11-09-2017 Holiday open houses in downtown Watervliet feature specials, refreshments, and entertainm

Bachman family reunion The Bachman family held their annual reunion August 14 at Kiwanis Park in St. Joseph. The family was represented by 64 descendants of Abram and Carrie Bachman, residents of Coloma in the 1800s. Carrie and Abram were the grandparents of Paul Bachman and Florence (Bachman) Bock both present at the reunion, with Paul being the eldest attendee at 93 years young. The youngest in attendance were Eli Reed and Elsie Clune, both 3 months old and the great-grandchildren of Florence Bock. Guests traveling from out of state were Bill and Ellie Wick from San Diego, Aaron Bachman from South Bend and guest Alberto Jaquez from the Dominican Republic. Five generations of the (late) John and Sharon Bachman were in attendance.

Medic 1 gives Watervliet and Hartford townships ultimatum

By Annette Christie

The Medic 1 Board has given notice to Hartford Township and Watervliet Township that their ambulance service from Medic 1 will be discontinued effective July 31, 2018 unless something changes. Medic 1 Board Chairman Pete Sinclair said that because the City of Hartford and the two townships joined the municipally owned ambulance service together, they all have to stay or fund the difference from the one that is leaving.  The City of Hartford is discontinuing its service from Medic 1, a decision made in August.

Reports state that the City of Hartford voted 5-2 to terminate its contract with Medic 1 because they were dissatisfied with the service.  They noted wanting quicker response times, a streamlined dispatch system, and more available ambulances as some of the reasons for the vote.

Sinclair said that the two townships can either talk Hartford city officials into staying or come up with an additional $114,000 to fund what Medic 1 will be lacking from the loss of Hartford City.  If neither of those will work, then they can search for another provider.

The three municipalities joined Medic 1 in 1988.  The funding for Hartford City and Hartford Township’s portion comes from a county-wide ambulance millage.  Watervliet Township pays approximately $22,000 annually out of its general fund. Medic 1 Ambulance is described on their website as a governmental entity organized and owned by 17 cities and townships in Berrien and Van Buren counties. It states that they also provide ambulance service to three other municipalities under contract. It is operated by a board of directors which meets monthly. The website states that each owner’s governmental unit appoints one person to the board. An annual subsidy based on population is appropriated by each governmental unit. The board is subject to the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act and is required to have an annual audit.

Watervliet Township Supervisor Dan Hutchins warned his board at their October meeting that the decision made by the community of Hartford could impact the service options for Watervliet Charter Township including but not limited to Medic 1 asking for additional funding to make up for their lost customers.

Hutchins has stated that he doesn’t think paying any additional for ambulance service will be something that the Watervliet Township Board would consider; however, he did not speak for them.  He said he is seeking information from other providers and perhaps the board would discuss it at their next regular meeting, Monday, November 20, 2017.

Still up for discussion is the building that Medic 1 leases from the township next door to the Township Hall.  Medic 1 had signed a 15-year lease which just expired in August 2017.  Hutchins said the two parties have not discussed the lease and that Medic 1 was still continuing to make the monthly payment at this time.  The neighboring communities of Watervliet City, Coloma City, and Coloma Township do not use Medic 1 as their ambulance provider.  Without Hartford Township and Watervliet Township, the northern part of Berrien County and into Van Buren County would not be serviced by Medic 1.

COLOMA HIGH SCHOOL ALL STAR BAND MEMBERS… MSBOA District 6 All Star Band will perform on Saturday, November 18 at the Paw Paw High School Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. The guest conductor is Matthew Conaway, Composer & Director of the Symphonic & Varsity Bands at Purdue University. There is an admission charge for the performance. The Coloma Band students that were selected for the 2017 All Star Band are pictured (from the left): Spencer Culby (bassoon), Alice Askren (alto sax), Morgan Hosbein (trombone), Emily Bo-lis (clarinet), and Emily Green-man (flute).

Holiday open houses in downtown Watervliet feature specials, refreshments, and entertainment

 The Watervliet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is sponsoring a “Watervliet Downtown Holiday Open Houses” event. Most downtown businesses will be open for extended hours and days and will offer refreshments, special sales, drawings, and giveaways during this 3-day occasion.

The DDA and the downtown Watervliet businesses are hoping for a large attendance for this event which will also feature live music and other entertainment.

Jennifer Moore, the Vice-Chairman of the DDA and a downtown business owner said, “Downtown Watervliet has come a long way in the past five years with improvements in the business district such as new LED outdoor lighting, a new courtyard in front of the public library, improved sidewalks, improved Veterans Park, as well as the addition of several new businesses. We are excited to introduce and re-introduce downtown Watervliet to both local residents as well as those in the surrounding communities.”

This event will take place the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving, on Friday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

With all that the businesses have to offer, the organizers are confident that much of your holiday shopping can be completed right in downtown Watervliet.  Moore continued, “What a great way to support local businesses while beating the rush of Black Friday!”

In a letter to the editor in a recent Tri-City Record, Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce President Karla Smothers commented when writing about the value and importance of shopping local businesses, “A term that comes to mind is ‘If you don’t use it you will lose it.’ Our local merchants not only provide needed items but they make it convenient vs. driving out of town to save a few bucks. Do you REALLY save a few bucks by driving past local stores when you consider time and gas?”

Look for the ads in the November 12 issues of the Sunday Herald Palladium and South Haven Tribune, and the special full page in the November 16 issue of the Tri-City Record that will list specials offered by individual merchants during the open houses weekend

U.S. AIR FORCE AIRMAN AUSTIN R. HEBNER… graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physi-cal fitness, and basic warfare prin-ciples and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Hebner is the son of Mary Wittig of Coloma and Jerry Hebner of Berrien Springs, and step-son of Todd Wittig of Coloma. He is a 2017 graduate of Coloma High School.

6th Annual Van Buren County United Way Stuff the Bus Food Pantry Drive

 Food pantries from all over Van Buren County are so thankful for the food donations from this year’s United Way Stuff the Bus Food Pantry Super-Drive, which took place Saturday, November 4.

“So many volunteers helped to make our 6th Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive a great success,” said Vera E. Tanier-Sebree, Executive Director of Van Buren County United Way. “The local grocery stores have been very supportive of this project, and when you see their parking lots filled with people coming out to shop, visiting with the scouts and other shoppers, and donating to their local pantry, it really shows what a friendly and caring community we live in.”

Sites were manned by Girl Scouts from Heart of West Michigan, Honor Society students, and Food Pantry volunteers. “You’re never too young to volunteer, and our cold, wet weather didn’t stop our dedicated volunteers,” said Tanier-Sebree. “The scouts always go above and beyond the call – they are not only great at greeting and asking people to give; they’re also willing to do the physical labor of getting things off the buses at the end of the day. When the bus is ‘stuffed’ that’s a huge job!”

Tanier-Sebree also thanked the local school bus drivers who brought the buses in and out of the shopping sites. “Most of the drivers helping with Stuff the Bus are volunteers, and quite a few of them come back year after year. Having that big bus in front of the store is like a huge billboard, reminding people to come in, shop and donate. It’s really important and we thank all our drivers for their dedication.”

Shoppers who missed Stuff the Bus can bring their donations directly to their local food pantry. A pantry listing can be accessed by visiting the United Way website (www.vbcuw.org) and linking to the County Resource Guide section on Food and Clothing Resources.

For further information, contact Van Buren County United Way, 269-657-2410.