Six ceremonial shovels purchased for $1,439 were the center of a debate at the Polly Ann Trail Management Council meeting last week.
‘I just think it’s awful that we would spend that much money on shovels. I just think it’s so unnecessary,? said Oxford Township Trustee Sue Bellairs, who sits on the trail council. ‘There’s people that can’t pay their heating bills.?
Larry Obrecht, project manager for the trail resurfacing and M-24 pedestrian bridge, requested the PATMC reimburse him for six ceremonial shovels he purchased from the Detroit-based Boomer Construction Materials for $1,439 back in September 2005.
A sales representative from Boomer Construction Materials described them as ‘chrome-plated? shovels with D-shaped handles. The shovels cost $220 each plus $119 for sales tax and delivery, according to the Sept. 13, 2005 invoice.
Obrecht claimed he purchased them with his own credit card and had them shipped to Oakland County Animal Control, where he’s employed as the manager.
The shovels were purchased in conjunction with a Polly Ann Trail ground-breaking ceremony held in late August 2005, but were never actually used at that event.
Unable to secure shovels a ‘week before? the ceremony, Obrecht claimed he struck a deal with Roy Rewold, CEO of the Rochester-based Frank Rewold & Son, Inc., to use six of his construction company’s ceremonial shovels at the ground-breaking in exchange for new ones.
‘Roy identified that he would let me use those shovels, if I would replace his shovels with new shovels,? Obrecht told council. ‘I have Roy’s shovels. That’s what we have. He has the new shovels. That was the agreement. That’s how we got the shovels.?
‘So, you’re saying we’re not even going to get the new shovels. They’re going back to Roy and we get the old shovels,? Bellairs said.
‘That is correct,? replied Obrecht.
Bellairs was bothered by the prospect of spending $1,439 on shovels and the fact the purchase was not authorized by the trail council ahead of time.
‘I could never approve this bill,? she said. ‘Money that goes to this trail should be used on the trail, not for six ceremonial shovels. I’m very opposed to this.?
‘You should have come to this board,? Bellairs told Obrecht. ‘In no way in my wildest imagination would I have thought that we would have spent $1,500 on silver shovels. This is unacceptable.?
Obrecht insisted he did inform the board of his need for shovels ahead of time, but when none were secured he had to act. Although borrowing shovels had been discussed and attempted, Bellairs noted council was never informed about spending $1,439 for them.
Obrecht also said he had previously recommended the ceremonial shovels be engraved and given to ‘serious donors? ? like DaimlerChrysler who gave $250,000 to the trail project ? as a thank you at the trail’s grand opening later this year.
Pauline Blanka, who sits on the Leonard Village Council and represents the community on the trail council, was all in favor of the shovels.
‘These shovels (are) a small, small token of our appreciation for the enormous amount of money and time that was given to this council,? she said. ‘For me, this is the right thing to do to say thank you to people who have given us a lot of money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have come to us. To give them a shovel, I think is just a small token.?
In the end, the trail council had to table the bill until the February meeting due to the fact no Addison representatives were in attendance.
According to the PATMC bylaws, ‘Bills which represent expenses not previously included in the budget may only be approved by a quorum including at least one member of each governmental unit.?
Addison served notice Dec. 21 that it plans to withdraw from the trail council due to its inability to continue paying its $9,250 in annual membership dues and equestrian users? opposition to the trail’s asphalt surface in Leonard, which runs between Elmwood and Gerst streets. Some riders claim the hard surface is unsafe for horse traffic.
Although Feb. 18 was cited as Addison’s official withdrawal date during the meeting, the trail’s interlocal agreement clearly states termination takes place 90 days after notice is given, extending the township’s membership until late March.
Some council members expressed their regret at making Obrecht wait for his money.
‘I just feel bad for Larry,? said Matt Gibb, an Orion Township trustee who serves on the trail council.
‘Well, I do too,? said Geno Mallia, Jr., chairman of the PATMC and president of Leonard Village.