11-12-2020 COVID cases rise; Pfizer vaccine nears; Local canvassers still reviewing Election Day 202

State Rep. Pauline Wendzel salutes Don Young

COVID cases rise; Pfizer vaccine nears

By Jon Bisnett Forty states have demonstrated an increase in the percentage of new cases and\or hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the most recent week. Thirteen of those states posted record numbers of new cases when compared to infections recorded in March and April; while in a welcome press release on Monday, Pfizer and partner BioNTech said that their vaccine against COVID-19 was strongly effective, exceeding expectations with results that are likely to be met with cautious excitement — and relief — in the face of the global pandemic. The vaccine is the first to be tested in the United States to generate late-stage data. The companies said an early analysis of the results showed that individuals who received two injections of the vaccine three weeks apart experienced more than 90% fewer cases of symptomatic COVID-19 than those who received a placebo. For months, researchers have cautioned that a vaccine might only be 60% or 70% effective. Officials say fast-tracking of Food and Drug Administration approval could see the vaccine given to frontline workers as soon as mid-December. Berrien County actions Closer to home the Berrien County Health Department has radically modified its contact tracing process. Over the last month, the 7-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases has risen from approximately 19 new cases per day in the second week of October to now an average of 76 new cases per day. “With the significant increase in cases, it has become increasingly more difficult to rapidly contact everyone who has tested positive or who is considered a close contact of a positive case,” said Nicki Britten, health officer, Berrien County Health Department. “We are asking our community to help reduce transmission. If you test positive, take action immediately by isolating and notifying close contacts. If you have been exposed to someone with the virus, please quarantine at home away from others. Isolation and quarantine remain important public health tools for us to cut off the chain of viral transmission within our community.” See more information on the actions of the Berrien County Health Department regarding COVID-19 in their column on Page 5 of this week’s Record. Schools In the same week that Hartford students are returning from quarantine from in-person learning, Watervliet Superintendent Ric Seager referenced an uptick in community spread of COVID-19 in the school, as he announced Watervliet Public Schools will be suspending in-person instruction through Friday, November 13, 2020. Based on the data they receive from the BCHD over the next few days, Watervliet Schools will decide if they will extend this suspension beyond Friday. Please continue to follow best practices as recommended: Wear a mask when indoors and outdoors when you are unable to keep a 6-ft. distance from others; practicing social distancing by keeping six feet or more between you and others; washing or sanitizing your hands frequently; staying home if you are ill or have COVID-19, or other respiratory illness symptoms; while those who are at highest risk of the virus should avoid large gatherings in their entirety.

Don Young honored for long-time board member service to Watervliet District Library

Don Young, Watervliet District Library board member emeritus, was honored with a surprise tribute especially fitted to his community service, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. The Don Young Business Collection was revealed in his honor, during a short ceremony attended by State Senator Kim LaSata, State Representative Pauline Wendzel, current board members Mary Tatter, Pat Geisler, Sara Duris, Bob Wallace, library director Sharon Crotser-Toy, and Don and Fran Young. Those present shared memories of Don’s sixty-two years on the board, recalling projects undertaken during his tenure (the renovation and move to the library’s current location, among one of his many achievements), and his careful stewardship of the library’s financial resources. Don’s grace and guidance were attributes especially appreciated by his board colleagues over the years. Sara Duris, current President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, spoke about the process to create a tribute that honored both Don’s library commitment and his service to the community as a whole. “Establishing a business collection seems to tick all the boxes,” explained Duris, recognizing the many behind-the-scenes projects Young has supported over the years to the benefit of the local business community. The Don Young Business Collection available through the Watervliet District Library consists of both print and digital titles, periodicals, and Reference USA, a premier database containing a rich and diverse set of demographic details designed to assist businesses for research and information. The complete collection can be accessed through the library’s web page, at www.watervlietlibrary.net.

11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY… The Watervliet VFW Post #1137 hosted Veterans and guests at a Veterans Day Celebration held this past Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Veterans in attendance were speaker Don Oderkirk, Chaplin Dave Haase, Commanader Corky Openneer, Jack Briggs, Charles Whorton, John Solecki, Jerry Oliver, Richard Keleman, Frank Dockter, James Cole, Phil Manni, Bobby Hampton, Gust Anton, and Nona Stewart. (TCR photo by Angela Widdis)

Local canvassers still reviewing Election Day 2020 outcome

By Annette Christie It was roughly four days before one of the candidates running for the position of President of the United States of America claimed victory. That candidate would be former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris, who spoke during an interruption televised victory speech to supporters in Delaware. National news media varied on the reported numbers some saying current President Donald Trump had 214 electoral votes vs. Biden’s 290 or 279 depending on which station you relied on for accuracy, due to the inaccurate way we have of reporting the state controlled election results. Here closer to home, Trump was the clear winner over Biden in both Berrien and Van Buren counties. In Berrien County, Donald Trump/Mike Pence had 43,518 votes over the Biden/Harris team with 37,438 and in Van Buren County, Trump/Pence had 21,591 vs. Biden/Harris with 16,800. Even though John James was the winner in Berrien and Van Buren counties that did not carry him statewide as the tallying unofficial numbers show James was ultimately defeated by current Senator Gary Peters for the Michigan seat in the U.S. Senate. For the Congress Representative, Fred Upton was victorious over challenger Jon Hoadley and in Berrien County had 45,365 votes to 32,279 and 23,237 to 13,726 in Van Buren County. While the election canvassers continue to work on the results, the unofficial results showed Incumbents Pauline Wendzel and Beth Griffin (Representatives in the 79th and 66th Districts) holding on to their office for another term; Wendzel with 25,656 votes over challenger Chokwe Pitchford with 19,658 votes and Griffin with 22,820 votes over challenger Abigail Wheeler with 15,358. Voters in the Tri-City area voted in favor of Statewide Proposals 2020-1 and 2020-2.

