CONTEST WINNER…The winner of the Watervliet home Christmas decorating contest is the Scott family home on South M-140 between Dan Smith and Carmody Roads.

Watervliet Twp. will donate $23,500 to City skate park rehab and $20,000 to School Resource Officer program

By Annette Christie

Christmas came early as the Watervliet Township Board voted to financially participate in the betterment of the Watervliet community as a whole at their Monday, December 19 regular meeting.  The board voted to approve funding for the skate park located at Hays Park and for the School Resource Officer.  The contributions however, do not come without conditions.

Supervisor Dan Hutchins announced that the board has discussed a donation to the rebuilding of the skate park at Hays Park several times.  The skate park was originally built with grant funds through the City of Watervliet but has since dilapidated.  Without providing a skate park, the city would be on the hook for the grant funds.  Hutchins said they did donate to the original project in the amount of $5,000. Hutchins reported that the City of Watervliet has budgeted and voted to provide $50,000 to completely replace the structure with new structures. The quote the city has received puts the total cost to rehab it at $76,000. Hutchins noted that $2,500 is being donated by the Watervliet Downtown Development Authority and there are some private donations also.

Both Berrien County Sheriff Deputy Guy Puffer who patrols in Watervliet Charter Township and Watervliet Police Chief Tim Sutherland commented that the skate park is highly used in the summer months and even when it was locked up with no trespassing signs, kids just wanted to use it.  Treasurer Tom Scheid made the motion to provide up to $23,500 towards the purchase of the skate park contingent upon the city providing a city planned and funded maintenance schedule. The motion carried unanimously.  Hutchins said after the vote, “We don’t provide a lot of activities for our youth to keep them off the streets and this is a step in the right direction.”

Since last summer between the city the township and the school district, the topic of a School Resource Officer has come up many times.   Sutherland told the Watervliet Township Board that he has had multiple meetings with the school, slowly putting the idea together and getting it funded.  Hutchins told the township board that the Watervliet School District Board of Education is behind this project. Sutherland added that the school board has allocated the money and they are in full support.  Hutchins said the financials of the arrangement would be that the township and city would each contribute $20,000 annually and the school district would contribute   $30,000.  Hutchins said he is in support of the idea but he would like to see the contribution given contingent on several things.  Hutchins said he wants a three person oversight committee with representation from the city, the township, and the schools; wants the development of a comprehensive line budget for the resource officer; and for the funds to be kept separate from all other municipal funds.  Hutchins said he would like to see the program managed by the oversight committee.

Scheid questioned if $70,000 annually was enough. Others on the board questioned about what vehicle the officer would use.  Sutherland said he came up with the budget and thought that it would be.  He added that the city has a vehicle that the resource officer will be able to use.     With that the motion to approve the contribution for the School Resource Officer was approved.

Hutchins had Ordinance Enforcement Officer Diana Householder and Zoning Administrator Bob Lohr on hand to provide some yearend numbers.  Householder said that in 2016 there were 118 properties in the township with violations, 100 of which are now in compliance.  She said she had issued 22 citations, with the majority being about vehicles, grass, or junk.  In the City of Watervliet Householder said there were 63 properties in the city with violation, 37 of which are now in compliance. She only had one citation given in the city.

Bob Lohr said there are 212 rental units total with 124 being in the city and 88 in the township. He said they are progressing with inspections as time permits. He said soon he will be reporting to both the city and the township planning commissions in regard to a new medical marijuana act legislation that will give municipalities more control over how to regulate the uses allowed by the law in their municipalities. He said that in 2017, the Planning Commission will begin its 5-year cycle of reviewing the master plan and adopting a new one.

The township board held the first reading of Ordinance #75 regarding rental registration and inspection.  The changes to the ordinance allow for more flexibility to the dates as to when the inspections are done, and spreads out the renewals over a 12-month basis for both the city and the township. The ordinance changes also include giving the township the authority to put unpaid fees on the property owners’ taxes.

