Letters to the Editor
Miss Coloma thank you
Tri-City Record,
Thank you so much for your gift! I appreciate it more than you know. Also, thank you for everything you have done for me throughout my high school years. From interviewing me at events to following my athletic journey, you never fail to make me feel seen.
I make a promise to you, and the community of Coloma, that I will represent it with pride. I will be sure to take advantage of every opportunity and give back to the community that game me everything. Thank you for everything.
Miss Coloma 2024,
McKinleigh Kraemer
Revisiting a combined school district
Editor,
An interesting footnote to history in this week’s edition [Tri-City Record Dec. 14, 2023] was in the “News from the Coloma Courier” column dated 1963. This was the mention that a combined Coloma-Watervliet school district would have been the eighth largest in the county and the cost of a new high school would have been over $2 million dollars.
It must have been around this time that the two communities explored the possibility of combining the districts and then had a later vote that failed.
I do not know the true reason for the failure, but I have heard one reason was that some voters were afraid that the football rivalry between the two schools would have ended with their combination. Looks like some people just would rather live in the past than try to improve the future.
One can only speculate as to what the present would be had the merger been approved. Would Coloma have been subject to twenty years of federally mandated desegregation that in my opinion never seemed to help very many children, and perhaps was detrimental in the long run? During that time many Coloma district voters just would not vote for improvements and so it seems to me that the Coloma district was hurt and handicapped for many years. Watervliet on the other hand escaped this disastrous effect.
Then, along comes “school of choice,” which appears to me to have benefited Watervliet more than Coloma. Many seem to believe Watervliet has a better reputation than Coloma in general, although Coloma certainly has its share of excellent programs also. All four of my children went to Coloma schools from junior high to graduation and seem to have received a sound educational base to build on.
Presently both school districts have placed bond issues before their prospective voters. Both districts faced losses when they did. I know they have been evaluating the reasons why and trying to figure out how to send them again to the voters and get a positive result.
Perhaps it is again time to pursue the possibility of combining districts with the hope of creating a stronger financial basis, the ability to provide higher quality and more extensive educational programs, and even better athletic programs which the larger pool of students would justify.
As a former local politician, I have always wondered about the fact that within our one original 36-square-mile township first platted by the federal government almost 200 years ago, we have 6 (yes SIX) governmental taxing units, when most townships have half that many. Two cities, two townships, two school districts, all trying to survive. Was the split off of Coloma Township from Watervliet Township around the turn of the 20th century productive and efficient in the long run? I surely would like to know the rationale for it at the time. Was it truly meant for the good of the people or just the politicians?
2024 is an election year. It will require us to not only vote for President, a senator, a governor, and many federal and state representatives, but also MORE IMPORTANTLY local government officers.
Perhaps it is also time to re-vote on the combination of the Coloma and Watervliet Schools Districts with the goal of an improved single district in the future.
Matt Moser, Coloma
Thanks for the sweets
Tri-City Record,
Thank you for the sweets and treats!! They are delicious and we are definitely enjoying them. Also, thank you for thinking of us. It makes us feel special!!
Watervliet Post Office staff
Local ag and
education leader files for Berrien County Drain Commissioner
Editor,
A local farmer and educational leader has thrown his hat into the ring seeking the post of Berrien County Drain Commissioner. Benton Township grower and co-founder of Countryside Academy, George McManus has filed for the office seeking the Republican nomination.
“I have always had an interest in soil conservation and water management, and I employed many conservation and drainage practices on my farm. Many of the county drains that serve our farms and communities were originally installed to make farmland more productive,” said McManus.
McManus, 66, is the owner of L.H. Piggott and Girls and Piggott’s Farm Market. He has been a vegetable grower in Berrien County for 42 years and has won several state and national awards.
In 1995 he co-founded Countryside Academy, one of Michigan’s top charter schools focused on agriculture and environmental themes.
This is an opportunity for me to give back and serve the community,” explained McManus.
“Folks who know me point out that I am all about common sense and will make sure we are spending taxpayer dollars appropriately,” he stated.
McManus pointed out it is also important to protect residential areas as well as maintain agricultural productivity. “Properly maintained drains also safeguard our rivers and lakes and ensure clean water for all,” he added.
“I understand the value of the drain system to the community and would like to work with landowners, residents, municipalities, and contractors to ensure a healthy environment and clean waterways,” McManus stated.
The primary for the Drain Commissioner race is Aug. 6, 2024. McManus has started visiting with local municipal leaders and he is looking forward to meeting with voters across Berrien County in the coming months.
