Troubled northern Michigan town hires man who specializes in healing public conflicts

Leaders of a northern Michigan town desperate for peace have voted to chip in to hire a Canadian man who specializes in healing public conflicts.

A sign welcoming people to the northern Michigan city of Elk Rapids

Doug Griffiths is the author of "13 Ways to Kill Your Community." Elk Rapids, about 20 miles northeast of Traverse City, believes it needs his help.

Some members of the Downtown Development Association resigned over whether to close a downtown street. The local library board has been a regular source of tension. Village President Jim Janisse recently apologized for using coarse words, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

A resident, Tom Baird, described it as a "negative funk."

"I think its time to put a flag up and ask for help," Janisse said Monday as the council voted to spend $10,000 to pay for Griffiths' expertise.

Janisse is contributing $1,000 from his own wallet.

"This is for the mental health for our community," village council member Barb Mullaly said. "How we talk to each other, how we help each other. Not what we do, but more like how we do it."

It will cost $100,000 to complete Griffiths' work in Elk Rapids, which would include visits and public meetings. Tom Kern of the local Chamber of Commerce is seeking financial support from the school district, the Rotary Club, the library and surrounding townships.

"That number, I know, is a number that sets people back on their heels a little bit," Kern said.

Griffiths is a former government official in Alberta, Canada. His website says he's helped 500 communities in North America.

The council voted 6-1 to contribute. Elaine Glowicki, the lone dissenter, said Elk Rapids should cast a wider net.

"Aren’t we going to go out for bid for other planners so we can get a feel for this?" she said.