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Meet the candidates Montcalm County Sheriff Mike Williams speaks before the Finance & Personnel Committee on Thursday to go over his requests for the upcoming budget. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur
Millage money will go to police Montcalm County board: Law enforcement millage will go to sheriff ’s office BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc
and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to be here with all you guys,” he declared. “It’s ominous what the future’s going to look like. Now is going to be the time that we have to elect and put people in office that have progressive forward-thinking ideas. I’m the only candidate that you saw during this pandemic anywhere — out helping, out serving, out doing anything I can to see how I can help you. Now walk with me.” Ross, a retired longtime U.S. Post Office employee, positioned himself as the most conservative of the bunch, rating himself a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being liberal and 10 being conservative). “I’m a common-sense conservative,” Ross said. “Conservative solutions work. The free enterprise system works. Taxes, we want them as low as possible. Freedom, we want them as high as possible. Government is not always the answer. Sometimes it’s the problem.” In comparison, Alexander ranked himself a 5 while Puckerin ranked himself a 7 or 8. Outman wasn’t sure where he would rank on the scale. Ross noted he’s the only candidate of the bunch who was endorsed by Michigan Right to Life and he took a dig at Outman, who has the support of his state senator father, as well as outgoing State Rep.
STANTON — Montcalm County commissioners are making it clear the funds collected in a voter-approved law enforcement millage will be given to the Montcalm County Sheriff ’s Department — even if all other general fund spending for the upcoming fiscal year remains unknown. Last week, the Finance & Personnel Committee discussed a request from Prosecutor Andrea Krause regarding possibly using funds from the law enforcement millage for budget requests in the prosecutor’s office. On Thursday, the committee met again to continue discussing the budget and to meet with department heads to go over some of their requests. After several heated public comments voicing their support for the sheriff ’s department receiving the full law enforcement millage, Sheriff Mike Williams took the stand. As Williams began to lay out some of his budget requests, Commissioner Adam Petersen of Montcalm Township took a moment to address the elephant in the room. “The prosecutor had made a request out of (the law enforcement millage),” Petersen said. “The way that I’m understanding it is that she was told by someone who doesn’t work here anymore that she’d be able to do that come budget time. We never said it was going to happen, never said it should happen — the words that were in the (Daily News) said that it could happen. It was just a conversation. “We’re very aware that it was sold as a sheriff ’s millage,” Petersen added. “I’m very aware of that, personally. I guess I can’t speak for the rest of my colleagues, but I think you’re entitled to every dollar that the taxpayers want you to have.” Petersen emphasized that all general fund spending was currently up in the air, given that commissioners need to cut $520,000 to balance the county budget on top of multiple requests from department heads. When asked by Petersen if he intends to hire 14 full-time road patrol deputies to the sheriff ’s office in the upcoming year — as was promoted to voters during the millage campaign — Williams said he was unsure but hopeful. “That’s what I’m going to try and do,” he said. “Whether that’s possible or not, I don’t know. We’re going to have a lot of variables, which is why I’m asking for a little leeway or a little play in this bud-
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About 100 spectators watch and listen as candidates from the races of Montcalm County Clerk, 64B District Court Judge and Michigan 70th District State Representative answered questions during Thursday evening’s candidate forum hosted by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, Montcalm Community College, Women’s Action Network and Daily News. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
Clerk, judge and state representative hopefuls share their thoughts at forum ELISABETH WALDON
INSIDE: See Pages 1-16B for the Daily News’ 2020 Primary Election Guide.
ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
GREENVILLE — The microphone was disinfected repeatedly, but there was no need to sanitize the candidates’ comments during a civilized primary election forum Thursday evening. An estimated 100 people with their lawn chairs in tow relaxed in Greenville’s Veterans Park while listening to 10 candidates answer questions and share their goals — including six 70th District state representative hopefuls, three Montcalm County District Court judge contenders and two Montcalm County clerk candidates. The event was hosted by the Daily News, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, Montcalm Community College and the Women’s Action Network. Roger Coles served as the capable moderator and Chamber Executive Director Gae Wolfe cleansed the microphone with a disinfectant wipe in between each speaker — a nod to the coronavirus pandemic which continues to dominate most aspects of life, including Thursday’s event. Christopher Comden, one of five Republican candidates for 70th District state representative, was absent from the forum as he was self-quarantining while awaiting the results of a coronavirus test after noticing some symptoms, which he said may just be the result of “bad hay fever.”
Spectators, some choosing to wear masks due to the coronavirus pandemic, watch and listen as candidates from the races of Montcalm County Clerk, 64B District Court Judge and Michigan 70th District State Representative answered questions during the candidate forum. — DN Photo | Cory Smith 70TH DISTRICT STATE REPRESENTATIVE Four of the five Republican candidates for 70th District state representative were present — Greg Alexander, Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross — along with Karen Garvey, the lone Democrat challenger the Republican primary election winner will face in November’s general election. Alexander represented himself as a blue-collar man of the people, calling himself “a grease monkey, a mechanic.” “Your voice is what needs to be in Lansing, not the corporate bigwigs,” he said. “I’m one of you. I do not seek endorsements. I do not want to be one of their puppets. I want to be your guys’ voice.” Outman also cited his blue-collar roots as a home builder and excavator by trade
and said his father, State Sen. Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes, inspired him to run for state rep. “I decided to run for this seat because I thought public service has never been more important to our community and state and country than it has now,” he said. “Currently, there’s a radical push to transform our country. My generation is a big proponent behind that. It’s going to be up to my generation to correct the course on that and uphold our traditional values. It’s something that I’m certainly up to the task for.” Puckerin, the executive director of the Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership, brought his charisma and touted his childhood growing up with parents in the military, along with his current leadership job as his qualifications. “I’d like to thank my Lord
SINCE 1854 | VOLUME 165, ISSUE 173 Obituaries 2A | Maureen Burns 3A | Views 4A | Sports 6A | Classifieds 10A | Extras 19A | Weather 20A | Election Guide 1-16B
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TODAY’S OBITUARIES
GAS SURVEY Area motorists are paying an average of $2.10 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline, a 7-cent decrease from last week, according to a Daily News survey of 20 area service stations conducted Friday. The lowest price was $2.04 at Wesco in Belding; the highest price was $2.23 at Meijer (Knapp’s Corner) in Grand Rapids. Here is a list of the area gasoline prices surveyed:
Wesco
IONIA COUNTY $2.10 average BELDING
IONIA Pilot Travel Center LAKE ODESSA Shell PORTLAND Tom’s Fuel Center
$2.04 $2.08 $2.19 $2.09
KENT COUNTY $2.11 average CEDAR SPRINGS Speedway $2.09 GRAND RAPIDS Meijer (Knapp’s Corner) $2.23 ROCKFORD CITGO $2.05 SAND LAKE Wesco $2.08 MONTCALM COUNTY $2.09 average CARSON CITY Marathon $2.09 EDMORE The Depot $2.15 GOWEN AGO $2.06 GREENVILLE Meijer $2.07 Mobil $2.09 Murphy USA $2.08 HOWARD CITY Mobil $2.08 LAKEVIEW Village Pantry $2.09 MCBRIDE Sunoco $2.08 SHERIDAN Shell $2.10 STANTON Mobil $2.08 VESTABURG Sunoco $2.15
POLICE REPORTS GREENVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY Officers responded to 10 incidents Thursday, including: • Suspicious situation, 10:32 a.m., Elm/Eureka. • Leaving the scene, 6:37 p.m., W. Washington. • Disturbing the peace, 7:11 p.m., W. Oak. • Walk away mental institution/hospital, 9:11 p.m., W. Montcalm. MONTCALM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Deputies responded to 14 incidents Thursday, including: • Traffic stop, 1:09 a.m., Carson City. • Public peace, 1:13 a.m., Muencher. • Larceny, 11:32 p.m., Van Deinse. • Domestic disturbance, 7:35 p.m., Edgar. MONTCALM COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH Firefighters responded to the following fire calls Thursday: • Wires down, 3:58 p.m., S. Greenville, Montcalm Township Fire Department.
THURSDAY’S LOTTERY MIDDAY 3: 8, 0, 9 MIDDAY 4: 0, 8, 4, 8 EVENING 3: 5, 1, 2 EVENING 4: 1, 3, 3, 1 FANTASY 5: 9, 18, 22, 24, 31 KENO: 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, 44, 46, 50, 57, 59, 60, 62, 69, 71, 74, 78, 80 POKER LOTTO: JD, 4C, 8S, 3S, AH MEGA MILLIONS Estimated jackpot: $124 million POWERBALL Estimated jackpot: $117 million
GETTING IT RIGHT Misstatement of fact is never intentional. If you believe there has been a misstatement, please email editor@ thedailynews.cc. If an error or omission of fact has been made, a correction or clarification will be published in this space. DAILY NEWS thedailynews.cc
News from Montcalm and Ionia counties, the Daily News is published daily except Sundays and postal holidays by View Newspaper Group, 109 N. Lafayette St., Greenville, MI 48838 Second class postage paid at: Greenville, MI (UPS 144-220) Monthly Home Delivery Rates Subscription: $14.75 E-edition: $6 (Add e-edition to another package for $3 more) 6 and 12 month subscriptions available Go to thedailynews.cc for more information POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Daily News, PO Box 340 Greenville, MI 48838 The Daily News is delivered Monday through Saturday via United States Postal Service. If you have any questions or suggestions, complaints or praise, please send to: Customer Service, Box 340, Greenville, MI 48838. Member of the Michigan Press Association, Audit Bureau of Circulation, Inland Press Association, Newspaper Association of America.
