCEPT I 8 I LIT ERODIBILITY K=.24- .36 ~ ERODIBILITY K < .23 FIGURE III-3 J SOIL • • ERODIBILITY K FACTORS WERE DESIGNATED BY THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL 1RESOURCES UNDER MICHIGAN S SOIL EROSION a SEDIMENTATION ACT OF 1972. ~ ERODIBILITY HIGH SUSCEPTIBILITY TO K> . 37 �C. Climate The inland location of Isabella County, away from the Great Lakes, substantially reduces the lake influence on the area's climate. The most noticeable lake influence occurs when the prevailing southwesterly winds bring increased cloudiness during the fall and winter, moderating temperatures during cold outbreaks. The prevailing wind is southwesterly at about 11 mph. Temµerature data show that January is the coldest month with an average daily maximum of 29.5° F, while July is the warmest with a daily average maximum of 83.6° F. Precipitation is well-distributed throughout the year with the crop season (May - October) receiving an average of 18.13 inches or 61 percent of the average annual total. September, with 3.34 inches, is the wettest month and February, with a 1.20 inch average, is the driest. The average snowfall at Mt. Pleasant is 33.1 inches. Mt. Pleasant averages 81 days per season with 1 inch or more of snow on the ground, but this varies greatly from year to year. The average date of the last freezing temperature in the spring is May 17, and the average date of the first freezing te~perature in the fall is October 2. The freeze-free period, or growing season, averages 138 days annually. D. Surface Water Resources Isabella County contains portions of four minor river basins (Figure III-4), all of which contribute to the Tittabawassee River Basin. These are the Chippewa, the Salt, the Pine, and the Tobacco. The Chippewa River is the major tributary to the Tittabawassee Basin in the county, with its headwaters in Mecosta and Osceola Counties. Agriculture is the principal land cover throughout the basin, but the northern portions of 39 �the watershed contain substantial acreages of forest land. Soils within the Chippewa watershed are predominantly well-drained and sandy. · Poorly drained clay loam soils that are fairly high in fertility occur in the central portion of the watershed. The average flow measured in the Chippewa is 307 cubic feet per second (cfs), (maximum flow= 4960 cfs; minimum flow= 12 cfs). Water quality of the Chippewa is generally good, but some degradation occurs below Mt. Pleasant. The North Branch of the Chippewa, which flows through the north-central portion of the county, contributes significant quantities of nutrients and suspended sediments. With respect to recreation, the entire Chippewa River is used as a canoe trail. Trout streams in the watershed are Schofield Creek, Cedar Creek, Indian Creek, Squaw Creek, and Walker Creek. Like the Chippewa, the Pine River originates outside Isabella County in Mecosta County. Land cover is predominantly agricultural with very little of the watershed covered by forest. Soils in the Pine River watershed range from well-drained sandy soils to poorly drained clay loams. Pine is 214 cfs. Average flow in the Water quality in the portion of the Pine flowing through Isabella County has generally been good. Pony Creek and Skunk Creek are tributaries that are designated trout streams. The Salt River is a relatively small stream draining the northeastern part of the county. Its average flow is 76 cfs. watershed are generally poorly drained types. Soils within the Salt River Only a very small protion of the Tobacco River Basin is found in Isabella County, consisting of small streams that drain northward to the South Branch of the Tobacco in Clare County. Isabella County also contains 45 named lakes, both natural and man-made. 40 �The largest natural lakes are Coldwater with 294 acres, Littlefield with 183 acres, and Stevenson with 113 surface acres. Another lake of significant size is Halls Lake with 56 acres in the southwest part of Broomfield Township. Other small water bodies are found throughout the north-central , and western parts of the County which are surrounded by muck or poorly drained soils. No lakes are present in Coe, Denver, Isabella, or Wise Townships on the east side of the County. However, there are several bodies of water in this area which were created by past gravel mining operations. Several recent artificial lake projects have been developed. These include Lake Isabella, Lake-of-the-Hills, and Lake Windoga and Manitonka, all in the northwest part of the County. There is also Camelot Lake, located in Chippewa Township in the eastern part of the county. The major project has been Lake Isabella with approximately 750 acres of water. The lake occupies a natural basin and is surrounded by a wide area of sandy soils. The impoundment was accomplished by construction of a 3,000 foot dam on the South Branch of the Chippewa River, west of Coldwater Road. The other new lakes utilize waters of Walker Creek with the Windoga and Manitonka dams in the vicinity of Vernon and Brinton Roads, and a second one, east of Woodruff Road, impounding water for the Lake-of-the-Hills project. There are sufficient water resources and adequate drainage to maintain these lakes at desired levels. • • • • • • • •■ ■ • • • • • • • • ' I 41 �J r f DRAINA~E BASINS r r r f f r f r r: r r •-J _.., . - -. . ~ y' ' \ - • ~" ~ . ' '\., • • ~,l. <; . '. ' " - - : - - J, ~ ·., ' ""'·• ~ -f RlV ~ ~ \~~ ' "7 , - - . . -~ / w . )t..,,,_j, - . 'f " i,,; ------, / )__) .,\_ .~ . )., ~ ,. r ,..... - ·,_. - Cffl~~-~-,: - - --- . RIVEll....._j l _B_A ,• >--\ i· ~~Nf I ~~ ~p 11 l\\\{. --:::'/ I( l\ ;:::::..,,-· V" ----- ~Hf ( I ;..J.. ~ -~ _,;I , r r ...,_:;-' - - FIGURE III-4 . ., ./ ; ~:;; - �E. Groundwater Resources Groundwater is a significant and sensitive natural resource. About half the population of the United States depends on groundwater for part or all of its drinking water supply. In Isabella County, community water supply systems using wells serve a population of about 25,000, or 46 percent of the county. (Michigan Department of Public Health, 1984). This does not include individual residential wells which are widespread in the rural areas. Identification of the general availability and quality of groundwater may be broken down into two areas: in glacial deposits. 1) groundwater in bedrock, and 2) groundwater To address the first area, the general availability and quality of groundwater in the bedrock strata for Isabella County and the East Central Region is illustrated in Figure III-5. Well yields from bedrock units can vary greatly within the county due to changes in permeability, thickness, lateral extent, and recharge potential. General availability is highest in sandstone bedrock units and lowest in shale units. Groundwater in glacial deposits also varies greatly in depth and area of distribution. The general availability is illustrated in Figure III-6. It may be seen that the largest groundwater supplies are found in the glacial outwash and moraine areas in the western portions of the County where wells are capable of producing more than 500 gallons per minute (gpm). The quality of groundwater in surface deposits is variable and subject to contamination from surface and bedrock sources. Mining activities, such as oil and gas well drilling, have allowed vertical migration of brine water from bedrock into surface deposits. Surface activities have also caused local occurrences of groundwater contamination. For example, the disposal or storaye of solid and hazardous waste, filling stations, and various industries 43 �r f f r r: ~ r r r r r r r r r r r r r all have the potential for degrading groundwater supplies in glacial deposits. Due to the widespread nature of groundwater contamination problems, some communities have recently started developing local regulations for groundwater protection (DiNovo and Jaffe, 1984). Some of these regulations have been put into effect through zoning; others have taken the form of more specialized ordinances. In general, all the existing approaches use fairly stra i ght forwar d land use, health, and police power regulations. The effectiveness of the controls is largely untested as yet, but it is likely that the next few years will see the development of more sophisticated and comprehensive programs as more communities recognize the need for action at the local level. 44 �GENERAL AVAILABILITY AND · QUALITY OF ·GROUND'NATER IN THE BEDROCK I ■ 1-- ml * NOTE • • • " ' LEGEND• rn • • • • • • •■ WELL YIELD LESS THAN IC GPM WELL YIELD FROM· 100 TO 500 GPM WITH WELL DIAMETER GREAT~R THAN 81NCHES WELL YIELD FROM 10 TO I( OGPM WITH WELL DIAMETER GR .C:ATER THAN 6 INCHES iHAT LOCAL BEDROCK AFFECTING 80TH WATER CONQI I ONS YIELD ANO CAN WATER IN THE BEDROCK USUALLY HAS A DISSOLVED SOLIDS CONTENT GREATER THAN 1000 PPM VARY QUALITY . SOURCE : GENERAL AVAILABILITY AN) QUALITY OF GROUNOWATER . N THE BEDROCK DEPOSITS OF AICHIGAN BY FR TWENTER, WATER RESOURCES DIVISION , U S, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY . FIGURE III-5 �r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r GENERAL AVAILABILITY OF GROUNDWATER IN THE GLACIAL DEPOSITS ---i-- - - ~ ill I I L_ _ LEGEND rn rnJ • * WELL YIELD LESS THAN IOGPM WELL YIELD FROM 100 TO 500 GPM WITH WELL DIAMETER GREATER THAN 8 INCHES WELL YIELD FROM 10 TO IOOGPM WITH WELL DIAMETER GREATER THAN 6 INCHES WELL YIELD GREATER THAN 500 GPM WITH WELL DIAMETER GREATER THAN IOINCHES NOTE THAT LOCALLY HI GHER YIELDS MAY BE OBTAINEO ANO THAT THIS LEGEND REPRESENTS ONLY THE GENERAL TREND OF WATER Y IELO IN THE GLACIAL DEPOS ITS . SOURCE : GENERAL AVAILABILITY OF GROUNDWATER I N THE GLAC IAL DEPOSITS IN MICHIGAN BY F. R TWENTER, WATER RESOURCES DIVISION, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. FIGURE III-6 �F. Agricultural Lands 1. General Overview Ayriculture is an important industry in Isabella County. In 1983, sales from the total marketing of agricultural products in the County represented 52 million dollars. Farmland accounts for nearly 55 percent, or about 201,000 acres, of the county's total land area. According to the latest Census of Agriculture (1982), roughly 160,000 acres of the county farmlands are devoted to crops. wheat, oats, soybeans, and dry beans. Major crops include corn, A number of specialty crops are also produced, the most common ones being mint, asparagus, snap beans, and celery. Small acreages of strawberries, blueberries, and apples are also harvested. 2. Prime Farmlands Prime farmland is one of several kinds of important farmland defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is of major importance in meeting the nation's short and long-range needs for food and fiber. The availability of high-quality farmland is limited, and the wise use of prime farmland must be encouraged. Prime farmland soils are defined by the USDA as those best suited to producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Such soils have properties that are favorable for the economic production of sustained high yields of crops. These soils need only to be treated and managed using acceptable farming methods. The moisture supply must be adequate, and the growiny season must be sufficiently long. Prime farmland soils produce the hiyhest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources, and farming these soils results in the least damage to the environment. Prime farmland soils may presently be in use as cropland, pasture, or 47 ; -- -11 -II -II -, -, • �'I f r r woodland, or they may be in other uses. They are either used for producing food or fiber, or they are available fo~ these uses. Urban or built-up land and water areas cannot be considered prime farmland. The Soil Conservation Service has identified the soils that make up potentially prime farmland in Isabella County. complexes in the µrime farmland category. There are 21 soil types or The precise locations of these are shown on the detailed soil maps in the County Soil Survey previously mentioned. In a much more general sense, the prime farmland soils are found within the following soil associations shown in Figure III-2: r r r r r r r r r r r r Map Reference 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 11 Association Remus - Spinks Perrinton - Ithaca Guelph - Londo - Parkhill Londo - Parkhill - Wixom Ithaca - Ziegenfuss Londo - Parkhill Mecosta - Cohoctah Coloma - Remus The preceding information is intended to provide a brief overview of 1 Isabella County s agricultural lands. At this point, it is sufficient to note that a recent land use trend in parts of the county has been the conversion of some potential prime farmland to urban and industrial uses. Such loss of prime farmland puts pressure on marginal farmlands, which are generally wet, more erodible, draughty, or difficult to cultivate and less productive than prime farmland. This subject, along with ways of providing for the wise use of important farmlands within the long-range planning context, will be addressed in greater detail in subsequent sections of this report. 48 �f r r f r ISABELLA COUNTY f r r COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IV. COMMUNITY FACILITIES f r r r r ,- Prepared by EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT f r r r r 49 �-, IV. COMMUNITY FACILITIES Consideration of community facilities is an essential element of the planning process because of the considerable public investment these facilities represent, and because of their overall impact on all of Isabella County's residents. Some types of facilities, such as public water and sewer systems, represent major considerations in determining the pattern of future development. Others, such as libraries and parks, are an important dimension in the overall quality of life in the county. This report, the fourth in a series of preliminary planning studies, deals specifically with the inventory and analysis of major community facilities in Isabella County. It is not intended to be a detailed feasibility study for the development of new facilities. This report is, however, intended to provide useful information concerning existing facilities and to identify problem areas. A. Airports The only municipal airport facility in Isabella County is the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport, located about one mile northeast of the city (Figure IV-1). This facility offers charter air service and has recently extended its runway to 5000 feet. jet traffic. The longer runway will accommodate business Elsewhere in the county, the Lake Isabella resort development (Broomfield and Sherman Townships) has charter and private plane facilities. B. Libraries Library services for Isabella County are provided by the Mt. Pleasant Public (Veteran's Memorial) Library with a collection of over 64,000 volumes. Services are provided throughout the County by the operation of five branch libraries: Rosebush (Isabella Twp.), Shepherd (Coe Twp.), and Blanchard 50 l l 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I �r r r r r r r (Rolland Twp.), Weidman (Sherman Twp.), and Winn (Fremont Twp.). facility in Mt. Pleasant has undergone a $1.2 million expansion and remodeling project which was completed in July 1985. In addition, Central Michigan University maintains the 674,000-volume Park Library, including the Clarke Historical Library with its collection of early Michigan and old Northwest Territory documents. investigators. r f r r r r f r r Park Library represents a major regional library resource, serving students, scholars, and research f f f The main 51 �oTUia•c• G ..... !• , l l • I ] [ • r• f -----.,.,....:::,,,, - i-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-···-·· ·• I • 0 ·- ·- ·- ·- , , p i ~ 1 ~ IOIIIUtN • 'I C MT. PLEASANT AIRPORT Ii, i.. -------------q4~,-◄ <i' l • f. L... - · - · - ,···. -.-·-.... ·-.:§> ···-'-·-·· ·. ····· ·· ..... ... ... ... ._: I IT. LOUIi • I• I 1• I • I ■-■-•- · -■-■-■ ■-■-■-- t N [l FIGURE IV-1 -ECM.PDR AIRPORTS 0 a1n1-. uuon �r r r r I r r r ,r r r r r f f r r r C. Health Services Isabella County's dominant medical facility is the 145-bed Central Michigan Community Hospital (CMCH). CMCH offers an extensive range of services to inpatients and outpatients: a 24-hour emergency room, surgery, laboratory, recovery, intensive care, coronary care, radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, maternity, nursery, respiratory therapy, stress testing, pharmacy, and clinical dietetic counseling. doctors of medicine and osteopathy. The medical staff of 45 includes More than 400 professional, paramedical, and service employees support the patient care. In 1982, CMCH opened a modern progressive psychiatric unit for short-term inpatient treatment of emotional problems, mainly serving Isabella, Clare, Osceola, and Mecosta Counties. Also, a health education coordinator provides a wide variety of programs for patients, hospital employees, and the community in genera 1 • Also located on the CMCH premises are the Office of Substance Abuse and the Central Michigan District Health Department, in addition to speech therapy, rehabilitation, and physical therapy services. Outside of Mt. Pleasant, CMCH also operates the Medical Building in Weidman. Adjacent to CMCH is the 80-bed Isabella County Medical Care Facility which procides extended care, including physical therapy facilities. There are also two private nursing homes in the Mt. Pleasant area. The Central Michigan District Health Department performs its role of preventive medicine by providing environmental, personal health, substance abuse, and health education services. These include immunization clinics, vision and hearing screening, venereal disease control, hlood pressure monitoring, counseling, and general health promotion. Environment al health responsibilities include septic tank permits and food service sanitation 53 �inspections. Extensive mental health facilities are located in Mt. Pleasant, including Community Mental Health Services, Listening Ear, Central Michigan University I counseling services, and the Gratiot-Isabella County Mission Creek School. Hospice of Central Michigan, formed in 1982, is a non-profit volunteer organization attempting to bring the hospice concept to the residents of Isabella County. This is a process which attempts to meet the physical, social, and spiritual needs of terminally ill persons and their families. The Mt. Pleasant Regional Center for Developmental Disabilities is a state residential facility that serves developmentally disabled persons and their families from 33 counties in central and northern Michigan. With a staff of about 600, the Regional Center is the area 1 s second largest employer. Staff provide an array of services to about 400 persons with various developmental disabilities. An additional 1,000 developmentally disabled persons receive services in about 200 group homes in the 33-county service area. D. County Facilities The dominant publicly owned facility is the Isabella County Building, which houses most of the departments and functions. This modern structure, which was built in 1972, is located in the county seat of Mt. Pleasant just north of the Central Business District. Other major facilities located in or near Mt. Pleasant include the Isabella County Transportation Commission (ICTC) garage and offices on M-20 near the east city limits, and the Road Commission garage on west M-20. Department of Social Services is housed at the State Regional Center. The The Multi-Purpose Building, located on Isabella Road just east of the city, houses the Commission On Aging and the Senior Center. 54 I I I I I I I I I �r r r r r r r r r r r r r J r r I f I The County Fairgrounds are located on a 150-acre parcel about two miles north of Mt. Pleasant. The facility is owned by the Youth and Farm Fair Society, and operated by the Isabella Co-Expo Board. Various exhibitions and entertainment events are offered throughout most of the year. A recent addition to the fairgrounds is a saddle horse racetrack and new grandstand. These facilities are leased by a private entity, Oil Capitol Race Ventures, and now offer parimutuel wagering. The county also owns and operates a landfill which is located on an 120-acre site in Deerfield Township. The county is currently examining various alternatives to landfilling for solid waste disposal. In addition to the major facilities identified here, County Road Commission and Public Works Board own additional parcels in Broomfield and Isabella Townships, respectively. County parks and recreation areas are described in a separate section of this report. E. Parks and Recreation Planning for recreation facilities and programs is the responsibility of the Isabella County Parks and Recreation Commission, created under the provisions of Act 261 (P.A. 1965). Accordingly, this body has recently prepared and adopted the Comprehensive County Recreation Plan. This report will not attempt to duplicate the planning efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Instead, the Recreation Plan is incorporated as part of this comprehensive plan by reference. A few of the major elements of the Recreation Plan are outlined very briefly here. Recreation opportunities in 1sabella County are provided by many local governments, school districts, and the private sector. The Parks and Recreation Commission views the role of local governments as one of provi ding basic community parks and recreation facilities. 