'Township Board Meeting Minutes' Minutes: April 8, 2008

April 8, 2008

Jun 20th, 08

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF PENNFIELD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 8, 2008

Clerk Bammer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Pennfield Middle School Cafeteria.  Present were Clerk Bammer, Treasurer Phillips and Trustees Bartlett, Bordine-Houseman, Ensign and Newman.  Supervisor Behnke was excused.  Also present were 12 citizens. 

It was moved and seconded by (Houseman/Ensign) to have Treasurer Phillips serve as president pro tem.  Motion carried.

WHEREAS,  President Ronald W. Reagan first declared “National Crime Victims’
Rights Week” in 1981 to focus our Nation’s attention on the plight of crime
victims; and

WHEREAS,  since 1981, America has joined together annually to recognize the needs
and rights of crime victims and survivors during National Crime Victims’ Rights
Week; and

WHEREAS,  the week of April 13-19, 2008 has been designated as National Crime
Victims’ Rights Week – with the theme “Victim’s Rights: Every Victim. Every
Time”; and

WHEREAS,  despite impressive accomplishments in crime victims’ rights and services,
there remain many challenges to ensure that all crime victims and survivors are 
treated with dignity and respect, recognized as key participants within our systems
of justice, and afforded services that provide help and hope to them.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees that April 13-19, 2008 is recognized as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Charter Township of Pennfield. The Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees thanks and recognizes those Victims of Crime, the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department and all other Law Enforcement Agencies and Service Agencies, who, through their cooperative efforts in coordinating the events of Crime Victims’ Rights Week, help heighten awareness of the plight of those who are or become a victim of crime.     

WHEREAS, the month of April 2008 has been designated as National Child Abuse
Prevention Month; and

WHEREAS, approximately three million cases of child abuse are reported each year –
on average a case of child abuse is reported every 10 seconds; and

WHEREAS, each day in the United States more than three children die as a result of
child abuse in the home; and

WHEREAS, most of the children who die from child abuse are under the age of five
years old.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees that April, 2008 is recognized as  Child Abuse Prevention Month in the Charter Township of Pennfield.  The Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees thanks and recognizes the Calhoun County Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Council, the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, other Law Enforcement and Service Agencies, who, through their cooperative efforts have,
coordinated the events of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  

WHEREAS, the month of April 2008 has been designated as National Sexual Assault
Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, only 36% of rapes and sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, among female victims of rape and sexual assault, 67% of the crimes were
committed by intimate partners, relatives, friends or acquaintances; and
 
WHEREAS, one in four girls/women and one in seven boys/men will be sexually
assaulted in their lifetime.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Pennfield Charter Township Board
of Trustees that April 2008 is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Charter Township Pennfield. The Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees thanks and recognizes Sexual Assault Services of Calhoun County, the Calhoun County Prosecutor's Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department, other Law Enforcement and Service Agencies, who, through their cooperative efforts have coordinated the events of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, each year about 1,900 persons who are under 21 die in motor vehicle crashes that involve underage drinking ; and

WHEREAS, alcohol is also involved in about 1,600 homicides and 300 suicides each year among persons under 21; and

WHEREAS, alcohol is the most frequently used drug by high school seniors; and

WHEREAS, young people begin drinking, on average, at 13.1 years of age; and

WHEREAS, young people who begin drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21; and

WHEREAS, alcohol abuse is linked to as many as two-thirds of all sexual assaults and date rapes of teens and college students and is a major factor in unprotected sex among youth, increasing their risk of contracting HIV or other transmitted diseases; and

WHEREAS, the typical American young person will see 100,000 beer commercials before he or she turns 18 (that is more than for sneakers, gum, and jeans); and

WHEREAS, 13 percent of all youth, ages 12 -17, had at least one serious problem related to drinking in the past year;

· The Substance Abuse Council will present their new underage drinking prevention brochure to the public which highlights the cost of underage drinking in Calhoun County, why the legal drinking age should remain 21 and specific steps that everyone can take to stop underage drinking.

· Local leaders and alcohol free youth throughout the county are invited to be part of the solution by volunteering to teach a lesson on alcohol to 5th grade students throughout the county, during April or May. The Substance Abuse Council will provide training and materials for “Teach-In” presenters upon request. 

· The Underage Drinking Prevention Forum will provide schools and organizations in Calhoun County with flyers and check lists for parents, youth and retailers to help ensure a safe, fun and alcohol free spring break, prom and graduation season.

· Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department will be offering a Deputy at all proms and will be stepping up patrol during prom and graduation season which starts in April.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Pennfield Charter Township Board of Trustees that April, 2008 is recognized as Alcohol Awareness Month in the Charter Township of Pennfield.  We also call upon all citizens, parents, youth, governmental agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and workplaces, hospitals, and schools in Calhoun County to support efforts that will reduce and prevent underage drinking in our community.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Robert P. Behnke Jr., Supervisor of the Charter Township of Pennfield, have hereunto set by hand and affixed the Seal of the Charter Township of Pennfield, Michigan, and this 8th day of April, 2008.

Treasurer Phillips opened the floor for citizen’s time. 

2) Receive and place on file the following Monthly Reports:
  (a) Utilities Division
  (b) Assessor
  (c) Code Compliance
  (d) Permits Department