2022

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

City of Mount Pleasant Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor your water for turbidity (cloudiness). This tells us whether we are effectively filtering the water supply. Normal turbidity levels at our plant are .03 turbidity units. A water sample taken on September 1, 2022, showed levels of 1.99 turbidity units. This was above the standard of 1.0 turbidity units. Because of these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms. Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure our customers are aware of the situation, we are issuing this notice.

What should I do?

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Continue using boiled or bottled water until further notice.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

What happened? What was done?

A problem occurred with the treatment system at the water plant. During water plant start up, high turbidity water passed through the filters due to operator error and entered the distribution system. There may be an increased chlorine smell or discoloration in your water due to corrective actions taken by the water department. Samples will be taken every 24 hours beginning Friday, September 2^nd and again Saturday, September 3^rd. Two consecutive clear samples will be required to lift the boil water advisory.

The health and safety of our residents is our top priority. For updates, please check the City of Mount Pleasant’s Facebook page and its blog at https:\\mpcityblog.com or the community information phone line: 989-779-5320.

For more information, please contact Jason DeFeyter at 989-779-5427 or jdefeyter@mt-pleasant.org

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by the City of Mount Pleasant.

Golf Cart Accident Leads to Fatality

On August 16, 2022 at approximately 3:34 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a suspicious situation near Chase Run Apartments on Isabella Road. During patrol of the area officers located a rolled golf cart and a deceased male in Horizon Park. The male was identified as a 16-year old from Mt. Pleasant. A 16-year old female from Mt. Pleasant, who was also involved in the accident, received minor scrapes and bruises.

This is an active and on-going investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at (989) 779-9111 or Central Dispatch (989) 773-1000.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Michigan State Police, Central Michigan University Police, Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, Mobile Medical Response, Isabella County Central Dispatch and the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.

Summary of Minutes of the Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting – August 8, 2022

Water Plant Operators Alexander Swick and Zach Griffith were introduced.

Received petitions and communications.

Approved the following items on the Consent Calendar:

6) Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held July 25, 2022.

7) Minutes of the closed session of the City Commission held July 25, 2022.

8) Purchase from JWC Environmental of Santa Ana, CA of a rebuilt 2022 grinder assembly.

9) Waived fees for Downtown Pitch Competition being held November 9, 2022.

10) Warrants and Payrolls.

Approved a second Youth Services Unit Officer position.

Approved a resolution approving the Downtown Mt. Pleasant Social District and budget amendment for same.

Held a work session discussion regarding potential housing program.

Adjourned the meeting at 9:13p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Youth Police Academy Graduates 21st Class

Cadets from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s 21^st Youth Police Academy recently celebrated their graduation with their law enforcement mentors, family and friends. Those in attendance enjoyed comments from academy leader Officer Josh Theisen, and retired educator and coach Denny LaFleur who served as keynote speaker.

For the past three weeks these sixth through eighth grade cadets learned what it takes to become a law enforcement official; integrity, trust, leadership, compassion, and the ability to quickly assess a situation. All of this is in addition to the rigorous physical requirements of the job. By completing a series of hands-on training sessions and classroom instruction, cadets realized how much knowledge and fitness a police officer must possess to perform their job.

Cadet Andrew Moutsatson, Mt. Pleasant Middle School 6^th grader shared, “During the academy I learned to believe in myself and push through challenging tasks. I was surprised at the many responsibilities a police officer has, and all of the paperwork they have to complete. It was very nice of the police officers to take time to teach us,” he continued. “They were all very kind, caring and helpful. I know Officer Theisen will be there to help me with many things when I am in the middle school.”

Mt. Pleasant Middle School 8^th grader Chloe Churchman graduated from the academy last year and returned this year as a cadet instructor. She originally learned about the academy through her school. “The Youth Police Academy made me a better person due to its discipline and challenges it provided,” Chloe stated. “The police officers teaching the academy are real people and they are very kind, considerate and caring. Besides learning so much about law enforcement, it was wonderful to get to know the officers personally, and know they are here to help us in so many ways.”

The Youth Police Academy is a free program which offers sixth to eighth grade youth an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials. Applications for this summer program are distributed through the schools in May and also available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, Mt. Pleasant.

Gratitude is extended to the Central Michigan University Police Department, Isabella County Sheriff Department, Michigan State Police, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, Saginaw Police Department, DNR, MMR, Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, and Isabella County Central Dispatch who also shared their expertise with the cadets throughout this program.

Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety Pays Tribute to Marty Trombley

Marty Trombley, former Mt. Pleasant Director of Public Safety and Police Chief, passed away peacefully from heart failure on June 3, 2022. Marty joined the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) as Director and Police Chief in September 1980, a position he held until his retirement in 1998.

During his 18-year tenure, Marty was known for his innovative thinking, dedication to continuous training, relationship building, mentoring and unwavering tenacity. Always committed to making the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety a strong and industry-leading organization, Marty was constantly reviewing the division and providing his officers with the best training and educational resources available. This included expanding experiences for officers through special assignments, like BAYANET. Marty assisted the State of Michigan in developing this unit and was instrumental in establishing the unit’s protocols.

Partnerships and open communication were a cornerstone of Marty’s operational philosophy. He established weekly Chiefs meetings where heads of the area’s five police agencies would meet to share critical information and coordinate efforts. He also formed the Isabella County Traffic Unit, comprised of multiple local law enforcement agencies, which was funded by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.

Marty was ahead of the curve regarding the benefits when police officers demonstrate a strong, open and honest rapport with youth. He consistently met with school officials to discuss the importance and implementation of placing officers in schools. This ultimately led to the formation of the Youth Service Unit (YSU), which is still in existence today.