55 The Commission has �-, identified the county's role as one of developing major county parks that provide extended day use and overnight facilities, special purpose facilities (such as cross-country skiing and nature study areas), and similar projects that are strongly oriented toward unique resources, such as lakes, rivers, and woodlands. Following this philosophy, four county parks have been developed. These are briefly described below and their locations shown in Figure IV-2. Facility Name Acres Major Facilities Coldwater Lake Park 28 Deerfield Co. Park 591 Chippewa River access, hiking and ski trails, primitive camping. Herrick Co. Park 100 Swimming beach, camping. Meridian Co. Park 152 Chippewa River access, picnicking and other day use. Camping, boat launch, lake access, playfield. As previously mentioned, many of the cities, villages, and townships also have a major role as recreation providers. For example, Mt. Pleasant has developed an extensive park system that certainly attracts out-county residents. In future recreation planning efforts, it will be desirable for the county and the local units to further coordinate their activities to complement each other's strengths in developing an outstanding recreation system. This will be discussed further in the plan development and implementation sections of this report. 56 l -, l -1 l l l -, -1 l l l l l l l l l �. J J J J. , J J J J , , r , , r r J r -,-----=;..=:~~f'->-='°~·= :::----1-"t?."'" *&OU. '°"~1-------_;CU~~;;:,__ _ _ _ _ 8 ; . Q V X co. FIGURE IV-2 -COUNTY PARKS !SABELLA COUNTY. MJCH(GAN �F. Public Wate~ Supplies Roughly 46 percent of Isabella County 1 s residents rely on public wells for drinking water, based on the population served by community water supply systems. This does not include the population served by individual residential wells that are in widespread use. There are three publicly-owned and two quasi-public water systems in the county. The public systems are those serving Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd, and Forest No. 2 Subdivision at Lake Isabella. Combined, these systems provide drinking water to about 27,600 residents. Two quasi-public systems serve a population of 560 at the Regional Center, and 200 persons at the Isabella Indian Reservation. Privately-owned systems provide water to an additional 2,300 residents, mainly in mobile home parks and multi-family housing. The public and quasi-public supplies in the county are summarized in Table IV-1. I l I i I I I i 58 I I I I �r r r r r r Table IV-1 Public and Quasi.:.Pt:,b1ic i;Jater Supplies Name Area Served Population Served Mt. Pleasant City I' 25,739 Isabella Co. Water District #1 Forest No. 2 Subdiv. - Sherman Twp. I- Shepherd Village Mt. Pleasant Regional Center Center residents 560 Isabella Indian Reservation Reservation 200 I r r Source: 225 1,669 Michigan Department of Public Health. 1984. Community Public Water Supplies: Summary Report. Population figures are 1985 estimates. ... 59 �G. Public Sewer Facilities Three public waste water treatment facilities service portions of Isabella County. The major facility is the Mt. Pleasant Wastewater Treatment Plant which provides secondary treatment and chemical phosphorus removal. Discharge is to the Chippewa River. The design capacity is 4.0 million gallons per day (MGD), with present usage of about 3.3 MGD. In addition to serving the cCity and Central Michigan University, recent efforts have resulted in extending service into portions of Union Township. The parts of the tTownship with public sewer now include the M-20 corridor east of the city limits to Summerton Road, south of the city in the vicinity of Old Mission and Deerfield Roads, and northwest of the city along Lincoln Road between Pickard and River Roads. Additional public sewer facilities in the county consist of waste water l l ·1 stabilization lagoons that service the villages of Shepherd and Rosebush. There are also a few private lagoon systems that service mobile home parks and multi-family housing developments. H. Fire Protection In addition to the various municipal fire departments, fire protection services are provided to out-county areas through several fire districts that consist of cooperative arrangements between two or more municipalities. Some areas are served by fire departments located outside the county, such as Coleman (Midland Co.) or Clare (Clare Co.). shown on the accompanying map, Figure IV-3. 60 The existing fire districts are I 1 I l ·1 I I I �r r r r r r r r r r r O&(I-OL4 co. "tl·'" CLA~ 2 \f~IUION I I 7--- e ~ ~lliit,,IAN 5 hOT'f'AW"' 1•AL'•LI.A e @I 6: I I ' J:J,. ~ 0 !( ::i ll I LllltOLM F'lt~1'4011T ~ l'\OlfTCALlil r :u :10 RoLL.lNO "'-'T•OT' i eoc co. FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS IN ISABELLA CO. 1 BARRYTON F.D. 2 SURREY TWP. F.D. 3 CLARE F.D. 4 COLEMAN F.D. 5 SHERMAN-NOTTAWA F.D. 6 ISABELLA N.E. F.D. FIGURE IV-3 7 REMUS F.D. 8 FREMONT-DEERFIELD F.D. 9 Mr. PLEASANT F.D. 10 _SHEP_ij_ERD F_J)_..__ 11 BLANCHARD-MILLBROOK F. D. �I. Police Agencies The county is serviced by several full-time law enforcement agencies. The State Police maintain a post in Mt. Pleasant with 16 officers and 9 vehicles. The County Sheriff Department has 9 road patrol officers, 7 vehicles, and 1 boat for marine patrols on the lakes during weekends and holidays. There are also two municipal police departments in the county. Mt. Pleasant has 19 officers, and the Village of Shepherd maintains 2 full-time officers and one part-time officer. In both agencies, the officers are deputized for county-wide jurisdiction. In addition, Central Michigan University operates a Department of Public Safety with 16 officers. They are also deputized for county-wide jurisdiction. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation is serviced by three tribal police officers. Their jurisdiction is limited to the Chippewa Reservation unless additional assistance is requested by the County Sheriff. Sherman, Nottawa, and Coldwater Townships have arranged for additional police services by paying insurance and upkeep on a patrol car that remains in the area with a Sheriff Deputy. This deputy is on-call 24 hours a day and responds to calls in these three townships. J. Public Education Facilities Isabella County is in a unique situation as the home of Central Michigan University. This institution continues to be one of the state's most popular universities as indicated by stable enrollments at a time when many other universities face declining student populations. The 856-acre campus, with a total plant valuation of over $235 million, provides facilities for 16,000 on-campus students. As a major educational institution, the university 62 I I I I I I I I I I �r f r r r r r r r r r r r conducts extensive planning for its physical development. another major level of planning in the community. This represents As such, it is necessary to coordinate CMU 1 s planning efforts with those at the county and municipal level. The other major public education facilities in the county consist of elementary and secondary schools. The county is part of the Gratiot-Isabella Intermediate School District with public schools in Isabella County located at Beal City, Mt. Pleasant, and Shepherd. Total public school enrollments by grades for the School District are shown in Table IV-2. In addition, the county is served by several other school districts. These districts include Chippewa Hills, Farwell, Clare, Coleman, St. Louis, Vestaburg, and Montabella. The school facilities and school districts are shown in Figure IV-4. i r 63 �TABLE IV-2 GRATIOT-ISABELLA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES DS 4061 1984-1985 I I I -~ s I' 7: -6- -7- K l 2 265 ?'JP I fl I ASHLEY 17 40 114 . - JI 27 37 31 )9 BEAL CITY 48 ?Q ?'l t.() n ?? I 7 '} fl 121 76 69 84 - . RB 88 84 97 RR f.O 7A ITHACA 117 I 1Q I I f. MT. PLEASANT 32) 275 I 263 233 SHEPHERD 162 154 123 _.! ill_ _LJL _..2.fl.. Lu.6. ST. LOUIS 11' DISTRICT ALMA BRECKENRIDGE FULTON ·- l JO 3 -189 . _5.9_ - 4 194- 5 I _UJLtlfil._ _L..Q/L. _1...24 _ 245 -L-~~--·--r I. S. D. TOTAL l n'i 1313 ~lQ6 ISABELLA CO. 107 .. -9.!L __9.L j 1m 979 1987 11 o L1l.1... 34 41 41 <;.'l c;.n C. &. I. "1 ')() 115 _ _6a. I')', 769_ 222... ?77 _l "71 146 4] . 3l.. 11..A 0.1 . _us.. ..1..2.L . 111 _'l~ _ c.c. . -- lib- .... . 12 ..... .5:!-. 780 648 533 458 -- 575 416 396 412 607 583 401 593 652 654 __ 8.2_ ~ 489 2,900 489 507 11 518 .' I) __!.1 2J 1 59 1.290 ~-•~ 936 17 953 1. 671 l 736 4,129 -- .t - - - 194 2 706 ~ I ? fl 11A 11A _lRfi 111\ 11n 3,901 , 65 228 I I..? I I A I Cl7 Q«_ ') c; 1,692 : 41 1,733 A'l 9'> C."l 102 1.526 202 · I fl/'.. _ I /, ..l.2.L 719 718 --- · - - - - - 337 444 499 530 492 . _ __lU. . PART TIME f\ I/, c;. -4'-;2IO 973_ 930: 1096t;l5tl-2 572 C,"l ---4i- - _L1 1073 I I . I. 1058 -~--1-· .. -· .. -·-·-- . __ ·_ .. .. --- .-·'- ----- - - ~ ·- . GRATIOT CO. QQ 9 - .. ---lO l 1-- I 7 2.. .-11.L .1 l.6.._ ..2...'.iL _..2 'H, . .lL _...IL - .24.. 270 8 El) TOTAL FULL TIME . .h.~ ., 202 1.424 202 609 14,759 · - 717 · 15,476 531 580 441 8,653 . . 4 37 9,090 542 478 168 6,106 280 6,386 - ~ - -·- - �t o FARWELL f •If • •If •If - . :> I" EXISTING SCHOOLS & SCHOOL DISTRICTS I \'-,7-----:7':iCJn-;cr--u \ \~ ~ 1;v--..... -.,,..,--.. ~f~t')<\, @) ::LEMENTARY K· 8 SCHOOL @ ELEMENTARY K-6 SCHOOL @) UPPER GRADE 7- 9 SCHOOL @ 9-12 OR 10-12 HIGH SCHOOL @) K-I2 ELEMENTARY and HIGH SCHOOL NOTE: THE KINNEY SCHOOL IN t1T . PLi:ASA:'-lT IS i~O LO;iGER A K-6 FACILITY . lT IS NOIJ USED AS A COMMU:-IITY EDUCAT IO~I crnrrn. Ill II • __ .I-\ - - ' - - ~ Qi., ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN FIGURE IV-4 �ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN -- -,,,,,- V. PLAN DEVELOPMENT Prepared EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with the ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ~~ r ~ -- by 65 �r V. A. PLAN DEVELOPMENT Introduction The preceding planning reports collectively form the data base for the development of a long-range plan. This data base provides an overview of existing conditions in Isabella County. In addition, some issues have been identified in a preliminary fashion as an intrinsic part of the data base development process. However, before the preparation of the comprehensive plan can occur, it is necessary to identify current issues and concerns in Isabella County in a more detailed manner. process. This is perhaps the most important part of the planning If a plan is to be successful, then it must reflect the desires of the agencies and citizens who will be the major participants in the plan 1 s implementation. Thus, some type of mechanism is required for obtaining input from the community. This report describes the methodology used to obtain community input and the issues that were identified as a result of this process. These issues will, in turn, form the basis for the I~abella Couhty Comprehensive Plan. B. Methodology In July and August 1985, the Planning Commission held special work sessions to discuss countywide issues and to establish a mechanism for obtaining input from county departments and agencies, local governments, and the public. The result of these sessions was the preparation of a set of broad goal statements pertaining to various aspects of the county 1 s development. Very briefly, the preliminary goal statements addressed the following general concepts: 1. Natural Resources: Provide for the wise use of outstanding resources to maintain a high quality environment. 66 �2. Parks and Recreation: Maintain and improve the county's recreation areas and programs to meet the needs of all residents. 3. Public Safety: 4. Transportation: Maintain and improve the county's roads, bridges, and public transportation services. 5. Health Services: Ensure the availability of adequate health services for all residents. 6. Agriculture: production. 7. Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Use: Development must be planned and orderly, a~must not create anexcessive demand for public services. 8. County Government: Improve the quality of services and facilitate cooperation with local government units. Maintain a high level of police and fire protection. Preserve the county's prime farmlands for agricultural These broad statements were incorporated into a questionnaire format. Respondents were asked to indicate their overall reaction to each goal statement and what steps should be taken to accomplish each goal. versions of the questionnaire were prepared: Two one directed to county departments and other countywide agencies, and another aimed at local government units. Copies of the complete questionnaires are included in the Appendix. Written comments were received through October 10, 1985. Following this comment period, the Planning Commission held a public advisory meeting to review the comments and to receive additional input from government representatives and the public. Copies of the meeting notice and minutes are included in the appendix. C. Community Ihput Written or verbal comments were received from representatives of the following county departments, key agencies, and municipalities: 67 I I I I �r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r Isabella County Departments Parks and Recreation Commission Road Commission Transportation Commission Sheriff Department Cooperative Extension Service Soil Conservation Service Agencies and Institutions Central Michigan University Middle Michigan Development Corporation Local Governments City of Mt. Pleasant Union Township Gilmore Township The responses that were received may be grouped into the following broad categories: N~tural Resources ~~d En~i~onment 1. The county's rivers should be recognized as major natural resources. 2. Attention should be given to protecting the quality of the county's lakes. 3. Drinking water supplies must be protected from contamination. 4. Attention should be given to solid waste management practices in order to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Parks and Recreation ----1. County recreation planning should be continued through the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission and should be coordinated with the overall county planning program. 2. There should be continued cooperation between the county and Mt. Pleasant city parks and recreation programs. 3. Additional access sites on the Chippewa River should be developed. 4. Tourism should be developed through the promotion of the county's various attractions, and the addition of· tourist - oriented facilities. 68 �Public Safety 1. There should be continued cooperation of all law enforcement agencies in the county. 2. Attention should be given to potential remodeling and/or expansion of the County Jail to meet Depart. of Corrections standards and minimize overcrowding. 3. The county should consider taking the initiative for providing central police and fire dispatch services. 4. As in No. 3, the county should consider developing a "911" emergency number. Transportation 1. The county should prepare an overall transportation plan. 2. There should be joint transportation planning between the county and the City of Mt. Pleasant. This is especially appropriate in such areas of mutual concern as the US-27 and M-20 corridors. 3. There is an ongoing need for maintenance and improvement of the county's roads and bridges. Priorities for such improvements could be set through the preparation of transportation plan, as in No. 1 above. 4. The county's public transportation system, operated by the Transportation Commission, should be considered as a major element in the development of an overall transportation plan. Attention should be given to the evaluation of alternative service designs in order to provide the most beneficial and cost-effective system. Health Services 1. The assurance of adequate health care depends on the continued vitality of Central Michigan Community Hospital. Agriculture 1. The fundamental importance of agriculture to the economy and lifestyle of Isabella County should be recognized. 2. The county's best farmlands should be preserved for agricultural product ion. 3. Conflicts between urban expansion and farmland preservation must be resolved. 69 If �r r r r r Residential Development 1. Additional multi-family housing developments should be confined to the urbanized portions of the county. 2. There is an apparent need for additional family rental units in the City of Mt. Pleasant. Commercial Development 1. New development should be confined to established commercial areas. 2. The intrusion of commercial development into neighborhood areas should be prevented. i 3. Consideration should be given to providing more flexible regulations for home occupation uses. r Industrial Development 1. There is a great need for expanded industrial facilities and employment to create new base jobs and an increased tax base. There is presently too much dependence on public sector employment. 2. The Middle Michigan Development Corporation should be supported as the lead agency in attempting to diversify the local economy. r • Community Facilities 1. The development of a county airport should be considered. 2. The development of a county library system should be considered • County Government and Planning 1. 2. The county should take the lead in facilitating cooperation with the local government units. When feasible, some public services should be consolidated at the county 1eve l • 3. There should be joint planning efforts with Mt. Pleasant, CMU, and the other municipalities in the county. The county should assume the lead role as the coordinating agency for such efforts. The preceding material is intended to provide an overview of the comments that were received and the issues that were identified. Any process for obtaining community input is never perfect in terms of the participation level that is established. However, these efforts should be considered quite successful in that a substantial number of useful comments were received, and 70 �many local decision-makers responded to the survey. At this point, the comments have merely been grouped by appropriate categories. They ar~ hot ranked in any cirder cif ~riority, ~nd they do not represent~ specific policy recommendations 2,!)_ this format. These comments will, however, be used by the Planning Commission to formulte a complete set of goals and objectives pertaining to the various aspects of county development. This set of goals is detailed in the following section. 71 • •.