By Patricia Ferrell
Wednesday’s Clare County Board of Commissioners meeting started off with Vice Chairman Rick Fancon being re-elected to this position in the Board of Commissioners Room at the courthouse in Harrison.
Steven Sentz, of Grant Township, was then up and announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Clare County.
Sentz said he has been interested and involved in areas of law enforcement since the age of 17 and has also served in Afghanistan –where he received a Purple Heart.
Sentz has worked in local law enforcement for 11 years, climbing the ladder from the ranks of deputy sheriff and has been a school resource officer in Clare County.
“It’s worth every penny to invest in the safety of our community,” he said as he wrapped up his time before the Board.
Former Clare County Transit Director Tom Pirnstill then took the opportunity to speak about what he’s now involved in and referred the Board to take a look at the packet he had placed before them.
“We purchased the church out on Cranberry Lake,” Pirnstill said, which he and a team of others are hoping to obtain a grant for to turn this into a comfort home.
There is a benefit dinner for Big R & Smokin’ Joe’s Comfort Care House, which this is being called — to improve hospice care, and that is planned for April 25 at the Harrison Moose Lodge.
He said he has 300 tickets to sell at $20 per person. Dinner will be served from 5-6:30; a live auction and music will follow.
Pirnstill is also involved with Harrison Senior Services and works with veterans – obtaining medical equipment for them, and others in need of such services.
For tickets, or any questions, you may reach him at 989-387-7247.
When it was time for Administrator Lori Phelps to give her report she mentioned she’s working on grants to help homeowners and recommends visiting the county website for all that’s currently going on.
Then it was time for the motions, for which Chairman George Gilmore asked Commissioner David Hoefling to take the first one.
Hoefling read, “Motion: to increase the burial funds for veterans from $600 per veteran to $1200 per veteran.”
Gilmore said he’d like to discuss this, and Commissioner Gabe Ambrozaitis had eye-opening information on the subject.
He said it’s over $1500, and that’s bottom level for a no-frills cremation.
“To provide financial relief,” said Commissioner Jacob Gross, to help someone who’s grieving.
“I think it’s the right thing to do for our indigent veterans,” said Ambrozaitis.
He went on to say that there’s something like ten burials a year that they’re involved with and that $10,000 a year is given to this fund from the county.
The motion passed hands-down.
Ambrozaitis then read, “I make a motion: to approve Resolution of Intent number 26-01 to apply for financial assistance for fiscal year 2026-2027 for Clare County public transportations program, Contract Resolution number 26-02 for fiscal year 2026-2027, which allows Katie MacInnes, Clare County transit director, to execute contracts with MDOT, Resolution authorizing adoption and ratification of Contract Clauses Certification number 26-03, which governs how any transit project requirements apply and such clauses apply to all Federally funded contracts for fiscal year 2026-2027, and Resolution number 2-04 Authorizing Adoption and Ratification of Public Act 51 to maintain an accessibility plan with MDOT addressing accessibility for all residents.”
Commissioner Marlene Housler read next, “Make a motion: to accept and sign the Materials Management Planning Program Grant Agreement between the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and Clare County for fiscal year 2026 in the amount of $80,000.”
Fancon read the following motion, “To approve Statutory Finance Committee meeting minutes of December 22nd, 2025, in the amount of $73,722.80 and January 5th, 2026, in the amount of $15,906.99.”
Commissioner Jeff Haskell read, “Make a motion: to approve the expenditures for the month of December 2025 in the amount of $1,853.420.42 with the general fund expenditures totaling $1,040,016.06.”
Gross read, “Make a motion: to change the board meeting in November from November 11th to Thursday, November 12th.”
Commissioner Dale Majewski read the last one, “Motion: to allow the administrator to apply for a preservation grant for historical county records.”
“How much is that?” Is the question that arose, which seemed to come from Housler.
Phelps answered, “About $500,000, and there’s no match requirement.”
Treasurer Jenny Beemer-Fritzinger was up next with a reminder that February 28 is when taxes are due.
“We don’t like to foreclose,” she said and mentioned that in her office they try to work out plans so that they don’t have to foreclose on properties.
The Board then touched on their townships.
Gilmore said Sheridan is currently talking about roads which are in need repair. Housler said Redding is changing their meetings from the third Wednesday of the month to the third Monday of each month, and Hoefling said many of his townships are very pleased with how the road commission’s handled snow removal this year.
Clare County Road Commission Manager Dewayne Rogers was at this meeting and mentioned there’s a road commission educational workshop happening from 10 a.m. to noon February 13 in their new building. RSVPs are due by February 6.
Harrison resident Pat Adams, who served 21 years in the military, then went before the Board to thank them for approving the veterans’ burial funds for his fellow service members.
One last note from the treasurer’s office: National Love Your Pet Day is February 21; and there will be door prizes during the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rabies Vaccination and Dog License Clinic, which will be going on at the Clare County Animal Shelter at 4040 Hazel Road in Harrison.
This is for Clare County residents only, and prices are $20 for rabies vaccinations and $20 for distemper and parvo vaccines. Licensing will also be available at an additional cost.
