Skate park given new life; May open April 1

By Kristy Noack

Once a spot popular with skateboarding teens, the skate park contained within Hays Park in Watervliet has been shut down since late July 2015. The rotting wood ramps complete with peeling paint and cracked surfaces were deemed “unsafe” by city officials and the structure was closed.

Discussions have taken place over the past year and a half at city hall as well as on the street as to what will happen to the park. Finally, those questions have been answered.

According to Watervliet Parks and Recreation chairperson Deah Thornton, replacement of skate park equipment will begin in 45 to 60 days.

The parks department worked with American Ramp Company out of Joplin, Missouri on the design and equipment needs of a re-envisioned park. ARC will replace the old equipment with new and improved ramps, quarter and half pipes, and grind rails. The equipment subtotal cost came in at $77,282 with installation adding another $11,899.54. The total cost of the project is $76,000, taking into account an ARC factory direct discount of $13,171.53.

According to Thornton, funding for the project will come from the city and townships of Watervliet, the City of Watervliet Downtown Development Association, Whirlpool Corporation, and private donations.

Watervliet Township has earmarked a donation in the amount of $23,500 to the project. The donation was approved at the township’s December 19 meeting.

The City of Watervliet DDA approved a commitment of $2,500 “if needed” at their November 16, 2016 meeting.

Whirlpool Corporation has pledged $2,500 as well.

Thornton advised that ads were placed in the Tri-City Record requesting quotes on the skate park project. American Ramp Company, led by CEO Jim C. Moss, has completed in-ground and above ground skate projects in Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, and Michigan.

Watervliet’s skate park first came to fruition in 2002. Cara Goodrich conceived the idea of the park and became the first president of the Tri-City Skate Park Association.

The initial project cost was $71,350, and it took three and one-half years before the site was complete. The park celebrated its official opening September 2, 2006.

Initial funding for the project came from private donations as well as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The City of Watervliet applied for a grant to create a canoe launch; that grant application also included a request for monies to fund the skate park.

The DNR approved both projects and granted $42,300 for the completion of the launch and skate park.

Because the skate park was originally funded with grant money, the City had two choices once the park was closed: repay the initial funds back to the DNR or find funding sources to repair or replace equipment at the park so it could be reopened.

The park was also closed in 2011, but it reopened in 2012 after much needed repairs were made.

Thornton advised work on the skate park will take one week, and the project is slated for an April 1 completion date.

Two generations help the Watervliet Skate Park

By Kristy Noack

Matthew Melvin is giving back to the community he once called home. Donna DeMay is giving back to the community she calls home.

Melvin, a graduate of Watervliet High School Class of 1993, is the nephew of city resident Donna DeMay. DeMay is a representative on the committee involved in raising funds to repair and reopen the Watervliet Skate Park in Hays Park.

A DONATION THAT GOES A LONG WAY… Former Watervliet resident Matthew Melvin shows off one of his custom longboards. Melvin, a woodworking teacher in Middleville, Michigan, is donating a longboard and six skateboard decks to help raise money for the Watervliet Skate Park. (Contributed photo)

While at Watervliet High School, Marvin took four years of woodworking under the tutelage of former woods teacher Mike Waite. Thus began Marvin’s love of woodworking. He parlayed the knowledge he gained in high school and with a bachelor’s degree in woodworking from Western Michigan University before earning a master’s degree in Technical Education.  Marvin is the woodworking instructor at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville, Michigan and has been with the district for 18 years.

When his Aunt Donna called looking for a skateboard to raffle off for the skate park repairs, Melvin gladly offered his assistance.

He contacted Mr. M’s World in California, which is the same company from which Marvin’s woodworking classes buy uncut, undrilled, unfinished skateboard blanks for their projects. Mr. M’s World sold Melvin some “non-pro model boards for a good price, and I donated them to my aunt [for the] skate park project,” Melvin explained.

But, his generosity did not stop there. Melvin created, designed, and built a custom longboard which will be raffled for the park as well. “I’m very fortunate to be raised by a family that would give the shirt off their back to anyone in need. I guess that [lesson] really stuck with me,” said Melvin.

DeMay is currently working to secure a license for the raffle, as well as find a location to display the longboard and six other skateboard decks. “We would coincide the raffle with the opening of the new ramps,” she said.

Once the display site and raffle details are determined, that information will be made public.

DeMay has also contacted Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor in the hopes the company would donate a mixer to be raffled as well. Whirlpool previously committed $2,500 in funds to improve the skate park.

As for her interest in giving new life to the skate park, DeMay said, “I just want to help the kids.”

