Rotary Club of Pinconning and Standish Michigan

11/03/2026

On October 29th Josh Klee, Pinconning Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, presented information on Personal Injury Protection [PIP] medical coverage, a feature of every No-Fault auto insurance policy in Michigan. Prior to 2019, Michigan motorists were required to carry No-Fault auto insurance with unlimited medical coverage for injuries related to an auto accident. A portion of everyone’s insurance premium went to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association [MCCA] fund that covered claims over $500,000, as well as providing coverage for injuries incurred by non-insured motorists. In 2020, the Michigan Legislature amended the state’s No-Fault law in several ways. Uninsured motorists no longer had their claims covered by the MCCA. Insured individuals could select the level of PIP coverage they wanted, depending on how much risk they were willing to accept. Reimbursement rates charged by medical providers for auto-related injuries were brought more in line with what other medical insurance providers like Medicare paid for non auto-related medical services. Before the change, auto insurance companies were charged a much higher rate for the same services.



When considering how much risk to accept, it is important to remember that most medical insurance plans, including employer group plans, do not cover injuries incurred in an auto accident. Since 2020, several insurance options have been available to motorists: First, unlimited medical coverage for injuries resulting from an auto accident; Second, auto-related injuries where medical coverage is limited to $500,000. Beyond that limit, the motorist must look elsewhere, keeping in mind that most personal health insurance plans do not cover injuries from auto accidents; Third, auto-related injuries with medical coverage limited to $250,000; Fourth, auto-related injuries with medical coverage limited to $50,000, available only to Medicaid recipients. A few other options are available, although most people do not qualify. Josh Klee said that very few people who purchase insurance through his agency opt for anything other than the first option—unlimited medical benefits. He stressed that before selecting a different option it is important that people discuss the choices with their insurance agent to make sure they understand the kind of risk they may be taking on.

The issue of Medicare [not Medicaid] coverage for injuries was discussed. Most Medicare recipients are age 65 or older. While Medicare does cover the cost of medical services, the coverage is not unlimited. For instance, skilled nursing is not covered, and rehabilitation services are limited to a fixed number of visits. Attendant care is available only when certain conditions are met. Home modifications needed to allow someone to live at home following an injury are not covered by Medicare, nor is long-term care for individuals who need to go into a nursing facility. But all of these services are covered for injuries resulting from an auto accident if the unlimited medical coverage option is selected.



So, anyone considering something other than unlimited coverage should consult their auto insurance agent before deciding what to do, especially since the savings realized may only be a few hundred dollars per year. The actual savings for each individual can be calculated by an insurance agent. Mr. Klee stressed the importance of getting as much information as possible on the varying risk levels for each No-Fault coverage option before deciding which one to select. If no selection is made, the unlimited coverage option will automatically be assigned to the insured party. The best source of information will always be your own insurance agent. Anyone wishing to discuss the matter with Josh Klee can contact him directly at 989-879-5778.

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10/25/2026

On October 22nd Niki Napolitano, Director of Communication for the Bay Arenac ISD shared information with members of the Rotary Club of Pinconning & Standish on services provided by the ISD to local school districts and to the community at-large. The REMC SAVE program supports school districts by providing competitive bids for large volume contracts for educational resources like furniture, school & office supplies, software & digital services, and technology. School districts in Bay and Arenac counties have saved $2.25 million dollars by using this program administered by the ISD. Another service is the “Strive for Fewer than Five;” that is, fewer than 5 absences per year. About 20% of students have chronic absenteeism which means they miss at least 10% of the days when school is in session. This can amount to several weeks in a school year and impacts their ability to learn. The “Strive” attendance campaign seeks to address this problem.

The ISD provides educational services to more than 1,900 special ed children in the two counties, and over 1,000 students participate in 24 Career and Technical Education programs offered by the ISD. Over 400 Career Center students entered Delta College this fall with nearly 2,800 credits already earned, saving them a lot of time and money during their college career. Preparing students to enter one of the skilled trades is also a special focus at the Career Center. 300 children, ages 0 to 3 years, are involved in “Early On” programs and over 600 children are enrolled in the “Great Start Readiness” program for preschoolers. These programs are offered to students in 6 school districts, 3 charter schools, and 14 parochial schools served by the ISD. The Bay Arenac ISD also offers instructional services to local schools concerning curriculum, literacy, mathematics, school improvement, and online & digital learning, as well as technology services concerning internet service, technology support, cybersecurity, data & information services, and technology & licensing.

The ISD also provides a means for districts to share information on operational services like communications, printing, building operations, human resources, purchasing, and transportation. It assists local districts to develop partnerships with businesses & industry, community organizations, workforce & economic development, and family engagement activities. For example, over 1,100 students have been able to receive mental health services through the ISD, and nearly 1,000 students were able to receive work-based learning experiences because of the ISD’s contracts with 148 businesses in the region. And the ISD coordinates the “Imagination Library” program, started by Dolly Parton, for all children in Bay and Arenac counties.