JOHN L. GALLOWAY John L. Galloway 70 of Belding died Wednesday evening July 22, 2020 at Mission Point in Greenville. John was born on December 18, 1949 in Belding the son of Marion and Wilma ( Flowers) Galloway. He attended Belding Area Schools and later proudly served in the US Navy for 20 years. He served during the Vietnam War and traveled to many countries and ports of call. After serving in the Navy, John continued his love of travel driving semi-truck for 20 years all across America. He enjoyed fishing, camping, watching Nascar and listening to country music. When he finally did slow down, John was a huge help to his father Marion and stepmother Betty, getting them to many appointments, groceries and helping with other errands. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. John is loved and survived by his children; Linda (Ken) Coats of Kentwood, Frank (Fatima) Galloway II of Grand Rapids, Justina Conway of Grand Rapids, Jessica Galloway of Belding, grandchildren; Kimberly, Erica, Hannah, Jayna, Megan, his mother Wilma Thorpe
of Grand Rapids, Zhour Galloway of Belding, with whom he was married to for 25 years and raised their four children, siblings; Linda Bush of Washington State, Brenda (Chuck) Skinner, Brian Thorpe all of Grand Rapids, step sister and brother; Sandy Pillera of Belding, Ted ( Joan) Pillera of Lakeville, MN, several aunts,
uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday July 28, 2020 at Shiloh Community Church with Pastor Ken Harger officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at church. A luncheon will follow the funeral at church. Committal prayers and full military honors will be after the luncheon at River Ridge Cemetery, Belding. Military honors will be given by the joint honor guard of the Belding American Legion and VFW. Memorials may be given to the Craycraft Veterans Freedom Park in Belding. Envelopes will be available at the church or Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding where funeral care has been entrusted. To share a message of condolence, light a candle in memory of John or order flowers, please visit the website of the funeral home at www.jffh.com.
UPCOMING AND PENDING SERVICES TODAY Kimberly “Kimmy” McMeeken — 2 to 6:30 p.m., Chosen Ones Motorcycle Clubhouse, Greenville. (Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation Funeral Care, Greenville) Russell Sharkey — 1 p.m., Evergreen Township Cemetery. (Simpson Family Funeral Home, Sheridan) SUNDAY Shirley Ann Higgins — 12:30 p.m., Rest
Marshall FUNERAL HOME
Haven Memory Gardens, Belding. (Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville) Daniel Mier — 1 to 3 p.m., “The Auction Barn” at the corner of M66 and Woods Road. (Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding) MONDAY Patrick Sower — 11 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, Belding. (Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding)
TUESDAY John L. Galloway — 1 p.m, Shiloh Community Church, Orleans. (Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding) BETTY L. MILLER Betty L. Miller, 94 of Greenville, died Friday morning, July 24, 2020. Arrangements are pending at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville.
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PPE turns into ‘tremendous’ opportunity for factory PAULA GARDNER | Bridge Magazine During three shifts a day and sometimes for six days a week, machinery is humming at a small town factory where the pandemic is creating expansion opportunities and jobs. Reed City Group in Osceola County is not the first company to switch gears from fabricating parts for the automotive industry to making personal protective equipment (PPE) for the COVID-19 virus. But it is one that’s sticking with it, and potentially leading the way as the state’s manufacturers hope to regain business by making the medical products once sent overseas. The pandemic is a tragedy, but the changes to the company located between Big Rapids and Cadillac are “tremendous,” said said Brad Doornbos, director of business development for Reed City Group. It has hired at least 30 workers and purchased equipment for the switch, as its plastic-injection molds now create parts for medical devices. “We’re learning what it means to be part of a major [original equipment manufacturer] supply base,” Doornbos said. Statewide, many businesses made PPE during the shutdown, said John Walsh, CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. Some companies could do so fairly quickly and preserve jobs, but most have gone back to normal production, Walsh said, after deciding that a permanent change wasn’t feasible as original lines of business returned, like auto production. Very few are like Reed City Group and continue to maintain PPE production, Walsh said. However, an estimated 300 small manufacturers in Michigan say they have excess capacity and may be able to make the switch too, Walsh said. Now many businesses are wondering if they also have the access to floor space, to labor and to the tooling to find more opportunities in the pandemic. “They’re earnestly taking a look at the future and how might they expand their business to make PPE,” Walsh said. It’s working in Reed City. Today, most garage doors in America are stamped into shape by big hydraulic presses operated by an automation division of Reed City Group. The company still makes molds for plastic injection, as it has for 61 years, and it also has 26 machines to do its own injection molding. The company, with $25 million a year in annual revenue, had 82 employees three years ago, growing to 102 before the pandemic. It’s also added $5 million in equipment over that time. Like many small manufacturing companies, Doornbos said the management team at Reed City Group in March felt as much fear as any other business leaders. Some of
Hustling workers move up and down the aisles in Reed City Group’s plastics thermo molding area. The company has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Bridge Magazine photo | Dale G. Young the work it does for Yoplait Yogurt kept it open during the shutdown, with employees carrying letters in their cars stating that they were essential. Another client contracted for a part on face shields, and that kept a few more people working. And it made some automotive parts for two weeks after the shutdown, building a stockpile for whenever the client reopened. All of that wasn’t enough. “We were still facing layoffs,” Doornbos said. Staff wondered: “How many of us? All of us?” Then, he said, “the phone call came.” On the other end of the call was a contact who’d worked with a previous client. He’d moved into a role with a manufacturing group sourcing high volumes of PPE following the $16 billion directed toward manufacturing it in the $2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March. Reed City Group was invited to submit a bid for a plastic part. Not long after, Doornbos said, the management team found itself standing in a circle in the CEO’s office at 7 p.m. on a Friday night while holding hands and praying. Reed City Group was one of three finalists for the work, and winning it was “so important,” Doornbos said. “Not only because of the impact it would have in the short-term on us to be able to keep the doors open and keep people working, but our injection molding business up until that point was primarily automotive-focused … and any company wants to be fairly diverse in the markets they serve,” Doornbos said. With the contract, came that diversification: Now about half of the $25 million per year business is automotive, and it’s moving even more into medical device making.
The change means that it can use an 80,000-square-foot building that it owns across the street from its existing factory and offices, doubling its manufacturing footprint. The plastic injection molding will move to that facility, as the company buys new machines and creates a clean room rated for medical device manufacturing, yet another step to gaining more bio-pharma business. By mid-July, Reed City Group was being asked to bid on still more contracts: PPE, more tooling, and plastics now made at another manufacturer. None of the clients could be disclosed, Doornbos said, and details on the parts also can’t be publicly discussed. But the impact is resonating. “We all knew as we stood there and prayed for this to happen, that if it happened it would be a game-changer,” he said, “not just for this company, but for the community.” The company, then Reed City Tool, was acquired in 2017 by a pair of private equity investors, Argosy Private Equity and Stone River Capital Partners. Since then, growth has been a goal, with investments including automation and 3D printing. The growth is benefitting the region’s employment base. Reed City Group hired about 30 people since spring as production increased. Jobs range from entry-level production to more skilled positions, including 24 operators of injection molding equipment. The company cultivates an employee pipeline by offering tours to area students and offering an apprenticeship program. It also bought eight new mold machines, investing in capital equipment at a time when many factories were closed. That, Doornbos said, let the company share its
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Carson City Council meets new police chief LORI HANSEN | correspondent CARSON CITY — Though he admits it is not the best time to be a police officer, Tony Keller is pleased to be part of the Carson City community. Keller, after working four years as a sergeant for the department, was recently promoted to police chief, following the retirement of former chief David Ellis. Keller was introduced to the Carson City Council at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. Following the governor’s restrictions, the council met in the fire barn, where they could physically distance. Ellis, who had a 35-year law enforcement career including six years as Carson City police chief, retired on July 2. “I’d truly like to get out and introduce myself, but the COVID-19 restrictions are making things more difficult,” Keller said.
“Many in the community know me, and are very supportive of the police department, but I’d like to personally stop into the local businesses and make those connections.” Keller completed an eightyear military career, serving with the Marines, before go- Tony ing to school for law enforce- Keller ment. After a few positions in Indiana and the west side of the state, his wife wanted to get closer to her hometown, and the family moved closer to her family home. Keller started serving with the Carson City department “Carson City is a great community and I’m glad to be in a small, close-knit community where we call each other by our first names,” he said.
