A4 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT
ENVIRONMENT
Focus on recycling
Continues from A1
Among the legislation passed in the
final hours of last year’s lame duck legisla-
tive session was the overhaul of Part 115 of
the Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Act.
The changes would divert more recy-
clable material from landfills and develop
advances in recycling and composting
opportunities. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
signed the new law in late December.
Expectations are that recycling in Mich-
igan could more than double under the
new law. Boosting recycling rates is part of A view of milk containers inside the
Whitmer’s climate action plan for the state. Emmet County Department of Public
Michigan’s statewide recycling rate Works located at 7363 Pleasantview Lane
lagged the nation at 19% in 2019 but is now in Harbor Springs in 2022. Kaytie Boomer,
Ottawa County Board Chair Joe Moss listens to public comment during a Board of Com-
missioners meeting in West Olive, Michigan, earlier this year. Joel Bissell, MLive.com
about 21%. The national average is 34%.
State environmental regulators say they
intend to officially call for new materials
management plans this month, which are
MLive.com
POLITICS
If county officials don’t do the waste
Michigan Republicans
pay $74,000, but for what?
Continues from A1
required for each Michigan county under stream planning work, local municipalities
the new law. or regional groups will have a chance to take
Counties will have three years to create a on the task. And if that doesn’t happen, state
plan and put it in action. Grant money will regulators will write the new plan for them.
be available to help counties take inven-
“And we purposely devised the depart-
tory of their waste stream and plan how to ment-written plan to be very ugly, because
boost recycling access for their residents, we don’t want to write the plans. We want
whether through curbside services, drop- the plans to be county-generated,” Browne
off centers or periodic community events said.
Moss co-founded the ultraconserva- ening to withhold a sizable amount of
tive group Ottawa Impact, which makes up funding from the county’s health depart-
the majority of the Ottawa County Board ment.
for recycling and hazardous materials col-
lection.
Each county will receive $60,000
annually to write the plan, plus an extra
of Commissioners. He did not respond to a
request for comment.
According to its website, For Liberty pro- Political Action Committee paid a total of
vides “technology solutions and consulting $13,718.99 to For Liberty in the 2022 elec-
services.” The Detroit News said the busi- tion cycle for bookkeeping, website and
ness was paid $74,261 by the state GOP on email, web hosting, phone service and data
March 31, 41 days after Moss nominated Kar- management.
amo, who was successfully voted in as chair
of the state party.
While the state party did not disclose group’s political action committee.
what the March 31 payment was for, it did Liberal advocacy group Progress Mich-
disclose the reasons for two further pay- igan said the payment by the state GOP to
ments to For Liberty. According to the For Liberty raises concerns about transpar-
Detroit News, the state GOP paid For Liberty ency.
$1,744 on May 17 and $12,551 on June 21 for
“digital management.”
Ottawa Impact campaigned last year on cerned with their extremist agendas than
cultural issues and state and county pan- actually serving the people of Michigan,
demic restrictions and won big, ousting a today’s news makes it clear there may be
majority of the county commission’s incum- another motive: lining their own pock-
According to Ottawa County cam-
paign finance records, the Ottawa Impact
“It’s what is being generated in your $10,000 for each county that participates
county, and what do you have available in a regional planning group. Additionally,
now to deal with it?” said Liz Browne, counties will receive an extra 5 cents per
materials management division director capita, up to $300,000, for the first three
for the Michigan Department of Environ- years.
ment, Great Lakes and Energy. “And unlike
The new law includes more than just recy-
the landfill mandate, it doesn’t say you cling rules. Among the other changes are an
have to account for every ounce of mate- increase to landfill surety bonds to prevent
rial that’s being generated. It’s being used costly environmental cleanups from becom-
more to generate the best data possible to ing taxpayer problems.
In addition to being leader of Ottawa
Impact, Moss is also treasurer of the
help counties figure out what additional
resources they may need.”
The law also established standards
for landfill gas controls and changes to
Once the state agency calls for county expected landfill closure schedules to a
plans, each county government will have case-by-case basis. Additionally, local offi-
180 days to notify EGLE whether officials cials gained more controls over the aesthet-
intend to develop such a plan for their ics and hours of operation at landfills, recy-
waste stream. The new law has specific cling and compost facilities.
“While it is well-established that Kris-
tina Karamo and Joe Moss are more con-
benchmarks that counties will be required
to meet.
More details about the regulation
changes can be learned at a series of regional
“We’re all working toward recycling at meetings hosted by the Michigan Recycling
least 45% of our materials. We’re all also Coalition. Four of the meetings already hap-
working toward benchmark recycling stan- pened, and four more are scheduled in Octo-
dards. And these benchmark recycling ber: Oct. 12 in Bay City, Oct. 19 in Petoskey,
standards are really where the rubber meets Oct. 20 in Escanaba, and Oct. 30 in Wayne
the road, because how do you increase recy- County.
bents during the Republican primaries.
ets,” Progress Michigan Managing Direc-
Since taking power in January, the group tor Denzel McCampbell said. “While Kar-
has made a host of controversial changes to amo has been making headlines for her
the way the county does business, including failure to fundraise for the party, Moss
closing the county’s diversity office, effec- is raking in loads of cash, and there is no
tively banning county employees from offer- transparency in regards to what the pay-
ing services at Pride festivals and threat- ment was for.”
cling without having recycling opportuni-
ties available?” O’Brien said.
