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Page 2The PaperApril 5-19, 2019www.thebuchananpaper.orgLetters, Etc.Mary Lister, PublisherPatricia Banker, EditorThis issue is bittersweet.Buchanan has recently lost two lovely people who resided herefor many years and gave much service to our community; thusthey left Buchanan and the world a little better. Judith Gault whoshared glorious music and Martha Ryman who raised fabulousflowers, especially pansies, have been seen and heard by many,and affected lives in beautiful ways. We celebrate because theyhave been in our lives, but we will miss seeing them both aroundtown -- Martha strolling from her home to downtown on nice summer days, and Judith attending summer concerts at the Common,and both seen at many other venues in town. They leave a voidwhich can never be filled but we celebrate their lives and memories which cannot be taken from many of us.We also celebrate in this issue the 100th birthday of MarieKangas! She is still a strong and always caring person who has asharp mind and a genuine love of others, which she has expressedthrough volunteering much of her life. Her sense of humor neverceases, and that twinkle in her eyes makes us want to hug her. Wesend her best wishes and hope that the coming year will bring joyand peace.It is a pleasure for us to provide coverage of the city commission meetings, but we still encourage people to attend them and tolet city officials know you care about what happens in our town.The meetings are held at 7pm on the 2nd and 4th Monday of eachmonth. You can also watch the entire meeting on line by visitingwww.thebuchananpaper.org and click on the video on the frontpage.Finally, we are delighted to offer our pet lovers a means to showoff your pet and at the same time support The Paper! Pet Month iscoming soon and you can place a photo and message in our Mayissue by completing the form and sending your check. If you wishto do it on line, you can complete the order form on our website.We continue to strive to make Buchanan a better place to live byproviding our readers with a quality newspaper. We thank you foryour contributions through your letters, opinions, articles, monetary donations, and advertisements. .Mary269.224.4949Letters to the Editor may be edited forgrammar and spelling, but not content(unless for length).We want to hear from you, and share your voice.The comments here include opinions, observations andviewpoints which are not necessarily reflected by The Paper.We will print your name or withhold it as you request, but we must know thesource in order to publish. We also reserve the right not to publish.Editor:I so agree with Alan Robandt regarding “A Tale of Two Cities.”It seems clear the Buchanan City Commissioners have optednot to respect the voters of Buchanan. The fact that the schools,roads, water/sewers, and various other financial issues exist, theCommissioners have decided to put their personal feelings aboveBuchanan’s and send the marijuana revenue to Niles. It’s time toconcentrate on filling store fronts and keeping current businesseshere or else we’ll soon end up looking like an abandoned Midwestsmall town.Concerned CitizenREDUCE REUSERECYCLE DAYWEDNESDAY, APRIL 103 P.M. - 7 P.M.LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE2755 E. NAPIER AVE.BENTON HARBOREnter campus from Napier Ave. and follow the event signs tothe parking lot south of the Mendel Center.ACCEPTED ITEMS:Household Chemicals: Home/garden/garage chemicals, used motoroil & filters, yard & garden chemicals, antifreeze, gasoline, stain,oil-based paint, varnish, household & car batteries, cleaners, paintthinner, unwanted pills and other medications, medical needles/sharps, mercury items, compact fluorescent light bulbs & tubes,photo chemicals, pool chemicals, small 1-lb propane cylinders,adhesives, driveway sealer & more.Electronics ( 10/computer monitor and 20/television fees apply,payment due at the event)Magazines & CatalogsBooks (soft & hard cover, for reuse - NO binders or notebooks)Shoes (all types, for reuse, must be in good condition, in pairs)Foam/Polystyrene (ice chests, foam cups, clean foam “to-go”containers, egg cartons, foam blocks NOT ACCEPTED packingpeanuts, soft foam, or building material)Without our volunteers, we could not exist.Thanks to those who so generously devote time andeffort to do what is necessary to get the newspaper toour readers.For Advertising, please contactMary Vincent at 269-697-4201, or email us atbuchananpaper@gmail.com.Special thanks to Our Community SponsorsBuchanan #68 Free & Accepted MasonsBuchanan Art CenterThe Arbanas FamilyBuchanan Area Chamber of Commercebuchananpaper@gmail.comBicyclesPlastic Grocery Bags (must be clean and empty)American FlagsPersonal Documents for Free, On-site ShreddingFire HydrantFlushingThe Buchanan CityWater Departmentwill be flushing firehydrants April 