Taking the position as chief during a pandemic lock-down, and a nation-wide surge against law enforcement isn’t what an officer dreams of, but Keller said he’s felt the supportive nature of the folks he serves. “We are following the same procedures as (Mike Williams) the Montcalm County sheriff, understanding there is a lot of confusion on what businesses can and can’t do,” Keller said. “Overall, people are understanding, but there is a lot of pressure on businesses.” The council also thanked the Carson City Community Corp. for its generous donation to the splash pad project. “This small group has raised about $110,000 for us,” Mayor Tom McCrackin said. “We opened up the splash pad at the perfect time before a heatwave. The first little boy that went in said ‘Mom, this is fun.’ To hear that, it made all the hassles worth it.”
THE JUMP
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 3A
Clerk, judge and state rep hopefuls share their thoughts Continued from Page 1A
Jim Lower and former State Sen. Judy Emmons. “Many of my competitors may indeed be pro-life but after they (Right to Life) thoroughly vetted us, they decided I would be the best choice for protecting rights of the unborn in Lansing,” Ross said. “I am pleased to be homegrown, instead of handpicked. I am a candidate not of the Lansing interest, but of the local interest. This seat does not belong to one family. This seat does not belong to the voice of a handpicked few. This seat belongs to us, the people of the 70th District. It’s not me that’s been sending you 12 and 16 and 18 mailers. I am not the Lansing candidate, I am the local candidate and I hope that you will reward me with your vote.” When asked about his qualifications, Puckerin, who has attended Cooley Law School, replied, “A state representative, a legislator, is a lawyer. If you don’t have any legal training, I don’t believe you have the requisite competency to be in competition with all that we have going on.” Ross called out Puckerin — who is not an attorney — for this answer. “Art, I couldn’t disagree with you more,” Ross said. “We need citizen legislatures, not more lawyers. I want to be a citizen legislature in the way that our Founding Fathers envisioned that you would serve your friends and neighbors for a time and then return to your plow, return to your mercantile and live under the laws that you have created.” The candidates were asked for their thoughts on mail-in election ballots. “Certainly the concept of mail-in ballots I have no issue with,” Outman said. “The issue of potential fraud is what concerns me, not around here, but particularly in areas of southeast Michigan and Detroit. The potential for fraud is a concern of mine. Donald Trump won this state by less than 10,000 votes. Every vote counts in this election and I would certainly hope our clerks maintaining the integrity of it.” Ross said during a recent visit to Winfield Township, Clerk Colleen Stebbins explained the process to him. “The clerk was very forceful in saying Michigan doesn’t have mail-in ballots the same way that Colorado does,” he said. “I certainly would not like to move to all mail-in ballots. I would like to see voter ID at the polls.” Puckerin agreed with these thoughts but noted that this year was unique. “We’ve got to recognize that these are trying times,” he said. “There’s a lot of apprehension for senior citizens, a lot of apprehension for all our Montcalm and Gratiot county friends and neighbors with this unprecedented disease. I’m willing to consider this year a different kind of year.” “I’m going to the poll,” Alexander declared. “If you’re scared, mail it in. With the mail right now, the mail is slowed down because of COVID. They’ve lost mail deliveries and everything else. My concern if you mail it in is to make sure it gets to the clerk. Everybody needs to go to the voting poll, everybody needs to show their ID and get checked out so we can be sure who’s voting. I’d like to see everything back to normal.” The candidates were asked for their views on universal background checks for guns. “I’m certainly against any more gun control regulation,” Outman said. “I think we have enough burdensome regulations when it comes to firearms,” Puckerin said. “I find them to be just a bit invasive. We are talking about a federal right, we are talking about a Second Amendment right. “If gun control works, Chicago would be the safest city on this earth,” Ross noted. “There already are background checks and they’re extensive. I am not for any expansion of or infringement on our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.” “I don’t have a problem with universal checks, but as somebody that has protested at the Capitol for Second Amendment rights, I do not agree with any more checks and balances,” Alexander said. “We’ve got enough. Enforce what we’ve got.” All four Republican candidates agreed it’s a problem that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature are not currently working together amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We need to get to a place where businesses can open again,” Ross said. “Unless an area is hard hit by the coronavi-
MAUREEN BURNS
maureenburns@maureenburns.com
Pondering positive perks
I
Candidates who spoke at Thursday evening’s candidate forum hosted by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, Montcalm Community College, Women’s Action Network and Daily News included, top row from left, Montcalm County Clerk candidates Meg Mullendore and Kristen Millard and Michigan District 70 State Representative candidate Greg Alexander; middle row from left, Michigan District 70 State Representative candidates Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross; and, bottom row from left, 64B District Court Judge candidates Keeley Blanchard, Adam Eggleston and Tom Ginster. — DN Photos | Cory Smith rus, we need to unlock Michigan. Damage has already been done with small businesses being closed for so long. Unlock our economy and let these businesses recover. A governor should not continue to issue herself 28day extensions of that (emergency declaration). If the governor does not want to work with the legislature, what more can they (the legislature) do?” “We need to put people back to work,” Alexander agreed. “People want to work, that’s our nature, that’s what we do. We need to unlock the legislation, let us work together. The first thing we need to do is get rid of some of the amendments that she’s (Whitmer) running on all by herself and get us all working together. It’s not a one-man show.” “I would certainly work to restore the proper system of checks and balances in our government,” Outman said. “We’re all in this together and we need to start showing it with effective cooperation between our three branches of government.” DISTRICT COURT JUDGE RACE The three attorneys running for Montcalm County District Court judge — Keeley Blanchard, Adam Eggleston and Tom Ginster — each worked to stand out from each other at Thursday’s forum. Blanchard positioned herself as the most progressive and community-oriented candidate. One of her goals is to combine the District Court and Circuit Court offices and cross-train clerks to make those offices more efficient, as well as move to electronic filing. Eggleston pointed out that e-filing is up to the State Court Administrative Office, which Blanchard agreed with, but she said she would make it a priority with that Lansing office. “Our courts have contact with a huge number of our community members each year and in a large context that’s in criminal cases,” Blanchard said. “It’s important to me that the people who have contact with our court go back out into our community as better people. That will be my focus. I want people to have a positive experience with our courts.” Eggleston touted his local roots — he’s a seventh-generation Montcalm County resident — as well as his many endorsements by local officials and his years of experience working in District Court. He said he likes to take collaborative approaches to court programs with his colleagues and other agencies. “The people who regularly interact with the Montcalm County court system trust me to protect the citizens’ rights and to keep this community safe,” he said. “On day one, if elected, I will be able to hit the ground running and take the court to the next level.” Ginster described his judicial philosophy as a “law and order judge who strictly interprets the law to its plain meeting and doesn’t make the law.” He reiterated his three goals — reduce the number of people who die in Montcalm County traffic accidents, create a “rocket docket” to speed up the process of domestic violence cases and to be the hardest working judge in Michigan — and also pointed out that he isn’t accepting any campaign contributions from attorneys, unlike his two opponents. “I’m not accepting any money from lawyers,” Ginster said. “I
was disheartened to learn that both of them are conducting fundraisers in bars with attorneys that are funding their campaigns. I don’t think a litigant should be left to wonder which lawyer has given the judge more money. I think that undermines confidence in the judicial system.” Blanchard said attorneys can legally donate to judicial candidates, but she noted that candidates should be aware of how donations may appear to voters. “It’s something that you want to not come into your campaign, as far as bias about who donated and who didn’t donate,” she said. “That’s also true, I think, for endorsements. I think that seeking out endorsements of our local officials can potentially create some bias in the way that we decide cases.” Eggleston — who has touted his many local endorsements — wasn’t phased at being called out. “I will take money from lawyers. I’ve gotten money from lawyers. I’ve also gotten a lot of endorsements from community members and a lot of community support,” Eggleston said. “I don’t really apologize for it. I actually appreciate it. I think it’s a recognition of my candidacy more than anything. It’s not going to affect the way I make any rulings in the court. It doesn’t matter what a person feels about me or how a person feels about me. They deserve justice and they deserve to be treated fairly no matter what. I believe that I can put aside any kind of donations.” The candidates were asked how they would work to ensure equality in court for people of all backgrounds. “I believe strongly that every single human being is made in the image of God and a judge should treat every litigant with respect and rule with impartiality,” Ginster answered. “I also believe that everybody should be treated equally despite anything in their background or orientation or race or ethnicity,” Eggleston responded. “I believe that everybody should be treated fairly and honestly and we should do the best that we can.” “The reality that I’ve seen in our criminal justice system is that racial bias does exist,” Blanchard noted. “The first step that we need to take is acknowledging that. That means that judges, including myself if elected, will have to look inward and examine my own bias. We also have to work to ensure that everybody working in our court system has an opportunity to examine their own bias so we don’t have that in the way of us implementing justice in our court.” COUNTY CLERK RACE Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard touted her 31 years of county clerk office experience — 23 years as the elected county clerk — while challenger Meg Mullendore cited her extensive public sector experience as qualifications for the office of county clerk. Mullendore said her experience working for three cities have prepared her for this job. “I bring more than just the clerk knowledge,” Mullendore said. “There are other skill sets that other departments can utilize. I’ve been watching this for the last couple of years, the relationships that are deteriorating and the bridges that need to be repaired. The clerk’s office has
become divisive with the Board of Commissioners and some of the other departments. You don’t have to like who you work with, but you still have to work with them.” Millard disagreed that city clerk knowledge is the same as county clerk knowledge. “I have county knowledge,” Millard said. “It’s a whole different ballgame between municipal government and county government. It’s nothing like working in a city clerk’s office or overseeing a city clerk. I think I have done pretty darn good job. I have an amazing team of deputy clerks. We have functioned amazingly with just the limited staff that we’ve had over the last three years.” Both women said they would like to see the clerk’s Elections/ Vital Records Office open five days a week again — that office has only been open three days a week since budget cuts in 2017 — but disagreed on whether that office should be merged with the clerk’s Circuit Court Office. Millard noted the topic of getting the Vital Records Office open full-time again was discussed at Thursday’s Montcalm County Finance & Personnel Committee budget workshop. “The biggest thing that needs to happen is that we need additional staff,” Millard said. “There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that individuals aren’t aware of. It’s certainly not ever anything that we wanted to do, closing the office two days a week. Hopefully, once we get through this budget process, we’ll be hiring staff and reopening our Vital Records back to five days per week. We are going to look at e-filing. We have a very serious space issue. Everything we have in Montcalm County is paper.” “I would like to see the office reopen back to five days and I would like to see the consolidation,” Mullendore said. “I think the big thing is cross-training so that all the employees are cross-trained in the event that something happens. Primarily it is about access and customer service.” “I don’t believe that the consolidation of the two-county clerk offices is in the best interest of the county and I would not push for it,” Millard countered. An audience member asked the candidates to share their thoughts on a discussion at the Montcalm County Finance & Personnel Committee level about possibly using a voter-approved law enforcement millage to fund some budget requests at the prosecutor’s office (as reported in Tuesday’s Daily News). “Everybody I know that voted for it believed it was dedicated solely to the sheriff ’s department,” Mullendore said. “I think by doing that, the Board of Commissioners jeopardizes themselves and their own credibility if they do tap into that by reducing what the sheriff ’s department normally gets out of the general fund. I think it will impact their credibility and they’re going to lose the trust of the voters and I don’t see other millages passing.” “If the Board of Commissioners decide they’re going to tap into that and use it for any other law enforcement function, I think they’ve lost all public trust,” Millard agreed. “I don’t think we’re going to see any other millages pass. I would really hope that our Board of Commissioners would not do that.”
