THIS KUTE KID IS… Nicholas Chance Crawford Jr. He’s turning one year old in April. According to his parents, Nicholas is the happiest baby! His proud parents are Courtney Sewell & Nicholas Crawford Sr. from Hartford. His loving grandparents are Robert & Jennifer Sewell from Hartford and Debra Finehout & Larry Crawford from Lawrence. Happy Birthday Nicholas!

Hartford Township further shorthanded as trustee resigns

By Jon Bisnett Hartford Township officials have yet to successfully replace Zoning Administrator Jim Lechenet who tended his resignation all the way back in December of 2017 and now the unexpected and immediate resignation of veteran Trustee Kurt Dowd leaves another hole in the Township administrative team. Pursuant to state law the Township has 45 days to appoint a replacement, once the board formally accepted the resignation or may be forced to hold a special election to fill the position. The board did formally accept Dowd’s request under new business at their monthly board meeting on March 12, setting the 45-day clock into motion. Guests County Commissioner Mike Chappell reported on activity around Van Buren County. County Commissioners approved the Michigan Department of Transportation Contract Clauses Certification which projects funding of $1,232,126 for the Van Buren County Transit operation. They also approved an Access Agreement with Live PD, for the purpose of riding with Sheriff Deputies, producing nationally broadcast video of the rides. There is no cost to the County.

Chappell reported V.B. Commissioners approved Courthouse Buildings and Grounds Director request for $94,341.00 to add security panels to the Clerk’s and Prosecutor’s offices in the Historic Courthouse. Additionally, the Director explained to the Commissioners that the current HVAC system in cells 3 through 9 fail to meet the new air quality requirements and recommends that Andy J. Egan Company perform the work for a total cost of $415,000. Commissioners approved the request. Further, the Commissioners approved acceptance of a grant of $76,470.00 from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to provide health and dental care as well as providing other Van Buren County Veterans services. Following a public hearing, Chappell said, the Commissioners approved submitting an application of $100,000.00 Community Development Block Grant, to provide working capital needs for a site readiness plan on an 85-acre industrial site in Mattawan. The Village will contribute $150,000.00 for engineering and surveying fees. Commissioners reappointed Rodney Dragicevich to the Van Buren Economic Development Corporation Board. Commissioners also approved the purchase of a vacant parcel in Syndicate Park for its assessed value of $1,800.00, as an on-going effort to preserve critical dune areas in Van Buren County. Sheriff’s Department Van Buren County Sheriff Deputy Chad Hunt logged 1,639 miles in Hartford Township for the prior month including 21 complaints, 13 citations, 12 arrests composed of seven misdemeanors

and five felonies.

Fire Department Hartford Fire Chief Rob Harting reported 18 fire calls in the township for the month of February. Harting again reminded of the free smoke alarm distribution program. A grant from the American Red Cross is funding the program available to all Hartford residents. Call the HFD to arrange an installation at (269) 621-4707. The department received a $2,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources for the purchase of replacement fire hoses. An additional grant is in process. The HFD has received a new application from a certified Firefighter/Medic. Five responses have been received in regard to bidding for the new fire truck. Road Commission Rick Boze reports ongoing tree trimming efforts and thanks county residents for approving the Road Millage renewal from the March 10 ballot. The usual seasonal weight restrictions will not be a factor and will be waived this spring thanks to the unseasonably warm temperatures. Accounts Payable Treasurer Steve Starner presented bills in the amount of $49,770.19, which were unanimously approved. Old business The board continues its search for alternate members to serve on the Board of Review. The board had a brief discussion with Robert DeLoof as candidate for the position of Zoning Administrator and Noxious Weeds Commissioner. No formal action was taken. New business In addition to replacing Trustee Dowd’s board seat, the Township must also seek a new chair for the Planning Commission, which Dowd held for several years. Supervisor Ron Sefcik stated that the township is expected to receive updates from Abonmarche Environmental and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, EGLE in regard to PFAS water supply remediation for the Township’s affected households at the April board meeting.

