Gladwin Business & Professional Association

Meeting Minutes of June 3, 2026

Meeting called to order by President, Stacy Plude with introductions.

 

Meeting minutes of 5/6/2026 were emailed to members and distributed at the meeting by LaVel Smith.   Motion to accept as read by Lori Stout.   2nd by Tyler Schlitzkus.   All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Treasurers Report was read by Lori Stout.

Checking Account:   $ 5,827.67

FOL:                                  4,236.12

TOS:                              12,217.23

Shop Gladwin:                286.71

Arts Events                      927.89

Street Festival             6,741.15

55 Paid Members

Motion to accept Treasurers Report as read by Jennifer Feuerstein.  Seconded by Kim Bruner.  All ayes.  Motion carried. 

Old Business:  

Membership Update:  55 Paid members. Working on a Rack Card with benefits of GBPA.  Invite people to come to meetings. 

GBPA Schedule of Events for 2026:  Summer Street Festival July 11th, Downtown Gladwin. We need items for the Car Show goodie bags.  100 items are needed for the bags.  The Big Boys Club needs volunteers for the Dunk Tank.  Thursdays in the City are scheduled. (Possible tributes to Americas birthday at each Thursdays in the City), DALMAC Bike Tour September 3rd.  Fall in Gladwin/Cornstalks and Decorating in September and October.  Pumpkin Painting October 17th at Riverwalk during Jeep Creep.  Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights Christmas Parade (Theme is Winter Wonderland) December 5th, Downtown Gladwin. 

Thunder on the Strip:  Mike Moore said Thunder on the Strip went very well.  They are waiting to hear whether we can have the September event.  Mike Hargrave had a heart attack but is doing okay.  Discussion was had about a gift basket for Mike Hargrave for everything he did to make the May Thunder on the Strip happen. Email Inspire about the Gift Basket.  There were 128 racers and 845 Paid people with lots of kids in attendance.     

Social Media:  Need volunteers to do social media.  Andrew Rhind is keeping the website up to date.  Send Andrew business updates. 

Miss Gladwin County Update:  The Miss Gladwin County Event will be June 27th

Public Arts Update:  Weekly meetings are at Redeemed Marketplace. Work will begin soon on the mural.  Community involvement on July 11th during Street Festival.  Donations are welcome for this project and can be made out to the Gladwin County Community Foundation or online.   

BABA Updates:  Golf outing in June.  July 4th events. 

New Business:

Business Spotlights on Facebook: Jamie from Hospice will highlight businesses on facebook. 

Sound System:  A new pole was ordered for the sound system which will be placed in the City Garden. Waiting on the new light pole to arrive.  DDA is paying for pole and installation.  It will hopefully be operational by the Street Festival

City Update:  Linda Winarski and Allysa Harrison, the new Park Manager/Community engagement specialist were in attendance.  Allysa is looking forward to attending the GBPA meetings. 

County Updates:  Due to the death of a commissioner, the deadline for appointing a new commissioner is on the following Tuesday.  Discussion on the new furniture for the Commissioners Chamber.  Discussion on Solar farms and Data Centers.  The commissioners will follow the law and regulations concerning solar. 

Chamber Updates:  The Chamber Golf Outing went well, Chamber renewals went out this month. Legislative events will begin on July 10 with the second event being August 14, the ORV Funfest will be August 15th with the route being extended 3 ½ miles and the Fair being on July 6-11. 

Business Updates and Announcements: 

Tyler from the Gladwin Record asked the GBPA if they would like to sponsor an ad in the 250th Anniversary of America Commemorative Booklet that will soon be coming out in the Record. A motion was made by LaVel Smith to buy a full page ad for $500.  2nd by Michael Murray.  All ayes.   Motion carried.   Shannon Macon from Macon Marine said the Pontoon Weekend at the Loons is July 9th-July 12th. Michael Murray from Burkhart Presidio Insurance said business is good and insurance prices are stable.  Sheryl from CharStoneHouse said they are getting licensing soon.  2 Scoops is getting busy with the summer months.  Karen Moore said that the Mid Michigan College Event Center is almost done.  Kim from the Transit said there are 4 employees going to State Rodeo on July 30th. Some have already gone to Nebraska for the National Rodeo.  Jamie from Hospice said they are gearing up for the 36th annual Duck Race on July 11th.  Volunteers are selling ducks at different locations on Fridays and Saturdays.  Zak from Mid Michigan Medical said there will be a Heart Screen on August 29th for teens.  Stacy from Riverwalk said their first wedding of the year went very well.  Several weddings are scheduled for 2026.  Lori from Council on Aging said that with the increase in gas and food prices, there is a huge increase in people needing food, nutritional drinks, paper towels, etc. 

Motion to adjourn by Lori Stout. Seconded by Tyler Schlitzkus.  Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 1 at Riverwalk Place. 

                                                                                                                                                      LaVel Smith, GBPA Secretary