t is early morning. I’m sitting outside listening to a woodpecker pecking and a rooster crowing, enjoying my coffee, thinking of the perks of this pandemic. Hollie Stephenson said, “It’s easy to focus on negatives, but there were positives, too. I set my own schedule, woke up when I wanted, ate when hungry, took breaks to walk, garden, read, or chat. Delightful! Also, we were a family of four under one roof again. Priceless.” Kathy Jo VanderLaan shared. “We had our daughter spend months with us, enjoyed board games, read more, learned Zoom — plus, learned how to accessorize with masks!” Val Vandermark “found great new places to exercise — the woodsy walking trail from Burgess Preserve to Stakes Road, and a new part of the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail from Jackson’s Landing to Belding. The exercise recharges me and helps me sleep, however it’s not helping me lose the pounds I’ve gained!” Darci Cole finally had time to figure out her smart tv apps, saved money with nowhere to go (except for ordering online, hah), and enjoyed having SHIPT shoppers do her groceries. She also loved rolling out of bed, putting on comfy clothes to work at home and even got more done because of less interruptions. Connie Januzelli said, “I’d been preparing for an empty nest when our kids all moved home. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them as adults. With more family time, we began Friday game night. I also did more cooking and cleaning.” Bruce Cole made me laugh out loud. “I saved $30 a month because I couldn’t get my haircut (looked like a hippy by June) and another $60 because I skipped an oil change (didn’t drive any place). I felt like I was in high school — gas was cheap but it didn’t matter because I was grounded. (I sound like an old banker — everything’s about $$$.)” His wife, Carole was more serious. “I had time to to call and heard others’ perspectives. It felt uplifting and strengthened my faith. I have a sign, ‘I GOT THIS — signed God’ — a good reminder to not just see things vertically but to look up. Sunshine and laughter also helped. I got rid of things — social distancing wasn’t a problem at Goodwill. I enjoyed outside church and realized many things weren’t “essential.” The essential things are caring for people, sharing hope and smiling — even with a mask on.” Steve Klackle had knee surgery just before Covid. “My recuperation fit right in. Later I tackled cleaning and remodeling. I had time and the hardwares were still open.” Ruth Hansen happily worked on photo albums for the grandkids. Mike Taylor learned to cut his own hair, fried more fish, tried recipes and worked on his tan. He adds, “Could be worse. And probably will be. Thanks, Cooties 19!” Sue Ellen Pabst found, “Computers have made staying connected easier, even making it work for people to visit doctors and do counseling online. When Covid began, people thought they couldn’t go on like this for weeks. We’ve adapted to our new lives. We don’t use the word “normal” as often. Covid has made us slow down, be bored and get creative. Loie Simpson made her own kind of music. She spent weeks playing songs on Facebook and people from all over wrote her
Continues on Page 20A
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VIEWS
GUEST VIEW
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Confronting 3 challenges
hese past few months have presented our nation and our community with tremendous challenges and I want to update you with the latest on what I am doing to help during these difficult times. First, the historic flooding and dam failures that occurred in mid May came at a time when our state was already reeling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The historic nature of this devasJohn tating event is unparalMoolenaar leled in my lifetime as a Midland resident. I knew immediately that we would need more assistance than could be provided by state and local resources and I was in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on the night of the dam failures. When FEMA Regional Administrator James Joseph came to the area a couple of days later, I insisted we go to Sanford so he could see the damage on the ground first-hand. He was profoundly moved by what he saw and he praised our community for its leadership. I have been in contact with federal officials every day since, and on July 9, I spoke with President Trump and urged him to cut through the red tape and expedite the process. He approved the declaration that same day, and residents will now be able to receive assistance from FEMA. Residents who need help can start the process at disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362. My team and I are also working to help, and we can be reached at (989) 631-2552. None of this would have been possible without the bipartisan cooperation of my colleagues in our state’s congressional delegation, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, our state legislators serving us in Lansing, and our county and local leaders. Together, our communities will rebuild, and I have already been impressed by the in-
credible efforts of individuals, businesses and non-profits in mid Michigan who are working to help those in need. I know we will not let this event keep us down. Second, our nation continues to suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, more than 6,000 Michiganders have lost their lives to this virus. While mid and northern Michigan have fared better than other parts of the nation, we must remain vigilant. I encourage residents to take precautions when possible. The coronavirus is worse than the flu and health experts are learning more about it each day. While many who test positive show little to no effects, others face a long road to full recovery. There has also been an economic toll from this crisis. In February, Michigan workers were enjoying a strong economy, with low unemployment and rising wages after years of rebuilding from the previous recession. Now, unemployment is double-digits, and many are worried about the future. I supported the Paycheck Protection Program, which, true to its name, is protecting the paychecks of thousands of small business employees in mid and northern Michigan. I have also co-sponsored legislation to bring more medical manufacturing back to America. Keeping people safe and re-opening the economy is critical, and in the weeks ahead, I will be considering additional ways to help Michigan families during this crisis. Finally, people across the country are working to address the issue of racial bias. In 1986, I worked on the campaign of Republican nominee Bill Lucas to be the governor of our state. If Lucas had won that race, he would have been the first elected African-American governor in American history. Since then, I have worked with leaders of all races, from my time on the Midland City Council all the way to Congress, where in 2018, I voted in support of historic criminal justice reform. Of course, there is more to do, par-
ticularly in law enforcement practices and training. The death of George Floyd while he was in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department was an injustice, not only for him and his family, but for all of us who want our nation to live up to the high ideals the Founders set more than two centuries ago. To address this issue, I supported the JUSTICE Act led by Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Congressman Pete Stauber of Minnesota. As an African-American, Scott has been stopped by police 18 times in his life, including by the Capitol Police when he was on his way to work. Stauber is a former police officer from Duluth who understands the challenges of modern policing. Their legislation makes lynching a federal crime, funds better training for police officers, and bans police departments that receive federal funding from using chokeholds. Unfortunately, most Senate Democrats voted to block debate on this bill and stopped the Senate from passing it. They should let it advance so the Senate and House can reconcile the bills passed in each chamber and create a bipartisan solution that moves our nation forward. These challenges have tested our nation, but we have come together as a community and as country. Incredible people have stepped up and made a difference – from the neighbors helping each other dig out their flood-damaged homes to those on the frontlines of the pandemic, Americans are making a difference. These challenges are tough, but Michiganders are tougher, and we’ll make it through this together. Congressman John Moolenaar represents Michigan’s 4th Congressional District. The opinions expressed in the Guest View do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily News.