• • • • • • • �r r r r r ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN I r r- VI. COUNTY DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES r Prepared by: EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with the ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMEN~ OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 72 �VI. COUNTY DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Introduction In the comprehensive planning process, the formulation of goals and objectives begins by defining various functional categories of county development and then making very broad goal statements regarding these categories. As local issues are subsequently identified, the concerns are grouped according to the appropriate categories. Gradually, this process results in a set of statements that are much more definitive with respect to accomplishing specific goals. r In Isabella County, the Planning Commission has performed the goal formulation process through planning meetings and questionnaires aimed at obtaining input from local decision-makers and the public. This process, described in the preceding section, has assisted the Planning Commission in identifying the issues and opportunities facing the county today. This section presents the goals and objectives that have been formulated by the Planning Commission to serve as a guide for the future development of Isabella County within a long-range (ten to fifteen year) planning context. The ~oals are broad statements about future conditions in the county. In a sense, their general nature represents little more than an overall attitude regarding future growth and development. The objectives suggest more specific courses of action that should be taken to accomplish the goals. With these concepts in mind, the following goals and objectives have been formulated: 73 �I I. Natural Resources and Environment Goal: To provide for the wise use of the county's outstanding land and water resources to maintain a high quality environment for all residents. Objectives: A. The Chippewa River, along with the county's other major rivers, should be recognized as important scenic and recreational resources in the county and managed as such. B. The county's inland lakes should be managed to maintain and improve water quality within the overall context of surrounding land use and development impacts. C. Groundwater supplies must be protected from contamination. D. Attention should be given to solid waste management practices in order to develop alternative methods, to minimize adverse environmental impacts, and to develop the most efficient and cost-effective waste management system to meet long-term disposal needs. E. Esthetic considerations should be addressed for any land uses that might create adverse visual impacts. F. The need for proper stormwater management should be addressed in conjunction with all development projects. II. Parks and Recreation Goal: The county should strive to maintain and improve its recreation areas and programs to provide the greatest benefits to all residents. Objectives: A. County recreation planning should be continued through the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission and should be coordinated with the overall county planning program. B. There should be continued cooperation between the county and local governments for parks and recreation programs. C. Consideration should be given to the development of tourism through the promotion of the county's various attractions and the addition of tourist-oriented facilities. D. The Mt. Pleasant Meadows horse racing track should be developed and promoted as a major · county attraction. 74 I 1 �III. Agriculture Goal: Agriculture is of fundamental importance to the economy and lifestyle of Isabella County. As such, the county's most important farmlands should be preserved and maintained for agricultural production. Objectives: r A. The county's most important farmlands should be identified. B. Consideration should be given to developing more stringent land use controls for protecting farmland. C. In evaluating land use proposals with the potential for conflict between agriculture and other uses, the county's decision-makers should use the information and resources of the Soil Conservation Service and related agencies to assist them. D. Efforts should be made to resolve conflicts between urban expansion and farmland preservation through cooperative planning with the municipalities. IV. Residential Development Goal: r r To provide for residential development in such a manner that both the housing and the neighborhoods are safe, healthy, and attractive, and to provide a wide choice and adequate supply of housing types to meet the diverse needs of all residents, including populations with special needs. Objectives: A. Provide for residential development in locations that will reduce potential conflicts with incompatible land uses. B. Permit new growth to occur only at a rate which is consistent with the capacities of the community to provide public facilities and services. C. Encourage the functional design of proposed residential developments to ensure efficient land use, harmonious relationships with adjacent uses, and safe and convenient traffic patterns. D. Encouraye new residential development in the existing trade centers and in other appropriate locations that have available public services and facilities. r V. Commercial Development Goal: To provide an adequate supply of goods and services at accessible and convenient locations that are in harmony with the surrounding land uses and the transportation system. 75 �Objectives: A. The development of a functional system of commercial use clusters, as opposed to strip development, should be a key consideration. B. Additional small-scale neighborhood commercial development should be considered on the basis of market area demand and available . transportation access. C. Encourage the orderly development of rural trade centers. VI. Industrial Development Goal: To develop a diversified industrial base in order to achieve an expanded and stable county economy. Objectives: A. Encourage the location of industry in areas which have sufficient facilities and services to adequately support industrial activity. B. Locate new industry in a manner that is harmonious with adjacent land uses and the transportation system. C. The Middle Michigan Development Corporation should be supported as the lead agency in attempting to diversify the local economy. VII. Goal : Transportation To maintain and improve the county 1 s roads, bridges, and public transportation services to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for all users, including non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians. Objectives: A. The county should prepare an overall transportation plan to identify long-range goals and short-term priorities for improvements in the existing system, and to provide for future needs. B. There should be joint transportation planning efforts between the county and the municipalities. This is especially appropriate in areas of mutual concern such as the US-27 and M-2O corridors. C. The county 1 s public transportation system should be considered as a major element in the development of a transportation plan. Attention should be given to the evaluation of alternative service designs in order to provide the most beneficial and cost-effective system. D. Consideration should be given to potential public transportation linkages with systems operating in adjacent counties. 76 �r r r r r VIII. Public Safety Goal: Police, fire protection, and other emergency services should be maintained at a high level, while striving to improve these services where possible. Objectives: A. There should be continued cooperation of all law enforcement agencies in the county. B. Attention should be given to potential remodeling and/or expansion of the county jail to meet Depart. of Corrections standards and minimize overcrowding. C. The county should consider taking the initiative for providing central emergency dispatch services, including the possibility of providing a "911 emergency number. D. There should be coordination among all appropriate agencies for the delivery of emergency services. f r r ri IX. Health Care and Human Services Goal: . To ensure the availability of adequate health care and related human services for all residents of Isabella County. Objectives: A. There should be population with developmentally Isabella County greater public awareness that those segments of the special health care needs, especially the elderly and disabled, comprise a significant portion of the total population. B. A goal-setting process should be established to determine the components necessary to achieve a desired level of health care and human services for all residents, including those with special needs. C. The delivery of health care and human services should be examined cooperatively by all appropriate agencies within a broad context to define the roles of the various providers, to identify gaps and overlaps in services, and to identify courses of action for achieving priority health goals. D. Planning for health care and human services should be carefully coordinated with the closely related areas of housing (Goal IV) and transportation (Goal VII). E. There should be coordination of emergency health services with public safety agencies. 77 �X. County Government and Planning Goal: Isabella County should strive to improve the quality and efficiency of its services, and to facilitate cooperation and coordination with all units of government. Objectives: A. The county should take the lead in facilitating cooperation with the local government units. B. Consideration should be given to consolidation of some public services at the county level. C. The county should engage in cooperative planning efforts with all the municipalities, the tribal government, and Central Michigan University. The county should assume the lead role for the initiation of such efforts. 78 �r ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN VII. AGRICULTURAL COMPONENT Prepared by: EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with the ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 79 �A. Intrriduction This plan makes a major effort to give serious consideration to the importance of farmland to the local economy and, in a broader sense, to the overall character of the co~munity. This is accomplished by considering the factors that make a parcel suitable for farming and then identifying those areas of the county that should be maintained for continued agricultural production. The result of this process is a land use plan that clearly reflects the relative importance of each land use category. This component of the comprehensive plan describes the characteristics of agriculture in Isabella County and discusses the trends that have affected it. Second, the methodology used to identify the county 1 s most important agricultural lands is described and, finally, these important farmlands are displayed on a map. B. Agriculture~ Isabella County Agriculture is a major industry in Isabella County, with over half of the county 1 s total acreage being used for agricultural purposes. In 1982, the market value of agricultural products was an estimated $41,234,000. Isabella County is a significant producer of dry beans, soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, and barley in Michigan. Historically, Isabella County has followed trends similar to southern lower Michigan regarding its ayricultural land. In 1982, the number of farms in the county had decreased by nearly one-third since 1964. (Figure VII-1). During the same period, the average size of a farm increased from 161 to 198 acres (Fiyure VII-2). Both the average farm value and the average value per acre has increased considerably since 1964 (Figure VII-3 and VII-4). farmland averaged $193 per acre. to $982 per acre. In 1964, By 1982, the value had increased 409 percent Over an 18 year period, the value of the average farm 80 �I climbed from $31,397 to $192,317. These drastic increases are due largely to increases in farm size, crop yields, and overall economic conditions. Along with the rest of the United States, farmland in Isabella County has decreased considerably in the last few decades. From 1964 to 1982, the county lost over 52,000 acres of farmland, an average loss of nearly 2,900 acres per i i I i year (Figure VII-5 and Table VII-1). The total cropland acreage in the county followed a similar trend, although the change was not as dramatic as the one previously described for total farmland. 1964 and 1982. The total cropland decreased by over 22,000 acres between The lowest point occurred in 1974, when slighty less than 156,000 acres were used as cropland. Since then, however, cropland has actually increased by roughly 3,800 acres (Figure VII-6 and Table VII-1). Table VII-2 shows the acreage and quantities of major products harvested in Isabella County. The largest acreage was planted in corn for grain or seed, yielding nearly 3.4 million bushels. with over 17,000 acres planted. This was followed by dry beans, Other significant acreages were devoted to the production of soybeans, corn for silage, wheat, oats, and barley. While the historical data that have been presented here generally reflect a decline in total farmland, two exceptions to this trend are worth noting. As previously mentioned, the total cultivated acreage in Isabella County increased slightly between 1974 and 1982. The number of farms in the county showed a similar increase between 1978 and 1982. Several factors may help explain this apparent reversal of earlier trends. Recessions in 1974-75 and the early 1980 1 s produced high levels of unemployment. Tied with high inflation rates, new residential and commercial development became less affordable. Also, federal funding for water and sewer line extensions became less available during this period. 81 The cumulative I I I I I �r ( effect of these changes is that the demand for agricultural land for urban development has decreased. In addition, the increasing costs of farming without a corresponding increase in the prices received has cut into the farmers' profit margin, forcing them to increase the acreage in production to increase profits. Improved management practices have also allowed farmers to cultivate land previously considered marginal, further improving crop yields. These factors may partially explain the increase in cropland between 1974 and 1982. It is too early to tell whether the 1982 increases in farms and cropland are merely exceptions to an overall decline in agriculture, or whether they represent the start of a new trend. r However, these statistics are encouraging as they give a positive indication of the stability of agriculture in Isabella County. It is clear that agriculture is an extremely important part of the local economy and is likely to remain so for the forseeable future. 82 �I NUMBER a= FAR.MS I ISABELLA COUN,:Y 1964-1982. i I I 2,000 1,570 l.'2.70 11074 qqq 64 69 74 ~EAR. FIGURE VII-1 78 1,010 82. �AVERAGE FARM Slz.E" ISABELLA COUN1Y 1g64-1982. !if 202 1.00 190 '"' l'l B lb4- w ~ ~ 100 u <( _1 64 69 74 ~EAR FIGURE VII-2 78 82. �I AVERAGE FARM v'ALUE"" ISABELLA COUN"'I:Y l l I l l l l 1g64-1985 200 192,317 ~... 1'50 071 ISO 0 ~ UI i ~8 \00 ;q,o~, 50 40, 102.. .31) 3q7 64 FIGURE VII-3 69 78 82 85 NOTE: 1985 FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON STATEWIDE AVERAGES. SOURCE: MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 1985, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. �r AVERAGr;;VALUE PER ACRE OF=" FAR\v1LAND f ISABELLA COUNT.Y 1964-1985 r r $932.. ~ r r r $~o~ $745 F $415 $244- • $1q3 • • 64 69 74 78 82. 85 ~EAR • FIGURE VII-4 NOTE: 1985 FIGURES ARE ESTIMATES BASED ON STATEWIDE AVERAGES. SOURCE: MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 1985, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. �i TOTAL FARMLAND ~AGE I ISABELLA cou~ 1g64-J982. 0 i I i I ~ 260 §~ 250 2.S3,05S X '-' 240 230 2:lD 2o4407 64 69 74 ~EAR FIGURE VII-5 78 82 �- r TOTAL CRDPLAND ACJ2.rc.Ae£ r ISABELLA COUITTY 1964-1982 r ft ~ r r r r r r r \90 § 180- c:-- I S3,.0l7 ,.. ~ 170- Q ~ 160 ~ 150 g 140 <! ..J 155'\SO 157,150 ~ 130 120 64 69 78 FIGURE VII-6 = 82. �Table VII-1 Isabella County Agricultural Statistics 1964 - 1982 1964 1969 1974 1978 1982 253,055 208,663 204,407 201,906 200,872 1,570 1,270 1,074 999 1,016 161 164 190 202 198 Average Farm Value $31,397 $40,102 $79,031 $150,071 $192,317 Average Value/Acre $ $ $ $ $ Total Cropland (acres) 183,017 157,624 155,980 157 , 150 159,774 Market Value of All Farm Products (X $1,000) $14,753 $14,209 $26,868 $ 32,321 $ 41,234 Total Farmland (acres) Number of Farms Average Farm Size (acres) Source: 193 U.S. Census of Agriculture 89 244 415 745 982 I I I I �f J r Table VII-2 J , J , , , , , , , , , , Isabella County Crops Harvested 1982 Crop Acres 'Quantity Corn for grain or seed 41,941 3,381,402 bushels Corn for silage 14,455 159,195 tons Dry beans 17,094 188,559 cwt Soybeans 13,255 320,092 bushels Wheat 10,568 459,299 bushels Oats 8,786 506,329 bushels Barley 1,088 59,409 bushels Source: U.S. Census of Agriculture 90 �C. Methodology The purpose of this methodology is to identify Isabella County's best farmland that should be maintained for continued agricultural production. Isabella County is by no means the first community to attempt such a project. Similar studies have been undertaken by communities throughout the nation at various levels of sophistication. A common denominator of all these studies is, however, the identification of the major factors that influence the suitability of land is for farming. The methods used here are borrowed from the Monroe County Planning Department and the Washtenaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission. 1981, respectively. These counties prepared similar studies in 1985 and The methods also rely heavily on the guidelines provided in Saving Farms and Farmlands (Toner, 1978) and the National Agricultural Land~ Study (Toner, 1981). The basis of this methodology is an analysis of three fundamental factors that have a direct influence on the ability of a parcel to support farming. These characteristics represent a combination of physical, social, and economic conditions. They are not meant to be exhaustive, but they do represent important factors that have a direct influence on the suitability of land for farming. and easy to use. 1. Furthermore, the data employed here are readily available The methodology is described in more detail as follows. Prime Farmland Soils The Soil Survey of Isabella County was completed in 1985 by the U.S. Department of Agnculture. The soil survey identifies 21 individual soil types in the county that are considered very well suited for farming. Prime farmland soils are defined as those best suited to producing crops. Such soils have properties that are favorable for the economic production of sustained high yields of crops. These soils need only to be treated and managed using acceptable farming methods. In essence, prime farmland soils are those that are the best to cultivate, from both an economic and environmental standpoint. It should be noted that soils classified as prime are not necessarily in agricultural usage. Prime soils cannot include urban and built-up land, or water areas. 11 91 11 I I I I I I �r r r' r In Isabella County, the 21 prime farmland soil types compose 166,435 acres, or about 45 percent of the county's total land area. exception of one soil type, all of the prime soils are capable of producing 90 bushels or more of corn per acre. Prime farmland soils are shown in Figure VI I- 7. 2. Parcels Enrolled in Public Act 116 Public Act 116, the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act, was signed into law in 1974. Act 116 signed into law in 1974. Act 116 enables a landowner to enter into a development rights agreement with the state. The landowner receives specific tax benefits in return for agreeing to maintain his land for either agricultural or open space purposes for a specified period of time (minimum of ten years). To qualify, the farm must be 40 acres or more in size, have a gross annual income of $200 or more per tillable acre, or be a designated specialty farm. Enrollment in Act 116 is considered an important factor because it indicates a commitment by the land owner to maintain his property for farming for at least ten years. Act 116 lands in Isabella County are shown in Figure VII-8. J ',J , r , , , , , , , , With the 3. Existing Farmlands Land that is currently being used for farming was the final factor that was considered as part of this study. This criterion was selected because it also demonstrated an obvious commitment to farming. This information was obtained by reviewing the Current Use Inventory maps prepared for the county as part of the Michigan Resources Inventory Program. D. Important Farmlands Idehtific~tion Composite maps for each of the factors just described were prepared using county base maps. This method was used to identify the agricultural lands with the strongest physical and socio-economic characteristics. Based on this process, farmlands were divided into the two categories described below. To be placed in either category, an area had to be in existing agricultural usage. 1. Primary Farmland: This category includes land with the strongest physical and socio-economic characteristics. Farmlands within this class are located on prime agricultural soils, or they are enrolled under Act 116, or they meet both these criteria. 92 �l 2. Secondary Farmland: This category essentially includes all other existing agricultural land. Farmlands in this class are not located on the most productive soils, and they are not committed to agricultural use under Act 116. The primary and secondary farmlands identified in this manner are shown in Figure VII-9. Land use policy recommendations and other farmland management considerations are discussed in subsequent sections of this plan. l l l 1 I I I I I I I 93 �' 'f •f ,- ' ' ' ' 'J D5C~OLA f,1..A DWIN co. co 0 V B,l2o D t-,1 FI f L t> J J ~ , MONTCAL~ c.o. co SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT PRIME FARMLAND SOILS FIGURE VI 1-7 ISABELLA COUNTY. Ml CH fGAN �, r GU. t)WI N - + - - - - - - - - - 1 ~ - - - - - - ~ - - - - - = - - - + - ~ ~ ~ - - - - - - - - + - CO. ()5C~OLA co. .. ,~ J ~ J , , ~ , , , IJ 1 CLAP-£ I I C...