11-16-2017 Coloma Commission reviewing contract for Ordinance Officer; Watervliet Holiday Open Hous

MISS TEEN COLOMA 2018… Twelve contestants are vying for the title of Miss Teen Coloma 2018. The pageant will be held this Saturday, November 18 at 3:00 p.m. in the Coloma High School Auditorium. Pictured are (from the left): Front row – Isabella and Kayla; Middle row – Shannon and Allie; Back row – Kayla, Kimberly, Madison, Marisa, Chloe, Rachael, Lilly and Kylie. Wishing them all Good Luck! Tickets are $15 in advance/ $20 at the door.

Coloma Commission reviewing contract for Ordinance Officer

By Christina Gelder

The subject of hiring an ordinance officer once again came up briefly at the Coloma City Commission meeting on Monday, November 13. Mayor Jim Polashak said that he had not had time to look over the contract drawn up by the attorney and needed time to do so before voting on it. Commissioner Jason Hicks agreed and made the motion to table the issue until the next meeting.

Commissioner Julia Smith said she had reviewed the contract, which was written to be an employment contract for an independent contractor, and that “it seems fair on both sides.” Commissioner Smith went on to say that she will likely vote in favor when the time comes.

Commissioner Hicks asked Sieg Freitag, who is the intended contractor, if he had a copy as well. He said that his lawyer is reviewing it and he will get back to the commission with his thoughts on it before the next meeting. “This has been put off too long as it is,” said Freitag.

City Hall holiday closures

It was approved to close City Hall on December 25 and 26 this year. The 26th is because Christmas Eve is on a Sunday and that is considered a holiday for the employees. It was also suggested by Roseann Clements that instead of New Year’s Eve, which is also on Sunday, they float that holiday to President’s Day on February 19. This would keep them in line with the county and allow them to be open on the last business day of 2017 which is generally fairly busy. They will also be closed on Monday, January 1, 2018.

The approved closures boiled down to December 25 and 26, 2017, January 1, 2018 and February 19, 2018.

Downtown Development Authority looks for help

At a previous meeting it was announced that the DDA was interested in hiring someone on a part-time basis who would be able to help them in accomplishing their objectives within the city. The candidate they had in mind for this position is Larry Nielsen who is retired from this line of work and comes with a vast knowledge base.

He met with the DDA, the Mayor and a couple of commissioners recently. After doing so he wrote a letter to Rocky Bertuca that he did not think the DDA and the Commission were on the same page and he did not see their relationship working very well long term. The letter was available at the commission meeting.

Given the chance to speak at the meeting, Bertuca said that he is hoping the city and the DDA can work together better on some upcoming projects. Commissioner Marsha Hammond spoke up in defense of herself, identifying herself as the commissioner referred to in the letter. She said that she would’ve appreciated the respect of sitting down and talking about what she did that made him think that, because she does not know. There seemed to be some confusion over whether Mr. Nielsen was there just to “meet and greet” or for an interview.

The issue was not discussed much further and after the meeting Bertuca confirmed that they are still hoping this might be a good fit for them and will be looking into it more.

Other business

In other news there is a tree on the tree lawn on Washington Street that needs to be taken down. Dale Clayton’s Tree Service quoted $550 total. The city approved a motion to accept that bid; their portion will be $220 with the homeowner responsible for the remaining $330.

Chana Kniebes thanked everyone for helping, attending and supporting the Trunk or Treat in the Park on October 28. She said that they were glad it did not rain during the actual event and they gave out tons of candy. The Lion’s Club reported serving over 900 hot dogs. Commissioner Kent Churchill also thanked the Department of Public Works for helping him get tents set up ahead of the event.

This was the first meeting that had the treasurer’s report, accounts payable and checkbook register printed out for distribution. This was in response to a request made by resident Bill Smith in a previous meeting calling for more transparency by the city. Roseann Clements said that the paperwork will be available at the first meeting of each month and also by request at City Hall. These things have always been open to the public but previously it was by request only.

Watervliet Holiday Open Houses this Friday, Saturday and Sunday

 The Watervliet Downtown Development Authority (DDA) would like to remind community members of the upcoming “Watervliet Downtown Holiday Open Houses” event.

At least 13 businesses in the downtown district will be offering refreshments, special discounts, sales, drawings, and giveaways.

A special full-page ad can be found in the November 16 edition of the Tri-City Record where each participating business will list their open house specials.

Live music will be performed by local musicians, many of which are members of the Watervliet High School band who will be delighting attendees with festive Holiday music.

They are excited to announce that they have just added local singer, song-writer, musician Laura Whidden-Wetterlin to the entertainment line-up! She will be performing on Friday, November 17 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Back on the Rack Upscale Resale & Consignment, one of the downtown businesses.

This is a great opportunity to re-discover downtown Watervliet by visiting new businesses for the first time, and re-visiting existing businesses while showing your support to our town and scoring some great deals offered only during the open houses weekend.

The DDA hopes to make this an annual event and the businesses are looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend!

Watervliet Library hours during Downtown Holiday Open Houses this weekend

 Stop by the Watervliet District Library this weekend and find even more than just a good book! The library will offer cider and treats, puzzles and games and a guessing jar contest to everyone downtown during the Watervliet Downtown Open Houses weekend.

Information handouts will also be available to discover what your library is all about. The library’s weekend hours are: Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Turkey Dinner at Hartford UMC to benefit children

 A Turkey Dinner Benefit will be held on Saturday, November 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner is a fundraiser for education support of 20 children in Haiti who otherwise would not have the opportunity for education. It costs approximately $300 per child per year to pay for their schooling, books, and uniforms required for school. Most of their parents provide for their families on less than $100 per month which makes school almost impossible for most children.

The dinner is put on by Hartford United Methodist Church, 425 E. Main Street in Hartford, across from the fire station.

Cost is by donation and includes turkey, real mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, roll, dessert and drink. Take-out and deliveries are available without the drink.

North Berrien Historical Museum presents “A Michigan Polar Bear Confronts the Bolsheviks” November 21

 On Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. Gordon Olson, Grand Rapids City Historian from 1978-2002 will be at the North Berrien Historical Museum to present “A Michigan Polar Bear Confronts the Bolsheviks” in which he tells the story of Private Godfrey Anderson’s World War I experience in Russia.

When he was drafted for duty in the United States Army during World War I, Godfrey Anderson had no idea he was about to become part of a military adventure that would find him doing battle with Bolshevik revolutionaries in the frozen reaches of northern Russia. Arriving in England after a brief “boot camp” training period in Michigan, Anderson became one of a 5,000-man American contingent assigned to join British troops in an expedition to prevent Allied war materials in Archangel, Russia from falling into the hands of the Bolsheviks.

There will be light refreshments to follow. No RSVP is required for this free program. For questions, contact the museum at (269) 468-3330 or at kristen@northberrienhistory.org.

Studies in the Scriptures series at Coloma Library on Thursday evenings

 The Pastoral Bible Institute will be presenting the series “Studies in the Scriptures” with biblical expositor Milton D. Hardin, VDM, Member Associate of the Pastoral Bible Institute.

The series began on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Coloma Public Library and will be every Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. No donations or collections taken.

For more information please contact Minister Milton D Hardin, VDM at his cell phone (586)431-7366.