Water Wars Time Line
We are continuing to upload files - this is not yet complete.
Date
March 2025
Calvin noticed the woods being clear cut just east of Rush creek on the East Branch.
April 2025
Roy Elliot told Renee about the sewer project. That motivated a call to Jeff Gritter.
July 19
Renee rode her bike with her kids to 70 homes. Flier passed out.
July 20
Neighbors met at Brandenburg for the pre-township meeting. 35 people attended.
July 21
Planning Commission - recording
Renee requests to be on the agenda...include email
Public comments at the beginning of the agenda. (See email from Renee)
July 28
Township Board - recording
Hero meeting
Renee - wrote a letter to be added to the record
Donna - read here concerned residents report
Calvin took the video of the water being pumped.
July 31
Aubrey requested the meeting notes from the 28th. Peggy got back to her on August 1 with the meeting notes. Said it was available in the office. Or would be a synopsis in the Grand Rapids Press on Aug 5.
August 1
Brandenburg well went dry and Brandenburg walked the right of way with Tom Hooker.
August 4
letter for the open house
changing time lines for the
had a map to go with the letter. Sewer ordinance doesn't require immediate hook up.
August 6
Peggy called Renee to find out who sent the letter. Peggy was trying to pin it on Brandenburg. Peggy said, that only 20 houses were going to be affected. 2 separate letters to those who are effected by the sewer line and one to those who weren't.
64 west Phase one was never notified even in the letter from the township.
Agenda request 2. Renee emailed Peggy ( include.) asked to be added to the agenda to the August 11 meeting. Can be added to the board meeting to the 25. Did you receive the open house letter.
August 8
Donna Brandenburg filed a Pro Se Emergency Injunction. Brandenburg v Byron Township. Ex Parte also Filed (on hold) and needed to file a Temporary Restraining Order.
August 11
Jay DeKein texted Renee.
August 13
Filed a TRO
August 18
August 19
Petition Started, Mika Meyers, defense for Byron Township, responds to Complaint
August 21
Peggy Sattler called Renee and said she walked Phase 2 with the permitting department and road commission. And they learned that this project could effect anything up to 100 ft deep. Dewatering Byron Township questions... most difficult phase... reason why only one bid. Road commission walked the project with Montgomery and VK Civil. And she said that the water was churning silt fence incorrect. They fixed it per permitting office . (Include papers from Renee)
Jay DeKlein - there is no scheduled scheduled for the 25. Gives us time to complete the homework that you asked us to do. Asked when the next scheduled meeting again. Said that they had nothing on the agenda.
Renee asked to be put on the agenda again.
August 27
Defendant responds to Complaint
Byron Township's Answer to Complaint, Defenses and Affirmative Defenses and Reservation of Same
August 29
Jay DeKlein met with all the authorities. We are having the attorney draft a change on both well and septic. Renee, Thank you but what are you doing for those who have already lost their water because of the dewatering. Told them some neighbors are struggling because of the dewatering efforts. Renee said, Others are worried that their wells will dry up next or their water will be contaminated.
Jay responded that they are suppose to call the township or V&K. He said that the contractor is providing water to meet all their needs. Said that was all negotiated before we started the project....and that they only knew of 2 wells that failed at that time. He lied.
Renee replied that we know of 12 wells that were dry or contaminated.
September 2
Notice to Appear for Scheduling Conference
September 3
Renee asked if there was a meeting on the Sept 8.. he replied that they wouldn't vote until the 22 to give Gaines Twp time to review it .
Jay said, I was in a meeting today with the contractor..and it seems we could do a little bit better. . on making sure water never ran out for those who are on tanks and that was addressed and will be improved.
Plaintiff files Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction (part 1 of 4)
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction (part 2 of 4)
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction (part 3 of 4)
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant's Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction (part 4 of 4)
September 5
Jay said it was now going to be on Monday's agenda. (Send Screen shots.)
I think you will see us both this Monday night so that eliminates 2/3 of the people being frustrated. I believe that people like Donna Brandenburg will be frustrated no matter what. If I understand where you live you are in Phase 3 not Phase 2 is that correct.
Renee yes I live in Phase 3 portion.
Then he reaponded Good then we have an option for the shallow wells and phase 3 something we learned in our meeting with the excavto to avoid water tanks being filled.
Renee asked for the amendment language that's up for a vote on Monday. And then he said he was waiting for it myself...if it is available on the website where he gets his information too. I'll look later when I'm done working.
September 8
September 22
September 30
(I'm adding this into the record to show the systemic corruption.) There was no public accuracy test of the election. They worked on the actual machines in the basement in the morning between 8-10:30am. This was only a demo of what they allegedly did in the basement. All theater. We couldn't see what was on the ballots or the tape. Clerk Sattler asked Kim DeKleine (township employee and wife of Board Member and developer Jay DeKleine) to check and confirm the numbers on the tapes. We could neither see the paper fed into the machines or the tapes for audit purposes. Nobody from the public could see or audit the process. They admitted it was a demo and not the actual machines. When I went to look at the ballots, Clerk Sattler grabbed them and shoved them to the end of the table so I couldn't see them. It is all recorded on this recording as well as short phone recordings.
October 13
October 27
Defendant files Defendant's Motion for Summary Disposition Pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (8)
Defendant's Motion for Summary Disposition Pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (8) (part 1 of 3)
Defendant's Motion for Summary Disposition Pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (8) (part 2 of 3)
Defendant's Motion for Summary Disposition Pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (8) (part 3 of 3)
November 7/10
Plaintiff files Motion to Dismiss Defendant's Request for Summary Disposition and supporting brief. Filed on the 10th.
November 26
Defendant files Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant's Request for Summary Disposition
Defendant's Response to Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant's Request for Summary Disposition