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Mullendore brings people together Dear Editor, have known Meg Mullendore for over two decades when we were in the master’s of public administration program together. We became friends and would talk about various political issues and how we felt and our stances. Where I really got to know Meg was when I ran for the Michigan House of Representatives. I had her on my campaign team and she was part of the decision-making process. I could rely on if I needed something taken care of during the campaign trail. Shortly after that, Meg took on her first city manager assignment in southwest Michigan. We still kept in touch and would see her at various governmental meetings and legislative updates. I found that she was a committed public servant who always looked out for her community. Her fiscal knowledge allowed her communities to stay in the black and not eliminate staff or services. One of Meg’s strong suits is bringing people together for the common good of all. I believe that Montcalm County would benefit significantly if Meg is elected as county clerk. My colleagues in Plainfield and Algoma have successfully negotiated a settlement from Wolverine World Wide above $69 million to provide clean drinking water to our residents. Meg has done similar negotiating in attaining and securing millions in grant funding over her career. Meg’s knowledge of municipal organizations and the many functions and statutes applicable gives her an advantage because while she was a City Manager she oversaw the entire municipal operation, not just a department. She brings experience and talent to the position. Meg is one of those that if they tell you they are going to do something she does it, she doesn’t make empty promises. I strongly encourage the voters of Montcalm County to give her their vote on Aug. 4.
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Kevin Green Algoma Township supervisor and former state representative Algoma Township
Millard’s expertise is invaluable Dear Editor, s we head to the polls to exercise our freedom and responsibility, please take a moment to evaluate your vote. Are you casting your ballot in opposition of a candidate or in favor of one? Are you voting emotionally or weighing the strengths of each candidate? I am voting for Kristen Millard for our county clerk because I believe her expertise and experience is invaluable to the function of that office. Kristen’s depth of knowledge and her support of our township and city clerks when dealing with the myriad of laws enacted in each legislative session, is exceptional. Now, more than ever, experience in managing fair, transparent and legal elections while maintaining accurate voter rolls must be of high priority. Our county has been well served in the past six terms in our election process as well as every other responsibility required of Clerk Millard’s office. Please join me in voting for Kristen Millard for Montcalm County clerk on Aug. 4.
A GUEST VIEW
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A century of community commitment
ne hundred years! That is the number of years women in the Edmore Area have been serving their community as a Michigan General Federation of Women’s Club Edmore organization. 1920 was the year of organization. 2020 is the Year of Celebration. The hard work and many achievements of hundreds of Edmore women during this period have been a continuing force Carolyn for good. Kane The history of those years from 1920 to 1950 was lost from the bank where records were being stored. During the 1950s, Edmore Women’s Club served Lions Club dinners for fundraisers, organized a vocal trio, sponsored Interlochen Music Camp, and was a sponsor of Girl’s Town, founded by GFWC Michigan in 1958 as a non-profit organization that served permanent and temporary wards of the court from birth to 21. Continuing with the commitment to community, the 1960s turned to swim lessons, community fluoride treatments and sponsoring Girl Scouts in the local area. The Potato Queen Pageant, tea, chili suppers, and dance were community celebrations. At the village park, picnic tables, benches, cooking grill and landscaping were all community projects for this decade. Through the 1970s, the Women’s Club
conducted a survey of the school district with Operation Sound Off and MADD groups holding meetings on school issues. Business Recognition Luncheons, Downtown Beautification Awards. the formation of the DARN Committee (Doctors are Really Needed) to pursue more doctors for the local hospital marked community improvement efforts. Edmore was recognized statewide as the Michigan Club of the Year for two years in 1975-1977. Over the 1980s, the Women’s Club purchased furniture for the library and held fundraisers, quilting classes, arts and crafts shows, walking programs and clean water studies. Most significant in this decade was the promoting and assisting in the planning and celebrating of the Curtis Community Center Project, now the hub of community activity, in 1985. “Peace, Prosperity, and the Internet” years of the 1990s saw a plethora of programs assisting with scholarships, funding for projects for community kids, and purchasing benches for the Community Center. The 2000s were spent supporting the local Food Bank, and sponsoring the local Old Fence Rider Museum and Highway Pickup Program while always supporting the children of the community through science events for girls, HOBY Leadership Program, Kids for Kindness Elementary Reading Program and books for elementary kids programs. GFWC Edmore members were honored as Women of Achievement and Mrs. Federation at State
Conventions. An oral history of Edmore’s information was submitted to GFWC National Archives. The club also participated in placing a 100 Year Time Capsule in the local park in 2000, Edmore honored two past state presidents in 2001 and 2002. In this decade from 2010, the club began to support another community historical building: Marketplace. The club provided leadership to the community for McBride Park renovation; and the Lions Club, Gleaners and Women’s Club partnered to provide 46 pairs of new shoes to the Montabella Schools. The 100 years of GFWC Edmore is all about helping hands, hard work and preparation for the future. Volunteerism is as important today as it was in 1920. The following quote sums it all up: “The real answer is to fight for the things you care about. For most Americans, life isn’t executive orders, congressional legislation, agency regulations or judicial decrees. It’s a helping hand and good neighbors. It’s bedtime prayers and lovingly packed lunch boxes. It’s hard work and a little something put away for the future.” That is how we would like to be remembered for the next 100 years! Carolyn Kane is a 33-year member of GFWC Edmore and served as club president from 2018-2020. The opinions expressed in the Guest View do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily News.
Judy Emmons former state senator Sheridan
Millage is for police Dear Editor, hen I voted to approve the law enforcement millage on March 10 it was my understanding it would be in addition to the general fund monies allocated to the sheriff ’s department and used for putting more patrols on the road. By trying to allocate that money to other agencies and remove general funds from the sheriff ’s budget it appears the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners has joined the defund police movement.
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Corby Helms Stanton
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 5A
PUBLIC FORUM
Let Stanton commissioners hear your voice Dear Editor, n April 14, 2020, the Stanton Planning Commission submitted the following recommendations for marijuana use within the city of Stanton. Facilities allowed will include one each of provisioning center, secure transporter and safety compliance facility. We will not allow grower, processor or micro-business facilities. These facilities will be allowed only in the C-2 zoning district. Marijuana facilities must be 1,000 feet from the property line of a public or private school, and must also be 500 feet from the property line of public parks, the Heartland Trail, churches, schools, licensed daycare facilities and licensed substance abuse rehabilitation centers. On July 14 via Zoom meeting, they changed
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their mind Their newly proposed changes will (see meeting recording at facebook.com/cityofstanton/videos/3057736994325195): • No longer allow marijuana business in only C-2 districts • Allow an unlimited number of marijuana businesses and will not restrict all types of use • Remove all “buffering” except a state-mandated buffer for schools Why would they make such a stark change, or not buffer our city parks, the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail and even Maddie’s Park? Why not buffer churches or our daycare facilities or rehab centers? Let your city commissioners know how you feel. Send an email and cc the city manager. Ask that your letter be read at the next commission meeting.
City Manager Davis: citymanager@stantononline.com Mayor Williams: lwilliams@stantononline. com Commissioner Holloway: rholloway@stantononline.com Commissioner Edelman: vedelman@stantononline.com Commissioner Basom: jbasom@stantononline.com Commissioner Miel: cmiel@stantononline. com Commissioner Mazzola: mmazolla@stantononline.com Commissioner Thomas: mthomas@stantononline.com E. Ray Holloway Stanton
Clean up backyards before opening borders Dear Editor, he May 30 Guest View by Erik Shelley in the Daily News was certainly interesting. Sounds like we have another wannabe politician. Aiming for the bleeding hearts for support to deny good paying jobs for our area. Before the commissioners officially decided to not vote on the detention facility they all stated they favored the project. First of all they have no say in the matter. Second, just because they have no back bone to vote what they believe, it has no input as to it being built. The people destined for for this prison have broken the law. We have no knowledge of the offenses committed by them. They are certainly not all family men
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as is stated in his column. The article laments the fact that these law breakers are suffering from broken families. Doesn’t everyone that is sentenced to prison suffer the fate of a broken family. I don’t see that as a concern of this group. Why not? The only reason we have such a mass of people wanting to get in this country is that we known for the land of freebies. We, the taxpayers, are are charged with paying for free health care, free housing, monetary stipend, plus training, if needed, for a job. Our disabled veterans are forced to appeal to civilians for donations to get the help they so desperately need. Our veterans returning home can’t fine jobs paying enough to support their families.