Hutchins reported the good news to the township board regarding some property value adjustments that will result in additional revenue for the township.  Hutchins said that the township assessor found that an estimated additional $100,000 will be added to the township’s bank accounts at tax collection time.  Hutchins applauded the Lane family for deciding to keep Lane Automotive in Watervliet Township, not only by adding to the job base in the township but by investing in an expansion project that also helps the township with property value.   Hutchins also commented that the new Solar Plant would in its first year alone provide $33,000 in additional revenue.

The township board followed the city in approving their Shared Service Agreement for ordinance enforcement, rental inspections, etc.    Hutchins noted that all fees for registrations are paid to the city and that the city in turn pays the township an administration fee of $2,000 a month for their services.

COLOMA TOWNSHIP TREASURER… Lance Becht (left) is presented with a recognition certificate from Coloma Township Supervisor Ken Parrigin (right). Becht had served as the treasurer for the Coloma Charter Township Board for 18 years but decided to not seek re-election this past election cycle. Jim Fulton, a former township board member, was elected as the new treasurer. (TCR photo by Annette Christie)

Coloma Township Board applauds outgoing treasurer; Bullet-proof glass to be installed at township hall

By Annette Christie

New elected Coloma Township Treasurer Jim Fulton gave his first review of the bills in his new role at the Coloma Township Board meeting held Wednesday, December 14.

The review was followed by a tribute to outgoing Treasurer Lance Becht.  Becht did not run for office again as he faced his term expiring so that he could focus on his employment.  Becht had been the treasurer for the township for 18 years.  Supervisor Ken Parrigin told Becht that it was hard to lose someone you have been with for so many years. “I’ll probably miss you,” Parrigin said.   Trustee Bryan Duffield told Becht that he appreciated everything he has done for the township.   Trustee Matt Moser was on the board when Becht was first appointed to finish a term.  “You seemed then like you had a lot of knowledge,” Moser said.

Fulton who ran unopposed for Becht’s seat this past election cycle said that he waited until the very last minute to file the paperwork for the position.  “I have learned a lot from you sitting on the Finance Committee.  Hopefully I can fill your shoes,” Fulton said.  Becht was presented with a certificate of appreciation and with his name plate.  He will continue to serve on the Sewer Board as an at large member.

The board had a discussion about installing bullet proof glass at the counters of township hall.  Chief Jason Roe has only received on estimate at this point and they are still waiting for another.  The estimate from Midwest Glass was for $9,260 with holes in it to speak through for customer service or the township could add an installed speaker for $13,010. Roe pointed out that just this week there were two incidents where citizens came in upset and became irate and irrational.   Clerk Sandy Kraemer pointed out that both of the incidents left township staff a little unsettled and asked the board to seriously consider this.  Roe noted that any kind of physical separator would be a step in the right direction. He also informed the board that recently they have been leaving the gates down to the counters and they plan to continue that practice.

The board also made up some board appointments.  They appointed Bob Howell to the Planning Commission and the Board of Review. Last month he was appointed to the Fire Chief Search Committee as well.  Howell is a resident of Coloma Township and has owned property there for over 40 years.

Hometown Holiday Happenings

Watervliet’s Best Lighted House contest winners announced

By Annette Christie

The winners of this year’s “Watervliet’s Best Lighted House” contest have been announced.  All of them can be viewed on the Watervliet’s Best Lighted House Contest event page on Facebook.  All of the placements and voting was done on Facebook.

First place and winner of $100 is the Scott family on South M-140 (138 likes + 70 shares = 217 votes). The Scott family home featured many different colors of lights, many lit up deer, and a lit up snowman on a bridge adorned by lit up snowflakes.

Second place and winner of a $50 Board of Trade gift card is the Tyler family on Verlynda Drive (127 likes + 74 shares = 201 votes). The Tyler family home featured lit up trim around the rooftop of the home, a lit up multi-colored sidewalk leading to the home and a pair of lit candy canes at the entrance the home.  Their Christmas tree inside the home is also shown.

Third place and winner of a $20 Mill Creek Charlie’s gift card is The Kibler family on Richard Avenue (85 likes + 64 shares = 149 votes). The Kibler family home featured many colors of lights framing the home, the fence line, and even up an antenna.

The Sells, Harris, and Bodfish families also shared their lighted houses in the contest.   Residents in both the city and the township of Watervliet were eligible for the contest.

