Sweetheart Banquet to benefit Pat Rosier heart transplant Hartford Federated Church (HFC) will be hosting a Sweetheart Banquet Saturday, Feb. 16 at 6:00 p.m. The goal of the evening is to enjoy a meal, a Bible based game, and message as we support a woman in our community with this serious medical need. Pat Rosier is a resident of Hartford and in need of a heart transplant. HFC is providing the catered meal and 100% of the $10 ticket price will be donated to Rosier’s transplant fund. Tickets are available through the church office; call 269-621-4521 or email hfcbible@gmail.com Anyone may also give directly to this cause by sending a donation to National Foundation for Transplants – Michigan Transplant Fund in honor of Patricia Rosier, 5350 Poplar Ave. Ste. 850, Memphis, TN 38119.

50th Wedding Anniversary for Terry & Diane Tibbs

Terry and Diane Tibbs of Harford celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party at the Fairfield Inn in Watervliet hosted by their children. Their children are Kevin (Cindee) Tibbs and Brian (Heather) Tibbs. They have three grandchildren, Alyssa, Hailey and Merrick and another one expected in July. Terry Tibbs and the former Diane Smith were married December 14, 1968 at her parent’s home in Watervliet. Terry is retired from Special-Lite in Decatur. Diane is employed part-time at Miller Thermometer Company in Hartford. Terry is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Watervliet Township moving forward with medical marijuana opt in action

By Annette Christie Watervliet Charter Township Trustee Joe Stepich, who also sits on the township’s Planning Commission, informed the township board at their meeting on Monday, Jan. 21 that a road trip will take place to two different types of medical marijuana facilities as they continue their work on a Medical Marijuana Ordinance. Township officials are moving forward with allowing medical marijuana in the township and are still working out what kind, how many, and what size. Stepich said that the tours will be for information gathering only. “We still have a lot of questions to be answered,” Stepich said adding, “We expect this to be a 3-4 month process before it comes before the township board.” At a joint meeting of the Watervliet Charter Township Board and the Planning Commission held Dec. 5, an extensive discussion was held on the subject. Included in the topics were zoning issues, types of medical marijuana facilities, and other aspects on the subject. The owner of a nearby provisioning center for medical marijuana and other citizens were on hand to comment. The motion was made at that meeting to opt in to medical marijuana and to request the Planning Commission to create an ordinance that is in the best interest of the citizens of Watervliet Charter Township. At the Planning Commission’s Jan. 8, 2019 meeting, they looked at a draft ordinance authored by Township Attorney Jessica Fette. Fette recommended that the Planning Commission first decide what medical marijuana uses to permit and then to determine the zoning according to that. At that meeting the Planning Commission voted to initially permit all types of facilities and will remove any that are deemed uneconomical or unneeded. Their facility visiting will occur at The Green Door in Bangor, followed by another grow facility in Paw Paw. While township officials have discussed recreational marijuana due to the recent proposal allowing it that was passed state wide, they are not taking any action on that subject until the state is finished with their rules and regulations which is expected later this year.

Parks and Recreation Plan As the board looks to adopt their updated Parks and Recreation Plan, Supervisor Dan Hutchins asked the township board to finalize the names of two new parks in the township. Hutchins said they needed to be named to be included in the plan. The “Township Hall Park” is two acres located next to the hall. The proposed action for that property is soccer field creation with cooperation from the public schools including concession stand, fencing, bathrooms, and parking area. This could also include a pickleball court. The Township Board officially named this Airport Park. The “Harper Avenue Park” is 33.7 acres located off Harper Avenue which was donated to the township from Berrien County. Future plans for that property include signage and the placement of tables and benches along the Paw Paw River edge. The Township Board officially named this Mill Park. A Public Hearing for the proposed updated Parks and Recreation Plan was held Wednesday, Jan. 30 at Watervliet Township Hall. The updates to the plan include the additional inventory. The plan has been available to the public since the December 17 meeting. One of the purposes of the amendment to the Parks Plan is so that the township can apply to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) for grant funding intended for parks purposes. The MDNR grant period will open up March 1, 2019. The plan is available on the website or can be picked up in paper form at the township hall.

Other business In other business, Hutchins told the board that he is seeking additional information before the township would consider providing for funding for Paw Paw River cleanup. Hutchins said he reached out to the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, the recipient on behalf of river communities, to find out how $100,000 of state funded money was used. Hutchins would like to make sure that the funding is being distributed fairly among all river communities. Hutchins said he feels that all communities are not contributing equally and only a few are providing the funding for all who are benefitting. The township has been approached about continuing the funding for future river clean-up, website maintenance, signage, etc. for the Paw Paw River Trail. “We all should be paying if we are all reaping the benefit,” Hutchins said. He would like to continue to look into this before the township pledges any more funding to this effort. The township board seemed to agree.

Community Soup & Salad Supper Friday, Feb. 1 A Community Soup & Salad Supper will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, at the North Berrien Senior Center, 6648 Ryno Road in Coloma. The menu includes soup, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. The public is invited. Cost for adults is $5; $3 for children up to 12 years of age; and free for children under three. Proceeds go to the H.O.P.E. Resources Food Pantry. This month’s supper is hosted by H.O.P E. Resources Board of Directors and New Hope Community Church.

Rep. Wendzel to host coffee hour on Monday State Rep. Pauline Wendzel announced plans to meet with residents of Southwest Michigan during her scheduled coffee hour. The coffee hour will take place on Monday, Feb. 4 at The Mason Jar Café, 210 Water St. in Benton Harbor from 9 to 10 a.m. No appointment is necessary. Those unable to attend are invited to contact her Lansing office by phone at 517-373-1403 or email PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov.