11-15-2018 Watervliet Superintendent Schooley negotiating contract with South Haven Public Schools

Watervliet Superintendent Schooley negotiating contract with South Haven Public Schools

By Kristy Noack Kevin Schooley, superintendent of Watervliet Public Schools since 2010, has entered into contract negotiations with the South Haven Public Schools Board of Education for the position of superintendent. Schooley, the lone candidate for the SHPS superintendent’s position, participated in a second round interview as well as a community open house Tuesday evening before being offered the position. Should contract negotiations be successful, it will – in a sense – mark a return home for Schooley. He and his family currently reside in South Haven. His daughter Katherine is a junior at the high school, and his wife Lori teaches second grade at Lincoln Elementary in the South Haven school district.

Schooley was one of four finalists to secure a first round interview with the SHPS board Tuesday, November 6. Two other candidates were interviewed on November 5 and one additional candidate followed Schooley’s interview on the sixth.

Bill Spaulding, president of the Watervliet Public Schools Board of Education said, “We’ve been delighted with Mr. Schooley’s performance as superintendent for the last eight years. We’re proud of what this board has achieved under his leadership. We’re not surprised his services would be desirable to other larger schools. We certainly wish him the best as he takes on other larger responsibilities”.

Following the interviews of all four candidates, the SHPS board elected to invite Schooley back for a second interview. He was the only candidate to move on to round two. Prior to being appointed superintendent at Watervliet, Schooley was the North Elementary principal for 12 years. Before his career in administration began, he was a teacher at South Haven Public Schools, Fowlerville Public Schools, and Bay City Public Schools. Schooley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in special education and elementary education from Western Michigan University. His graduate work was completed at Grand Valley State University where he successfully completed a master’s degree in educational leadership. Contract negotiations will begin this week.

Coloma officials in place for the New Year; Commission votes to “opt out” of marijuana

By Nancy Albright The Coloma City Council welcomed new commissioners and appointees at their regular meeting on November 12. Newly elected City Commissioner Fred Reeves was a detective for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. Now retired, Reeves will serve as Chairman of the Police Board, as well as a member of the city’s Ordinance Committee and Water Service Advisory Board. Returning Commissioner Julie Smith was appointed to the Cemetery Board and the Public Works Committee, and will serve on the Ordinance Committee with Reeves and Chair Jason Hicks. Commissioner Linda Freitag was re-elected to another term and will chair the Fire Board, and serve on the Finance Committee with Jason Hicks and Chair Kent Churchill. Freitag will also work with City Clerk Martha Darling on the administrative side.

VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST…Military veterans and their spouses were invited for breakfast on Monday, Nov. 12 at Coloma High School to celebrate Veteerans Day. This is the 43rd year for this special event. At the conclusion of breakfast, the veterans and their guests were entertained by Boy Scouts of American Troop 696, Coloma Varsity Singers, and Taps played by members of the Coloma High School Band. They were also invited up on stage to be honored by the student population and staff. (Contributed photo)

Mayor Polashak congratulated life-long Coloma resident Dave Vollrath on his re-election to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, District 1. Vollrath retired from APL Logistics in 2013 and served on the Coloma Public School Board for 18-1/2 years. “After I retired from the school board I wanted to continue to be involved with the community so decided to run for Berrien County Commissioner.” Dave also announces Coloma varsity and junior varsity football games and reports on Coloma sports for the Tri-City Record. “I enjoy people and like to stay busy,” commented Vollrath. According to City Clerk Martha Darling 588 Coloma residents voted in this year’s election. “Thank you to all the voters who re-elected me to my second term as commissioner,” said Dave. “I’ve had a good working relationship with the City of Coloma for the past two years and I expect that will continue. I’m happy to help anytime.”