We have homeless families eating out of dumpsters. We have the working poor that can’t qualify for any help because they make too much. We have senior citizens that have to make the decision to pay the rent or buy groceries. How about a plan that lets all those above step outside our border and then step back in and qualify as an immigrant and receive all the benefits above. We have laws that require us to cut our grass, laws to keep our properties in decent repair. Let’s clean up our back yards before opening our borders to law breakers that will not follow the rules. Charles Morgan Ionia
Online schools are ready for the time Dear Editor, efore the pandemic, the issue of “school choice” was a controversial one — public vs. private, traditional vs. alternative, how funds are distributed, and so on. But it has never been clearer than it is today that students and their parents need practical choices. A recent nationwide survey by the National Coalition for Public School Options suggests that up to 10 million students — about one in five — may be displaced this fall because their parents simply do not
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feel comfortable sending them back to a traditional classroom during the ongoing health crisis. While school districts will do their best to make adjustments to mitigate the risk to students, parents are concerned about safety and the possibility of disruptions to the school year. These concerns are valid, and it’s important for parents to know there are safe, quality alternatives available. Over the past decade, Michigan lawmakers have worked to foster a community of online charter schools. These innovative public schools stand ready to meet the
unique needs of our children during these unprecedented times. While online learning is new to most, many children like mine have been attending online public schools for years. It’s the right choice for us in the best of times. And at a time when we are all searching for certainty and stability, online public schools are equipped to provide that, and so much more, for Michigan children this school year. Betsy Pelkey Sparta
PUBLIC FORUM AND THANK YOUS receipt of letters. • Letters must include the writers’ address and phone number. Write: Your opinion or a letter of thanks should be emailed The Fine Print: • Anonymous letters will not be accepted. to letters@thedailynews.cc.If necessary, letters may be sent to • Letters are subject to editing for space or clarity or to avoid • Writers are limited to one letter every 30 days. Public Forum, The Daily News, 109 N. Lafayette St., Greenville, obscenity, libel or invasion of privacy. • Except for subscribers, letters from outside The Daily News Mich. 48838. Letters that are not emailed will take much longer • Letters must be limited to 300 words (Thank you letters may readership area will be accepted only if they concern subjects of to appear in the paper. The Daily News will not acknowledge be 500 words). interest to our readers.
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Dear Editor, s Montcalm County sheriff and resident of District 9, I am announcing my endorsement of Shad Morgan for Montcalm County commissioner. Shad will change the culture of the Board of Commissioners and within county offices. I wholeheartedly agree that we need a change. We cannot keep repeating the same mistakes of the past and expect different results. Shad has a master’s degree in administration. He taught government, history, and economics for 26 years. He understands the importance of communication and working with leaders throughout county government. He is very well prepared to represent the citizens of our district. Please join me on Aug. 4 in voting for Shad Morgan for Montcalm County commissioner. Mike Williams Montcalm County sheriff and District 9 resident Sidney
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OPINIONS The Daily News Opinions Page is an open forum for many viewpoints. Positions taken in syndicated columns, guest editorials, guest columns and letters to the editor, however, represent only the author’s views, and not necessarily those of this paper.
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Page 6A | Saturday, July 25, 2020
Dipping his toes in
CC-C wrestling champ Jamison Ward turns down ‘handful’ of NCAA D1 offers, signs with Muskegon CC for wrestling ALEX FREEMAN
afreeman@thedailynews.cc CARSON CITY — After being talked up as potentially the greatest wrestler in his school’s history since his sophomore season, there’s little argument now that Jamison Ward doesn’t hold the title. The recent Carson City-Crystal (CC-C) graduate finished his wrestling career with a record of 220-7, four All-State finishes and two state championships, with a good majority of his victories being coming via quick pins. Simply put, Jamison was dominant on the mat. That sort of dominance was coveted by colleges around the area and Jamison said he received a “handful” of offers from NCAA Division 1 schools. While he could have gone that route and may have seen success, Jamison decided to start his college career small and go to Muskegon Community College to wrestle. “I wanted to dip my toes into the water, I didn’t want to jump right in,” Jamison said. “I’ve seen and heard of too many college wrestlers that go into it and they just get broken down and beaten down because they go right into D1. Some people can’t handle it so I wanted to make sure I was easing my way into it.” It was a decision Jamison made on his own and something his father and former assistant coach of CC-C wrestling, Trent Ward, was happy to hear. “Jay didn’t take high school the most serious in the world and that hurts and he was seeing that. It was good to hear it come out of his mouth to me,” Trent said. “I told him, ‘Go to Muskegon and win them a national championship, win a national title for Muskegon and then go to your D1 (college) and then you know what college education is about, classes are about, the wrestling room is about.’” When Jamison first started wrestling, Trent wanted nothing more than to see his son be successful. He always talked about how he’d love to see Jamison wrestle in college but with the success he had in high school, it became less of a priority to Trent. “I always told him I would like to see him take that next leap and go to college and complete college, get a good education out of it and with the sport, you’re getting something out of all the hard work you’ve put in,” Trent said. “With Jay growing up, the wrestling aspect wasn’t so important for me but now that he’s doing it, I’m way excited for him because I get to step back and be a fan, be a dad, be a supporter. He’s a big boy now, he’s going to make his decisions and his choices and I’m excited to see him handle himself in that matter.”
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Ionia senior Jillian Merrifield will compete in the pole vault for the University of New Mexico track and field team next spring. After spending the majority of her high school career injured, Jillian was finally healthy for her senior season and tied the school pole vault record unofficially in the indoor track season. Still healthy and working hard, Jillian is looking forward to reaching new heights in New Mexico. — DN file photo
Ionia’s Merrifield commits to Univ. of New Mexico for track ALEX FREEMAN
afreeman@thedailynews.cc
Despite a “handful” of offers from NCAA Division 1 schools, CC-C wrestling’s all-time wins leader Jamison Ward recently signed with Muskegon Community College for wrestling. “I wanted to dip my toes into the water, I didn’t want to jump right in,” said Jamison on opting to not go to a Division 1 school. “I’ve seen and heard of too many college wrestlers that go into it and they just get broken down and beaten down because they go right into D1. Some people can’t handle it so I wanted to make sure I was easing my way into it.” — DN file photo
Showcasing the DNR: The game warden and the Yellow Drake RYAN SOULARD
Michigan Department of Natural Resources It was a rainy, cool, spring day a few years ago, when my wife and I hit the water with fishing guide Ed McCoy on the Manistee River. Still in my infancy stage of learning which bugs hatch when, and what flies to match them with, I was eager to soak up everything I could. My wife, the trooper she always is, had a smile on her face despite the dreary weather. As the old saying goes, “A bad day of fishing, beats a good day at work.” So off we went. Soon into the float, it became very apparent that fly fishing in the rain wasn’t a bad thing after all. It seemed like wherever we placed our fly, with the careful guidance of Ed’s rowing skills, brook trout and brown trout were crushing our flies with reckless abandon. “What fly is this?” I asked Ed. “Roberts’ Yellow Drake.” It soon became clear to me that this fly was something I needed to have in my arsenal when I am hitting the waters of northern Michigan. It also occurred to me that these tiny yellow bugs must taste like the finest meal you’ve ever had to a fish, just judging by the constant attention these daytime trout were giving them. As the days passed following that trip, my mind wandered back to just how great it was. We don’t own a drift boat, so it was nice to experience the river with a first-class guide leading the way, sharing all his knowledge with us – from insects to casting. As we stopped for lunch that day and the rain really picked up, I remember holding a small container of pasta salad Ed brought and watching it fill with water as I held it. I still can taste that little tub of pasta salad and how delicious it was, watered down, probably having some residue off the cedar tree we were parked under, and who knows, maybe even a mayfly or two. It doesn’t matter what you eat while out fishing, it just tastes 20 times better. Look it up, it’s got to be a rule somewhere. On that fishing excursion, we had prolific insect hatches of Emphemerella, or sulfurs as they most commonly are known. One mystery still evaded me as I looked back on this great trip: “Who was Roberts and why does his sulfur imitation work so wonderfully?” After some internet sleuthing, I was delighted to find a couple of great articles written about Clarence Roberts and his Yellow Drake. What made it even more special to me was finding out that he and I were kindred souls in our career paths. Roberts had been a game warden (before they were called conservation officers) for the Michigan Department of Conservation (the precursor to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources) and he was obviously a fishing fanatic. As a wildlife biologist for the Michigan DNR, it absolutely made my day to read this. He was born in 1916 in the little town of Onaway in the northern Lower Peninsula. As the lore surrounding
IONIA — Since starting pole vaulting in the seventh grade, Jillian Merrifield fell in love with the track and field event. It was something she was very passionate about but there was one thing holding her back for many years — injury. “My freshman, sophomore and part of my junior year, I was recovering from injuries,” Jillian recalled. “My sophomore year was when I had my last surgery and my junior year was kind of like my recovery year and getting the strength back that I needed. All summer and this fall during swim season and in the winter, I really worked hard to get the muscles I needed to get stronger and jump higher and I really made sure I was practicing the three days a week that I could and was just trying to stay in shape.” Jillian had two surgeries on her left leg throughout her high school career which hindered her ability to reach her full potential. In her last track season during her junior year, she still managed to jump 9 feet, 6 inches and place second in the conference meet despite it largely being a recovery year. Fully healthy and recovered in her senior season, Jillian set her sights on the indoor track and field season where she competed with Landon Athletics based out of Nashville. During the indoor season this past winter, Jillian cleared 10-6 in the pole vault, which, according to Ionia track and field head coach, and Jillian’s father, James Merrifield, would have tied the school record for girls pole vault. “She was over 11-feet, close to a foot over a few times, but knocked it off three or four different occasions coming down,” said James of Jillian’s progress. “I was pretty certain she would go at least 11-0, 11-6 in the spring.”