Community Calendar

Now thru May 1 “TREE & SHRUB SEEDLING FUNDRAISER” held by Berrien Conservation District. Order on-line at www.berriencd.org or mail order form to Berrien Conservation District, 3334 Edgewood Rd, Berrien Springs MI 49103. Orders due May 1; pick up dates May 15 (noon-8pm) & May 16 (9am-2pm). Quantities limited. Sat, Apr. 25, 6pm “SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANTS” Mrs., Ms, Miss and Miss Teen Southwest Michigan at Bridgman High School Auditorium. Visit www.misssouthwestmichigan.org for more info. Sat, Apr. 25, “BENEFIT AUCTION” fundraiser at Grace Christian School, 325 N. M-140, Watervliet. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. for registration, Silent Auction bidding begins at 4:00 & Live Auction starts at 4:30. Food available for sale. Tue, Apr. 28, “COLOMA COUNTS, CENSUS DAY” at Coloma Public Library. Fill out census online and register for Cinco De Mayo Party. Tue, May 5, 6-7:30pm “CINCO De MAYO PARTY” Coloma Public Library for all ages; must pre-register. Fri, May 8, 4pm “OPEN HOUSE” Riverside Park and Kayak Launch, 3510 Coloma Rd., Coloma Sun, May 10, 5-7:30pm “MOTHER’S DAY DINNER” Coloma American Legion, 351 E. St. Joseph St. $11/advance; $12/door. Menu: garlic herb chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, gr. beans, salad, dessert & coffee. May 27-29 “COLOMA CITYWIDE GARAGE SALE” Friday, July 10, 3-7pm “BE THE MATCH” donor event at Hartford Speedway

Time for financial spring cleaning Spring is officially here – and for many of us, that means it’s time for some spring cleaning around our homes and yards. But why stop there? This year, why not do some financial spring cleaning, too? You can apply some of the same principles of traditional spring cleaning to your financial environment. Here are a few suggestions: Clear your vision. Spring brings extra hours of sunshine – and to enjoy them, you’ll want to clean your windows, inside and out. As an investor, you also need to take a clear-eyed view of your situation periodically. Are you on track toward achieving your goals? If not, what moves can you make to get back on the right path? You need to be honest with yourself to see if you’re doing all you can to help make progress toward your objectives. “De-clutter” your portfolio. As you go about sprucing up your house, you may find that you have a lot of clutter. Do you really need three mops? And are you holding on to those old calendars for any good reason? You’ll probably feel much better about your surroundings when you de-clutter them – and the same may be true of your investment portfolio. For example, do you own several investments that are virtually identical? If so, you might want to consider ways to help diversify your holdings. While diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against losses in a declining market, it might help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. Recharge your batteries. When you do your household spring cleaning, you may want to check the batteries on your smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector and other devices. And as part of your financial spring cleaning, you might need to recharge your own investment “batteries,” so to speak. In other words, increase the power you’re providing to your portfolio. You can do this in a few different ways. First, you can increase your contributions to your 401(k) or similar retirement plan every time your salary goes up. You can also try to “max out” on your IRA contributions each year. (For 2020, you can put in up to $6,000 in an IRA, or $7,000 if you’re age 50 or older). Another way to increase your investment voltage is to make sure you’ve got adequate growth potential in your portfolio based on your goals and risk tolerance. Put your house in order. As part of your spring cleanup, you may want to check for damage on your roof, windows, siding and so on. But you also need to put your financial house in order, especially as it regards to protection. Do you have adequate life insurance? If not, your family could suffer if something were to happen to you. And have you thought about how you could pay for long-term care if you needed it? The average annual cost for a private room in a nursing home is about $100,000, according to the insurance company Genworth. To retain your financial independence – and also to help protect your grown children from possibly having to deal with these costs – you may want to explore some type of long-term care insurance. By doing some spring cleaning around your home, you’ll lighten up your living space. And doing some financial spring cleaning may help you brighten your future. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.