The Bay Arenac ISD is the only institution in our area in a position to offer so many programs to every school district and every student, and it has been able to do so for so long because of the strong support it receives from local residents through the ISD’s annual millage which has been approved continuously by voters over the years.

10/22/2026

Welcome Niki!

10/21/2026

Just a reminder that this Thursday's noon Rotary meeting will be held at Linwood Corners Cafe. This week's program will be a presentation by the club's newest member, Niki Napolitano. She will discuss programs at the Bay Arenac Career Center in preparation for the club meeting that will be held there on November 12th. Hope to see you then.

10/19/2026

On October 15th members of the Rotary Club of Pinconning & Standish heard a presentation by Andy Kowalczyk, superintendent of the Pinconning school district, on the district’s millage question on the November 3rd ballot. The ballot issue asks voters to approve a 1.6 mill property tax levy, which is a 0.8 mill increase over the current school levy. The funds would be used to construct a new elementary school in Pinconning to replace 70-year-old elementary schools, one in Linwood and one in Pinconning. The new school would be constructed as an addition to the present high/middle school. This would place all school buildings on a single campus.



Information on the millage issue has been placed on several social media sites. Seven community information meetings at township and city offices and at schools were held. A virtual meeting is scheduled for October 27th when participants can ask questions of the superintendent. School district officials cannot participate in a campaign to urge voters to vote “yes” on the issue, but they can provide information on how the district would use the funds if the issue is approved by the voters. An independent committee has created a page called “Pinconning Schools—Building Our Future, Our Community” which provides information to the public. The Pinconning Journal has provided regular updates on millage-related issues. Unfortunately, a few people have been spreading misinformation on the issue which, in some cases, greatly exaggerates the annual cost of the millage increase to local property owners, especially farmers.



Mr. Kowalczyk also presented information on “financial stability” issues. For instance, the district’s medical insurance costs have skyrocketed. What a district can spend on insurance is capped by the State, so all of the increase has to be absorbed by employees unless an 80/20 cost sharing plan is approved. The school board recently agreed to cover 80% of the increase for one year by drawing funds from its cash reserves, but this can’t be done indefinitely. If the proposal to construct a new elementary school is approved, it would allow the district to consolidate classrooms and bus routes which would result in long-term savings to the operating budget. It would also provide improved security for elementary students because the new school would have a safety entrance through which visitors would have to pass before entering the school. A question was asked about what might be done with the current Linwood elementary building if the millage request passed. Interest in the building has been expressed by both the Bay Arenac ISD and local daycare operators, but discussions cannot take place until the issue of whether to construct a new school has been resolved.

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10/11/2026

Rotarians at the Walk for Alzheimer’s in Bay City today!

10/10/2026

On October 8, 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Pinconning & Standish heard a presentation by Gail Frahm, Executive Director of the Disability Services Resource Center [DSRC] in Bay City. A native of Frankenmuth, Gail became Director of the Resource Center in 2019. The center is located at 1820 N. Trumbull Drive, just north of Woodside Avenue. The goal is to serve individuals who are temporarily or permanently disabled since the DSRC believes that everyone is entitled to live a full life. The non-profit organization employs only 3 individuals but relies on hundreds of volunteers to carry out its mission. The DSRC was created in 1933, almost a hundred years ago.



Gail discussed what she called the ABCs of DSRC—Adaptive Sports, Building and repairing 10 ramps a year, Camp participation scholarships for children and adults, and Disability Awareness Training. Adaptive sports programs stress the therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, and strengthen a participant’s self-esteem, while teaching teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play, as demonstrated in the ACES program. ACES stands for All Children Experience Sports. ACES hosts ball games each summer for youth and young adults ages 5 to 25, as well as the Wheelers and Dealers Bowling League.

Summer Enrichment Programs serve special needs people ages 5 to 36. Programs run 3 to 4 days per week for 6 weeks, providing life skills, recreation, and socialization opportunities for participants. The DSRC also covers the cost of sponsorships, up to $300, to attend summer camps elsewhere in the state. Disability Awareness Training demonstrates what it’s like to live one’s life with disabilities.



Another important service provided is the operation of a Loan Closet which loans, at no charge, pieces of durable medical equipment, such as hospital beds, bath benches, walkers, canes, Hoyer lifts, as well as personal care items. DSRC services are supported through a variety of fundraising efforts, including the annual silent auction and golf scramble, the Yes I Can Drive, Give Local Bay, other fundraisers, and direct donations. Grants also cover some expenses. More information on the Disability Services Resource Center can be obtained online at www.dsrcbc.org, or at the DSRC office on N. Trumbull Drive, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Gail Frahm can also be reached by email at [email protected].

(L) Andy Kowalczyk and Gail Frahm of the Disability Services Resource Center

09/28/2026

Good people doing good things!