Sincere thanks!
Dear Editor and community members,
The Watervliet High School robotics team, Pantron-X, would like to THANK our community for all the donations that allowed us to go to the Championship Competition hosted by FIRST in Houston, Texas, April 17-20, 2024. Without the Watervliet community members, businesses, friends, family, co-workers, school board and staff we would not have been able to attend and learn from this amazing experience! The team was able to learn new things from world class teams, meet people from all over the world, and created memories that will be remembered for a lifetime. Thank you again, community of Watervliet!
Jacob Milham, Sam Milham, Ben Ruland, Paige Shafer, Isaiah Wendt, Lucas Wilder, Nova Wise - Team
David Kindt - Coach
Mark Wendt, Nick Wilder- Mentors
Surprised
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to Karl’s Kolumn from Issue #16. It did not shock me that Karl was around when the fork was invented. It did surprise me that he was around to offer fire safety tips to cavemen. Keep up the good work!
Pete Petruk
Watervliet
Happy Record reader
Editor,
Thanks for continuing to provide a great paper!
Rex & Raelene Stickney
St. Joseph
Vote YES on both Coloma Schools’ bond measures
Dear Editor,
As a 2021 graduate, and proud member of our community, I am writing to express my strong support for the Coloma Community Schools’ bond measures aimed at updating our school facilities. Having grown up in this area and experienced firsthand the conditions of our school facilities, I believe it is crucial that we invest in their maintenance and improvement.
Addressing the conditions in our buildings is crucial to creating a conducive environment for student learning. When students are uncomfortable due to extreme temperatures, their focus and concentration suffer, ultimately impacting their academic performance. As a community, we must prioritize the well-being and educational success of our students by ensuring that they have comfortable and safe learning environments. Implementing measures to improve heating systems in our buildings is not just about comfort; it’s about investing in the future of our youth and fostering an environment where they can thrive academically.
Yes, I went through the system and no, we did not have air conditioning in all buildings. It was miserable! On the hottest days of the year, my classmates and I struggled to focus because we were busy trying to stay cool. If this can be avoided for future students, we should do it!
Voting “yes” on these bond measures is not just an investment in bricks and mortar; it’s an investment in the current and future students that will enroll in our schools. By modernizing our infrastructure, we ensure that future generations have access to safe, functional, and inspiring spaces where they can learn, connect, and thrive.
As a young adult who cares deeply about the future of our community, I urge my fellow residents to join me in supporting me by voting YES on both bond measures. Let’s come together to ensure that our community remains vibrant and resilient for years to come.
Sincerely,
Kimmie Spaulding
Vote for McManus
Editor,
The office of Berrien County Drain Commissioner might not be well-known to some residents, but to others who have received a drain assessment recently, they certainly know about the power and headaches that can be caused by the Drain Commissioner’s office.
Berrien County has more than 130 drains running through it. Drains that are not maintained properly can cause flooding and cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars in assessments. Under Michigan law, the Drain Commissioner is the sole authority - that person has the power to tax - so it’s important we have a Drain Commissioner who understands how drains work and how to find cost effective ways of maintaining them.
This August, we can support a common-sense agricultural leader and successful small business person to be the next Berrien County Drain Commissioner. That person is George McManus. McManus believes properly maintained drains safeguard our rivers and lakes.
Please vote for George McManus with your absentee ballot or in the Republican primary on August 6th.
Thank you,
Theresa Zaluckyj
Coloma
McManus: Great for the job of Drain
Commissioner
Dear Editor,
Every once in a while, someone puts their name on the ballot and you instantly say, “they would be great for that job.” Berrien County voters will have that opportunity this August by supporting George McManus for Drain Commissioner.
I have known George McManus for 20-plus years. He is a man of the highest integrity and is as honest as the day is long. He’s been a farmer in Berrien County for more than 40 years and won several awards for soil conservation and for his contributions to the vegetable industry. His farm was selected as the Conservation Farm of the Year, and he is a subject matter expert on drainage and conservation practices. He is a successful small businessperson, operating L. H. Piggott and Girls and Piggott’s Farm Market. Those are the traits we need running the Berrien County Drain Office.
Now George McManus is running for Drain Commissioner because he wants to give back to the community and solve several of the problems created by the current Drain Commissioner. A number of growers and local municipal leaders know it is time for a change. From controversial no-bid contracts, to cost over-runs on projects, exorbitant fees for legal and engineering, to not responding to question from local leaders. The people of Berrien County deserve better, and George McManus is the person for the job.
George McManus will be accessible, accountable, and he knows how to get things done. McManus is the kind of common-sense leader who will work to solve issues in a financially responsible manner, and that’s good news for all the taxpayers of Berrien County.
Please join me and my family in supporting George McManus in the Republican primary election on August 6th, or with your early or absentee vote.
Jerry Jollay
Coloma
U.S. fentanyl/drug crisis not caused by immigrants
Editor,
Recently the Sheriff of Van Buren County, Daniel Abbott, appeared and spoke at a Trump political rally in Grand Rapids. According to the April 11 Courier-Leader, the Sheriff suggested that the current fentanyl/drug crisis is caused by immigration at our southern border.
Illegal drugs of all kinds are a huge problem and, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center, almost all illegal drugs are transported via semi-trucks, private cars and rentals through the U.S. border’s 25 points of entry (POE). Most are transported by American citizens (mules) that have reason to cross the border and not immigrants hoping for a better life. The poor do not have cars and semi- trucks to transport drugs.
The Sheriff used the term “Open Borders” to describe the current situation on our southern border. “Open Borders” is a term used by the far right wing media to demonize the current administration. Our borders are not open. Ask the 19,648 border patrol agents that enforce our immigration laws each and every single day.
When the U.S House of Representatives recently came to an immigration agreement with the White House that included a hefty increase in Border Patrol personnel and immigration courts, Trump made sure it didn’t pass because he wanted to use the immigration issue for his own personal campaign. He wants a chaotic border. It serves his self interest. Blame Trump!
There is the utmost respect for law enforcement officers and the office of County Sheriff. They go after the law breakers and make us all safer while putting their own lives at risk.
Rick Wild
Precinct Delegate
Lawrence Township