VFW SERVICE RELOCATED… due to the cold weather Saturday, the VFW Veterans Day service was relocated from Veterans Park in Downtown Watervliet to the VFW Hall on Red Arrow. Guest speaker Retired Master Sergeant Pete Petruk (pictured) spoke of the heroism and sacrifices made by veterans serving their country. VFW Chaplain David Haase (foreground) offered a prayer for the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those struggling from service related injuries. VFW Commander Corky Openneer conducted the service. (TCR photo by Karl Bayer)

The following appointments were officially made by Mayor Polashak and approved by the commission: Public Works: Marsha Hammond – Chair, Kent Churchill, Julie Smith; Administrative: Martha Darling – Chair, Kent Churchill, Linda Freitag; Finance: Kent Churchill – Chair, Linda Freitag, Jason Hicks; Ordinance: Jason Hicks – Chair, Fred Reeves, Julie Smith; Police: Fred Reeves – Chair, Linda Freitag, Jason Hicks; Fire Board: Linda Freitag – Chair; Water Service Advisory Board: Marsha Hammond – Chair, Fred Reeves; Cemetery Board: Roberta Minor – Chair, Julie Smith; Sewer Board: Marsha Hammond, Martha Darling; and Mayor Pro-Tem: Marsha Hammond.

Marijuana a no-go Perhaps spurred by the recent approval of recreational marijuans use by Michigan voters, Mayor Polashak voiced his wish to opt out of the marijuana issue. “Personally I don’t want it in the City of Coloma and vote to opt out.” The City Commission sided unanimously with the mayor and Commissioner Julie Smith closed the discussion, “I think it’s the positive thing to do.” The seasons they are a-changing Fire Board Chair Linda Freitag told the council that the city’s new grass truck is up and running. “The DPW crews have been doing a great job picking up leaves and the plows trucks are filled with salt and ready to go.” Freitag also thanked the Coloma Fire Department for their work at this year’s Halloween in the Park/Trunk or Treat celebration. “They did a great job controlling the crowd and handing out candy. It’s always nice to see them out there interacting with the community.” Chana Kniebes of North Berrien Community Development sent a letter to the City of Coloma thanking the city, the Lions Club, Freshwater Community Church, musician Andy Kendall, downtown merchants and the community for their help to make Halloween in the Park a “phenomenal” success. “We handed out 1,000 hot dogs, 1,100 bags of popcorn and mountains of candy. Each sponsor played a huge part in this wonderful event and we could not continue to do this without your generosity,” writes Kniebes. In other news, the council approved the 2019 Poverty Exemption Asset Level in the amount of $15,000, a $1,646 increase from 2018. County Commissioner Vollrath also reported that Berrien County passed a balanced budget, which is available at berriencounty.org. City Hall will be open from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The City Council will hold its second monthly meeting on Monday, December 17.

VETERANS LUNCHEON AT REDWOOD… Retired Marine Master Sergeant Todd Friedrich and his daughter Brianna and service dog Vader attended the Annual Veterans Day Luncheon sponsored by the Hartford Elementary Parent Teacher Organization last Friday. Brianna is a 5th grader at Redwood. Todd served for 23 years in the United State Marine Corp and has developed a deep bond with Vader in just the last five months. Trained by Kevin Tate of Kandriwood Dog School in Bangor, Vader aids Todd with an impressive level of sensitivity including the ability to detect his master’s spikes in blood pressure level. (TCR photo by Jon Bisnett)

Watervliet City to take part in promoting the Paw Paw River

By Annette Christie

At their Tuesday, November 13, 2018 meeting, the Watervliet City Commission agreed to financially take part in the promotion of the Paw Paw River Water Trail. City Manager Tyler Dotson said he has been working along with other Paw Paw River communities and the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to prepare a plan for its further promotion.

Dotson told the commission that with all off the work and funding that has been put into the cleaning up and clearing of the Paw Paw River, the new county park on the river, and the formalization of it being named a Water Trail, it seems appropriate to market it and to maximize the potential of the river. With a $500 a year contribution, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission would plan and lead periodic stakeholder meetings to coordinate implementation activities; would execute municipal contracts, administer the Paw Paw River Water Trail Facebook page, update the Paw Paw River Water Trail website and work with partners to coordinate other promotional activities such as press releases, community paddles, etc. Under the contract, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission would also replace water trail secondary access signs if necessary and if funds are available.