Amy Byrd, Campaign Manager
Opioid abuse prevention
Dear Van Buren County residents,
As a community organization that plays a crucial role in the prevention of substance use disorders in Van Buren County, the Van Buren County Substance Abuse Task Force (VBSATF) would like to bring to your attention vital information regarding the opioid epidemic and resources to help combat it in our county.
In 2021, there were 17,835 people with opioid prescriptions in Van Buren County, which equates to 23.6% of the Van Buren County population. There were 3,855,444 Rx opioid units (Pills) reportedly filled by prescriptions, which is equivalent to 51 units (Pills) per resident. According to the Third Quarter Report, 2021 Deaths Related to Opioids and Other Drugs from the Medical Examiner Office, there were eight deaths (with one pending) in Van Buren County. Please note that the statistics given are the most recent available, were provided by the state of Michigan, and do not include any prescriptions filled outside of Michigan state lines.
The Van Buren County Substance Abuse Task Force has been working diligently to combat opioid addiction by providing education and resources to the community. Free Naloxone (Narcan) training and kits are available to residents in Van Buren County. Naloxone is a life¬saving drug that reverses opioid overdoses. It is safe to use on anyone but will only work on those overdosing on opioids. If interested in receiving training to administer Naloxone, contact Van Buren Substance Use Disorder Prevention Services at 269-655-3391 or
In addition to Narcan trainings and kits, the Van Buren Substance Abuse Task Force partners with pharmacies to promote the proper disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired over the counter and prescription medications. There are 14 Red Med Box locations throughout Van Buren County for residents to dispose of medications in a safe and secure manner. For a list of locations please visit https:llvbcmh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Red-Med-Box-Full-Sheet¬7.14.23.pdf or email usat prevention@vbcmh.com. Proper storage and disposal of medications can greatly decrease the access of opioids in our community.
If you or someone you know needs treatment for a substance use disorder, please contact Van Buren Community Mental Health at 269-655-3391. We will be more than happy to assist you.
Marcus Hamre,
VBSATF Chair
Danielle Persky,
Health Officer
VBCD Health Department
Gov. Whitmer announces more than $1.3 billion awarded to schools from Michigan Lottery Sales in 2023, second highest in state history
(Press release) Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan Lottery contributed more than $1.3 billion to the fund in 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year the agency’s contribution has topped $1 billion.
“The Michigan Lottery’s fifth-straight contribution of more than $1 billion to our state’s School Aid Fund will improve education outcomes and support students,” said Governor Whitmer. “In addition to investing in our schools, each Lottery ticket purchase also supports local businesses, building on our economic momentum. With about 97 cents of each dollar spent on the Lottery returned to Michiganders in the form of contributions to the School Aid Fund, prizes, and commissions to local vendors and retailers, the Lottery makes a real difference for communities across Michigan. Congratulations to the Lottery team on another successful year.”
Since 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $28 billion to the School Aid Fund, which supports public education programs throughout Michigan. In each of the last five fiscal years, the Lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund, totaling more than $6.2 billion in contributions over that five-year span.
Lottery retailers in Michigan were paid more than $350 million in commissions in FY23. Since FY19, when the Lottery’s streak of billion-dollar contributions to the School Aid Fund began, retailers have earned nearly $1.7 billion in commissions. Lottery products are sold at more than 10,000 locations across Michigan, including both independently owned businesses and large chains. In 2023, nearly 600 retailers sold $1 million or more in Lottery games.
For the third consecutive year, Lottery players in Michigan collected more than $3 billion in prizes. Since the Lottery began in 1972, players have collected more than $50 billion in prizes.
“The Lottery’s contribution of $1.3 billion to the School Aid Fund provides a critical source of financial support for public schools throughout Michigan,” said acting Lottery Commissioner, Jessica Weare. “Continuing the incredible streak of billion-dollar contributions to the School Aid Fund is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the entire Lottery team, the dedication of our retailers and vendors, and the support of Lottery players.”
The Lottery is also committed to promoting responsible gaming. Michigan was the first state lottery to receive certification of its online program through the National Council on Problem Gambling and has also attained Responsible Gaming Verification through the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Responsible gaming information and resources are available on the Lottery’s website at: www.michiganlottery.com/responsible-gaming.
For each dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in FY23, approximately: 61 cents went to players as prizes; 27 cents went to the School Aid Fund to support public education; nine cents went to commissions for retailers and vendors; three cents funded the Lottery’s operations and administrative costs.
Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund. Audited financial results and the Lottery’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report are expected to be available early next year.
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