~ LDW ,AT~P- ... ,. v~ ~/lltfwiJ I ►- I GILl"'\ORf; J Q u I ACT 116 LANDS MONTCALM C,O. ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN �KEY }f!ffj)!!f ::::::.:.·•,•.· POTENTIAL PRIMARY FARMLANDS ]~~ POTENTIAL SECONDARY FARMLANDS . MONTCALt.1 ,. CO. Gr;2:.AT10'f C.O. ISABELLA COUNTY FARMLANDS FIGURE VI I-9 ISABELLA COUNT'{, MICHfGAN �r r r ' 'i ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN VIII. THE LAND USE PLAN Prepared by: EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with the ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 97 �r r r r r r r r r r r I VIII. A. THE LAND USE PLAN General Concepts Before the future land use plan and map is presented in detail, it is useful to identify the underlying concepts that have directed the plan's development. Overall, the major consideration is the desire to adequately provide for additional residential, commercial, and industrial development while also providing for conservation and, where necessary, preservation of the resources and rural character that make Isabella County an attractive place to live. In keeping with this broad goal, the plan attempts to provide a flexible approach to future development. Instead of delineating rigid boundaries for every type of land use, this plan focuses on a much more policy-oriented approach. In this way, the plan is a statement of the general intentions of the community regarding development issues and is intended to serve as a useful guide in day-to-day decisions. Through this policy orientation, the plan is specifically designed to avoid the naive practice of limiting future options by trying to prescribe the future in too much detail. Also, the plan incorporates the concept that concentrated housing, commercial activities, and industries should be located in established trade centers. Trade centers in Isabella County are mainly Mt. Pleasant, Shepherd, Rosebush, and the unincorporated communities of Beal City, Blanchard, Loomis, Weidman, and Winn. By attempting to direct growth to certain trade centers, higher costs of government can be avoided. Services such as police, fire, water, sewer, and road improvements can be delivered more efficiently and economically to concentrated areas, rather than attempting to spread them over the entire county. The trade center concept does not mean that a rural lifestyle should be discouraged. It merely makes a distinction between the 98 �levels of public services that can be provided. With this broad framework in mind, the general concepts of the Isabella County Plan are outlined as follows: 1. It is desirable to preserve the county ' s best farmlands for agricultural production. This requires identification of the best farmlands based on a set of reasonable criteria. 2. The Chippewa River is a dominant natural feature and recreational resource. However, there is no coherent plan to provide for the management of this resource. Therefore, it is desirable to identify the Chippewa River system as a potential river management corridor that will enhance the county's recreation planning efforts. 3. The primary residential area will continue to be the City of Mt. Pleasant, with additional development occurring in adjacent Union, Chippewa, and Deerfield Townships. 4. Secondary residential concentrations will be found in the Villages of Shepherd and Rosebush, and the unincorporated communities of Beal City, Weidman, Winn, Blanchard, and Loomis. 5. The county's major inland lakes will continue to be attractive for the development of both seasonal and year-round residences. Because of their unique character and the problems associated with intensive development, special management techniques and land use controls are desirable for these lake resort areas. 6. Locations for additional residential development in the out-county areas should be considered in terms of existing land use, major road access, and demands for public services. 7. The primary commercial trade center will continue to be Mt. Pleasant. Secondary commercial centers will be located in Shepherd and Rosebush. Additional small-scale commercial centers to serve the out-county areas would be appropriate in Beal City, Weidman, Winn, Blanchard, and Loomis. 8. The primary center of industrial activity will continue to be Mt. Pleasant and the immediate vicinity. In this activity center, the sites available for industrial use are concentrated in the organized industrial parks found in Mt. Pleasant, Union Township, and Chippewa Township. 9. Additional industrial development might be appropriate near existing industry in Shepherd, the Lake Isabella area (Broomfield Twp.), and the Blanchard area (Rolland Twp.) 99 I I I I ' �r r r r r ' r 10. In all cases, potential locations for industry should be considered in terms of the capacities of transportation systems, availability of adequate public services, and overall compatibility with existing land uses. Based on these general concepts, the following sections discuss the categories that are expected to comprise the major future land uses in Isabella County. The areas proposed for the locations of these uses are shown in Figure VIII-1. B. Agricultural Lands Agriculture is expected to remain the dominant land use in Isabella County for the forseeable future. In the most general sense, agricultural lands are those where there are existing farming operations on productive soils. In the preceding Section VII, Isabella County farmlands were divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary farmlands are those that possess the strongest physical and socio-economic characteristics for ayriculture. Lands within this class are located on prime agricultural soils, and/or they are enrolled under Act 116 Farmland Agreements. Secondary farmland essentially includes all other land presently used for agriculture. Farmlands in this class are not located on the most productive soils, and they are not committed to agricultural use under Act 116. The agricultural lands identified in this fashion showed the greatest concentrations of primary farmlands in Wise, Vernon, Denver, Isabella, Nottawa, Union, Chippewa, Deerfield, Lincoln, and Coe Townships. While this information is useful, it must be stressed that this represents only a preliminary analysis of the county's farmlands based on fairly simple criteria. However, this does sugyest the desirability of taking certain steps to ensure the continued viability of Isabella County agriculture. Identifying the county's most important farmlands represents only the 100 �first steps toward retaining these essential resources. The next step involves the development of specific programs to effectively preserve these areas. To be successful, any agricultural preservation program must consider the social, political, and economic context within the area involved. Such programs must clearly have the support of the farming community and the local governments in the effected areas. The Implementation Section of this plan will provide some recommendations on how a successful agricultural preservation program could be developed in Isabella County. C. Inland Lake Districts Isabella County contains a significant number of inland lakes that are heavily used for recreation and that are the focus of both year-round, and seasonal home development. The major natural lakes include Coldwater, Littlefield, Stevenson, and Halls. I I • Artificial impoundments include Lake Isabella, Lake-of-the-Halls, Windoga Lake, and Manitonka Lake, all located within the northwest part of the county. These lakes will continue to provide attractive sites for recreation opportunities and residential development. Such deve~opment pressures create problems for lake water quality management. Therefore, it will be desirable to develop special management techniques and land use controls for the lake areas. Recent studies have strongly indicated that local controls should be based on lake management studies and plans. Some approaches to developing this type of planning process will be noted in the Implementation Section. D. Primary Trade Center This area includes the City of Mt. Pleasant, Central Michigan University, and portions of surrounding Union Township. The area will continue to function as the county's center of residential, commercial, and industrial 101 ■ ■ • • • • �I I r i i development. As an urban center, the area will continue to be dominant in terms of population as well. Based on current projections, the city, University, and township will contain just less than half (48 percent) of the total county population during 1986 - 2005. This is a slight decline from previous years (54 percent in 1980) because of the expected decrease in CMU enrollments from their current peak. However, the city and Union Township are expected to continue growing at a slow, steady rate. r In order for the anticipated growth of the primary trade center to occur in a rational manner, it is apparent that cooperative decision making will be r required by the county, city, University, and Union Township. E. Secondary Trade Centers Secondary trade center areas are represented by the incorporated Villages of Shepherd and Rosebush. The major uses expected in these areas are a mixture of residential housiny types and densities, local retail stores, and related commercial activities. also be expected. Some modest expansion of light industry may Rosebush is served by a wastewater stabilization lagoon, and water is supplied by individual residential wells. Shepherd is served by both public water and sewer systems. F. Rural Trade Centers These areas include the unincorporated communities of Beal City, Blanchard, Weidman, Winn, and Loomis. Future land uses expected in these areas are mainly low density residential, small-scale local retail establishments, and some commercial service-oriented businesses. Morbark Industries, a manufacturer of forest industry equipment, is located in the Winn area and is expected to continue its operations there. 102 Other agriculture �,and forest related industries could potentially develop in the rural trade centers provided that the firms are fairly small and do not introduce the need for costly public improvements. None of the rural trade center areas are served by public water or sewer systems. G. Community Facilities The Isabella County Building will continue to be the major county-owned public building. officers. This structure will house most county departments and During the planning process, the Sheriff Department has provided comments indicating its desire to remodel and expand its present facilities. The County Multi-Purpose Building, housing the Commission on Aging and the Senior Center, will continue to be available. In another area of public services, the county plans to construct a new r r I I I ,r ,- Type II landfill on a portion of the 120-acre site in Deerfield Township where the present landfill is located. This will enable the county to meet its short-term solid waste disposal needs. In regard to long-range waste management strategies, the county is contemplating potential waste-to-energy facilities in conjunction with source separation and \ecycling programs as future alternatives. These resource recovery planning efforts are being conducted on a multi-county (regional) basis in cooperation with Bay, Gladwin, and Midland Counties. In addition, Isabella county is a participant in the Central Michigan Solid Waste Committee that has been established through the Central Michigan District Health Department. The overall goal of these planning efforts is to develop an effective solid waste management system that is capable of meeting the long term disposal needs of a diverse multi-county area. The only county-owned utility is the water supply system that serves 103 f 'J f , �Forest Subdivision No. 2 in the Lake Isabella area. This system currently services 75 dwelling units with a total population of about 225. There are no current plans to expand the service area, but the system has the potential for expansion if the need arises. At the local government level, there is presently a major interest in developing a water system in Union Township. Alternatives under consideration are construction of the Township's own system or construction of a system in cooperation with the City of Mt. Pleasant. In the past, sewer lines have been extended from the city into portions of the township. There is also the potential for the development of a wastewater treatment system to serve the Lake Isabella area in Sherman and Broomfield Townships. The future status of this project is largely dependent on financial considerations. In addition, the township halls will continue to be important local community facilities. These are expected to remain stable within the long-range planning context. At the time this plan was prepared, a project being undertaken is the construction of a new Mental Health Building in Mt. Pleasant. This facility will be operated by the Central Michigan Community Mental Health Services. Construction is being funded under the County Building Authority. In Mt. Pleasant, the Kinney School Building has come to function as a multi-purpose community building for programs such as adult education and day care. However, there is also local interest in reopening the facility as an elementary school. H. Parks and Recreation Areas State recreation land holdings in Isabella County are represented by the 1,787 acre Gladwin Area State Forest in Denver Township and 160 acres of the 104 �I Edmore State Game Area that are located in parts of Rolland and Fremont Townships. Two small public access sites are also in state ownership at Stevenson and Littlefield Lakes. These state recreation lands are expected to remain stable for long-range planning purposes. The Isabella County Parks and Recreation Commission will continue to operate the four major county parks. Two of these, Deerfield and Meridian, provide major access to the Chippewa River for recreation users. Additional river access sites have been identified as a need by the Parks and Recreation Commission in the 1986 Comprehensive Park and Recreation Master Plan. Accordingly, the county has identified the development of the Ranney Well Site for river access as a priority item in its 1986 action program. This site is owned by the City of Mt. Pleasant and will be developed in cooperation with the city. The site is strategically located about midway on the river between the county-owned Meridian Park and the city-owned Mill Pond Park. Future plans call for the acquisition and development of four additional Chippewa Rivre access sites during 1987 - 90 at locations not yet determined. A major problem confronting future recreational use of the Chippewa River is the continuing development of the watershed for residential uses, especially along the M-20 corridor in Deerfield and Chippewa Townships. On one level, this type of development can result in the loss of open space that is well suited to public recreation. On a different level, intensive development can cause the river to lose its rural, scenic qualities, even if adequate access is provided. For these reasons, it is desirable for the county to consider implementing river corridor management techniques and land use controls to achieve the objective of preserving portions of the Chippewa River as a scenic and recreational resource. A potential location for a river management corridor had been shown on the Future Land Use Map. 105 This issue I I I I I I I I I I 'I '- �will be discussed further in the following section of this plan. I. Other Cbnsider~tions The land use plan and accompanying map have identified only the major land uses expected by the county and proposed locations for these uses. Portions of the county not otherwise classified include additional farmlands, wooded areas, wetlands, and areas of dispersed residential development. Future uses of these areas may be expected to include continued farming operations, limited rural residential development neighborhood-scale retail businesses, and small-scale manufacturing activities. Because of the flexible, policy-oriented approach taken by this plan, it is not necessary to assign fixed locations for every potential use. Instead, future development issues will be considered in relation to the Goals and Objectives that have been formulated in Section VI. The following section discusses the various approaches and programs available for implementing this plan. 106 �r r r r r r r c..o LDW ATE:. 12. XEY r [SJ [j] [.] r ~ INLAND LAKE AREAS ID POTENTIAL PRIMARY FARMLANDS [i MAJOR PARK and RECREATION LANDS: COUNTY &STATE ~ POTENTIAL CHIPPEWA RIVER MANAGEMENT CORRIDOR Ci V r r J J J J I I -----~ I I I ~~ Roll.AND MONTCALM □ I co. G~Tt6'f co. PRIMARY TRADE CENTER SECONDARY TRADE CENTER RURAL TRADE CENTER ALL OTHER RURAL LANDS FUTURE LAND USE ISABELLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN FIGURE VIII-1 �' i i i ' 'r r r r r r r r r r ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IX. IMPLEMENTATION Prepared by: EAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGION in conjunction with the ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION and the ISABELLA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 108 �IX. A. IMPLEMENTATION General Considerations To successfully implement any plan, the plan itself must be a realistic reflection of the character and aspirations of the community. If a plan has these characteristics, then it has already become part of the implementation process because it describes a future environment that is realistically available. Isabella County's plan does not envision dramatic change. In fact, the plan seeks to protect the resources and character that are associated with the county's quality of life, and to also adequately provide for future growth and development. The preparation and adoption of this Comprehensive Plan places Isabella County in a good position to direct future development~ The plan is intended to be a viable working document that provides county decision makers with a clearly stated set of goals and objectives for the future. Therefore, the text and accompanying maps in this document should be consulted whenever a land use issue needs to be resolved. At the same time, however, the plan retains a high degree of flexibility. Furthermore, the plan avoids any attempt to portray the future in narrow terms. As such, the Isabella County Plan is written to anticipate change. However, simply having a plan is not enough - it must be put into effect. In this regard, the key consideration is public education. It is essential that the County Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Administrator, all ~ounty personnel, all government units, and the public understand the objectives of this plan. Plan implementation requires the continuous efforts of the county's decision makers and the support of the public. Toward this end, the Planning Commission should take the initiative for promoting its 109 �activities to government bodies and the public. Beyond these broad considerations, there are a number of specific steps that need to be taken to successfully implement this plan. These are discussed in the following sections. B. The Need for Cooperative Planning Isabella County is composed of one city, two villages, sixteen townships, and one tribal government. In addiditon, Central Michigan University should be recognized as a special entity because of its size and status as a major state institution. Decisions made by any one of these local units can have major county wide impacts. For this reason, there clearly needs to be a basis for cooperative planning efforts. On the simplest level, such cooperation can be established by the various bodies informally reviewing each other's plans and proposals. For example, the County Planning Commission should review Mt. Pleasant's updated Master Plan, which is now in preparation. In other areas, advisory committees should be established to address various special issues of countywide significance. Good examples of this include planning for transportation, health services, and farmland preservation. Ideally, such committees should be composed of representatives from the County Planning Commission, appropriate county departments and related agencies, the local units, and the community. The county should take the lead role for establishing these types of working arrangements. To extend the concept of cooperative planning a bit further, it is highly desirable to consider many current issues on a multi-county basis. Examples of areas that have regional significance include major transportation corridors, large health care facilities, extensive recreation areas, solid waste disposal facilities, and water quality management concerns. 