VFW Post 6803 annual Needy Family program

 Watervliet VFW Post 6803 is accepting donations to their annual Needy Family program. Anyone wishing to make a donation of canned goods, non-perishable food items or a monetary gift please call Corky Openneer at 463-7544 or John Brown at 463-4528 to arrange for pick-up or delivery.

North Berrien Historical Museum has free Christmas break activity

 On Wednesday, December 28 from 1-3 p.m., the North Berrien Historical Museum will be hosting a free Winter Time Travelers kid’s program featuring storytelling and a craft. Local professional storyteller Kathy Yonker will be sharing a few of her favorite stories.

Following the stories will be a wintertime craft. Stop in and join us for some Christmas break fun! No RSVP required. Families are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the museum at (269) 468-3330 or by email at kristen@northberrienhistory.org.

Sister Lakes Lions Club help needy families for Christmas

 The Sister Lakes Lions Club distributed toys, clothing and 40 baskets of food to needy families in the area just in time for Christmas. “This year is as big as ever,” said Lion Club President, Tom Latz.  “There are 120 children in the 40 families.  The baskets contained canned goods, flour, sugar, potatoes, bread, fruit, cereal, eggs, milk, candy and, of course, the traditional turkey.  There were lots of toys, too.”

Each basket had over $60 worth of food.  The distribution of food baskets and toys has been a local Lions Club service for over 40 years.  Bill Everett, co-chairman of the project, said, “This undertaking would not be possible without the strong support of local merchants, businesses, the staff at the Sister Lakes School and the public in general.  It’s one of the most rewarding things we do.”

Christmas Eve service at Watervliet Free Methodist Church

 Watervliet FMC invites the community to Candlelight Communion service at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24. The church is located at 7734 Paw Paw Ave. in Watervliet.

Hear the message of the hope of glory: Christ in you. “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.

Mary was the first to have Christ in her, but not the last. Everyone can have the hope of glory living in them. Christ desires to move into your life. Receive God’s gift this Christmas by accepting the invitation to Holy Communion.

Special music for this service includes gifted and accomplished Nashville musician Greg Cobb, a 2005 graduate of Watervliet High School. In addition to Cobb playing saxophone local musicians, Jonathan and Penny Kohns, will also perform.

Start a new family tradition and join us to celebrate Christmas together at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve or 10:30 a.m Christmas morning, Sunday, December 25.

The congregation and staff wish everyone a blessed Christmas rich with the love of Christ, family and friends.

St. Joseph Catholic

Christmas Mass schedule

 On Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24:  Mass at 4:30 p.m.; Christmas Caroling at 11:15 p.m.; and Mass at 11:45 p.m.

On Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25:  Mass at 9:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Catholic Church is located at 157 Lucinda Lane in Watervliet. For more information, call (269) 463-5470.

Twelve Corners Community Church Christmas service

 Christmas service is at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 25, 2016.

The church is located at 3902 Hicks Ave. in Benton Harbor.

Tri-City Angel has successful holiday season

 Thank you doesn’t seem like enough for all of the gifts, donations, & money that was contributed to the Angel Tree project.  Our Tri-City community members are the best around!  Gifts poured in, remote subscribers shipped packages, businesses in the community donated gift cards, money was dropped off to help purchase gifts, and people pitched in to help wrap all the presents.  The kindness you all have shared with these families was unbelievable.  This is what Christmas is all about, every day people lending a helping hand to their fellow community members.  You have given hope to families that really needed to see that someone cared about them.  That hits you right in the heart.  It really makes you feel good!  The families are very grateful to each and every one of you.  Proud to be part of our Tri-City area.

Hopefully you have all been working on the Christmas Challenge and spreading kindness as you go.    We encourage you to continue doing this even after the holidays are over.  We would like to see it become an everyday natural thing in the Tri-City communities.  When we are kind to one another, it causes a chain reaction that will spread throughout the community and beyond.  So, what do you say?  Are you up for the challenge?

As we have wrapped up another Tri-City Angel project, we begin thinking about what we can do next.  We are tossing around some ideas and will be announcing our next project in the new year.  Until then, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year.