CMU students were also recruited by Marty to assist in the containment of the End of World parties. He was a groundbreaker in getting CMU students and Greek organizations involved. Marty served as the original liaison between these groups and developed the CMU Student Neighborhood Watch programs.

Marty’s passion to get the community what it needed led to the construction of a new Division of Public Safety building, located at the intersection of High and Mission Street. This project involved many community conversations and the ultimate move from the constricted University Street location.

Marty maintained strong law enforcement connections across the state. Even after his retirement in 1998, he was still dedicated to law enforcement. Marty conducted state-wide seminars, workshops and assessment centers; work-based scenario exercises used for the advancement of law enforcement officials. He thus freely gave back to the profession years after retirement and served as a mentor to many. As former Mt. Pleasant Public Safety Director and Police Chief Bill Yeagley recalled, “Marty’s mentoring, teaching, and encouragement played a vast role in the positive development of so many law enforcement professionals, myself included. Marty was all about others.”

“Marty reshaped the culture of the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety,” observed current Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Paul Lauria. “Many of us were hired by Marty and were thereby fortunate to play an active role in this transformative period. He has positively influenced not only those of us that worked with him, but the law enforcement profession as a whole.”

For funeral and memorial information visit: https://www.charlesrlux.com/

Current and retired law enforcement officials from the Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Safety and surrounding local law enforcement agencies, paid respects at retired Public Safety Director/Chief of Police Marty Trombley’s funeral on June 8, 2022. Marty served the City of Mt. Pleasant from 1980-1998.

Suspect in Custody Following Domestic Violence Call – No Risk to the Public

On May 31, 2022 at approximately 11:07 a.m. officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) responded to an aggravated domestic violence call on the City of Mt. Pleasant’s southwest side.

The suspect, a 23-year-old male, fled the scene prior to the 911 call. Upon arrival, MPPD officers located the suspect’s vehicle at a nearby apartment complex. The suspect was located, taken into custody, and lodged at the Isabella County Jail.

This was an isolated and targeted incident and there is no risk to the public.

Anyone with further information are asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department’s Anonymous Tip Line at 989-779-9111 or Central Dispatch 989-773-1000. This is an ongoing and open investigation.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, MINT, Central Michigan University Police Department, Mobile Medical Response, Isabella County Central Dispatch and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department.

Accepting Applications for 21st Youth Services Police Academy

The 21^st Youth Services Police Academy is scheduled for July 11 – 28, 2022, (Monday – Thursday) from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This free program offers youth, going into grades 6-8 who have an interest in law enforcement, an up-close view of the skills and necessary training needed for law enforcement officials.

Mt. Pleasant Police Officers conduct the program in the manner of a real police academy with values such as teamwork, integrity, compassion and discipline being stressed. Cadets are required to participate in physical training and complete the same agility tests given to recruits during a standard police academy.

In addition to physical training, the daily curriculum includes: hands-on learning, field trips and demonstrations by specialized units such as the SWAT Team, K-9 and DNR. Classroom topics encompass crime scene investigations, traffic stops, marine patrol activities, defensive driving techniques, firearms safety, first aid and CPR, and much more.

Applications are now available at the Division of Public Safety, 804 E. High Street, during 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The application deadline is June 10, 2022.

Distracted Driving is Illegal

Law enforcement, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have partnered to raise awareness of the dangers and legal implications of distracted driving.

(An audio message from Public Safety Director Paul Lauria.)

Actions such as eating, drinking, GPS use, updating your play list, cell phone use of any kind, texting, and scrolling through social media, are all considered dangerous when driving. Texting has become a specifically dangerous practice.

If you are texting, follow the tips below:

If you are expecting a text message, or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location.
Designate a passenger as your ‘designated texter.’
Do not engage in social media scrolling or texting while driving.
If you are struggling not to text and drive; put your phone out of reach in the trunk, glove box or back seat.

Distracted driving is dangerous and illegal. Avoid a ticket, and the chance of injuring someone else. Keep your eyes on the road and off the phone.

Know Your Neighbors. A message from Director of Public Safety Paul Lauria.

Being neighborly, is not only polite – but your front line of defense in emergencies.

Your neighbors, if they know you, will be the first to notice if something is not quite right.

To make sure your front line of defense is strong, get to know your neighbors.

Talk now, before a problem arises.

Mt. Pleasant Police Department Retirements and Promotions

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department is pleased to announce the latest retirement and promotion news.

Sergeant Shawn Paull will be retiring on December 28, after more than 27 years of service to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department (MPPD). Shawn began his career as an Officer in 1994, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1999. During his time with the MPPD, Shawn was a member of the Emergency Services Team, a leader of the Honor Guard, oversaw all maintenance for the Bike Patrol Unit, and was in the Youth Services Unit.

Shawn shared he will miss the comradery with his fellow officers, as well as the sense of purpose and personal pride that comes from serving the community.

Officer Justin Nau has been promoted to Sergeant and will assume his new duties on December 26. Justin possesses more than 13 years of law enforcement experience with 9 of those years with the MPPD. During his MPPD tenure, Justin has served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Youth Services Unit Officer, Field Training Officer, and was a team leader on the Emergency Services Team.

Officer Joshua Theisen has been named Youth Services Unit Officer. This sole position has many responsibilities which include serving as the liaison between the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools, business community, private organizations, law enforcement agencies, juvenile and adult courts, PEAK and Central Michigan University. In addition, this position takes a proactive approach to reducing and preventing crime by being involved with the community’s youth at a young age, and serving as a role model and providing guidance and support when needed. When school is not in session, the YSU Officer manages summer programs, such as the Youth Police Academy, and is on bike patrol.

Joshua joined the MPPD in 2015 and has worked road patrol. He is also a Motor Officer and is a member of the Emergency Services Team.