110 I I I I I I '' I I I I �In this regard, the Midland County Planning Commission has suggested several areas of concern that may be appropriate for intercounty planni ng cooperation between Isabella County and Midland County. These areas are as follows: 1. The Chippewa River Corridor System. 2. M-2O Highway and Saginaw Road (Old US-1O) Corridors. 3. Farmland Preservation and Forested Land Protection. 4. Solid Waste Management As a starting point, the two planning commissions should hold some discussions to identify mutual goals and to examine ways of pursuing these goals cooperatively. C. Farmland Issues Several programs have been developed within the State of Michigan at both the state and the local level for the purpose of preserving prime agricultural land. On a state-wide basis, the most significant program is the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, commonly refered to as Public Act 116. This program provides agricultural property owners with ta~ advantages for agreeing to continue to use their property for specified agricultural purposes for a given period of time. Michigan also recently enacted right-to-farm legislation that gives farmers protection from litigation by adjacent non-farm land owners who find particular aspects of farming either annoying or a nuisance. At the local level, farmland preservation efforts consist largely of the development of agricultural zoning districts. are discussed in more detail below. 111 Each of these programs �-, 1. Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program (P.A. 116) Concerned about the alarming rate of farmland conversion, the State of Michigan enacted this program in 1974. In order to be eligible for inclusion in this program, the property under consideration must meet certain requirement. The farm must have a minimum total size of 40 acres. Farms between 5 and 40 acres may also qualify, provided that they have a gross annual income of $200 per tillable acre. Specialty farms which meet the requirements of the Michigan Department of Agriculture may also qualify for the program if their gross income is $2,000 or more. These agreements run for a minimum of ten years and entitle the landowner to several benefits. Parcels enrolled in the P.A. 116 program may be exempted from special assessments for sanitary sewers, water or street lights. The property owner may also claim the amount by which the property taxes on the enrolled acreage exceed seven percent of his household income on his Michigan income tax. For those parcels enrolled in the open space program, the property is reappraised and the difference between the current market value of the unrestricted property and the value of the property is used to calculate the direct tax saving. The Farmland and Open Space Preservation program has proven to be fairly successful among property owners and a direct result of that popularity has been a reasonable successful tool for minimizing the extent of farmland conversion throughout the State of Michigan. Since its inception in 1974, a total of 17,500 property owners have entered into contracts with the State of Michigan effectively enrolling approximately 3,550,000 acres in the program. 2. Right-to-Farm Act In 1981, the Michigan legislature passed "right-to-farm'' legislation, the intent of which is to give farmers some protection against nuisance suits filed by adjoining non-farm property owners. The legislation itself is meant to be non-regulatory in nature and is intended to establish a general policy regarding the relationship of agricultural land to non-agricultural land. The intent of this bill is clearly expressed in the following passages taken directly from the legislation. Sec.3(1) A farm or farm operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the farm or farm operation alleged to to be a nuisance conforms to generally accepted agricultural and management practices according to policy as determined by the director of the Department of Agriculture. (2) A farm or farm operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the farm or farm operation existed before a change in land use or occupancy of land within one mile of the boundaries of the farmland and before such change in land use or occupancy of land the farm operation would not have been a nuisance. 112 , l J ' 'J J J J r r r r f �The ultimate impact and overall effectiveness of this legislation will depend on court interpretation of the act, especially the concept of "generally accepted agricultural practices''. This legislation does, however, reµresent another positive step towards the development of a comprehensive agricultural preservation program for the State of Michigan. 3. Agricultural Zoning State actions not withstanding, the real battle for the preservation of farmland is being determined at the local level. Any attempt to preserve farmland requires the ability to control the use of land, especially the encroachment of urban uses into existing agricultural areas. Within the State of Michigan, the authority to control land use has been allocated to local units of government in the form of zoning. The ability of a local unit of government to preserve farmland, therefore, rests heavily on the requirements of their local zoning ordinances. For all its potential as a useful agricultural preservation technique, zoning more often than not falls far short of its expectations. Many agricultural zoning districts are agricultural in name only and represent little more than holding zones for future urban development. Also, somewhat ironically, farmers themselves often represent obstacles to the establishment of effective agricultural zoning districts. A farmer may not wish to preclude an opportunity to sell his property for non-farm development a a future date through the imposition of strict land use controls. Finally, zoning changes at the local level are often relatively easy to obtain, thereby diluting the intended effectiveness of an agricultural zoning district. The ability of a local community to restrict development through the establishment of agricultural zoning districts rest largely on two major factors: 1) the exclusion or near exclusion of non-farm land uses within agricultural districts; and 2) the establishment of sufficiently large minimum lot sizes to discourage the development of single family homes in agricultural areas. Large lots, however, also take away more land per house which can contribute to the loss of farmland unless lot sizes are set sufficiently high enough to effectively discourage non-farm residential development. Minimum acreage requirements of five or ten acres are not effective in limiting the amount of non-farm development that may occur in an agricultural area. These minimum requirements may, in fact, be more wasteful of land than one or two acre minimums. Many non-farmers who develop single family homes in agricultural districts, actually prefer five or ten acre estates to smaller lots. The placement of a single family home on these parcels, however, only occupies a small portion of the lot with most of the remaining acreage not being used for any productive purpose. 113 �-, This particular problem is compounded by the State of Michigan's current subdivision regulations which do not regulate the division of land into parcels exceeding ten acres in size. This results in a proliferation of parcels which barely exceed the ten acre limit and are often long and narrow. Such parcels frequently have unsuitable access, may have limited useage, or result in misuse of prime agricultural land. Any attempt to develop an effective agricultural zoning district needs to recognize the dynamics and realities of the private land development market and the interest of many farmers to split off several acres of his property for the eventual development of non-farm related single family homes. The integrity of the agricultural zoning district and the needs of the property owner can be balanced by allowing for a limited single family residential development. This can be effectively accomplished by developing a sliding scale whereby the number of permitted single family units is based on the size of the existing agricultural parcels. Larger parcels are allowed more lot splits than smaller parcels. The sliding scale technique is made more effective when it is accompanied by a requirement that these non-farm residential units be clustered together in a specific portion of the original parcel. This helps maintain the integrity of tne agricultural district. 4. Conclusions The importance of Michigan's prime agricultural acreage to the economic well being of the entire state in general and to Isabella County in particular is a well established fact. Given this importance, the development of programs to preserve this agricultural land should be apparent. The State of Michigan recognizes the importance of agriculture to the state and has developed a number of programs which are intended to help maintain the viability of agriculture. The Farmland and Open Space Program, the Right-to-Farm Act and the identification of food processing as a target industry by the Michigan Department of Commerce each represent positive steps forward in the maintenance and preservation of Michigan's most productive agricultural land. These existing state policies could be enhanced by the revision of the state's subdivision regulations to modify existing land subdivision proactices which help promote the conversion of prime agricultural land to non-farm uses. The Isabella County Planning Commission can help facilitate the preservation of farming through the following actions: 1. Encourage the adoption of more effective agricultural zoning districts that discourage the development of non-farm single family · residential units. 2. Encourage local communities to develop land use plans that give a more prominent place to agricultural land. 114 , J 'J f J J J J r r 'r r r r �3. Discourage the premature extension of public water and sanitary sewer lines into those areas of the county that are characterized by the most important agricultural lands. 4. Discourage the rezoning of agricultural land to non-farm uses. 5. Encourage property owners to enroll prime agricultural land into the P.A. 116 Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, and continue monitoring the amount of farmland in Isabella County that is enrolled in the program. 6. Work with Middle Michigan Development Corporation and the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce on the expansion of existing agricultural-related businesses and the development of new agribusinesses. 7. Work with the Isabella County Cooperative Extension Service and the Isabella County Soil and Water Conservation District on farmland preservation issues. These actions collectively form a general policy framework for the Planning Commission's continuing involvement with farmland issues. A more specific short-term action that the Planning Commission should consider is the preparation of a farmland protection plan. One of the fundamental considerations in developing such a plan is the determination of which farmlands to protect. It must be stressed that this plan only discusses potential farmland classifications in a preliminary fashion. A more careful evaluation of Isabella County's agricultural lands must be made so that all the most important farmlands can be identified. Clearly, a farmland protection project as suggested here must have the direction and support of the agricultural community. As a first step, the Planning Commission should request the assistance of the Soil Conservation Service and Cooperative Extension Service in developing a farmland protection program. These agencies can help in the formation of a local agricultural advisory committee or similar group. In addition, the Soil Conservation Service can provide technical assistance in the identification of the County's important farmlands. 115 �r D. The Chippewa River Corridor r The Chippewa River presents a unique opportunity to create a river recreation system with statewide significance. Midland County recently prepared a River Corridor Study (1984) that contemplates the development of such a recreation system in cooperation with Isabella County. That study notes the following potential elements of an inter-county system: 1. Over 50 miles of uninterrupted flow through Isabella and Midland Counties. 2. A relatively clean river, fishable and canoeable throughout the ice-free period. 3. A system of parks and access points along the river 1 s length. 4. Coordinated land use protection along the entire river. 5. Highway access from anywhere in the state 6. A pleasant scenic environment with large acreas of forest, farmland, and wooded river edges and varying topographic relief. Also, a coordinated recreation system would provide a tourism-oriented link between the Mt. Pleasant and Midland downtown areas. I I I I I I I I The framework for developing such a River Recreation System has already been established in Isabella County with the existing Deerfield and Meridian County Parks. The acquisition and development of several more access sites has been proposed. Further efforts to develop a Chippewa River Recreation System should be initiated by the Parks and Recreation Commission and coordinated with the Planning Commission. In addition, portions of the county 1 s other major rivers and scenic areas may be considered for management in this way. E. ' ' 'I I Inland Lake Issues As is many parts of Michigan, Isabella County's inland lakes will continue to provide attractive sites for seasonal and year-round homes, water-based recreation, and related water front uses. 116 For any lake, however, I �these developmental pressures also create the potential for water quality degradation and impairment of recreational experiences by overuse of both the lake surface and the shoreline areas. To many lakefront property owners, the major problem regarding increased waterfront use concerns "keyhole" ( "funnel 11 ) development. Keyhole de 11el opment is the use of a waterfront lot as common open space for lake access for a larger development located away from the waterfront. This results in potentially greater lake use than would occur if the lot was used for a single family residence. Keyholing occurs through the purchase of a waterfront lot by an owner who then grants access by license, easement, or a share in ownership to other backlot owners. Many ownership or easement combinations are possible under Michigan law. If left uncontrolled, a proliferation of keyhole developments could drastically alter both the surface use characteristics and appearance of a lake. As surface water use increases, so do concerns about shore erosion, property values, water pollution, noise, and conflicts between various users such as boaters, swimmers, and fishermen. For these reasons, waterfront owners are more frequently suing to protect their riparian rights and, in some cases, local governments are attempting to regulate keyhole development. In Michigan, a number of local governments have prepared keyhole development ordinances, mainly at the township level. The keyhole provisions have largely been provided as amendments to the local zoning ordinances, but free-standing ordinances have also been developed in some cases. ·A detailed analysis of all the local approaches to keyhole regulation is not attempted here. For such a treatment, readers should refer to the excellent review articles by Wycoff (1985 a, b). It is sufficient to say that all the approaches either focus on controlling access to the lake to minimize 117 �f r conflicts, or they also focus on the recreational/open space uses of the I waterfront access lots. r r r r This is attempted by establishing minimum lake frontage requirements and by regulating the number of docks or launching facilities per lot. Some ordinances go further still and attempt to establish a hypothetical "carrying capacity" or "load limit" for a lake through a mathematical formula. While there is a wide range of local approaches, all of the existing ordinances recognize that lake access is the issue that must be attacked to achieve the regulatory objective. However, there is no clear indication at this time if any of the f ordinances could withstand judicial scrutiny if they were subjected to litigation by an unhappy landowner or developer. Therefore, local governments are cautioned that they are venturing into unfamiliar territory if they contemplate preparing keyhole ordinances. Based on the various ordinances and related court cases, the clearest single implication is that, to be effective and legally defensible, ordinance should be based~~ lake management plan. a keyhole The quality of an inland lake is a reflection of all the activities occuring within the lake's watershed. Therefore, a lake management plan should consider all the land and water use issues within the entire watershed. Keyhole development is clearly within this scope of issues and should not be addressed in isolation. It is difficult to envision a single county-wide plan that would adequately address all the local issues for each of Isabella County's lakes. The ideal situation would be for the municipalities in the affected areas to develop their own ,local plans. However, there are major obstacles to this approach due to a lack of detailed information for each lake and a lack of money for such studies. As a result, there is a need to develop cooperative arrangements involving the state, local governments, and the county. 118 In r r r r r �particular, this will require the active involvement of several divisions of the Department of Natural Resources, the local health department, the local soil conservationist, and all related municipal and county departments. As a first step toward the effective management of its inland lakes, Isabella County should investigate all sources of state and local technical assistance that are available. Central Michigan University should be considered as a source of local water quality data and potential technical assistance. This information should be compiled by the county and made available to the local units. F. Local Planning and Zoning Zoning will be the primary legal tool for the implementation of this plan. For this reason, it is important to note the status of local planning and zoning activities, and their overall relationship to this plan. Isabella County has zoning jurisdiction for eleven of the sixteen townships. Specifically, the following local units are covered by the County Ordinance: Vernon Coldwater Gilmore Nottawa Isabella Denver Broomfield Deerfield Rolland Fremont Lincoln The following five townships administer their own local ordinances as provided for in the Township Rural Zoning Act (Act 184 of 1943, as amended): Wise Sherman Union Chippewa Coe The local zoning patterns established in these townships were considered during the County Plan's preparation by reviewing their current zoning district maps. In addition to these township ordinances the City of Mt. Pleasant and Villages of Shepherd and Rosebush administer their own zoning as 119 �enabled by Act 207 of 1921, as amended. In contrast to zoning, local land use planning activities are very limited in Isabella County. is now being updated. The City of Mt. Pleasant has a master plan which Union Township has been working on preparing a master plan, but has not yet adopted one. Broomfield Township also has a draft master plan in progress and is considering the development of its own zoning I I I ordinance in the future as well. Considering the status of local planning and zoning, the following recommendations are made to help strengthen local planning efforts and to avoid overall conflicts with the County Plan: G. 1. The County Planning Commission should encourage the local units to prepare and adopt land use plans that will help reinforce this plan and address special local concerns. 2. The Planning Commission should review all township plans as described in No. 1. This is required by Section 8 of the Township-Planning Act (Act 168 of 1959). 3. The Planning Commission should review the City of Mt. Pleasant Master Plan when it becomes available. 