Finally, EGLE will host a virtual meeting
about the planning process on Oct. 18.
WASHTENAW COUNTY
Man charged with killing teacher heads to trial
A man charged with killing a Jackson
High School teacher will head to trial.
Detectives said they believe Doulos bone,” Assistant Washtenaw County Pros-
died the evening of March 11, the last time ecutor Jessica Blanch said at Gamez’s
Charles Gamez, 41, was bound over to phone records show Doulos and Gamez arraignment.
the Washtenaw County Trial Court on together, according to transcripts of the
charges of open murder and unlawfully swear-to hearing obtained by MLive.
Neighbors saw Gamez leave with two
dogs that lived in the apartment around 7
driving away at a hearing on Monday in
front of Judge Cedric Simpson. He will blood and trauma to Alyson’s face and
“There was a significant amount of p.m. March 11, Morrison said.
“And at that time, he fled to his moth-
next appear before Judge Carol Kuhnke.
Gamez is charged with killing his girl- Det. Heather Morrison said during a hear- ber’s,” Morrison said.
friend, Alyson Doulos, 48. ing requesting a warrant for Gamez. “Aly- Gamez had a history of domestic vio-
head,” Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office er’s house, and then to other family mem-
Officers from the Washtenaw County son had appeared to have been assaulted lence and had spent time in prison for sev-
Sheriff’s Office were called for a well-be- in the hallway of the apartment, and then eral felonies, according to court records.
ing check at Schooner Cove Apartments in (dragged) to the living room, where she He was arraigned on charges of open mur-
the 5000 block of Bosuns Way in Ypsilanti came to final rest.”
Township on March 13. Prosecutors also claim Gamez stabbed cle on March 17 after turning himself into
After attempting to locate Doulos, offi- Doulos in the face. police two days prior.
cers gained entry into the apartment, “(He) took a knife to her face so hard
der and unlawfully driving away a vehi-
Charles Gamez is charged with killing his
Doulos taught 10th- and 11th-grade girlfriend, Alyson Doulos, at Schooner
where they found her dead. An autopsy that part of the knife actually broke off in English at Jackson High School since Cove Apartments in Ypsilanti Township.
ruled Doulos died by strangulation.
her jawbone and is embedded in her jaw- 2020.
She was also the National Honor Society
MLive.com files
adviser at the school and helped students
with after-school tutoring.
Gamez is currently being held with- of life in prison. He is next set to appear in
out bond in the Washtenaw County Jail. If court Nov. 14.
convicted, he faces a maximum sentence
Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Administrative Rules for State Land Use Rules
Rule Set 2023-6 NR
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, October 19, 2023
02:30 PM
YOUR DENTAL HEALTH
Hutchinson Conference Room
Constitution Hall, Atrium Level, 525 West Allegan, Lansing, MI 48933
Presented By
Rider Oral Surgery
The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on
proposed changes to the State Land Use Rules rule set.
State Land Use Rules list various unlawful acts for individuals who use or occupy lands under the
control of the department. The rules also provide certain exemptions, penalty for violation of rules,
and enforcement authorities. The proposed amendment will provide clarity and consistency to the
provisions in R 299.924 and R 299.927 related to the leash requirement for certain dogs, bring the rule
into alignment with the original intent of the rule, and reduce confusion for land users and enforcement
personnel.
CHOOSING THE
BEST BRUSH
By authority conferred on the Department of Natural Resources by section 504 of the Natural
Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994, MCL 324.504, and
Executive Reorganization Orders Nos. 1991-22, 2009-3145, and 2011-1, MCL 299.13, 324.99919,
and 324.99921.
With so many options available,
choosing the right toothbrush for
your specific needs can be
approved-this ensures that the
bristles are safe and secured, the
handle is sturdy, and the brush
helps reduce plaque and gum
disease.
daunting. Follow these easy
The proposed rules will take effect immediately after filing with the Secretary of State. The
10/15/2023 issue of the Michigan Register. Copies of these proposed rules may also be obtained by
mail or electronic mail at the following email address: rostm@michigan.gov.
guidelines to pick the best brush.
Consider the size of the brush
head: the best size for most adults
is one that’s one inch long and half
an inch wide. Choose a brush with
good grip for better control.
Bristles come in soft, medium, and
hard; for most people, soft bristles
are the safest choice. Straight
bristles can do more harm than
good, so always go for rounded
bristles. Most importantly, choose
a brush that’s ADA or CDA
P.S. Both manual and electric
toothbrushes do a sufficient job,
as long as you brush for the
recommended two minutes and
use the correct technique.
Comments on these proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by electronic mail at the
following addresses until 10/27/2023 at 05:00PM.
Department of Natural Resources, Legislative and Legal Affairs Office,
ATTN: Legal Policy Specialist
PO Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909-7528
The public hearing will be conducted in compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. If
the hearing is held at a physical location, the building will be accessible with handicap parking
available.
Anyone needing assistance to take part in the hearing due to disability may call 517-284-6019 to
make arrangements.
Located at
2545 Spring Arbor Rd.
Suite 202, Jackson, MI
517-783-3130
10746381-01
