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This post accompanies the winter 2020 newsletter and answers the question: Where does all that tax money go and why so much? Attached is a breakdown and pie chart that shows “where the money” ends up.  This is based on a market value of 100,000.00 and taxable value of 50,000.00

Download Pie Chart

It’s time to get REAL
A message from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

Your Michigan driver’s license or identification card may not get you through airport security later this year.

Oct. 1 is when the federal government will fully enforce the post-9/11 REAL ID Act, and standard state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards will no longer be accepted to board domestic flights within the United States, or when entering certain federal facilities, such as military bases or nuclear power plants.

Many people already have a REAL ID document, such as a valid U.S. passport, a DHS Trusted Traveler Card or an Enhanced Driver’s License. A full list of acceptable REAL ID documents is available at TSA.gov. Those who don’t can make their Michigan license or identification REAL ID-compliant by visiting a Secretary of State branch office and presenting the required documents. And, if you make an appointment, you’ll be in and out in 30 minutes or less.

Here’s what you need to do to get a REAL ID:

• To schedule an appointment at one of our branch offices visit gov/SOSAppointments or calling 888-SOS-MICH. You can make your appointment at any branch in the state, and you don’t need to have a renewal mailer to do so. Some branches fill up fast, so book your appointment a few weeks in advance of when plan to travel. Your REAL ID license or state ID card will be mailed to you.
• Bring your driver’s license or state identification card.
• Bring your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)
• If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents for every time your name has changed, such as marriage licenses or court orders.

There’s no additional fee to turn a license or state ID card into a standard REAL ID if it’s done during your normal renewal time; otherwise a duplicate card fee of $9 or $10 will be charged.

For more information, visit Michigan.gov/RealID.

WINTER TRAVEL

Each winter the Spring Arbor Township Police Department, as well as other departments, deal with stranded motorist. The motorist are stranded because of traffic collisions, sliding off the roadway, getting stuck and vehicle mechanical problems. During these events you may be stranded for an extended period of time, possibly without cell phone service in our township or other areas of travel awaiting assistance.

I would like to offer a few suggestions on preparing for these events should they happen to you.

• Be sure your vehicle is good mechanical condition prior to the winter season including; tires suitable for the snowy roads with manufacture suggested PSI, coolant and windshield washer fluid conducive to freezing temperatures.

Before driving insure all of your vehicle windows are clear of snow and ice. Please don’t be that person trying to look through the small spot you have scraped off only on the driver side of the front windshield, while driving down the street. All of your windows must be clear, it’s not only dangerous but constitutes a vision obstruction according to the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code. Remember, you are responsible for any injuries or damage occurring from snow and ice build up on your vehicle that flies off your vehicle into traffic while you’re are driving down the road, so brush off your vehicle before driving on the public road. Be cautious when following semi-trucks, I have had several accidents over the years on M60 where sheets of ice have come off a semi-trailer and smashed out vehicle windows, unfortunately the semi driver is responsible for not insuring the trailer was clear on top before leaving the depot.

• Slow down, the posted speed limits in June can be hazardous in the winter months depending on road conditions, it is your responsibility to drive at a prudent and safe speed. Should you be observed by a police officer or be involved in a collision or “slide off”, and violation of the “basic speed” law i.e. driving too fast for conditions is determined to be the factor. You can be cited for careless or reckless driving and be subjected to criminal/civil actions for any injuries. This precaution should be stressed to any less experienced drivers in the family, especially if they have not driven in a Michigan winter yet.

• Do not leave your vehicle unattended and the engine running, it is against the motor vehicle code on public roads. Some jurisdictions have local ordinances on private property open to the public, so think about it the next time you run into the gas station or party store. If your vehicle is stolen because you left the engine running, your insurance company may have issues with your claim. The first question we ask is “did you leave your car running”? That is noted in the theft report for the insurance company. Thieves will actually hang out in or near parking lots waiting for a customer to leave their car running while they go inside, so they can jump in and take the vehicle.

• Dress warm and comfortable for your trips, however have a “winter kit” in your vehicle for the winter months with a supply of; heavy coats, sweat shirts, gloves, hats, scarfs, winter boots, blankets, baby diapers if applicable and take water when you leave (or an empty container to melt snow in before drinking).

• Have your itinerary and route planned with people at your final destination, and your return trip, so they know when you are leaving and expected to arrive. Should you run into problems they will be able to come looking for you or contact law enforcement via 911 to report an “over-due motorist”, and initiate a BOL to be looking for you throughout the state, remember cell phone service is NOT 100%.