4. The Planning Commission should review all zoning amendments proposed by the townships that administer their own ordinances. This is required by Section 10 of the Township Rural ·zoning Act (Act 184 of 1943, as amended). Revision F f J r .9.f. the County Zoning Ordinance As previously suggested, the County Zoning Ordinance will be the primary legal tool for implementation of this plan. For this reason, it is extremely important for the Planning Commission to thoroughly review the existing ordinance. This should be done to identify revisions that are necessary to accomplish the objectives of this plan and also to alleviate problems that r r have been encountered while administering the present ordinance. Some recommended revisions are summarized here for further consideration by the Planning Commission. This list should not be considered exhaustive by lW -r �any means. It is based only on a brief review of the current ordinance. During the revision process, it is likely that other desirable changes will be found. It is important that the eventual changes are properly detailed and complete beyond the brief observations noted here. POTENTIAL REVISIONS TO THE ISABELLA COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE 1. Organize the text so that all regulations concerning each district are identified in the regulations for that district. This information may be conveniently displayed on a series of charts. 2. Add some definitions that reflect current land use implications. 3. Consider replacing the single agricultural district with a range of agricultural zones along with appropriate definitions. 4. Revise the lists of permitted and controlled uses in the various districts where they are presently too broad or too narrow. 5. All of the special land uses are currently handled on a discretionary basis. It may be desirable to consider some of these on a non-discretionary basis with a clear set of standards provided in the text. 6. Consideration should be given to revising the controls for home occupation uses so that they reflect current lifestyles and community desires. 7. Consider revisions to the present junkyard regulations so that esthetics and visual impacts can be addressed more effectively. 8. Revise the provisions for Planned Unit Developments to develop more workable regulations. 9. Revise the zoning district map so that it is consistent with and aids implementation of the land use plan. 10. Other changes suggested by an intensive review of the contents, procedures, and experience of the County in administering the existing ordinance. 121 �H. Short-Term Implementation and Continued Planning The completion of this plan does not signal the end of the planning process. It is, in fact, only the beginning. It is impossible to anticipate every development proposal or land use issue that may come before the Planning Commission, and this plan makes no attempt to do so. County Plan is written to anticipate change. Instead, the Isabella The Development Goals and l I J Objectives stated in Section VI form the policy framework of the plan and should be consulted whenever a land use issue needs to be resolved. In addition, this plan should be continually reviewed to incorporate new or updated information as it becomes available. updated at approximately five-year intervals. The plan should be formally Furthermore, additional planning studies should be undertaken to expand on this plan's data base and address special areas in more detail. The Planning Commission need not be the J f r f lead agency for all such studies, but it should be actively involved in their development. Subject areas that need to be addressed in the near future are transportation and agricultural preservation. Finally, this plan attempts to establish a cooperative basis for continued planning that will involve all government units and appropriate agencies in county-level decision making. It must be remembered that it is the regular activity of planning, not the resulting documents, that is most important. To help initiate this process, some short-term implementation activities are suggested for the Planning Commission on the following page. 122 [ r J ' �r ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION I SHORT-TERM PLAN IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS Activities Approx. Dates Summer 1986 Initiate review of County Zoning Ordinance Fall 1986 Officially adopt the Comprehensive Plan. Present the Comprehensive Plan to the Board of Commissioners and seek their endorsement. Winter 1986-87 Review the Mt. Pleasant Master Plan. Investigate sources of lake management planning assistance. Hold a discussion of intercounty planning issues with the Midland County Planning Commission. Spring 1987 Hold an advisory meeting with SCS and CES regarding farmland issues Initiate advisory meetings with local governments and agencies. Summer 1987 Initiate farmland protection planning activities as needed. Fall 1987 Prepare draft of proposed Zoning Ordinance text and map changes; incorporate special areas such as farmlands and inland lakes. 123 �APPENDIX A: B I B L I OG R AP HY �BIBLIOGRAPHY DiNovo, F. and M. Jaffe. 1984. Local regulations for groundwater protection, Part I: Sensitive area controls. Land Use Law! Zoning Digest, Vol. 36(5), pp. 6-13. DiNovo, F. and M. Jaffe. 1984. Local regulations for groundwater protection, Part II: Source controls. [and Use Law! Zoning Digest, Vol. 36 (6), pp. 5-11. Isabella County Planning Commission. 1967. Comprehensive Area Water and Sewer Plan. Isabella County Planning Commission. County. 1969. A Comprehensive Plan for Isabella Isabella County Board of Commissioners. 1980 Revision. Isabella Couhty Zoning Ordinance. Toner, W. Zoning to Protect Farming: A Citizen•~ Guidebbok. of Agriculture, NaITonal Agricultural Lands Study, 1981. U.S. Department Toner, W. Saving Farms and Farmlands: A Cbmmunity Guide. American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service Report No. 333, 1978. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Isabella County, Michigan. 1985. --Wycoff, M. Inland lake keyhole development: An analysis of local zoning approaches, Part one. Planning and Zoning News, March 1985, pp. 6-12. Wycoff, M. Inland lake keyhole development: An analysis of local zoning approaches, Part two. Planning and Zoning News, April 1985, pp. 5-9. �APPENDIX P LAN R E V I E W A ND B: ADOP T I O N D O C U ME N T A T I O N �r \ r ' r r ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING/ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT June 16, 1986 A Public Hearing for the Isabella County Comprehensive Plan Draft and special Commission meeting was held on June 16, 1986 in Room 124 of the Isabella County Building, 200 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. MEMBERS PRESENT: KatharineLindfors, Vice-Chairperson, Pamela WebbDriscoll, Evelyn Kent, Richard Sherbarth, Howard Quackenbush MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Husted, Chairman, Bernard Flint DIRECTOR PRESENT: Bruce E. Rohrer OTHERS PRESENT: Caroline Ramsey, Recording Secretary Doug Bell, E.C.M.P.D.R. The hearing was called to order at 8:11 p.m. by Vice-Chairperson Lindfors. NEW BUSINESS A. Contract - County Zoning Ordinance Revisions Mr. Rohrer discussed with the Commission crembers the future necessity of revising the County Zoning Ordinance. He advised that Pamela Webb-Driscoll has offered to research and gather data necessary to revise the current zoning ordinance for a fee of $6.00 an hour to cover expenses. Mr. Rohrer recommended that the Commission allow him to enter into a contract with Mrs. Driscoll to do this work for $6.00 an hour and not to exceed $360.00 and that the money be transferred from the Part-Time Planning Assistant Line Item to Contractural Services. Discussion followed. A motion was made by Richard Sherbarth and seconded by Howard Quackenbush to authorize Bruce E. Rohrer to enter into a contract with Pamela Webb-Driscoll for the purpose of researching and gathering data for revising the County Zoning Ordinance for a fee of $6.00 an hour but not to exceed $360.00 and that he make the necessary line item changes for payment, subject tothe concurrence of the County Prosecuting Attorney and County Board of Commissioners. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING/ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT Doug Bell, E.C.M.P.D.R., presented a brief summary of the composition of the Plan Draft. Mr. Rohrer recommended that the primary trade center portion of - the Future Land Use Map be extended to Summerton Road to incorporate the M-20 commercial corridor where growth is taking place. Vice-Chairperson Lindfors opened the hearing to the public for their comments and/or recommendations. �Public Hearing/ Comprehensive Plan Draft Page 2 June 16, 1986 Jerry Cole, 1251 N. Shepherd Road (772-4158), was present and requested a copy of the Plan Draft. George Davidson, Gratiot County Commissioner, was present but stated that he did not have any comments/recommendations. Correspondence was received from Donald Schuster, Listening Ear Crisis Center, and Kathy David, County Commission on Aging. Mr. Rohrer advised that John Riley, D.S.S., contacted him and advised that he will forward comments later this week. Mr. Riley feels that the Plan needs to put more emphasis on Human Services. r r Mr. Rohrer advised that Dave Pasquale, City Planner, contacted him and advised that he will be forwarding written comments later this week. p Mr. Rohrer advised that Robert Caltrider, County Road Commission, contacted him and advised that he felt the Plan reflected the Road Commission's thoughts in regards to transportation. r r No other correspondence was received and there were no other people present to offer comments/recommendations. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Pamela Driscoll and seconded by Richard Sherbarth to adjourn the public hearing and special meeting. The hearing and special meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Howard Quackenbush, Secretary Caroline S. Ramsey, Recording Secretary r .r r �NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED ISABELLA COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Isabella County Planning Commission has prepared a Comprehensive Plan for the County. The proposed plan is available for public review and comment before official action is taken. The Planning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed plan as follows: Monday, June 16, 1986 7:00 p.m., Room 124 Isabella County Building 200 North Main Street Mt. Pleasant, Michigan The proposed Comprehensive Plan establishes a set of policies to guide the future development of the County and to provide for the multiple uses of its resources. The Planning Commission's recommendations for implementing its proposals are also included as part of the plan. The proposed plan will be available for public inspection at the Isabella County Department of Resource Management, Room 202, 200 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Copies of the plan will also be available at the following locations: Mt. Pleasant Public Library, Charles Clark Library (CMU), Gladys McArthur Memorial Library (Weidman), Coe Township Library (Shepherd), Fremont Township Library (Winn), Isabella Township Library (Rosebush), and the Rolland Township Library (Blanchard). Copies will be available during regular business hours. The Planning Commission will accept written comments on the proposed plan until June 16, 1986 at the time of adjournment of the the above public hearing. Comments should be mailed or delivered to the Department of Resource Management at the above address. Written comments are preferred to ensure accuracy and to allow time for the Planning ColllI!lission to study the comments prior to the public hearing. Public participation in the review and comment process for the plan is welcomed and encouraged. Howard Quackenbush, Secretary Isabella County Planning Cow.I11ission �~ 1.1.: t I I-:-.~; ./.l;', .fil , NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT J-ERIOD :\: i'" \.;' / ; .;:: . AND PUBLIC HEARING ! . ll . ;,-. .,. l>:'_-,( PROPOSED !SABELLA COUNT)' ,' .·I.· - . ,·:,~··i ,.·,/,._;;; ,. , COMPREHENS,IVE PLAN ,_.i.it/~'- ·? ),:• Affidavit of Publication , .. ~~: · ,. : . STATE OF MICHIGAN County of Isabella County of Gratiot 1 . .'. ,J , ',. ·,~ ,, ~l ~ ..:•~' . ':·. ' J\. The Isabella County planning Commission has pr~P!lre~ /ii C~m.prehensive Plan for the County. The prop-f~ ose~ plan· is available for public review and comment ;·;before official action Is taken. The Planning Commls- : aIon will corduct a Pu~llc Hearing on the proposed pla~ ; }. t. •: :i '('. ·(. i;;_<, as ~oil~~!\: '; / ,; f . . . ., . ,. \•' t. · ..... ·'Monday, June 16, 1986 .. , 1 •,,;_l , -; '. / ·, ,;!i •,.... v;.•,:.•,,· 7·00pm R00 m124 ' ··· 1 J. ·, ,·· B lid' i·.:c-.> ·,--1/·;·,": . Cl if t On E . Fo rr e St being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is publisher of ·:;-,,:,•••,> ·:,:.';.. _,.·,·,l. l b II 'c'' · ·i~ . ,.:):... ,aa ea ounty u 1ng :·.,:.,'v'~_.•;·, , · the MORNING SUN, a public newspaper printed and published in the Cities of Mt. Pleasant and Alma, in said .. ~ ; ,·:\l::., i \ '. . 200 ~ortti M11in Street <+.':·. ;,; ,;' ;_\;; :.: '. ·- · 0 .·. ;/}i?\'W1.1~i~\ counties and circulated in said cities and counties, that the annexed printed notice was duly printed and ¼JV/\/{ . Plr:~jt;} ~ic~~~a.\ l1if :; ~e proposed ~qmpr~honsh(e Plan l!S,ablishes set of " policies to guide the fl!tur~ d~vel!)pment of t~e County .. ;:;and to .provide for thei multiple µsea of its resources. ;, June , 19 8 6 and that the last publication of said notice in said newspaper was on the •. ' The Planning Commiision'a reyommendations for Im-. . , pl~lllenting its proposals ·are also included as. part of ;' June 14 day of 19 86 '·•the plan . ' ,.,, • ·1 . ' ' , ' ' · . .. - .The prop~a~d ~-Ian; will be a~ailable for public ·i~-s~ec- ·,. . tion : !iUhe• lsabelll! c;ounty ·Qepl!rtrr:)ef\t'_2f-,~!J~urce,.,~ Manageme~t, ~ooni' ~02; 200 ..,tforth· Mal,:t ,Street}! Mt,~·-: Ple1,1a11nt, M1ch1gan fn;>m 8:00 a.in, to 4:30 p.m., Mon- ,. Subscribed and sworn to before me the 12 day or June 19 86 day thru Friday. Copiei of the plan )Viii also be available ·''. ai'the following locadon:1 Mt. Pleasant Public Library, · Charles Clark.Library jCMU); Glady, McArttiu'i Me.mo;,~ . ,riat Library 1 (Weidman), :Coe Township _librarv ,.:: · >(Shepherd), Fremont Township Lil:irary (Winni, Isabella t Michigan · i TQWIJShi'p · Library (Rosebush), · and the Rollan.d i• Township Library (Blanchard). Copies will be available is.d. during regular business hours. · · ,; , :: ,,('1~ .<\~!\~t ·{,sH·} My commission expires July 7 1 1989 The Planning Commission will -accept 'written com, ':,,, . \ rrients·on th~ propoaea plim· until June 16, 1~ at the 1:1 time of adjournment of the above public hearing. Com- ·, PUBLISHER'S FEE DISPLAY AD ments shouJc;I be mailed or delivered to the Department •· ; of Re$oµrce ¥~n&Qerrieri! !It the "bove addres~) .Writ; \~ ten com{Tlents arfi! preferred to ensure accuracy and to allow:~!f"!lG f9r t~~ pl~nning Co,nrrils~ioi1 to. study the ,:. _ _ times$ _ _ __ _ _folios comments priorto the pub.lie hearing •.' · ·., . ·: f ; ; Publl¢ participatiqn In the review a_nd comment process : Affidavit of publication$======= . for.the plan_Is welcomed and enc_o!Jrag_e_~,....,,,,;,~~•?r~..!, ,; · Howard Quackenbush, Secretary . . · ·•. ·• ·::'; · :•. · · Isabella County Planning 'Commisslofi' .. .. ,.. ·:"")---- .... , .., published in said newspaper at least - - - ~ in each week for _ ___._ successive weeks, and that the ~ · day of first publication of said notice in said newspaper was on the 14 a ~ z: ~ Received payment_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Total$ _ _ _ _ • - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :t.,~: ~ ,,.., It ~fl -,...,- ~ -:~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ - ~....., ..... " ·-) . . I' �APPENDIX C O MMU N I T Y C: P ART I C I P AT I O N �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION October 10, 1985 A meeting of the Isabella County Planning Commission was held on October 10, 1985 in Room 124 of the Isabella County Building, 200 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. MEMBERS PRESENT: Evelyn Kent, Chairperson, Katharine Lindfors, Wayne Husted, George Bowlby, Howard Quackenbush, Richard Sherbarth, William Ruddell, and Bernard Flint MEMBERS ABSENT: Delbert Ringquist DIRECTOR PRESENT: Bruce E. Rohrer OTHERS PRESENT: Caroline Ramsey, Recording Secretary Daniel Jones, Part-Time Planning Assistant The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson Evelyn Kent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Katharine Lindfors and seconded by Wayne Husted to accept the September 12, 1985 minutes as circulated. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS A. Special Use Permit #85-12 (Seiler Tank & Truck Services) Mr. Jones explained to the Commission that Seiler Tank & Truck Services is requesting a Special Use Permit to construct an office and truck/tank storage garage in an A-A (Agricultural) District in Section 22 of Vernon Township. Charles Spranger, representative from Seiler Tank, was present at the meeting to answer questions. Mrs. Kent asked the Investigating Committee for their report. Richard Sherbarth questioned whether the D.N.R. had to give their approval for this construction. Mr. Rohrer advised that he had contacted them and that they had advised that this construction would not come under the provisions of P.A. 61 of 1939. Mr. Rohrer also advised that construction of this nature is not specifically provided for in the County Zoning Ordinance. There were no pro or con responses from anyone present at the meeting. A discussion followed. A motion was made by Richard Sherbarth and seconded by Wayne Husted to approve Special Use Permit #85-12 with the following stipulations: 1. 2. Dust on the road must be controlled. The permit may be revoked if this becomes a problem. All pertinent items to construction and after construction must conform with the County Zoning Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. �Planning Commission Page 2 October 10, 1985 ISABELLA COUNTY MASTER PLAN A. Update on Progress of Master Plan & Public Response Mr. Jones reported on the responses he received regarding the Goal Formulations Survey. He advised that his meeting was not a public hearing but for the purpose of receiving public input only. ~ Mr. Jones introduced Doug Bell, East Central Michigan Planning and Development Region, to those present at the meeting. Mr. Bell presented an explanation of the process for collecting information to be utilized in comprising the Master Plan and the various steps that are necessary. The last Comprehensive Plan for the County was composed in 1969. Following Mr. Bell's explanation, Mr. Rohrer opened the meeting for public comments and recommendations. The following people were present at the meeting and their comments/recommendations follow respectively. Lyle Thompson - Cooperative Extension Service 1. Advised that he feltprirneagricultural land (USDA Classification 1, 2, & 3) in the County should be preserved at the present time. He also felt that prime agricultural land should not be divided into 10 acre parcels to avoid plat act restrictions, as this amount of land in itself is uselss as farming land and that it would strengthen the agricultural system by changing this in the plat act. 2. Advised he feels there should be fewer zoning restrictions on home occupations regarding what individuals do within their home. However, he feels that there is a need for restrictions for parking and exterior aesthetics of the home as it states to the occupation. 3. Advised the County does not offer enough information or facilities to accommodate tourism (i.e. stopping stations, road plans, etc •. ). He stated that the County needs to consentrate on directing people through the County and pointing out its historical features, parks, etc •• so that tourism will not have to go to adjoining Counties. Also, stated that the County Parks and Recreation has developed some good plans for the County and that there should be an effort to address the Chippewa River as a resource for the County. Mr. Thompson felt that the County should enhance further development of the paramutual race track. Keith Decker - Union Township Planning Commissioner 1. Advised that in reference to industrial development in rural areas, most of Union Tm-mship 's development has taken place in Sections 12 & 13 and that the Township has made provisions for industrial development for the future in their Master Plan. r; �Planning Commission Page 3 October 10, 1985 2. In reference to future planning for County roads, he felt 8 to 9 miles of blacktop at a time should be repaired and/or constructed with the cost being borne by people who petition for it. Further, he felt that the County needs to straighten offset jogs in the County roads, especially Township and County line roads. Also, that the Master Plan should provide for repair and maintenance of County bridges. Gary Gottleber-Gilmore Township Trustee 1. Stated that he felt one of the County's largest assets was its agricultural land and that it should be taken care of as well as care for our County lakes. 