Local races District one Berrien County Commissioner Dave Vollrath was facing challenger Kevin Holmes. District one includes Coloma City, Coloma Township, Hagar Township, and the portion of the township north of I-94. Vollrath brought in 4,505 votes to Holmes’ 1,887. District two Berrien County Jon Hinkelman had 4,886 votes. District two includes Watervliet City, the portion of Watervliet Township south of I-94, Bainbridge Township, Pipestone Township, and Berrien Township. Hinkelman was unopposed.

School Boards There were four candidates running for three spots on the Watervliet School Board; however, one of them, incumbent Matt Clay, is no longer able to take that seat because he moved out of state. Kimberly Adams (1,454), Bill Spaulding (1,538), and Matt Clay (1,105) were elected. The other candidate is Brian Gruszczyk who claimed 783 votes. It is likely that the board will appoint someone to fill the vacancy due to Clay’s re-location. For the partial term on the ballot, no one had submitted to have their name on the ballot; however, Wendy Hart was a write in. While the unofficial results show that she had 13, it is possible that she had more of the 236 other write-ins due to the name being listed differently.

Voters in the Hartford School District were asked to consider two candidates out of four for the Hartford School Board. Two of the four are incumbents. The unofficial tabulation resulted in Morsaw (1,161 votes) and Fidel Mireles II (955 votes), as the top vote getters. Voters in the Coloma School District re-elected all of the candidates that were running, as none were opposed. Vote tallies are as follows: Robert Hirsh (2,520), Doug Kraemer (2,579), William Stowers (2,608), Apryl Watson (2,574), and a partial term to appointed Steve Groendyk (3,071). Townships and Cities Watervliet Charter Township voters, or at least 881 of them, re-elected Dan Hutchins to the Supervisor position for the Watervliet Township Board. With the passing of Hutchins prior to October 23, two candidates declared their intent to be a write-in candidate. Voters elected Joe Stepich as the new Supervisor, receiving 247 votes. Rich Quinn was also a write-in candidate for township supervisor, receiving 63 votes. It is likely that the board will appoint an individual to fill the vacancy left when Stepich, who is currently a trustee, assumes the Supervisor position. Re-elected to the Watervliet Charter Township were Patt Bambrick as Clerk (1,185), Tom Scheid as Treasurer (1,193), and Trustees Bob Wallace (1,082) and Glen Giannetti (1,071). Newcomer Karl Bayer was elected as a trustee with 1,118 votes.

Ken Parrigin, Coloma Charter Township Supervisor, held off Jeff Weber in this general election challenge. Parrigin had 1,816 votes to Weber’s 722. Parrigin will be alongside a relatively new board for Coloma Township including new Clerk Sheila Hickmott (1,988), Treasurer Jim Fulton (1,983), and Trustees Bryan Duffield (1,848), Jerry Willmeng (1,677), Kendyl Adams (1,774) and Lance Becht (1,848). Voters did approve the Road Millage proposal (1,351 yes; 1,000 no) and the Public Safety Millage (1,466 yes; 856 no).

In the City of Coloma election, Marsha Hammond was selected as the Mayor (410) over Jason Hicks Sr. (260). Roseann Clements received 569 votes for treasurer. Clerk Martha Darling had intended to run again and she would have been the only candidate for the position; however, she passed away earlier this month as well. She had served the City of Coloma and its residents for 31 years. The top three vote getters for the trustee positions were Kent Churchill (335), Julia Smith (328), and new to the City Commission Jamie Balkin (284).

There will be a new Mayor at the Watervliet City Commission’s table. Deah Muth, a current Commissioner, (427) won the general election over the current Mayor, Dave Brinker (212). Watervliet City Commissioners Duane Cobb (384) and William Whitney Jr. (357) were both re-elected.

Both Watervliet Charter Township voters and the City of Watervliet voters renewed the Watervliet District Library Millage. In the city there were 454 yes vs. 220 no and in the township there were 921 yes vs. 414 no.

Hagar Township voters elected Susan Broderick Herrmann to the position of Treasurer. She received 599 votes over Kimberly Schmuhl who received 501 votes. Voters also renewed the operating millage with 1,000 yes votes vs. 713 no votes. None of the other offices were contested. Other office vote tallies are as follows: Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio (1,424), Clerk Sarah Rodriguez (923), and Trustees Peter Colovos (1,254) and Andy Ulleg (1,365).

Keeler Township, Bainbridge Township, and Hartford Township voters did not have any contested races during the general election.