Michigan Citizens To Be ‘Educated and Prepared for Homeland Security’

Source: Dateline Zero

The Michigan DHS paid for, and transferred 13 snow cone machines at a total cost of $11,700. And just in time for winter. If you think that doesn’t make a lick of sense, you’re not alone. Officials in Michigan are being asked to explain the purchases, and the answers are painting a picture that’s far stranger than $11,700 worth of snow cone makers for a cold state.

According to a “Cost Justification document,” the machines are to be used to “provide snow cones as an outreach at promotional events.” Elaborating on what these “promotional events” might be, West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission Executive Director Sandeep Dey said the machines will be “used to attract people so they can be educated and prepared for homeland security.” Montcalm County recently received a $900 Arctic Blast Sno-Cone machine. [map]

They aren’t the only county — a total of 13 counties in the cold state of Michigan received a snow cone machine paid for by Michigan’s Homeland Security.

The Greenville Daily News found some clarification in a Michigan Homeland Security Grant Program’s Allowable Cost Justification document, dated May 9, 2011. It explains the snow cone machines can make ice to prevent heat-related illnesses during emergencies, and treat injuries. Also, the machine is to be used to provide snow cones as outreach at promotional events.

The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) is a federal- and state-designated agency responsible for managing and administrating the homeland security program in Montcalm County and 12 other counties. Montcalm’s snow cone maker is currently being stored in the Montcalm County Emergency Services (MCES) building in Stanton.

MCES Director David Feldpausch is defending the $900 Arctic Blast Sno-Cone machine. He insists the machine could be useful at the scene of a large fire or during very hot weather. “I don’t like the term snow cone machine, because it sounds horrible,” Feldpausch said. “When you look at it as an ice shaving machine and its purpose, it makes a little more sense. I assume it will get used in Montcalm County a lot more in the summertime by the Fire Corps.”

Well, if they meant it to be an ice-maker, why didn’t they request an ice-maker?

WMSRDC Executive Director Sandeep Dey said one county requested a popcorn machine, but that request was denied. He said the snow cone machine request would not have been granted by itself, but was approved because it came with other homeland security equipment.

“It is used to attract people so they can be educated and prepared for homeland security,” Dey said from his office in Muskegon.

One clue as to the “outreach” and “educating” that could be taking place in your county or township might be found at some Wal Mart stores, where DHS had propaganda videos playing at checkouts last December. Perhaps Homeland Security will host screenings of Janet Napolitano’s videos, and hand around snow cones. (But no popcorn, because that request was denied.)

The video could be followed by a discussion about “if you see something, say something.”

Hopefully they will have the sense to offer (taxpayer funded) snow cones after the winter season.

View full post at Dateline Zero.