2. In reference to industrial development in the County he felt that provisions should be made for development in the best interests of the County as a whole and that each Township didn't necessarily have to have an industrial park. Also, felt that when a rezoning request for a developm~nt was received, that governing bodies should act quickly in rendering a decision. Dave Pasquelle-Assistant City Manager 1. Advised that the City and Union Township were also working on Master Plans and felt that joint meetings should be held in order to develop plan coordination. He felt that there are several issues that should be addressed collectively: a. b. c. d. future land use define "urban" area transportation economic development (exploring & expanding economy) Jon MacLeod -City Planning Commissioner 1. Expressed the same opinions as Mr. Pasquelle and further advised that the possibility of a County airport should be looked at. Robert Massey-USDA Soil Conservation Service 1. Advised that a soil survey for Isabella County was available and that this survey would be a valuable asset as a planning tool. This survey includes detailed soil maps, limitations in planning and zoning, and a specific definition of "prime" agricultural land. Roger Hinebaugh-USDA Soil Conservation District Board Member 1. Advised that in regards to rural industry in the County the conditions of many gravel roads should be taken into consideration and provided for. �r Planning Commission Page 4 October 10, 1985 Rick Atkin-Isabella County Transportation System 1. Advised that they were working on making a better and more transit transportation system for Isabella County. Details of these plans will be available at a later date. Mrs. Kent thanked the people present at the meeting for attending and for their input for the Master Plan. Mr. Bell advised the Planning Commission that he would have a preliminary draft done before the November meeting and that they would be mailed to them before this meeting so they would have time to review it. FARMLAND AGREEMENTS The following Farmland Agreements were presented: Leigh & Eva Stanley - Sec. 21, Coldwater Township Otis & Vada Conlry - Sec. 23 & 26, Coldwater Township Francis Bower - Sec. 9, Denver Township Ann A. Johnston - Sec. 16, Isabella Township Clarence & Ilene Chapman - Sec. 27 & 28, Lincoln Township Gale & Lois Willoughby - Sec. 23, 28, & 29, Lincoln Township Donald & Agnes Sheahan - Sec. 10, Nottawa Township Richard & Virginia Taylor - Sec. 11, 12, & 14, Rolland Township Clayton & Sarah Nelson - Sec. 20, Rolland Township Clayton & Florence Nelson - Sec. 29 & 30, Rolland Township Joe & Ella Yoder - Sec. 1, Vernon Township Allegra Himebaugh - Sec. 32, Deerfield Township Roger & Carol Himebaugh - Sec. 6 & 8, Fremont Township Allegra Himebaugh - Sec. 12, Rolland Township Rex & Catherine Foster - Sec. 19 & 30, Rolland Township Kreston & Rex Foster - Sec. 19, Rolland Township William & Bertha Stough, Sec. 19, Wise Township Steven & Deborah Schumacher, Sec. 15, Nottawa Township William & Bertha Stough, Sec. 24, Vernon Township Ted & Corinne Palmer - Sec. 21 & 26, Coe Township A motion was made byWilliamRuddell and seconded by Howard Quackenbush to accept the Farmland Agreements as presented. Motion carried. LETTER FROM UNION TOWNSHIP r r r r , Mrs. Kent advised the Commission that Union Township has sent a letter asking for comments on a rezoning request for Roger Card in Section 13. r A motion was made by William Ruddell and seconded by George Bowlby to forward a letter to Union Township stating that the Commission has no comments on this request. f �Planning Commission Page 5 October 10, 1985 ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Wayne Husted and seconded by Katharine Lindfors to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. ' !J z, Delbert Ringquist, Secretary Caroline S. Ramsey, Recording Secretary �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION }, !SABELLA COUNTY BUILDING 200 N. Main Street MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858 1s111 n2-0911 ( ( G 0 u N T y 0 NOTICE OF COUNTY PLANNING ADVISORY MEETIN:i Thursday , October 10 , 1985 7:30 p.m. Isabella CDunty Building, CDmmission Room Mt. Pleasant, MI ' ff 1 The Planning CDmmission is holding an Advisory Meeting to obtain comrrents from local governments and the public concerning development of the new Isabella CDunty CDmprehensive Plan. F A comprehensive plan is a set of policies to guide the general development of the CDunty and to provide for the multiple uses of its resources. As such, a plan needs to be regularly updated as populations, lifestyles, and development trends change. I In order for the Planning CDmmission to adequately address current issues, we need your input concerning areas such as Land Use, Community Facilities, and Transportation. s rrl nt r.- I r Your attendance and participation at this meeting are welcomed and encouraged. IT A l B E L L f A p • �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ISABELLA COUNTY BUILDING 200 N. Main Street MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858 ,sm n2-0911 l J ) J ~ r October 2, 1985 TO: FROM: RE : Isabella County Departments and Other Interested Agencies Evelyn Kent , Chairperson Isabella County Planning Commission County Planning Advisory Meeting V D F I s A B E L L A In August, you were contacted with a questionnaire seeking your suggestions regarding County development goals and other aspects of comprehensive planning. The Planning Commission also sent a similar questionnaire to all the municipalities in the County. The Planning Commission is holding an Advisory Meeting to discuss the results of these surveys and other pertinent aspects of the Comprehensive Planning Program. This meeting will be held as follows: Thursday , October 10, 1985 7:30 p.m. Isabella County Building, Commission Room Your attendance and participation are welcomed and encouraged. �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ISABELLA COUNTY BUILDING 200 N. Main Street MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858 1s111 n2-os11 C 0 u September 23, 1985 TO: N FROM: T RE: y 0 F I s A r r f f Evelyn Kent, Chairperson Isabella County Planning Commission County Development Goals and Advisory Meeting The Planning Commission is now in the process of updating the 1969 Isabella County Comprehensive Plan. We are being assisted in this endeavor by the Department of Resource Management and the East Central Michigan Planning and Development Region. The new plan, to be completed by the end of 1985, will serve as a guide for the future development of the County and will address areas such as Land Use, Community Facilities, and Transportation. In order for the Planning Commission to adequately address current issues and priorities, we need your input. On the attached pages, we have listed a numberoforoacfgoal statements that pertain to various aspects of the County's development. From the perspective of your local government, please indicate for each area: 1. 2. Your overall reaction to the goal statement. Specific steps that should be taken to accomplish the goal • Any additional comments you have will also be very helpful. E The Planning Commission will also be holding an advisory meeting to seek input from local governments and the public as indicated on the following page. Please plan on attending! A r All Local Governments in Isabella County B L L } Thank you very much for your cooperation. (,y r rJt �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION !SABELLA COUNTY BUILDING 200 N. Main Street MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858 1s11, n2-os11 NOTICE OF ADVISORY MEETING Thursday, October 10, 1985 7:30 p.m. Isabella County Building, Commission Room Mt. Pleasant, MI The Planning Commission is holding this Advisory Meeting to obtain comments from local governments and the public concerning development of the new Isabella County Comprehensfve Plan. Issues that need to be discussed include future land use and other policies related to the County's development. Please designate one or two representatives from your local government to attend the meeting, and bring your completed questionnaire wi'th you (attached). . · If you are unable to attend, please mail your questionnaire to the Department of Resource Management, County 8uilding, by October 10. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND PLAN ON ATTENDING! �Person To Contact Local Government Name I. Goal: Natural Resources To provide for the wise use of the County's outstanding land, water, and scenic resources in order to maintain a high quality environment for all residents. Reaction: Specific steps to take: II. Goal: Parks and Recreation Through the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission, continue to maintain and improve the County's recreation areas and programs to meet the needs of all residents. Reaction: r r r r r f r Specific steps to take: -1- r r r �III. Goal: Public Safety Police and fire protection should be maintained at a high level. Reaction: Specific steps to take: IV. Goal: Transportation The County should maintain and improve its roads, bridges, and public transportation services to provide a safe and efficient transportation system. Reaction: Specific steps to take: -2- �V. Goal: Health Services To ensure the availability of adequate health services for all residents of Isabella County. Reaction: Specific steps to take: r r r r r r r r VI. Goal: Agricultural Land Use Agriculture is of fundamental importance to the economy and lifestyle of Isabella County. As such, the County's prime farmlands should be preserved and maintained for agricultural production. Reaction: Specific steps to take: f r r r r r r r r -3- �VII. Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Use Goal: Additional residential, commercial, and industrial development is desirable in Isabella County. Such development, however, must be planned and orderly, and must not create an excessive demand for public services. *Note: In your responses, please consider both the desirability of additional development and appropriate locations for development within your local government's boundaries. A. B. Residential Development 1. Is additional development desirable? 2. Do you prefer any specific housing types? (i.e., single-family, multi-family, mobile home parks, subdivisions, etc.) 3. Are there any special locations that are appropriate for development? Please be as specific as possible in terms of roads, sections, etc. Commercial Development 1. Is additional development desirable? 2. Is there a need for any specific types of business? small neighborhood -dares, shopping centers, highway businesses, etc.) 3. Are there any special locations that are appropriate for development? Please be as specific as possible in terms of roads, sections, etc. -4- (i.e., �C. Industrial Development 1. Is additional development desirable? 2. Would you prefer any specific types of industry? manufacturing, warehouses, heavy industry.) 3. Are there any specific locations that are appropriate for industrial development? Please be as specific as possible in terms of roads, sections, etc. (i.e., light VIII. County Government Goal: Isabella County should strive to improve the quality of its services and to facilitate cooperation with local units of government. Reaction: f f r r r Specific steps to take: r r IX. Does your local government currently have any special plans for remodeling, expansion, or construction of new public facilities? Please describe below. -5- �X. Are there other issues or problems that the Planning Commission should address? Any additional comments? Thank you for Your Cooperationi -6- �ISABELLA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION !SABELLA COUNTY BUILDING 200 N. Main Street MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48858 ,s, 11 n2-os11 C 0 u August 8, 198.5 TO: N FROM: T RE: y 0 F I 8 A B E L L A Isabella Camty Departments and Other Interested Agencies Evelyn Kent, Chairperson Isabella Cainty Planning Corrrnission Cainty Development Goa.ls The Planning canmission is no.v in the process of u¢ating the 1969 Isabella Cainty Comprehensive Plan. We are being assisted in this en::ieavor by the Department of Resairce Management and the East Central Planning and Development Region. The new plan, to be completed by the en::i of 198.5, will serve as a guide for the future development of the Cainty and will address areas such as Land Use, ColilIIllnity Facilities, and Transportation. In order for the Planning Canmission to adequately address current iss.ies and priorities, ~ nee:i yair input. On the attached pages, we have listed a number of brood goal statements that pertain to variais aspects of the Cainty's development. Fran the perspective of yair department/agency, please indicate for each applicable area: 1. 2. Yair overall reaction to the goa.l statement. Specific steps that shaild be taken to accomplish the goa.l. r r r r r r r r Please note that it is necessary to respond only to these items that relate to the activities and expertise of yair department/agency, but feel free to address other areas as well. Any additional cO!Illrents yai have will also be very helpful. Please submit yrur CO!Illrents to Dan Jones, Department of Resairce Management, by August 23, 198.5. The Planning Commission will also be holding advisory meetings to seek input fran local governments and the public in the near future. Yai will be notified of dates and times. Thank yrn very rruch for yair cooperation. r �Department/Agency Name I. Goal: Person To Contact Natural Resairces To provide for the wise use of the Cainty's aitstanding land, water, an:i scenic resairces in order to maintain a high quality environment for al 1 residents. Reaction: Specific steps to take: II. Goal: Parks and Recreation Thraigh the efforts of the Parks and Recreation Canmission, continue to maintain and improve the Cainty's recreation areas and prcgrams to meet the nee:is of all residents. Reaction: Specific steps to take: -1- �r III. Goal: Public Safety Police and fire protection shculd be maintained at a high level. Reaction: I I I I I I Specific steps to take: I IV. Goal: Transportation The Carnty shculd maintain and improve its reads, bridges, and public transportation services to provide a safe and efficient transportation system. Reaction: r I I J ' ' ' Specific steps to take: -2- �V. Goal: Health Services To ensure the availability of adequate health services for all residents of Isabella Crunty. Reaction: Specific steps to take: VI. Goal: Agricultural Land Use Agriculture is of fundamental importance to the econany and lifestyle of Isabella Crunty. As such, the Crunty' s prime fannlands shruld be preserved arxi maintained for agricultural pra:iuction. Reaction: Specific steps to take: -3- �1 VII. Goal: *Note: Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Land Use Additional residential, commercial, and industrial development is desirable in Isabella Crunty. Such development, ho.vever, rrust be planned and orderly, and rrust not create an excessive demand for public services. In yrur responses, please consider both the desirability of additional development and appropriate locations for development. a. Residential Development (including single-family, rrulti-family, mobile hane parks, subdivisions, etc.) Reaction: Specific steps to take: J I I I I I ) l ] b. l, Commercial Development Reaction: 1 Specific steps to take: l -4- �c. Industrial Development Reaction: Specific steps to take: VI I I. Crunty Government Goal: Isabella Crunty shruld strive to improve the quality of its services and to facilitate cooperation with local units of government. Reaction: Specific steps to take: IX. Does yrur department/agency currently have any special plans for remc:deling, expansion, or providing ne.v services and prcgrams? Please describe belo.v. -5- �J X. I Are there other isrues or problems that the Planning Canmission shruld address? Any additional canrrents? I - J Thank yru for Yrur Cooperation! l l I l I l l ~ -6- ' ' ,' , �APPENDIX S U P P L E ME N T A R Y S OC I AL D: A ND E C O N O MI C DAT A �COUNT DATA SERIES [l~b-effa C unt!J POPULATION HISTORY AND PROJECTIONS Local Unit ----- 1960 1970 1980 1985 1990 2000 2010 672 1,648 2,458 494 1,063 856 896 536 1,543 1 , 109 1,358 1,003 727 2,552 2,803 1,246 3,784 3 I 141 714 2,160 1,059 1 , 215 966 1 I 916 1,698 2,042 1,105 1,405 5,306 1,389 1,218 1,292 '"',967 3,276 i30 2,261 1,095 1,263 990 1,989 1,770 2,125 1 , 12 2 1,432 "•,650 1,427 1,266 1,384 4,296 3,529 772 2,446 1,169 1,356 1,048 2,134 1,906 2,285 1, 177 1,507 6,213 1 , 514 1,360 1,625 5,160 4,162 882 2,930 1 , 321 1,579 1,202 2,375 2,262 2,706 1,326 1,709 7,633 1 ,6~4 1,540 1,703 5,528 4,412 899 3,129 1,368 1,658 1,229 2,491 2,395 2,856 1,332 1,729 6,420 1,729 ,610 1 , 621 1,769 2,158 2,348 439 1,534 336 insufficient data for project:::..ons 9,837 14,875 14,112 6, 412 20,524 i6,912 6,834 23,746 15 ,978 7 ,069 2 3,047 15,650 7 ,554 23 , 204 13,500 8,833 22,333 13,900 9,211 23 ,111 35,348 44,594 54,110 54,702 57,300 62,399 65,599 596,890 690,573 769,929 770,300 799,300 840,400 864,900 7,823,194 8,875,083 9,262,078 9,170,300 9,387,700 Townships Broomfield Chippewa Coe ':oldwater Deerfield Denver Fremont Gilmore Isabella Lincoln i:'ottawa Rolland Sher,r,an U'l.· nn V.,.rnon !l/is2 531 "3,932 1,214 1,057 1,419 921 1,010 606 l, 757 1,254 1,758 927 S19 4,611 1,310 1,065 1,293 1,416 63"1 Vi.lla.ues ----- Shepher-: Ro.,ebush Citv ---=-C.M.u.* Bal. of City Mt. Pleasant COUNTY TOTAL REGION MICHIGAN 5,038 9,775,100 10,044,300 *Central Michigan University figures supplied by Mt. Pleasant Department of Community Affairs. - 1960-1980 DATA FROM U,S. CENSUS, STATE, REGION AND COUNTY PROJECTIONS BY MICHIGAN DEPAllnt:ENT OF MAMACEKENT A!fD lltrDGET. TOWNSHIP, VILLAGE AND CITY ALLOCATIONS OF COll!ITY PROJECTIONS lit ECMPDll, Vll �ISABELLA COUNTY LOCAL E>'20NOMIC DATA 1980 HOUSING POPULATION ------~-~% % MedTotal Pop. Female Over 65 ian Age_ 1,246 3,784 3, 141 714 2,160 1,059 , I 215 966 1 , 916 1,698 2,042 1 , 105 1,405 5,306 1,389 1 , 218 50.7 49.2 49.3 48.7 50.8 49.8 49.0 49.5 51 • 3 48.3 48.3 49.3 49.6 50.5 48.7 50.7 7. 1 5. 1 8.5 11 • 2 5.8 7.4 9.4 10.4 9. 1 7.4 9.4 11.9 12.0 5.3 8.3 9. 1 26.3 24. 5 26.8 27.0 27.2 26. 1 26.9 29.6 26.2 26.0 24. 3 28.9 30 .9 24.8 27.2 27. 1 489 1 , 331 1,095 341 751 404 400 552 703 571 824 408 931 1 , 955 542 428 1,534 336 50.4 55.7 9.6 13.4 26.7 27. 1 561 136 Pleasant 23,746 54.6 6.2 21 • 5 54,110 51 • 8 7. 1 22.7 769,929 9,262,078 231,106,727 51 • 1 51 • 3 51.4 10.6 9.8 11 • 3 Townships Broomfield Chippewa Coe Coldwater Deerfield Denver Fremont Gilmore Isabella Lincoln Nottawa Rolland Sherman Union Vernon Wise Total Uni ts ---- -----------Median Owner House- H.H. Holds Income --- ·- 41 3 $14,492 1 , 211 14,817 1,021 18, 1 70 11 , 081 213 671 21,601 350 15,365 379 15,870 322 14,750 645 16,206 543 16,886 621 15,078 363 13,576 498 13,068 1,818 16,148 440 15,801 391 16,058 Med. Val. Ownr-Oc Occpd. Hsng. Uni ts Uni ts --- - -- ---- 1984 EMPLOYMENT Labor Force --695 2 , 155 1,874 312 1,365 579 643 538 1 , 1 52 1 I 01 2 1 , 162 517 634 3,559 829 623 % U~mp~ 11. 7 12.3 10. 7 20.2 349 908 849 187 609 289 336 296 564 414 534 312 453 1,279 377 342 $37,700 34,400 35,200 23,800 53,100 28,900 30,100 31,300 33,800 33,900 32,100 24,900 34,800 43,100 30,800 26,300 17,995 12,266 414 103 33,900 24,900 not reported not reported 6,442 6,145* 13,576 2,621 40,200 13,729 6.6 18,167 16,044 $15,002 10,752 $37 I 500 31,376 8.7 n.a. 319,890 259,903 n.a 202,410 28.9 3.6M 3.2M $19,223 2.3M 30. 0 88.4M 80.4M $17,710 51 .BM n.a. $39,000 $47,200 371,275 4.3M 113.5M 13.2 11. 2 7.5 5.8 11.6 7.6 10.2 10.9 7.9 7.8 1 0 .4 1 2. 6 8.6 13.4 21.0 Villages Shepherd Rosebush 523 119 City Mt. TOTAL REGION MICHIGAN U.S. * 7,052 persons in group quarters. PREPARED B~: EAST CENTRAL MlCMl6AH PL»IHI AND D1.VI.LOPMI.HT Ria&IO �CLAIIE g 1a;..:~ o ...: ·- I • ' • I :~ . a -~l'y r.: . . ~ ,_. -~ ._,, ....... . . :=110/ , v•~ 1> .... '• . D .. l . .7) - 1 • ! ! ·- i • ·: . . . :l ~ -: -~ . ·I i . --· , _:_ I .....fl',... I"'-(\ ' - - \J& V./ ,,,"' r-:- --g . . Y. • I~ ..:. '" Mo ·• \ 17.' ~ I • ' .....__i-;.,. v, ·•~ f' I/ • . I _,,.. . . . ISABELLA COUNTY ........... ........ ISAIILUCO. ce1.a .. •ATI ■ ......... Nen'A.WA. . . . . . U,A • ••• D&NW ■• •... ,,...... ...... ...... ····, ...... v•u•• ...,~ , _ • ■ Ol,4.,,a•· .,. ......, '-••c•r..