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A brook trout is shown with a Yellow Drake fly in its mouth. — Submitted photo | Michigan Department of Natural Resources Clarence goes, his “trout madness” all started when his brother Cliff purchased several items from the Herter’s catalog in the 30s and began tying flies. When Cliff joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, he needed someone to pass his materials along to, and his brother Clarence was the perfect candidate, living in a hallowed trout fishing area around Grayling and working in the outdoors. You could say that Clarence dove in head over heels because by 1949, he was commercially tying flies and selling to bait shops, gas stations, hardware stores and canoe liveries. At the height of his enterprise, Clarence was commercially tying over 5,000 flies a year. He raised his own roosters to use their hackles for fly tying, and he scavenged a road-killed animal or two in his game warden duties for fur to tie with. Roberts made a big impact regionally and around the Au Sable River, both as a game warden and for his innovations in fly tying. He is credited as one of the first people to ever tie flies with deer hair parallel to the hook to add buoyancy and help the fly ride better in the water, which is a tenet of fly tying born in Michigan that has since spread globally. To think that on the backside of World War II, there were people tying flies and making more money than their work salaries! Enter George Mason and George Griffith. According to the book “America’s 100 Best Trout Streams” by John Ross, “The idea for Trout Unlimited was hatched at a chance meeting in 1950 of George Griffith, a hosiery salesman, and George Mason, president of American Motors, as both men were waiting to launch their Au Sable riverboats at Burton’s Landing.” Mason was a Ducks Unlimited member who suggested a similar organization for trout be started. After Mason died in 1954, Griffith – a member of the Michigan Conservation Commission – and others picked
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Sidney surprises St. Louis with sweep Staff report The Sidney Knights (5-5) made up some ground on the second-place St. Louis Spirits (6-4) with a sweep during Sunday’s doubleheader of Gratiot County Baseball League action. The Knights defeated St. Louis in game one, 7-6. Down 7-1 in the sixth inning, St. Louis stormed back to bring the game within one run. In the top of the seventh inning, the Spirits had runners on first and third base but Sidney turned a double play at second base and home to end the contest. Trevor Maka was credited with the win for Sidney while Ben West picked up the save in relief. Travis Garbulinski was tagged with the loss for St. Louis. Gunner Hill led the Sidney offense with a single, double and two runs. Sidney got yet another one-run victory in game two, 3-2. St. Louis took the late lead at 1-0 in the top of the sixth inning with Sidney answering back in the bottom of the sixth with a run of their own. The game would go into extra innings after a scoreless seventh inning, where St. Louis once again took a 2-1 lead in the top half of the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Sidney benefitted from two walks, two singles and an error, which gave them the 3-2 victory. Hunter Clark was the winning pitcher for the Knights while Jackson Lund was charged with the loss for the Spirits. Hill led the Spirits on offense in game two with two hits while Dylan McCloskey drove in the game-tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a single. The doubleheader featuring the Fulton Sultans (0-8) and Ionia Orioles (7-1) was called off due to rain. WEEK 6 SCHEDULE Sidney Knights at Fulton Sultans Ionia Orioles at St. Louis Spirits
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 7A
CC-C’s Ward signs to wrestle for Muskegon Community College Continued from Page 6A It takes a special talent to wrestle in college at any level, even at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 2 level at Muskegon CC. Knowing plenty of people in the wrestling world, Jamison feels he’s well prepared for the competition in college. “Everybody that I’ve ever talked to that’s wrestled in college has said every match is like the state meet,” he said. “Everyone is good and experienced so I just have to train harder than I have I guess. Get better at chain wrestling and advancing at the college level.” “In high school, not for it to sound cocky but 70 to 80% of his matches were 30-second matches or 30-second pins and they’re a rarity in college, you’re not going to come by them,” Trent added. “You have to learn to grind, so when you go into a Saturday tournament and you’ve got five seven-minute duels, that can be grueling. You have to be in great shape, which Jay works extremely hard at. I think he’s going in at the right weight class, he’s not cutting too much weight.” Jamison currently plans to wrestle at
Jamison Ward and his father and assistant coach, Trent Ward, left, celebrate Jamison’s second state championship immediately after time expires. Trent always wanted to see his son go onto college, with or without wrestling, but he was excited to hear him want to continue his athletic career. “Now that he’s doing it, I’m way excited for him because I get to step back and be a fan, be a dad, be a supporter,” Trent said. “He’s a big boy now, he’s going to make his decisions and his choices and I’m excited to see him handle himself in that matter.” — DN file photo
Game warden and Yellow Drake Continued from Page 6A up the flyrod and kept moving the idea forward. Griffith went on to hold a landmark meeting on the banks of the Au Sable with the likes of Fred Bear, Mort Neff, Al Neuman and several others that led to the creation of Trout Unlimited in 1959, which grew into the international organization we know today. It is said that somewhere between 1957 and 1959, Clarence Roberts and George Griffith were fishing together when Griffith hooked a log with a streamer fly pattern, tugging it, causing it to rocket loose, injuring his eye and leading to subsequent vision issues. After that, Roberts began tying the Roberts Yellow Drake with the large white parachute post so that Griffith could more easily see the fly on the water. I would have loved to be a fly on the water back in the 40s and 50s and listen to the conversations among anglers and what they were brainstorming. Here they were coming out of some of the darkest moments in history, the Great Depression of the 1930s, then World War II in the 40s and the Cold War of the 1950s. Yet somehow, these great giants of conservation were able not only to keep a level head but to devise plans on how to save and enhance cold-water fisheries in northern Michigan. Those foundations have spread globally and have made lasting positive impacts. I guess I should not be surprised by the resiliency of someone from the Greatest Generation who also served Michigan as a game warden. One of my greatest joys at work is that as a wildlife biologist I regularly have interactions with conservation officers from across the state. Some people may see a conservation officer with their badge and gun and assume “they are just an officer,” but I can tell you from experience it goes far beyond that. Michigan conservation officers’ more than 130-year history is one of outstanding service to the state’s people and natural resources. They act as the first line of defense in many emergency situations, are involved in their communities and exemplify what it means to be a law enforcement officer. Outside of their work, I can’t begin to tell you the number of unique personalities I have met from the ranks of conservation officers: artists, musicians, trappers, hunters, anglers, foster parents, mentors and so many other examples. Looking at the great men and women who wear the conservation officer badge each day in this state, I guess it should be no surprise to me that, way back when, Clarence Roberts designed a fly that is still in rotation today. His Yellow Drake is one of the “must have” patterns for spring and summer
trout fishing in Michigan, let alone other places around the globe – tied in various other ways based on region. You can tie it from a small, size-16 sulfur, all the way up to the biggest hexagenia pattern. It is really a “do-all” pattern, that has stood the test of time. I’d bet Roberts would find it incredible to know that his fly has been in tens of thousands of fly boxes – resulting in some of the finest brook and brown trout catches, creating countless memories for first-timers to seasoned anglers. I’m sure, like many of the other Michigan conservation officers I have had the good fortune of meeting across the state, he would be the last person to pat himself on the back and instead probably would give credit to those around him. A health condition forced Roberts to retire from the DNR in 1971, after just under 30 years of service as a game warden. He later moved to Florida, where he fished and tied flies for enjoyment. He returned to Michigan a decade or so later. He died in 1984 at age 68. He is buried in Grayling in Crawford County. Thinking about Roberts and his Yellow Drake, while stocking my fly boxes for the upcoming fly angler’s magical time of year, really got me thinking about this current COVID-19 situation that we find ourselves in and how much of an anxious and uncertain time it has been and will continue to be for a while. I think of all the conservationists back in the 1930s, 40s and 50s and the many milestones they reached in the face of adversity and uncertain times. How will I go forward in what my generation may consider our darkest hour and ensure natural resources are being taken care of ? How will I keep my mind right? One day at a time and this too shall pass. Find a river, take a few yellow bugs and think about what you can do to make sure clean, cold water and good habitat are there for generations to come. What part might you have in this? Sit on a riverbank, read a book, slide into the water and cast a fly, get lost on a two-track road for a few hours this summer. Cross that songbird off your birdwatching life list, go after that fish you’ve been wanting to catch, reset those gears and look toward the future of good days to come.
Merrifield to New Mexico track Continued from Page 6A After only a few practices, spring sports were canceled around the state and Jillian was stripped of her first fully-healthy track season since middle school. However, she was looking to continue her track career at the college level and had her choice of Central Michigan University and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, ultimately opting to make the trek to the southwest for college. “When we made our trip out there, I really loved the mountains and how different it was,” Jillian said. “When I started looking for schools last year around this time, I kind of knew I wanted to go out of state and I hadn’t really found anything I loved. When the opportunity came with the scholarships I got for academic things, I really liked it (in New Mexico) and it just kind of worked out.” Though she’ll be over 1,500 miles away from Ionia, Jillian is excited, and a bit nervous, to start her new adventure. “The final thing that pushed me over the edge was my mom telling me, because I was really nervous about going so far away, she said, ‘If you hate it, you can always come back in a year,’” Jillian laughed. “The closer it gets, the more excited I get but now I’m starting to think about more things to be nervous about. Right now, I’m really excited to get down there and meet new people and just start this new thing.”
