×

Dickinson OKs Pine Mountain 500 for Aug. 4

IRON MOUNTAIN — A running event will debut Aug. 4 at Pine Mountain that ends with a climb up the 500 steps of the ski jump’s landing hill under an application approved Monday by the Dickinson County Board.

The Pine Mountain 500 is sponsored by Iron Mountain-Kingsford Rotary Club, which sought the board’s permission because the ski jump property is owned by the county.

In the application, club representative Melissa Wentarmini said the event would begin at the top of Pine Mountain, run down Kramer Driver to lower Pine Mountain Road and Hibbard Street before turning back to the ski resort and up the steps to finish where participants started.

Liability coverage will be handled through a Rotary insurance program.

In other action, the county board:

— Heard Controller Brian Bousley report that commercial flights were likely to resume today at Ford Airport after being canceled Monday due to an icy runway.

— Appointed former commissioner Ann Martin of Iron Mountain to a three-year term on the Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System Board, replacing Gerald McCole of Channing, who sought reappointment. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Kevin Pirlot supporting McCole. Martin had previously served 14 years on the Northpointe panel as a county board representative. Before the vote, McCole, who has served three years, told commissioners he would like to “bring the old Northpointe back,” pointing to operations under the direction of former CEO Karen Thekan.

— Awarded a four-year county auditing contract to the low bidder, Minneapolis-based Clifton Larson Allen, at quoted rates of $27,000 for 2018, $27,350 for 2019, $27,700 for 2020 and $28,050 for 2021. There will be an additional charge of $4,500 if a more detailed “single audit” is needed to meet federal requirements in a particular year, although that possibility appears remote. The other bidder was current auditor Anderson-Tackman & Co. of Iron Mountain, whose prices ranged from $30,900 in 2018 to $31,800 in 2021, with no additional charge for a single audit if one is needed.

— Learned from Bousley that the kitchen remains closed at the Iron Mountain Senior Center at Crystal Lake, as ordered by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, until sewage issues are resolved. The systems are working at both the senior center and the neighboring Northern Lights YMCA, which share a sewer line, but a lift station may be needed to prevent backups at the center. Further talks are planned, Bousley said.

— Reappointed Beth Bray, Michael Gregg and James DalSanto to the Dickinson County Fair Board for three-year terms. Rebecca Padgett also applied.

— Reappointed Barbara Bedard and Bob Werner to three-year terms on the Dickinson County Planning Commission. One vacancy remains.

— Reappointed Ray Anderson and James Carollo to the Economic Development Corporation Board for six-year terms. Five vacancies remain.

— Learned from Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. that the Proud Equestrian Program conducted at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds lacks insurance coverage, as the county no longer funds 4-H or the Michigan State University-Extension. Bousley agreed to see whether it might fall under the county’s coverage.

— Approved a Michigan Department of Transportation contract for reimbursement of aircraft rescue and firefighting training expenses up to $2,000 at Ford Airport.

— Heard Commissioner Barbara Kramer praise public works and safety employees for their dedication during recent storms.

— Learned from Commissioner Joe Stevens that a tribute to newscaster Aaron Harper is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. March 31 at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. Stevens said Harper is retiring after a long career of serving as “such a force in the community.”

— Heard Pirlot remark that Dickinson County has the best-groomed snowmobile trails in the Upper Peninsula, potentially an economic plus during this snowy winter.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 26, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today