• On road trips, especially out of the area, have a full tank of gas when you leave your community and refill when you leave your final destination to return home. Should you get stranded, be sure to turn your emergency flashers on, and set out road flares. If your vehicle is operable use the gas in your car for heat sparingly, remember remove any snow from your exhaust tail pipe, and use your “winter kit” to stay warm.

• Road flares are helpful to assist in locating you, warning motorist your vehicle is there and for starting a fire if needed. Be sure to familiarize yourself with road flares if you choose to carry them, before you actually need them, they can be very dangerous and cause severe burns if handled improperly.

• If a stranger stops to help, my advice would be to have them call 911 for you for police assistance, do not get out of the car or roll the window down to compromise your safety. Be cautious of people identifying themselves as police officers out of uniform, and no police car, stopping to help. Police cars in Jackson County will have blue and red lights with the exception of the Michigan State Police, they will have a single “red” strobe light on the roof, only police vehicles are allowed to have blue lights. All police officers will have an identification card (badges are easy to obtain) with picture from the jurisdiction they work for, signed by their agency head. No legitimate police officer will be offended by you asking for their I.D. card.

If you have any questions please call my office or stop by. If you have other tips that you have utilized in the past and feel may be helpful please share on our Facebook page. I hope these suggestions will beneficial and assist you in your safe travels in Spring Arbor Township and beyond.

Car V.S. Deer Season

It is that time of year again in Spring Arbor Township !

According to statistics gathered by the State of Michigan, Jackson county ranked 3 rd in overall
car/deer accidents in the State of Michigan in 2018. Most of our car v.s. deer accidents occur in
October & November followed by the next 2 highest months of December & January between
the hours of 6a.m. – 8a.m. and 6p.m. – 10p.m.

In 2018 Spring Arbor Township had 284 accidents total, 143 involved a deer. Our township
percentage was 50.4% of our total accidents being deer related. Our surrounding townships in
regards to deer accidents in correlation to their total was; Parma 68 (47.2%), Sandstone 114
(48.7%), Concord 56 (61.5%), Summit 133 (29%).

I wish I could say there was a particular area where deer accidents occur in the township, I
cannot. We need to be vigilant regardless of the area we are driving in, including residential
neighborhoods as deer continue to creep into the neighborhoods. Even at 25 mph, a collision
with a deer can cause substantial injury and/or damage.

If you need a report for a car/deer accident we prefer to investigate the accident at the scene
where it occurred. However, we will come to your home if there is going to be a delay in a
Spring Arbor car responding, as long as you stay in Spring Arbor Township.

Suggestions:
1. Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk, they are extremely active during fall mating
season and in the spring when they feed on the county right of way grass.

2. The old philosophy, if you see one deer you will see another still holds true, if you see
one begin slowing down. I can’t count the number of times the motorist saw one but
not the other two that ran into the side of their “new” car.

3. Deer usually cross in single file and if you see one there are most likely others waiting
nearby to cross also, as we know they are unpredictable and cars do startle them
causing them to dart out into traffic.

4. Deer crossing signs are in the township to alert motorist that there is a significant
number of deer in that area, be cautious and control your speed in the agricultural areas
of the township where they tend to congregate.

5. Always wear your seat belt, it will obviously lessen the impact with a deer, but also
lessen the impact of the air bag hitting you in the face should a collision occur.

6. If a crash with a deer is imminent, don’t swerve, brake firmly, hold on to the steering
wheel with both hands and come to a controlled stop after the collision. If you swerve
and go into the on-coming traffic lane or go off the road etc. you will be responsible
criminally and civilly for any injuries and property damage that occurs from that
action.

SCAM Awareness:

I would like to take this opportunity to inform our Spring Arbor Township residents to be aware of some fraudulent activities/scam activity that has resurged in our township.

1. Phone:

A caller contacting you to inform you that a family member or friend has been; involved in an accident and needs money for medical attention, been arrested and needs money for an attorney, a judicial court notifying you of a warrant for your arrest and need money to cancel the warrant, a police department calling to threaten you with arrest if a money is not sent to them for an arrest warrant they have, IRS call indicating you need to pay your taxes or be arrested.

These type of incident will usually ask for you to send “cash” through the USPS or other delivery service. NO legitimate organization will conduct business in this manner. The scammer is good at what they do and in advertently gets you to release information about your family member or friend to give you the impression that the call is legitimate. Never release any personal information over the phone on an “unsolicited” phone call you are receiving about you, family or neighbors.