9th, 10th & 11thfrom 7pm – Midnight. The hydrantflushing program is very important tothe maintenance of the City’s watersystem. Hydrant flushing may causesome water discoloration and lowwater pressure for a short periodof time. If you see the City crewflushing hydrants in your area,avoid running tap water and usingthe washing machine.Brush Pick-UpApril 1 - October 7The City will pick upbrush and limbs on the FIRST andTHIRD Monday of each month.The City Crews will make only ONEpass throughout the City starting oneach of the first and third Monday’s.Brush and limbs must be neatlystacked and laying in one directionon the tree lawn area, betweenthe curb and sidewalks. Items willNOT be accepted if tied in bundlesor if it exceeds 10 feet in length.No branches or tree trunks with adiameter greater than 4 inches willbe collected. Tree stumps are notaccepted and will not be picked up.Yard WastePick-UpApril 1 - October 7Pick-up will be everyMonday. Grass clippings,leaves, hedge trimmingsand/or garden waste must be in 30gallon brown recyclable paper bagsthat can be purchased from thestore of your choice. Plastic bagswill not be accepted. Residentsmust call the Cemetery by Sundayevening at 695-3971 (24-houranswering machine) to request pickup. Placing leaves, grass clippings,etc in the streets is a violation to CityOrdinance.MA RI E K AN GA SAPRIL 9this published bi-weekly, and is distributed for free, bothin print and electronically.It is an all-volunteer organization and relies onadvertising, donations and the community to produceand distribute it. Donations can be made from our website, or sent to:PO Box 63 Buchanan MI aper@gmail.comor find us on Facebook and Instagram atThe Buchanan PaperCONGRATULATIONS on this amazingmilestone. May this day be filled withsunshine and smiles, laughter and love.Have a very Happy 100th Birthday!

www.thebuchananpaper.orgHighlightsfrom the CityCommissionMeeting03.25.19Hby Jon Youngonoring a staple of the community, a major upgrade to theBuchanan City Fire Departmentand a fundraising run for a goodcause were among the highlights ofthe Monday, March 25th BuchananCity Commision Meeting.The meeting was called to orderat roughly 7:00 p.m. by MayorPatricia Moore, with commissioners Sean Denison, CameronDowney, Dale Toerne and MarkWeedon all in attendance. CityManager Bill Marx and CityClerk Brenda Hess were also inattendance.Following the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation fromEllen Bierlein of BuchananFirst United Methodist Church,the attention turned to honoringJames (J.W.) Jones.Jones, who turns 90 on April12th, was honored by the Commission for being the oldest African American resident of Buchanan. In front of family andfriends, a Proclamation and keyto the city was presented to Jones,who has lived in Buchanan since1950. Jones moved to Buchananfrom Arkansas and worked forClark Equipment for 35 years.Following the honoring of Jones,the Commission proclaimedApril 29th through May 4th theBuchanan-Galien Lions ClubWhite Cane Week. White CaneWeek helps raise awareness forthe visually impaired members ofthe community. The Lions Clubcollects funds in their communities to assist those in need of eyeexams, eye glasses and canesamong other needs. The commission urged all citizens to becomefamiliar with the meaning andpurpose of White Cane Week.The third and final recognitionof the meeting was from the Buchanan Masons, who providedthe Buchanan City Fire Department with a 3,000 check towards extrication equipment,also referred to as the “Jaws ofLife.” Local Masons Dan Hinkle, Spencer Miller and DudleyNelson presented the departmentwith the check, which was wellreceived by the volunteer firefighters in attendance.After the recognition portion ofthe meeting, the floor was openedto public comments. Randal Peartwanted to know if the commissionwould be covering in detail nextyear’s planning strategy. MayorMoore said it is on the agenda andongoing. Peart then suggested perhaps contacting Adam Burke regarding Urban Planning, and CityManager Marx stated that Burkehad been contacted to talk abouttransportation and would be meeting with him this week.269.224.4949Following the public comments,the commissioners approved theconsent calendar, the minutesfrom the March 11th meeting andthe invoices and expenditures of 96,477.74.Street closure on May 27th forthe Memorial Day parade sponsored by the American LegionPost 51 was also approved.James (J.W.) Jones,who turns 90 onApril 12th, was honoredby the Commission forbeing the oldest AfricanAmerican resident ofBuchanan.Mr. Jones with Mayor MooreAfter the agenda and minutesapproval, Bethany Cowan hadthe floor to discuss the fifth annual Superhero Run for Belly Buttons. The run is to raise moneyfor Gastroschisis, a birth defectin which the baby’s intestinesare outside the body at birth. Therun is to raise money for Avery’sAngels