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Is Pac-Man Evil? I was going to covert some of this building into an 1980's themed arcade.

According to Benton Charter Township (Benton Harbor, Michigan),

Games like Pac-Man would:
Hurt the integrity of the neighborhood. (Carolyn Phillips 02-18-09 Herald Palladium)
Teenagers would end up loitering, drinking and smoking. when yound people get together they do that sort of thing. (Swingler 01-27-09 Herald Palladium)

The Township also said:
I just think it would be another failed business. (Supervisor Ron Ferguson 2-18-09 WSJM AM1400)
I don't see A high demand for arcades. (Nora Jefferson 01-27-09 Herald Palladium)
I would not want to live next to an arcade. (Carolyn Phillips 02-18-09 Herald Palladium) Nearest house is the next street over and across the street.

This is when it gets confusing.
01-26-09 Planning comission votes 2-3 to deny my permit. This goes to the Trustees as a recommendation to deny my permit.

02-18-09 The Trustees do a motion to uphold the Planning comission decision. That means it is a motion to deny my permit. The Trustees meeting was a tie vote.
Ron Ferguson said, Stardard rules and regulation stated that a tie means motion fails.

To be clear the motion to deny my permit has just failed. Not good enough for Supervisor Ron Ferguson,

He now wants me to go back and start over so they can revote. Very dishonest.

When the township does schedule a meeting and the Herold Palladium and Radio WSJM AM1400 advertise it, they keep canceling the meeting and rescheduleing it. (Ron Ferguson keeps doing that)

Now they won't even let me know when it will be. Four months later and all they tell me is I will be notified. Is it that hard to schedule a meeting and not mess with the date.

Keep in mind at every meeting and the Radio and News Paper (Harold Palladium), I have had only 100% complete support by the community. Never any opposition.

This story has been listed in the New Paper (Herald Palladium) FIVE times so far.
This story has been featured now on SEVEN different radio stations (Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo and Mishawaka, IN).

1980's themed arcades are the safest thing that young and older people can do together.

February 18, 2009 (after the Trustees meeting) Ron Ferguson said
"My position is the same it has always been."
Your position when you voted (and that is what really counts here) is you voted to approve my permit.
So stop telling the radio and paper that you voted to deny it. I will post a copy of the minutes of the meeting soon.

Links to copies of all the articles, audio clips and copy on the minutes of the meetings coming soon...

01-27-2009 - First article in the Herald Palladium Part 1 & 2.
This is where it all started and Arcades Promotes Violence - Benton Charter Township of Michigan

02-03-2009 - Second article in the Herald Palladium.
The township canceling the meeting and then lied about it. Tell told me Feb 3 and the HP different. Thanks Ron.

02-05-2009 - Third article in the Herald Palladium Part 1 & 2.
Arcade Plan in Limbo. An Arcade Business is so confusing that Benton Charter Township does not know how to handle this matter.

02-10-2009 - Herald Palladium Website feed back.
I just thought that people might find this entertaining. One of the many examples of 100% support.

02-17-2009 - Copy of the Minutes from the First Meeting with the Board Trustees.
Confusing but PROOF that the Township Superviser Ron did in fact vote in favor for the arcade to open.

02-18-2009 - Fourth article in the Herald Palladium Part 1, 2 & 3.
Proof that the motion to deny my permit has just failed. The Township does not know how to handle it.

AM1400 WSJM Radio Link
02-18-2009 - Radio Clip of Ron Ferguson AM1400 WSJM.
Ron said on the radio after he voted 'My position is the same it has always been".
Ron if you are an HONEST MAN and consider yourself a Man of Your Word then I am sure that you will vote again to open the arcade. Because you voted for the arcade to open the first time.

02-19-2009 - Fifth article in the Herald Palladium.
Benton Charter Township is not happy with the way they voted and now want to revote. Is that legal?

04-07-2009 - Agenda for Township Meeting.
The day before the meeting the I had a message on my cell that I was going to be pulled from the agenda again. I went to the township the morning of 04-07-09 to see if I was still on the agenda and it is still there. So then I am not sure what to tell people. I went to the meeting just in case. As it turns out they did (at the meeting) pull it and I was told I will definitely be on the next agenda April, 21, 2009.

04-08-2009 - Sixth article in the Herald Palladium Part 1, 2 & 3.
This paper shows that Ron Ferguson agrees that my request to open an Arcade should be rejected. How many times do I have to say this, Ron voted to open the arcade. Check the meeting minutes to prove it from 02-17-09.

Update:
Next Meeting with the Township to open the arcade is: April 21, 2009 at 5:30 PM

Please, I need as many people as possible to come to the meeting to help.
You don't have to speak, just be present to show support.

Save the arcade!!

My contact info:
Carlos Martinez
Arcade Museum / Pro Action Cycle
625 North Blue Creek Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-470-2453 Cell

Benton Charter Township
1725 Territorial Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-925-0616 (Township #) - May Pac-Man bite your foot!