That's consensus after government center is dedicated.
While reviewing a pending case, Circuit Court Judge Thomas G. Power had an occasion to review minutes from a 1969 meeting of the County Board of Commissioners.

Left, the original courthouse in Leland. Right, the courthouse built in 1968 in Leland.

"That's significant, because that's the first term on the Board of Commissioners for Connie Binsfeld," said Power, nodding toward the former state representative, state senator and lieutenant governor.

No. 1 on the list of priorities for the county board some 39 years ago: Addressing “the facilities problem in Leland,” recalled Power.

Binsfeld, Power and many other present and retired governmental officials who have toiled with the seemingly endless “facilities problem in Leland” gathered Sunday to, officially, extract that monkey from Leelanau’s back.

All acknowledged the solution was a long time coming. But standing before the stately, 68,000-square foot new County Government Center, none said the solution wasn't worth the wait.

ROBERT HAWLEY, chairman of the
Leelanau County Board of Commissioners,
gives remarks at Sunday's dedication
ceremony.

“This was a difficult project requiring a lot of time and a lot of decisiveness,” said Power to the 150 or so people who attended the dedication.

While a host of contributors were mentioned during the ceremony, perhaps the two main sources of the time commitment and “decisiveness” required to move all county facilities — Sheriff’s Department and jail included — from the former county seat in Leland to a hilly site off M-204 either downplayed their role or could not be in attendance.

The biggest challenge facing “interim” county Administrator David Gill when hired in November 2001 was finding a solution to the facilities issue that Leelanau had struggled with during most of his term as county undersheriff.

Gill could not attend the dedication ceremony because of the death of his mother, 96-year-old Elizabeth Gill Markham. His family has deep roots in Leelanau County, and his family name is repeated often when referring to the “Gill’s Pier” area between Leland and Northport.

FORMER MICHIGAN Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld cuts the ribbon during the dedication ceremony Sunday as (from left) county commissioner Melinda Lautner, state Sen. Michelle McManus, county commissioners Jean Watkoski and Mark Walter, state Supreme Court justice Betty Weaver, Sam Shiflett, and county commissioner David “Chauncey” Shiflett look on.

A deputy sheriff in Leelanau County from 1968-1984, Gill worked in neighboring counties before answering a call for applicants to replace county administrator John McCurtain, who was fired by the board. He knew Leelanau was gaining a reputation of chewing up county administrators — prior to McCurtain, administrator Duane Beard left under pressure — but relished a chance to come “home.”

“I’d like to see it changed from interim to permanent,” Gill said of his job title upon learning he had been hired. “I’d like to work for at least another 10 years, and there is at least that much work to do.”

Seven and one-half years into Gill’s projected decade or longer of service, Leelanau County has completed the two largest public works projects in its history. Said Gill in 2001 after walking the Suttons Bay site now occupied by the county seat and jail with then-County Board chair Jean Watkoski, “It’s perfect.”

Gill’s role was lauded by Brock Johnson, vice president of DeVere Construction, general contractor for both building projects. Gill served as project coordinator for the county, making sure the projects were completed on schedule and in budget.

“He is an asset to the county. He treats everybody fairly,” said Johnson of Gill.

Said Power: “Dave Gill deserves a lot of credit for riding herd on this project.”

Downplaying his own role was Robert L. Hawley, who spoke glowingly during the dedication of the work by Gill, fellow commissioners, contractors and past county boards.

In an interview late in the afternoon, as the stream of residents viewing the building for the first time showed signs of slowing, Hawley again deflected credit.

“I’m a small cog in the wheel. The guys who should be recognized are the group who started this project in the 1980s,” said Hawley, sitting in the waiting area of the county administration office.

Notably, no office was reserved for Hawley or other commissioners in the new center; instead, when needed, they will have access to an office occupied by the Veterans Affairs officer who only visits the center once a week.

Hawley explained that financing for the $10.8 million complex can be traced to 1987, when a previous County Board began dedicating a portion of property tax revenues to build an addition to the courthouse building in Leland.

He also credited the work of a committee that has light-heartedly been dubbed “Designing Women” — commissioners Lautner, Mary Tonneberger and Watkoski — in handling interior design details of the building.

And he credited other county officials, including members of the County Board who he has served with. Since he was elected to office in 2000, Hawley estimates that county boards have spent 25-30 percent of their time handling building-related business.

Not mentioned by Hawley was his ability to find a consensus among County Board members to place before voters the crucial question: Should Leelanau County relocate its County Seat adjacent to the new Jail in Suttons Bay Township.

The resolution, which required a two-thirds majority vote by the County Board to be placed before voters, was approved 6-1 on April 20, 2004. The resolution was opposed by Melinda Lautner, who said expansion at the Leland site would be the most economical way to solve county space problems and was concerned that moving off the site would leave the door open to over building.

Lautner on Sunday said she is impressed with the building, but still had space concerns. “I hope people recognize that we built it for 100 years. It looks big right now. And I hope the next 50 commissions never have to deal with this,” she said.

The concept of moving the County Seat to the Suttons Bay site had detractors in the community, too. A group of Leland business owners and residents formed to retain the seat.

The Michigan Land Use Institute opposed the move because of the proposed rural location. And the Leelanau Enterprise opposed the ballot question editorially.

Out in front, taking the criticism head on, was Hawley, who wrote a “guest editorial” for the Enterprise in favor of the project and represented the County Board at various citizen meetings.

Voters agreed overwhelmingly with the County Board. The ballot to move the County Seat passed 4,258-3,072, on Aug. 3, 2004.

Hawley said he was not surprised with the outcome. “I thought we made a pretty good case,” he said.

But he did encounter frustrations leading up to the vote, especially when battling planning commissions in Leland and Suttons Bay townships. Struggles with Leland Township led Hawley and other board members to look elsewhere.

“It took awhile to recognize that they didn’t want us there, and it probably wouldn’t go there,” said Hawley.

Citing his background in business, Hawley added: “It takes a long time for government to move, Everything is transparent. And there is a certain amount of inefficiencies that goes with government.”

Watkoski said much of her time as board chair in 2001 and 2002 was consumed in zoning questions with townships.

“My biggest concern was probably the zoning, because nobody wanted us. That’s probably what bothered me the most,” said Watkoski.

All that history — nearly 40 years of it — seemed to be put behind by residents taking their first tour of the building.

“It knocks your socks off,” said resident Earlene Hill, who appreciated the overall design as well as the small outline of the Leelanau peninsula on signs in front of offices. “They left nothing uncovered, and it looks great.”