Gastroschisis Foundation. The run, which has raised 14,000 in four years, helps further research on the condition.Cowan proposed to have the runat 9 a.m. on May 5th at the McCoy Creek Trail. The commissionunanimously approved the proposal. More information can befound on the Superhero Run forBelly Buttons Facebook page.The Commission approved the2019-2020 City CommissionGoals as established at the March2nd 2019 annual goal-setting session, with the idea that they willmeet again to condense the focusof said goals.The Commissioners also got achance to reconsider the requestfrom the Buchanan City Fire Department for 21,770 that wouldgo to extrication equipment. FireEasterEggHunt!Saturday, April 20, 11a.m. (whatever the weather)On The Buchanan CommonPrizes in each age group Visit from the Easter BunnyAge groups: 3 & under; 4-5 years old; 6-7 years old; 8 & aboveAll age groups will start together. Bring your own basket.Free Family Fun!Sponsored byBuchanan High School Leo Clubbuchananpaper@gmail.comChief Mike Adams stood in frontof the board and pleaded the casefor the need of the equipmentupgrade. The Commission hadvoted against the expense at first,but admitted that further dialoguewith the fire department hadhelped them see the importanceof the equipment. With the helpof the 3,000 from the Masons,the commission unanimouslyapproved the 21,770 towardsnew extrication equipment.The Commission agreed to reschedule the May 27th meeting toMay 28th due to Memorial Day.The commission approved therenewal of MMFP for a provisioning center at 259 E. FrontStreet for Buchanan Development LLC.Following unfinished business and new business, the floorwas opened to public commentson non-agenda items. A localresident who wished to keep hisname out of The Paper, voicedhis concern with the storm sewers not being cleared out by thecity. He stated that the leavesand sticks cause the water toback up and cause a mess on hisproperty. Mayor Moore thankedhim for his comments.Bethany Cowan, speaking onbehalf of the Buchanan Area Recreational Board, asked the citycommission to make an ad-hoccommittee regarding the naming of parks or other city assets.The commission agreed to forman ad-hoc committee to betterhandle issues in regard to the potential re-naming of parks.Randal Peart voiced his concern with the bicycle lane onFront Street, saying the stripehasn’t been repainted since Thrillon the Hill and its absence can bedangerous for bicyclists.City Manager Marx said theyhave hundreds of catch basinsto clean and rain was a “gullywatcher” which exceeded theircapacity to manage drains ina timely manner. They ask residents for any reasonable help.They are looking at a grant to enlarge storm drains, but are nowworking on potholes and gradingalleys, collecting brush and leaves,and trying their best to keep up.City residents should call the Cityat 695-3844 to get on the schedule for brush pickup. Marx andCommissioner Toerne attended anMML Conference in Lansing tohear from our legislators. Governor Whitmer said that her plan forthe 45 cents hike in gas tax is tohave all the highly-traveled roadsin Michigan up to a 90% evaluation rate within 10 years.Marx said the State has an unfunded mandate concerning thelead and copper standards ofMichigan which could cost an“extreme” amount over the next20 years.The meeting came to a closewith the commissioners thankingthe Free Masons, the fire department and the Chamber of Commerce on a successful chili walk.Moore wished J.W. Jones a happybirthday and thanked those in attendance before adjourning themeeting at just before 8 p.m.OPINIONThe PaperApril 5-19, 2019City StuffPage 3Express yourself!The comments here include opinions, observations and viewpoints whichare not necessarily reflected by The Paper. We will print your name,or withhold it as you request, but we must know the source in order topublish. We also reserve the right not to publish.We prefer submissions via email at the address above.Buchanan: Life Could Be Better Here Jeannine Davie, BuchananI would like to publicly thank Alan Robandt for taking the time andmaking the effort, via The Paper, to provide insight to the communityregarding issues in Buchanan in general, and those surrounding theimpacts of the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana incommunities in particular. It is obvious he cares about Buchanan.In a paper provided by the Michigan Municipal League (MML) toassist its member communities, the MML provides that the tax ratefor recreational marijuana is 10% for retail stores vs 3% for medicalmarijuana facilities, resulting in “more money for municipalities.”Allocation of funds to municipalities is based on the number ofmarijuana retail stores and micro businesses in said municipalitiesas opposed to all types of marihuana facilities under the MMFLA(Michigan Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act). Moreover, 