North Berrien Fire Rescue will wait longer for a chief

By Annette Christie

The North Berrien Fire Board held their regular meeting on May 2, but did not make any concrete decisions on what to do about the fire department left without a chief.

The position has been vacant since the end of 2015.  With another top position vacancy in a relatively short time frame, area leaders from Coloma City, Coloma Township, and Hagar Township opted for consultants to help them determine what would best suit the community.

The consultants were paid $10,000 for a survey and results that determined that the department needed a full-time chief. The consultants then helped the department do the search for that full-time chief for another $10,000.  Twelve applicants applied for the chief position, however eight dropped out. Of the four remaining to be interviewed, another one dropped out with three remaining for the extensive process.

That, however, resulted in the process’ “numbers” picking their top candidate, a job offer being made, and a denial that followed soon after.   Berwyn, Illinois Fire Chief Dennis O’Halloran told fire board chairman Rob Harper that his mayor made an offer he could not turn down, leaving the North Berrien Fire Rescue Department still without a chief and a lengthy process with the end result not being accomplished.

Harper said at the fire board meeting that he, Coloma Charter Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin and the consultant put together some “what now” scenarios.  Harper said they have about four options: hire an interim chief; go with the #2 candidate; put someone in charge of the administrative duties, such as the Police Chief, and allow the two captains to continue with the day to day duties; or start all over again to get a full-time chief.

The interim chief suggestion came with a proposal from Complete Solutions Design out of Illinois.  The proposal was that the North Berrien Fire Board would contract with their company for an interim chief for $6,250 per month.  This interim chief could help the department with strategic planning.  Jeff Clohessy of Complete Solutions Design was prepared with an interested party, someone the selection committee had worked with in the interview process; another fire fighter from Illinois.  Clohessy spoke highly of the suggestion which would offer the board more time to decide what they wanted to do but would still give them the power to get rid of the interim chief quickly if they didn’t like the individual.  Complete Solutions Design would then provide another individual to fill that position.

The floor was opened up to allow for comments.  Dale Stover who said he was with the department for 31 years told the board they were missing out on a brother who is right here willing to do the job.  He noted the fraction of a difference in the scoring between candidate #2 and candidate #3 and said they should both be looked at again.

Coloma City Commissioner Jason Hicks commented, “We have spent a good amount of money to get as far as we’ve gotten and we should go with the next candidate.”

Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio, who sits on the fire board, said that he is not excited about the proposal for an interim chief. “If you found me someone local as an interim chief, maybe,” DiMaggio said adding, “I am not ready to start all over with this.”

Parrigin said that this discussion should go to the selection committee who should then make a recommendation to the fire board.  The selection committee is made up of Parrigin, Coloma City Mayor Jim Polashak, Coloma Township resident Bob Howell, Hagar Township resident Deb Frank, Coloma City resident Bill Moser, and Fire Department Captain Todd Bohle.  It was the selection committee that worked with the consultants to ultimately bring forth the three candidates for in person interviews with the fire board in March of this year.

The other two finalists for the chief position were Bob Adams and Michael Mattix.  Adams has spent the last 28 years serving the residents in the North Berrien Fire district.  He has received instrumental training through the department and is currently a lieutenant with the department.  Mattix has been with the City of Dowagiac Fire Department for 32 years.  He is currently a captain with the department and its operations officer.

Parrigin said he hopes that they will have a recommendation at the next fire board meeting.

PUBLIC INVITED TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS… Watervliet Superintendent Kevin Schooley conducted a tour of the Watervliet Middle and High schools Saturday morning. The open house was an opportunity for the public to see the im-provements made at the build-ings as part of Phase 2 construction through the bond project. Here, Schooley (right) shows Watervliet native Greg Krell the improvements in the computer lab. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Van Buren County rejects millage for courthouse, jail renovation project

By Nancy Albright

Van Buren County residents voted against the proposed 0.7 mill property tax increase that would have generated $32 million dollars to upgrade the county courthouse, jail and administration buildings.

Results show 4,795 citizens voted against the millage, while 1,884 were in favor of upgrades that would have increased security for employees, inmates and the public. A resident owning a home worth $100,000 would have paid an additional tax of $70 annually over the next 20 years.

The courthouse and original jail facility at 212 E. Paw Paw Street was built in 1901 for $120,000. The county spent $4 million in 1963 to expand the jailhouse, and followed with improvements in 1981, 1982 and 2001. The 7th District Court, and juvenile and probate courts operate out of the Courthouse Annex, which was built in 1976. County administration has been operating out of the Administration and Land Services Administration building since 1997.

The court intended to use the money to pay back a $32 million bond that would have funded a $60,000 square-foot courthouse addition, and renovations to the Annex and the administration facility. The plan called for technology upgrades to heighten security throughout the complex and would have brought the facility into compliance with federal ADA regulations.

According to Van Buren County Court Administrator Frank Hardester, “The citizens in Van Buren County have spoken. I am disappointed in the result, but I respect the process and the will of the voters. The courts plan to continue to work with county officials on the safety and security concerns within our court facilities while also addressing ADA barriers. These problems exist in all of the court facilities and significantly impact employees, jurors, and other court users/visitors on a daily basis. At this time, we must re-group and work with all stakeholders to determine next steps.”

Skate Park to reopen May 13; boarders rejoice

By Kristy Noack

Boarders will soon be able to slide the rails and ride the half-pipe at the Skate Park in Watervliet’s Hays Park. Installation of new ramps, quarter and half pipes, and rails began Monday.

The $76,000 project has been a long time in the making. Shuttered in late July 2015 due to unsafe conditions, the park’s wood structures had deteriorated since they were constructed in 2006 and repaired in 2012.

Construction of the new park features will “take a week or less,” according to Melanie Marvin, a City of Watervliet employee. “The company recommended we allow one extra week before” utilizing the park as part of a contingency plan in case construction is delayed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

The work is being performed by American Ramp Company, out of Missouri.

To celebrate the renovation of the park, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. at Hays Park. Marvin shared that there will be a silent auction and pop for sale, and hot dogs will be given away for free.

Donna DeMay and her nephew Matthew Melvin have teamed up to create a board display as part of the silent auction. Melvin, a graduate of Watervliet High School, is the woodworking instructor at Thornapple Kellogg in Middleville, Michigan. Melvin designed and crafted a custom long board and six skateboard decks to help raise monies for the park. DeMay, a Watervliet resident, has created a window display at B&B Outlet on Main Street in Watervliet showcasing Melvin’s generous donations as well as Whirlpool’s donation of a stand mixer. Anyone interested in seeing the boards and mixer need only to stop by B&B Outlet to view the items. Then, make plans to attend the ribbon cutting on May 13 with cash in hand.

The idea for a skate park was initially conceived by local Cara Goodrich in 2002. The initial cost for the park was $71,350. Private donations as well as a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources funded the park.

When the park was closed in 2015 – for the second time in four years – the DNR advised the city that repairs had to be made to the structure or the city would have to repay the grant money. Repairs were made in 2012 and the park reopened for three years before being closed once again.