If you are unsure of the call, get ahold of the family member or friend or call the organization involved by looking up the information on line or through information, DO NOT accept the phone number given to you by the caller, to verify the person’s identity calling you and the circumstances.

2. Mail:

Sweepstakes entries with call back numbers can be checked by going to the Better Business Bureau site or Googling the Sweepstakes promotor, financial institution and phone numbers in the document. Usually there is already a scam alert for the promotor, financial institution or any of the numbers on the entry form. The entry forms created can be very convincing with recognizable logos from legitimate financial institutions and promotions but have fictitious addresses and phone numbers or are legitimate addresses and phone numbers but ask you to mail the money to yet another address not associated with the entry form.

These type of incidents will usually ask for money to pay taxes on your “winnings” or registration fees to enter, usually cash or by check with your account number. Legitimate sweepstakes do not ask for money up front to pay taxes, obviously the taxes are paid out of your winnings should you be so lucky.

Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

3. Computer/ cell phones/Ipads etc.:

Be skeptical of promotions/offers over the internet or accepting computer/software maintenance suggestions, especially when the company wants to have remote access to your device. Once the scammer has remote access to your device, any of your on-line banking information from that particular device becomes vulnerable.

As a Spring Arbor Township resident you are more than welcome to contact me in person, leave me a voice mail or bring any documentation you receive via USPS/internet or any other delivery service by my office for review. I ask you to please do not take the incidents mentioned at face value. If it is situation that needs immediate response contact 911 and a police car will be sent to your home.

Chief Howard Keith Noppe

517-750-2913

https://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/2019/10/man-arrested-for-allegedly-impersonating-police-officer-in-jackson.html

Scam Alert From Independent Bank

At Independent Bank, we strive to keep you aware of the latest information to help keep your personal and financial information secure. Please continue reading to learn about the most recent scam that has come to our attention.

Scammers are impersonating financial institutions to trick victims into thinking that they are speaking with a Customer Service Representative. They are then asking for personal data and using it to access victims’ Online Banking accounts.

What you need to know:

• Scammers claiming to be from Independent Bank may call or text saying there is a fraud alert regarding suspicious account activity that they need to confirm with you.
• In most cases, they are fraudulent “pending charges” to make it seem legitimate. They may also claim that unauthorized access to your Online Banking has occurred and they need to help secure it.
• During the call, the scammer may ask you to provide your Online Banking user ID, password, answers to your Online Banking security challenge questions, or for the one-time authorization code (OTP) that was sent to your phone via text message. They may even ask you to sign into your Online Banking account to confirm a recent charge or credit/refund. Do not ever give personal information over the phone.
• Independent Bank does make outbound calls to our customers, however, when we call we will NOT ask you to provide or verify the following:

• • Full Social Security Number
  • Your One-Time Passcode (received via text message or email)
  • Online Banking User ID
  • Online Banking Password
  • Answers to Online Banking Security Challenge Questions

• When logging into Online Banking, you may receive a One-Time Security Code, to verify your account. We will never ask for those codes over the phone.

Scammers are using this information to reset credentials and log into your Online Banking account. Independent Bank does send emails regarding changes to your account, such as user ID and password changes. If you receive an email from Independent Bank regarding these changes that you DID NOT initiate, please call us immediately at 800.355.0641.

What to do: 

• If you receive a call requesting any of the information above,IMMEDIATELY hang up and call us at 800.355.0641.
• If you receive a suspicious call like this, begin to review your banking accounts daily. Account alerts can be set up in Online Banking to monitor your account balance and transactions.
• If you discover a fraudulent transaction on your Independent Bank account, IMMEDIATELY contact us at 800.355.0641.

At Independent Bank, we work to keep your accounts safe and secure, whether you’re accessing them online, through your mobile device, through an ATM, or in one of our branches.

For questions or concerns, please contact Customer Service at 800.355.0641 Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm (ET) or Saturday-Sunday, 8 am-6 pm (ET).

July 20, 2019

SUMMER OUTDOOR MOVIES IN HARMONY PARK

MARY POPPINS RETURNS
July 20, 2019 @ dusk (9-930p)
**If raining showing in Fire Station**
Sponsors: JDL Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor Township, CNB Spring Arbor, Frosty King & Maximum Gym

A DOG’S WAY HOME
August 3, 2019 @ dusk (9-930p)
**If raining showing in Fire Station**
Sponsors: JDL Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor Township, CNB Spring Arbor, Frosty King & Maximum Gym

DUMBO
August 17, 2019 @ dusk (9-930p)
**If raining showing in Fire Station**
Sponsors: JDL Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor Township, CNB Spring Arbor, Frosty King & Maximum Gym