Millersburg contractor takes his plea for payment to the county board

There was a passionate plea from a financially strapped Millersburg businessman who went before members of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners to outline his concerns. Millersburg contractor Steven Robbins is currently performing rehabilitation work in Presque Isle County for the Rural Michigan CDC, but hasn’t received payment on bills submitted in September.

During the time allotted for citizens to appear before the board, Robbins said he is still waiting to be paid. The Rural Michigan CDC of Hillman, which was known as MARCH, Inc., administers the housing program for the county. “They (Rural Michigan CDC) were here two weeks ago and said in 10 days they would have it paid up to date,” said Robbins. “Again, today, I got excuses, well, maybe next week. It’s ridiculous.”

ROBBINS SAID Rural Michigan CDC owes him $17,000, but that figure is expected to increase with the completion of other projects next week. “When I finish jobs next week it’ll be $35,000,” said Robbins. “I’ve got four children, and I have the end of the year coming up. What am I supposed to do?” Northeast Michigan Affordable Housing, better known as NEMAH, was selected last month to take over for the Hillman organization, which is completing the terms of its contract with the county through the end of the year. Robbins wants to avoid litigation or putting liens on homeowners. “I know it’s hard for you folks to do anything, but you are the only people I have to complain to,” said Robbins. “We are not looking for some other type of remedy. If I file liens, the liens go against the people who own the property. It’s not their fault.”

COMMISSIONER MIKE DARGA expressed his concerns over the situation, in that it could become increasingly

difficult to find contractors to work on county housing projects, if the people doing the work are not getting paid in a timely matter. Darga still would like to see the Presque Isle County Housing Commission return as the entity to administer the programs, so the board can keep a more watchful eye on what is being done with the finances. “The people down there don’t seem to realize there are families attached to the other end of these contracts, not some corporation,” said Robbins. “Maybe it’s time for you to take legal action to get them to uphold their end. I don’t know.”

Vice chairman Gary Wozniak had been checking to see if payments were being made to contractors and was told the same thing. “It should have already been taken care of,” said Wozniak. Prosecutor Don McLennan, who attended the meeting, has been asked to look into the situation further.