Generosity, selflessness, and kindness are just three traits that are rooted deep in her and Matthew’s family tree. And those roots were planted in Watervliet.

Watervliet City Commission fills city manager vacancy

By Annette Christie

A Michigander with ties to the Watervliet area will be the new city manager for Watervliet and will occupy City Hall on Monday, February 27.

Michael Uskiewicz has quite the resume filled with a plethora of municipal management experience which he describes as being extremely rewarding.  He has managed cities, villages, and townships in the states of Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina.

He was interviewed by the city commission, Tuesday, February 14 and offered the position contingent on his references.  Mayor Dave Brinker told the Record that those references were satisfactory to a polling of commission later in the week. Brinker said he offered Uskiewicz the job that Saturday afternoon.

Uskiewicz is 60-years-old and was born and raised in Michigan near the Wyoming area.  He is a graduate of Rogers High School in Wyoming. He and his wife, Debbie, have six grown children, Rihanna Uskiewicz, Michael Uskiewicz Jr., Nikole Hudson, Kayla Nalley, David Helms and Jason Whitlock. Uskiewicz has visited Watervliet many times as his stepmother, Jill Ann Clark and step-grandmother, Lenore Clark were both from Watervliet.

The new city manager has studied police administration and criminal justice and was certified as a law enforcement officer. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice followed by a master’s degree in Public Administration, both from Grand Valley State University.

Uskiewicz has experience with budgets from as small as $1 million to as high as $35 million.  His grant writing expertise has resulted in overall awards exceeding $12 million.

His last employment was with the City of Bessemer as the city manager. He served in that position from October 2011 to April 2016.  In that position, he was responsible for directing the day-to-day operation of the city including utility services, public works, building inspection, fire, police contracting, community planning, zoning and ensuring county policy was implemented.  The position of city manager was also as the zoning administrator, street administrator, code enforcement officer, and economic development coordinator.  While Uskiewicz was manager, the city was featured on a national television program featuring unique places to live, work, and play.

Uskiewicz and the City of Bessemer parted ways following the November 2015 election where the city council changed. The council paid out the remainder of his contract.

He also served as the city manager in Toccoa, Georgia; Spring Lake, North Carolina; Alpena, Michigan; Dunn, North Carolina; Escanaba, Michigan; and Iron River, Michigan.  He has served as a zoning administrator/ordinance enforcement officer, city administrator, village manager, and a police officer.  He served our country as a military police officer in the United States Air Force and in the Air National Guard.

Uskiewicz said that it was while serving as a city council member for the City of Wyoming that he first became interested in municipal management.  The city manager at that time encouraged him to move into the field of city management and became a mentor to him.  Through his career, he has brought benefit to many communities.  “I have been able to touch a lot of lives and make lasting impacts in the communities I was involved in,” Uskiewicz said.

Now he will have the chance to touch the lives and benefit the community of Watervliet.  “I’m excited about the position and am looking forward to the opportunity,” Uskiewicz said.

The next city commission will be held Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Coloma St. Joseph Street more accessible for residents thanks to Senator Proos;

Mayor sets office hours

By Christina Gelder

During a brief meeting of the Coloma City Commission on Monday, February 13 Commissioner Marsha Hammond extended “a big thank you” to State Senator John Proos and his office. She had contacted them a few weeks ago, during a struggle to get any work done on the E. St. Joseph Street project as it is being controlled by MDOT.

With the help of the senator and his staff the city was pleased that Peters Construction Co. did come back and do some work to make it easier for the residents on that street to get in and out of their driveways. Commissioner Hammond said “in everyone’s defense, this has been the absolute worst case scenario”. She was referring to the weather causing the roadway to freeze and thaw so often the last few months. She also gave credit to the residents of that area because they have not been complaining, saying that she is embarrassed that they are facing such a mess for so long.

Commissioner Jason Hicks also spoke up saying that as a resident of that street he is also very grateful to Senator Proos. He also expressed gratefulness for Commissioner Hammond saying he appreciates her diligence.

Mayor Jim Polashak announced that he will be holding regular office hours for any resident who would like to meet with him. He will be in his City Hall office on the third Tuesday of each month from 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Marie Eisbrenner of Pride Care attended the meeting to deliver an updated contract for ambulance service. The contract is the same as has been previously held by the city. The commission will review it in order to accept it at the next meeting.

In other news Commissioner Jason Hicks reported that they are working on some new parking ordinances. He has called an ordinance committee meeting for Monday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. He also asked that Coloma Township Police Chief Jason Roe to attend so that he might give insight on the potential changes.

It is time again to iron out the budget details for the coming fiscal year. Mayor Polashak has called a budget workshop for Saturday, February 25 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.