35% ofrecreational-use marijuana regulation funds will be allocated to theschool aid fund for K-12 education and another 35% to the Michigantransportation fund for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges.Last fall, Buchanan voters overwhelmingly supported thelegalization of recreational marijuana. Yet the 2019-2020(Buchanan City) Commission Priorities Approved 03/25/19 statesthat it is a priority to “limit the number of marijuana businesses(recreational)” in Buchanan (while, at the same time, listing the 50,000,000 needed to fund our public needs).I agree with Alan: if that is the plan, the Commission is notlistening to the people who live and vote in Buchanan and instead is“negat(ing) the greatest opportunity in 40 years to develop DowntownBuchanan” based on their personal views while our neighbor, Niles,positions itself to reap the many economic benefits afforded by thisopportunity.Let’s hope the “Full time person” who may be hired “to leadeconomic development” in Buchanan will succeed in convincing theCity Commission to capitalize on this opportunity since the peoplewho live—and pay taxes—here have not been able to do so.“We the People”Joseph Paolucci, BuchananDear friends and neighbors,We the People of Buchanan voted overwhelmingly to legalize the adultsale and use of recreational cannabis. Had Buchanan instead voted againstit, while the State voted in favor of it, our Commissioners and Cityadministrations would have been duty-bound to hold-back now. But, giventhe Buchanan vote, they now are duty-bound to push forward to realize thefull potential of the law without delay.Entrepreneurs already are investing heavily to develop otherwise unusableFront Street buildings. Millions of dollars are needed to rehab these oldbuildings, reopen them to the public, and generate substantial tax revenuesfor our community. Only the cannabis business has the financial resourcesto develop these buildings and operate profitably from them.We the People are concerned that some in the minority anti-cannabiscrowd, after losing at the ballot box by a huge margin, are now workingto subvert the outcome of the People’s vote. They agitate not to furthertheir own liberty, but to suppress everyone else’s. They seek to convinceour Commissioners and other City officials to set aside the People’smandate by banning or delaying the sale of recreational cannabis in theCentral Business District (Downtown). Such a ban or delay would endnew development projects Downtown and chase away millions in capitalinvestment, jobs, and tax dollars from Buchanan to nearby communitieswho aren’t so foolish.The naysayers now claim that, despite the Buchanan vote, proprietyrequires that adult recreational cannabis be banned from Downtown.Yet they are silent about freely available alcohol. We know alcoholfuels violence, especially against women and children. How often arepolice called for violence fueled by cannabis? Never —because cannabispromotes tranquility instead of aggression.We know that, unlike cannabis, alcohol is a highly addictive drugand regular use commonly results in liver disease, obesity, diabetes,fetal alcohol syndrome and death from overdose. Unlike alcohol,it’s medically impossible to become addicted to or overdose fromcannabis. There is no legitimate reason for our elected officials and Cityadministrators to favor and promote alcohol sales Downtown, whiledemonizing and banning recreational cannabis sales to adults over 21.To prevent the few from setting aside the majority’s will, each of usmust contact our Commissioners and other City officials to demandthat they not ban recreational cannabis Downtown, and instead movequickly to fully realize its promise. The Commissioners’ and other Cityofficials’ email addresses are available at www.cityofbuchanan.com.MoreOPINIONS on page 4

Page 4MoreThe PaperApril 5-19, 2019Life is Better hereOPINIONS continued from page 3Time for the Republicans to Stop HidingFred Canfield, BuchananFred Upton backs the president one day and the next day he’ssupporting the Democrats. I feel he’s more a Democrat than a Republican.It’s time for the Republicans to start doing the job that they were electedto do, back the President of the United States. President Trump has madetremendous progress with and without their support the first two years inoffice. Just think what he could have accomplished with their full support.We need the wall to help keep illegal immigrants out. If it was one ofyour loved ones that was killed, raped, robbed or supplied with drugs,you would push to get the wall built. With the money that the Democratswasted investigating Trump’s relation with the Russians we could havebuilt several walls along the border. Immigrants can enter the U.S. bygoing through the proper procedures. We the people need to pull togetherand get the job done.Politicians keep asking for stricter gun