• Ctt&l'NW,t ,.. • l?RlDl?A.RlDD BY: EAST GNTIW. M10416AN PLAHHIH& AHO DliVliLOPMliHT Rli&IOH �:J\'1/NYS • NOIJnU • '1'10:>Sn.l • M'l'Nl!)'l'S • J.01.l'l'IJ!) • A'l'8 • ON'l'1011f • '1'1138\'S/ • :J'l'N:IIJ\' • NIM0'1'1!) • :IIJ'l'l:) • O:JSOI • Ml'lf~OO • HOlflf~OIJ 9090 0010-c~l lU '!NOHd NY01H:>IW 'MVNiOYS ~ ".lt.S Oi ·-:, '.i ;;nv wuo;b oo; NOl93GI 43\Vd013, ~C ONV f9NiNNV1d NV9iH:)IW lVellN:l) lSV3 < 8 ("'; ~ fX _o z- ~; A l ... Pl p: i a IQ !i2 ~ ~Pl !i~~~ ~ Pt r-.1 ;o ~ lG}J 0 H ~ 0 z 0 0 p:l INDUSTRY NEW CONSTRUCTION 1983 DATA BY INDUSTfY # OF FIRMS EMPLOYEES PAYROLL ($ 000' a) D indi.:::atP-s value suppressed -::o avoid disclosure. Agri cultural Serv's, 203 ~':,_"stry, Fisheries 24 7 Mining 674 17,148 34 Contract Ccnstr'n 5,464 74 317 Manlt fac turing 1 , 203 22,969 Transportation, P-~blic Util~ties 23 4,252 218 '1holes ale Trade 15,311 72 726 Retail Trad<> 296 26,413 3,260 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 8,393 81 577 llealth Services 1,081 15,t>95 56 Other Services 22S 18,255 2,212 Non-classified 69 1,407 79 Federal Civilian Employment 121 620 ., 1963 Total Personal Income Per Capita Personal Income $440,400,000 $8,232 1980 Households w/ Social Se curity o r Pub l ic Assistance Inc o me 16 , 044 1984 Estimated Population Soc. Sec. Recipients Pub, Assistance Ree's 54,600 5,519 4,386 5,154 Land Are a of the County ( sq . mi.) 576,6 Inland Water 1.3 32.H 10.1' 1983 1984 Resitlential - Units Value (~ OOO's) 168 4,855 H2 6,172 258 9,463 Industrial - Bldgs . Va lue ($ OOO's) •l 4 112 1Tl 5 566 50 3 111 ,ss Commercial - Bldgs. Value ($ OOO's) 7 41; •J 550 9 864 (S millions) Real Property Personal Proper~y 1982 377 34 1983 Offices - Bldgs. Value ($ OOO's) J -----------------------------------~-------------A3sessed valuatlon (not mar~et vnlue} 392 38 New Car and Truck 1982 1983 Registrations 1,535 ::--;o'i9 1984 Tota l Moto r Vehicle Registrations 1984 449 39 1964 2,085 35,563 -------------------------------------------------1984 Coun t y -bas ed Ne ws p a per Circ u lation Daily Sunday Weekly 11,062 ( 1 paper) 1,502 s.o, -------------------------------------------------262 , 112 1982 Oi l Production (barrels) 0.2, -------------------------------------------------1982 1977 0 Gas Production (cu. f t .) - -------- ------ - ------ - -------- --- ---- ---- - -------1983 To tal Agricultural Sales 52 ( $ millions l Crop Sales 17 32, 1, Livestock and Livestock Product Sales 67.311 35 Sources: Michigan Statistical Abstract-1985 / County Business Patterns-1983 1982 CATffiORY Sale s by Co u n t y Fir ms Wholesale ($ mi llions ) Retail ~ 538 146 195 ----------------Branches Fina nci al Institutions, Companies• 20 1983 Commercial Banks 8 2 1984 Savings & Loans 2 $194,817,000 1983 Deposits in Commercial Banks *Operate in county; not necessarily main office . � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wyckoff Planning and Zoning Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Planning & Zoning Center (Lansing, Mich.) (Organization) Wyckoff, Mark A. Description An account of the resource Municipal master plans and zoning ordinances from across the state of Michigan, spanning from the 1960s to the early 2020s. The bulk of the collection was compiled by urban planner Mark Wyckoff over the course of his career as the founder and principal planner of the Planning and Zoning Center in Lansing, Michigan. Some additions have been made to the collection by municipalities since it was transferred to Grand Valley State University. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Michigan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960/2023 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Comprehensive plan publications Master plan reports Zoning--Michigan Zoning--Maps Maps Land use--planning Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-240 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Isabella-County_Comprehensive-Plan_1986 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource East Central Michigan Planning and Development Region Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986 Title A name given to the resource Isabella County Comprehensive Plan Description An account of the resource The Isabella County Comprehensive Plan was prepared by the East Central Michigan Planning and Development Region with assistance from the Isabella County Planning Commission and Isabella County Department of Resource Management in 1986. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Isabella County Planning Commission (consultant) Isabella County Department of Resource Management (consultant) Subject The topic of the resource Comprehensive plan publications Isabella County (Mich.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/86e370a4ff9e338ae9046e3f34aac72d.jpg 0e52e3c14fcd1cfa48c62c497d76a6af Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo01 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/73a10d0f38ed076f8ff04d1006b7b920.jpg 0c7756b5c958093662936f7c9497d9d1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo02 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7583d3bec16ceac4fea04218e0d61d3c.jpg 9e45c436c47eed61ef78e5720505da1e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo03 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a2edfd7d27f868e61aa64d3b1ab024d0.jpg a33a0a598e0c8d4671003700a668525c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo04 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5438cd39ca42f8aadbd7dd1486ebe938.jpg 46db9399a1790257f80e805275d4e3be Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo05 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/71387a6d34ac8c34a6d19022ea4c2422.jpg 7ccaea1bf8c55b9f6aae68c3350eeabc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faces of Grand Valley Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource University Communications Description An account of the resource A non-comprehensive collection of photographs of Grand Valley faculty, staff, administrators, board members, friends, and alumni. Photos collected by University Communications for use in promotion and information sharing about Grand Valley with the wider community. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960s - 1990s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GV012-03. University Communications. Vita Files Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copryight Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University College administrators College teachers Colleges and universities -- Faculty Michigan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context IshakSamir_Photo06 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. University Communications Title A name given to the resource IsHak, Samir Description An account of the resource Samir IsHak, Director of the School of Public Service Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University – History College administrators Michigan Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived University Communications. Vita Files, 1968-2016 (GV012-03) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In Copyright Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/030a1b6532bba23365075be9845d437f.pdf ec7104c170faf6db544f355a7d0109e3 PDF Text Text Israel: God Wrestler A Tale of Providence and Grace Text: Genesis 27:38; Genesis 32:9-10, 28 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan October 9, 1994 Transcription of the spoken sermon Esau said to his father, 'Have you only one blessing, father? Bless me, me also father!' And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Genesis 27:38 And Jacob said, 'O God of my father Abraham…I am not worthy of the least of all the steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown your servant…’ Genesis 32:9-10 Then the man said, 'You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.' Genesis 32:28 We have had a series of messages in which we are trying to see the broad sweep of the Biblical story. The message this morning is about the one of whom we read, Jacob. You can tell that there's material there for a dozen sermons, and I've done series on Jacob in the past. This morning, I will simply hit the mountain peak of that story. I am not treating the story of Jacob this morning in order to find the preaching values that are there or the applications that are there for our life so much as, rather, to see the story of Jacob in the larger puzzle of the whole biblical story. The first eleven chapters of Genesis are Israel's understanding of where it fit into the broad scheme of things. Those first eleven chapters were stories told, by which Israel gave expression to its understanding of where it stood in relationship to the whole cosmos and the whole sweep of human history. In those eleven chapters it witnessed to its understanding of the human situation, why life is like it is. Those stories, so profound, gave expression to the best insights that Israel had about the world, about God and the human condition. Then last week we moved from that universal scope to the more particular focus, because that was Israel's story. In the 10th chapter of Genesis you have the table of the nations, and it is out of those nations that God calls one family, and the call was to Abraham and Sarah. We looked at that story, that really beautiful and tragic story, of Abraham and Sarah who had to trust God in the extremity, yet © Grand Valley State University   �Israel: God Wrestler Richard A. Rhem Page 2   who in the meantime took things into their own hands so that Sarah's slave girl, Hagar, bore Abraham a son, whom he loved. And Sarah, being so human, forced the slave girl and her son out of the tent. The tragic story of Ishmael, the firstborn, Abraham's beloved, but who was turned away. The question is this matter of God's choice in selection. Does it always have to be a case of one who is elected and one who is rejected? Isaac, the child of promise, comes—Ishmael is rejected. Ishmael, as it were, Abraham's son by normal, natural means. But Israel understood that, ultimately, the fulfillment was not the product of human ingenuity or human potential; it was a miracle, it was the creation of God. So out of Sarah's barren womb must arise the child of promise, Isaac. Then Isaac's story is told, although Isaac is not a very colorful figure and he doesn't get a lot of press. He takes a wife, Rebecca. Abraham sends his servant back to the home territory in order to secure a wife for Isaac, and Isaac and Rebecca are married. But, do you remember? Here again, Rebecca is "barren." It is not the case that once God gets this whole thing going by grace that it can kind of generate itself. No, not at all. Once again, a barren womb seems the way for this people, from whom will come, the promise says, children as numerous as the stars of the heaven. This time conception occurs. It’s a tough pregnancy. Rebecca wonders if she shouldn't die, and then she is told, "two nations are in your womb," foreshadowing the conflict that will come down through the ages, beginning with the brothers Esau and Jacob. Esau, the first out of the womb, his heel grasped by his brother Jacob, giving his brother his name, "heel" or "supplanter" or "grasper," setting us up for the conflict between these two brothers. Again the ordinary way of things will be upset because it will not be the firstborn, it will be the second son, Jacob, who will be the bearer of the promise. "Why?" you say. "Why?" I say. The inscrutable mystery of God. I don't know. The story runs smack into it again. Not Ishmael but Isaac. Not Esau but Jacob. And all our sympathies are with Esau. He's the kind of kid that everyone would love. But Jacob, soft skinned Jacob, was his mother's favorite. One day Esau comes in famished and Jacob is stirring up a pot of stew, scheming and planning, always thinking. Shrewd Jacob says, "I'll give you the stew for the rights of first birth." Esau said, "What's the future? It's now that I am hungry. Give me the soup." But then the really tough part of the story. Isaac is old now. He is blind. He is ready to die. He is ready to bestow that final blessing on his firstborn, so he calls Esau and says, "Go to the field and hunt and bring me venison, fix me a stew, and I will bless you." You know the story. Rebecca hears and tells Jacob to go get a kid. They cook it up and she puts hairy skins on his soft arms and sends him in to the blind old man to pose as Esau in order that he might get the blessing. Isaac gives Jacob the blessing, even though suspicious about the identity of this one. Esau comes back and weeps bitterly. Once again, the same cry as Ishmael. "Is there only one blessing? Can you not bless me, oh my father?" But the deed is done, the word has been spoken, the word cannot be recalled. That's the way it was in that culture, in their understanding. And if that's the understanding that everyone shares, that's the way it is. That has power. © Grand Valley State University �Israel: God Wrestler Richard A. Rhem Page 3   So Jacob has to flee because Esau says, "Now twice he's done it to me, I'll kill him." So Jacob flees a days' journey and finally, exhausted, lies down to rest and, of course, one would suspect that he would be wide-eyed all night, trembling with guilt and fear. Not so. He lies down and sleeps like a baby and has a dream so magnificent that it brings tears to our eyes. There's a heaven. There's a ladder stretching up to heaven with angels coming up and down, and at the top is God. A revelation, an epiphany, call it what you will, an experience of an encounter with the living God who says, "I am the God of Abraham and of Isaac, your father. I will be your God and you will be the covenant child, and I will bless all nations and I will be with you wherever you go. I will keep you and I will bring you home." Amazing, isn't it? He goes off to his uncle to find himself a wife. Leah, and then Rachel. Leah is given to him by subterfuge, but he works longer and he earns Rachel. He loves Rachel. But Rachel is what? "Barren." Here we are again. Finally through all the prosperity he gains his flocks and his herds and Rachel has a child, Joseph. The wife, the love of his life, gives him the apple of his eye. In late years he prepares to go home, to meet Esau. Always equal to the task, probably with a yellow pad or two, making notations, he plans and he schemes, ready once again to manipulate this weaker brother. Then, the night before the encounter, he sends his family over the brook and remains on the other side in the darkness alone. The story tells us a man assaulted him. A man? A demon? No, we read between the lines. This is none other than God. Jacob wrestles with God. He wrestles all night and seems almost to prevail, but the dawn is about to break and the match must be over before sunrise. At the moment it seems that Jacob will prevail, his thigh is "touched," and he is crippled. Now he clings to the other, but not in order to overcome, but rather he clings to the other out of need, crying out, "Bless me. I will not let go until you bless me." As a result, he is given a new name. No longer Jacob the deceiver, the supplanter, the grasper, but "Israel"—God wrestler. The name in that culture also signified the person, and the new name signified a new person. Jacob is born anew at Jabbok that night as he wrestles with God, striving with every ounce of energy to prevail, finally crippled, fearfully wondering who this was, only to discover that he has struggled with the God of all mercy who blesses him there. The sun begins to light the conflagration in the eastern sky, and we see Jacob limping off. He seems even to be dancing on that crippled leg. He has been crippled by a very great grace. Fascinating story. The Hebrews telling about their roots. Israel is trying to understand who it is. It is trying to understand itself in the light of the whence of its birth. Abraham, Isaac . . . but Jacob? I don't suppose it is true any more in school classrooms. But it seems as though when I was attending there was always a picture of George Washington, father of the nation. Wasn't George Washington the one who never told any lies? I mean, founding fathers and mothers should be heroes and heroines. They should be © Grand Valley State University �Israel: God Wrestler Richard A. Rhem Page 4   exemplars. They should be models. They are those who are held up to us as great figures, and we are called to emulate them. But Israel claims Jacob as its father, this schemer, this planner, this usurper, this manipulator, this exploiter. This one they say is our father. Israel telling its story in terms of this man, and believing that God worked through one like that. That all is so much of grace that it actually scandalizes us. No morality play, this. No whitewashing of the forefathers and foremothers in order to claim a squeaky clean past. This is a people who knew that God worked with the raw material of human history and of humankind, and that a Jacob was in the line of covenant blessing. How could God use a Jacob? How could God further God's purposes, God's eternal purposes of love and grace through one like that? Yet you see that's exactly the heart and center of biblical faith. Finally, Israel knew that it was given life by God, that life was gift, that all was grace, that there was nothing in itself, no righteousness or goodness or mercy or merit. There was no claim at all on this one who moves inscrutably, and blesses, who wrestles with us and struggles with us, but finally will overcome us. I loved Ruth's phrase "knocked to her knees by grace." It is only grace that finally knocks us to our knees. You see, it is in stories like this that you see what the Bible is all about. I will tell you that my whole understanding of grace arises out of these stories. My understanding of grace comes not out of the New Testament, even though it’s there. It was in this sense of God choosing this people from progenitors like this one that it had to be all of grace, that choice, that selection, that election which brought with it in the very choice and selection, tragedy and disappointment and rejection. That very choice, that selection, that was not in order that the rest might be abandoned, but it was a choice of these in order that all might be embraced. If God would choose these, if God would use these, then God will use anything, anyone. Then it is all of grace, radical grace. Radical grace! And if it is radical grace in its foundation, it must be radical grace to the end of time and to the whole expanse of the human family. It is grace because God is grace. Will you question God? Will you put God on the stand? Will you say, "Why God?” Sure you will and the only answer is "I am God, and I am full of grace." That's the story of this scoundrel who was finally conquered by grace at Bethel. In the midst of his guilty night, there heaven opens up and God says, "I will be with you, and I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you home, “through many dangers, toils and snares. I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will bring me home." Amazing Grace. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/37fa1de8324494fa1e03f9636199252d.mp3 5b5cd36e313437c2e8219438bf4010b8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XX Series The First Testament Scripture Text Genesis 27: 38, 32:9-10, 28 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19941009 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994-10-09 Title A name given to the resource Israel: God Wrestler - A Tale of Providence and Grace Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 9, 1994 entitled "Israel: God Wrestler - A Tale of Providence and Grace", as part of the series "The First Testament", on the occasion of Pentecost XX, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 27: 38, 32:9-10, 28. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Grace of God Mystery Transforming Grace https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e65f1609f85fd619d754717c86bd1a62.mp3 1d62ba6b0956655087f938f2143d2b53 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Midweek Lent Series On Being Human Scripture Text Psalm 103, Ephesians 3:14-21, Matthew 5: 43-48 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950315 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-03-15 Title A name given to the resource It Is All Right Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 15, 1995 entitled "It Is All Right", as part of the series "On Being Human", on the occasion of Midweek Lent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 103, Ephesians 3:14-21, Matthew 5: 43-48. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives