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October 7, 2005County officials back HoulihanAcme supervisor leads charge to oust attorneyByRecord-Eagle staff writer ACME - Attorney Michael Houlihan will continue to lead a septage treatment facility project, at least for now, after Grand Traverse County administrators strongly endorsed him during a public meeting in Acme. Acme Township supervisor Bill Kurtz on Tuesday asked township board members to support his effort to oust Houlihan, who is overseeing a probe into the collapse this summer of a holding tank at the new, multi-million dollar county facility. Kurtz believes Houlihan is too emotionally attached to the project he led for the past eight years and is too closely aligned with the failed facility's designer, Gourdie-Fraser Inc. Both Houlihan and Gourdie-Fraser have worked for the county's department of public works for decades, Kurtz said. A consultant hired by the county inspected the facility and raised questions about the design of several of its buildings. But Acme board members decided against replacing Houlihan, after he received support from county officials. "We have total confidence in Michael Houlihan and his ability to handle this," county administrator Dennis Aloia told Acme's board. No everyone agreed. "He's a fair man, but I can't believe anyone would be neutral with those kinds of bonds," said trustee Erick Takayama, who alone sided with Kurtz. "I'd be very surprised if this doesn't go to litigation and I don't think it would be right for Mr. Houlihan to represent us." If Gourdie-Fraser and its partner, the Christman Co., don't agree to fix the facility to specifications called for by the county's engineering consultant, the county may have to sue, Aloia acknowledged. In that case, Aloia said he would recommend the county board of public works retain an attorney who specializes in construction litigation to work with Houlihan. Acme board members said they didn't want to remove Houlihan from "the team" but chastised him for stating he would not release all documents relating to the investigation of the collapse at the facility. Aloia promised everything would be made public. Kurtz said he still plans to raise the issue at the next sewer and water committee meeting of the DPW. "I think Mr. Houlihan now knows that he has at least one person that is going to be watching him very closely," Kurtz said. See Related Stories: Septage plant 'debacle' questioned; Supervisor wants all info - October 4, 2005 Public awaits report on collapse of septage plant - September 27, 2005 Taxpayers won't foot bill for septage plant repairs - July 26, 2005 Officials looked for 'spin' in septage plant collapse - July 23, 2005 Septage spill situation becoming muddled, attorney says - July 23, 2005 Septage plant repairs tagged at $2 million - July 19, 2005 Health risk from septage plant failure said minimal - July 19, 2005 Well owners near GT County's septage plant fear contamination - June 25, 2005 GT County's septage treatment plant may reopen - June 22, 2005 Septage plant 'structural failure' is investigated - June 21, 2005 Burst tank rocks GT County's new septage plant - June 19, 2005
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