laws. I agree that we needbetter background checks and smaller gun clips. I don’t hear anythingabout how many people are killed and injured by drunk drivers. It faroutnumbers people killed with guns. What is being done to improve thissituation?Why don’t the Republicans investigate the Clinton Foundation andHillary giving Russia our uranium and Obama giving all that money toIran? Why do the Republicans set back and let the Democrats walk allover us. Did they lose their backbone?Our Country in the last two years is the best I’ve seen it in my life time.We have enough jobs for all the people that want to work. The stockmarket is the best it has been. I wonder if the Democrats are benefittingfrom the fruits of the market?World relations are the best they’ve been in a long, long time.Thank you President Trump.It’s time for all of us to get behind Trump and give him our support.Mueller Investigation has Uncovered ManyCrimes and Other QuestionsKen Peterson MAJ USA (Ret.), BuchananWe must question the competence of this President and hisadministration when such a large number of Trump’s campaign andadministration officials have either pleaded guilty or been convictedof felonies for bank fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, campaignfinance violations, and lying to the FBI/ Congress.Trump’s Campaign Manager, Paul Manafort, was sentenced to 7.5years; Trump’s Deputy Campaign Manager; Rick Gates, is awaitingsentencing for “conspiracy against the U.S.”; Trump’s NationalSecurity Advisor, Michael Flynn, (an unregistered Turkey lobbyist) isawaiting sentencing for making “false statements to the FBI”; Trumpadvisor, Roger Stone, was indicted for allegedly lying about hisefforts to contact WikiLeaks during the Campaign and tampering witha witness; and Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer, pleaded guilty forviolating campaign finance laws; and Cohen indicated Trump directedhim to do so.Mueller’s investigation also indicted thirteen Russian nationals,three Russian companies and twelve Russian intelligence officersrelated to propaganda and hacking of emails in efforts to influence the2016 election to help elect Trump.William Barr’s summary indicates that Mueller’s report did notspecify that Trump or members of his campaign conspired with theRussian government in Russia’s election interference. However, thereport (contrary to Trump’s claims) did not specificallyexonerate215 LibertyTrump from being guilty of the crime of Obstruction of Justice. ThereBuchanan,49107are also numerous, additionalon-goingMichiganinvestigations thatare lookinginto alleged crimes by Trump and his Organization.Cell:269.362.9595The public requires full transparencyand releaseof the actualconclusions of Mueller’s full Report,notsimplyWilliamBarr’s fourOffice: 269.695.9595page report interpretation.Fax:269.605.0000There is still much to learn. Is Trumpguiltyof Obstruction or othercrimes? How do we explain Trump’s placement of so many dishonestindividuals in key administration positions? Is it corruption, completeincompetence or both? Either way, our country deserves better.215 LibertyBuchanan, Michigan 49107Cell: 269.362.2067Fax: chananpaper@gmail.comLet the Sunshine InAcritical component of democracy is anopen government. Currently, Michigan isone of the few states that still exempts itsgovernor, lieutenant governor and legislatureBrad Paquette,from sunshine laws. In one recent study doneState Representative jointly by the Center for Public Integrity andfor 78th DistrictGlobal Integrity, Michigan was given a “F” forits current level of government transparency.I believe I was elected to serve the public, and that the publicdeserves to see what their elected officials are doing. We must beheld accountable. Additionally, the public trusts us with their hardearned money and the public is entitled to information about how itis being spent. An open and transparent government should not be apartisan issue. Thankfully, my colleagues on both sides of the aisleagree with me.Recently, the Michigan House of Representatives unanimouslypassed a package of bills that would increase the level oftransparency. This package was bipartisan, with both Republicansand Democrats as bill sponsors. House Bills 4007-4013, 4015,and 4016 would bring the state legislature under the Freedom ofInformation Act (FOIA) by implementing a new Legislative OpenRecords Act (LORA). The bills would also remove the currentFOIA exemptions for the governor, lieutenant governor, andexecutive office employees. These changes will h

buChANAN, MIChIGAN by Jan Wiezorek M arch 21 was cool and cloudy, but buchanan warmed up with chili. For nearly three hours residents and visitors walked downtown dur-ing the 13th Annual Chili Walk and Cook-Off Contest to taste spicy, vegetarian, bourbon and many more varieties. "This is the first event in spring that gets people out of