Asked whether all of the other neighboring communities would be involved as well, Dotson said he could not speak for them but would be volunteering to attend their meetings to talk about the plan.  “What a great way to showcase our investment we have already made, for residents and visitors alike,” Dotson said.  He reminded the commission that they had previously donated $5,000 towards the clean-up of the river. Commissioner Duane Cobb commented, “It is a great park, we have walked it a few times, and the Paw Paw River is a real pristine piece of property here.” With that the City Commission voted unanimously to support the $500 contribution and contract with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.

Equipment purchase and sale

Commissioners also approved the purchase of a Western plow system to be put on the city’s 2014 Ford F-250 Super Duty XL truck.  This style of plow with the interchangeable mount will allow the city the flexibility to be used on other trucks if needed.  Dotson told the City Commission that this was a planned purchase in the budget.  The plow will be purchased from City Auto in Benton Harbor, the only Western Plow dealer in our area.

In another unanimous vote, the City Commission agreed to sell a Water filtration system that they purchased in 2012-2013 in anticipation of building their iron filtration plant.  Eventually the city went another direction after receiving a USDA grant which allowed them to construct a new plant.  The city is hoping to re-coup the approximately $30,000 spent on the equipment which is still at Southwest Michigan College (the seller).  Dotson said he has spoken with the college and they are anxious to get rid of the equipment which has remained there in storage.   Dotson said that an individual from Wightman will help him to market the equipment.

SAW Grant completion

As the City wraps up the Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater (SAW) Grant, Wightman engineer Alan Smaka was on hand to answer any questions the commission had of him.  He explained that the SAW Grant Asset Management Plan engagement will end November 30.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will require that the city submit a signed certificate of completion, submit an executive summary, and must assure that a copy of the SAW Asset Management Plan is available for the public for 15 years following the completion of the grant.

For the Water System Asset Management Plan that Wightman did separately from the SAW Asset Management Plan, the City Commission authorized payment to Wightman for their services on this project.  In July 2016, the City Commission had authorized Wightman to work on the water portion of the asset plan for an additional $40,000. With the completion of the plan, Dotson asked the City Commission to authorize the payment in the amount of $37,744.96.

Fire Department receives audit report

Mayor Dave Brinker, who also serves as the Treasurer for the Fire Department Board reported that that audit was recently completed for the department.  He said they received an unqualified audit, the best expressed opinion an auditor can give.  He said that there were two notes that need to be addressed in the future.  He reported on their actions taken to resolve those issues.

For the purposes of those in the audience Brinker noted that fire service is funded solely through millage funds collected from Watervliet City and Watervliet Charter Township residents with the township providing $270,000 and the city providing $52,000.  Brinker said they have avoided seeking an additional millage to purchase new pieces of equipment as they prefer the savings method.  “We have $110,000 saved for the next truck that we will purchase,” Brinker said.

Christmas Holiday decorations

In true holiday spirit, the City Commission gave the go-head to Dotson to obtain new holiday lights and decorations for the trees along Main Street.  Dotson worked with Bronner’s to purchase enough lights for all 19 trees downtown.  While Dotson is hoping that the purchase will come from the Downtown Development Authority where it is more appropriate, there was a possibility that there may not be enough members for a quorum which would stall the approval from that group.  Due to the time constraints, the City Commission approved the purchased pending the DDA vote.

With the upcoming Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and the Hometown Christmas event the first weekend in December, Dotson was hoping to have the lights up before Thanksgiving.   DDA Chairman Bob Becker, present at the City Commission meeting, said that the DDA has talked about lighting up Main Street for years so he didn’t anticipate it being a problem.

The Committee of the Whole agenda for November 27, 2018 was discussed and will include the following topics (as of Tuesday): Audit review; website discussion; Social Media Policy; and the Budget Amendment Process.

Dotson noted the upcoming events of Small Business Saturday, shop local November 24, and Hometown Christmas, December 1-2.