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New Mexico is an NCAA Division 1 school, the highest level of college athletics, so Jillian knows she has to be ready to compete at a high level every day, as evidenced in a recent meeting with one of her coaches. “I talked to her about that, I said it’s going to be a whole different game there,” James said. “She shared an email from the coach, he sent practice schedules and they had a zoom meeting with all of the incoming (athletes). She shared with me that he basically said, ‘We will be able to tell if you’ve been doing your workout and it’s not out of the question that if you are not up to par that you could be dismissed on the spot.’ That was in general to all of them. So whether that’s a scare tactic or there could be some truth to that, too, Division 1 athletics are big time.” “I knew going to a Division 1 school, it’s going to be a lot of work but at the same time, I feel like it’s going to push me to higher heights and force me to work harder than I ever have,” Jillian added. At the end of the day, Jillian is hopeful and excited to continue doing the sport that she loves to compete in. “It’s just kind of exciting for me because pole vaulting is something I love to do,” she said. “It was never really about getting scholarship money, it was just something I wanted to do just because I love to do it.” Jillian plans to major in biology and pre-med.
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the 141-pound weight class after previously wrestling at the 135-pound weight class in his senior season. Given all of his previous success, Trent has stressed to his son that he’s going to have to earn everything he once had before all over again, as college wrestling can be more unforgiving. “Those guys, your teammates are after your spot,” Trent said. “If you go out and party and do the wrong things, you’re just helping them take your spot. So I preach to him on that a lot, I try to give him a heads up, ‘Stay disciplined and keep your goals in sight because it’s easy to get off that right path, you can take the wrong turn in a hurry in college.’” Jamison said that if the success comes, the interest from NCAA Division 1 schools will still be there in a few years and it’s something he’d like to pursue down the road if he’s able to. For now, his sights are set on reaching the top of the hill at the NJCAA level. “National championship, that’d be cool. That’s my main goal in college,” Jamison said. Jamison plans to major in criminal justice.
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Sheridan Community Hospital features specialty physicians Submitted by Sheridan Community Hospital
A network of labs process roughly 19,000 tests a day in Michigan for COVID-19. — Bridge Magazine photo | Dale Young
What COVID-19 test is best? Who pays in Michigan? What you need to know ROBIN ERB | Bridge Magazine As athletes return to practice fields, travelers board planes, and employers struggle to keep employees and customers safe, testing for COVID-19 is becoming part of Michigan’s new normal. But consumers face a dizzying array of information — much of it incomplete. Which test works best? How often should I take one? Will I have to pay for it? Having so many choices can be confusing. That’s in part because there are many different kinds of tests. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suspended its normally rigorous requirements for test development during the pandemic, allowing hospitals and private labs across the country to quickly develop COVID-19 tests with still-unproven levels of reliability and varying promises of speed and ease. That means the reliability of some tests may be “limited,” because “a low threshold of detection studies are needed to achieve FDA (emergency use authorization) status,” the American Academy for Family Physicians advised its members. The FDA authorized more than 150 tests from a variety of manufacturers, all approved under its emergency use authorization powers. Here’s what’s known on some common questions: WHICH IS THE RIGHT TEST FOR ME? Broadly speaking, there are two types of tests and they offer very different pieces of information. The first category of tests is a diagnostic, or viral, test. It’s intended to tell you if you are currently infected. The test checks respiratory system samples from inside your nose or throat or, in some cases, from saliva. There are two types of diagnostic tests. A molecular test, known as a PCR, is named for the laboratory technique (polymerase chain reaction) that amplifies the virus’ genetic material in order to detect it. It is generally believed to be the most reliable test for COVID-19. Does it matter if the sample is collected from your nose, throat or saliva? It may. A recent Yale study indicated the saliva test was more accurate in detecting infection than the nasal test. But regardless of where the sample is collected, a test’s reliability can also be impacted by the person collecting the sample (human error is usually the biggest factor in reliability, rather than the test itself) and the timing of the test (accuracy can drop dramatically five to seven days after the start of the infection). A second kind of diagnostic test, an antigen test, looks for proteins from the virus. This test is also collected from nasal or throat swabs, but is less reliable than a molecular test, according to the Mayo Clinic. Recognizing this, doctors may order a follow-up molecular test if the result from the antigen test is negative, said Dr. Subhashis Mitra, an infectious disease expert and interim chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The other category of testing is the antibody, or serology, test, and is generally used to determine if you were infected. Put another way, the tests detect whether you’ve had an immune response to the virus rather than the virus itself. It can be performed with a single finger prick. Here too, timing matters. Antibodies can take a while to build. If the test is conducted too early, there may not be sufficient antibodies to detect. And it’s not clear whether antibodies fade quickly. The FDA has listed serology test options here, along with varying levels of their reliability. If an antibody test won’t tell me if I’m infected now, what good is it? The most immediate benefit of antibody testing is that it builds a picture of past COVID-19 infections in the community, indicating how much a community has developed the antibody response. Doctors hope — but don’t yet know for sure — the presence of antibodies will help protect individual carriers from a second infection and protect the larger community by offering “herd immunity.” That, in turn, can help guide policy and business decisions in reopening economies. Those who carry antibodies also may donate convalescent plasma that can help those who are currently sick fight infections.
Finally, antibody testing can settle curiosity, especially for those who were sick early in the pandemic, when testing was so scarce that only the sickest of the sick or frontline hospital workers were tested. The American Red Cross is currently testing blood donations for antibodies — an extra benefit to regular blood donors that has “certainly” driven an increase in blood donations, said Todd Kulman, spokesman for the Michigan region of the American Red Cross. WHAT DO COVID-19 TESTS COST, AND WHO PAYS FOR THEM? Generally speaking, consumers shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for COVID-19 testing. But there are some caveats. If a test is “medically indicated” — for example, you need it because you are sick or as a precaution before a medical procedure — Michigan insurers will cover the cost of the test, said Jeff Romback, deputy director of policy and planning at the Michigan Association of Health Plans, which represents most of Michigan’s large insurers. Most Michigan insurers offered full coverage even before the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) mandated it, he said. Still, what’s medically appropriate can be open to interpretation, said Samantha Iovan, a senior analyst at the Ann Arbor-based Center for Health & Research Transformation. Federal guidance dictates insurers must pay “when medically appropriate for the individual, as determined by the individual’s attending health care provider.” But one doctor might deem a test “medically appropriate” before visiting an elderly relative, while another may not, she said. And keep in mind that even if your COVID-19 test is covered by insurance, you could be charged for other tests not related to the virus. For example, if you are tested for the flu or other illnesses at the same time, you may be on the hook for those charges. In addition to individual insurance coverage, COVID tests often are covered through other sources during the pandemic. In some cases, employers who require workers to take diagnostic tests may pick up the costs, but that’s also in flux and may be open to interpretation. In Michigan, state government foots the bill for diagnostic testing among nursing home staff and residents — testing required under an executive order by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. American Red Cross financial donors are covering costs of antibody tests for blood donors, said Kuhlman of the Red Cross. And this week, Rite Aid announced it was expanding testing throughout the country, including in Michigan. The pharmacy giant now operates 258 test sites throughout the U.S. These sites do not require insurance; rather, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will pick up the cost at least through August, said Chris Altman, manager of clinical programs for the chain. “There’s an incredibly high demand, so we know that people are looking for this … They just want to know ‘Do I have it? Do I not have it? Am I exposing others? Am I not exposing others? Do I have to quarantine?’” Altman said. CVS also offers testing at some 1,400 sites nationwide. Insurance will cover the costs. But for the uninsured, federal funding picks up the tab, according to spokesman Joe Goode. HOW DO I FIND A TESTING SITE? In addition to calling a doctor, Michiganders can turn to this state government link. Some test sites require doctor’s orders; others do not. Some test sites require appointments; others do not. Is there a limit to the number of tests? There’s no easy way for testing sites to track whether you’ve been tested elsewhere. But keep in mind: If the testing site asks for your insurance card, the testing must be “medically appropriate” for your insurer to be required to cover it. Additionally, testing resources are limited, and testing can tell you only so much, said Mitra, the infectious disease expert at MSU. Diagnostic testing is a snapshot only and it may not detect the virus early in the infection. Likewise, much still re-
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SHERIDAN — Sheridan Community Hospital is dedicated to providing exceptional, individual care and serving the patients and families in the community. The hospital offers a variety of medical services available 24 hours, 7 days a week, including diagnostic imaging, walk-in clinic, emergency department, and laboratory services. The hospital also offers medical services of a subacute care unit, physical rehabilitation services, outpatient specialty and surgical services, and an affiliated family practice — Sheridan Care. A variety of visiting specialty physicians provide clinic visits and surgical services monthly in the hospital’s Specialty Clinic. A range of specialty services include gastroenterology, general surgery, ophthalmology, pain management, and vascular. These accessible, affordable services are available right in the local community. Dr. Allan Coates specializes in gastroenterology and performs procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal motility disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver disease. Dr. Willis Gaffney specializes in general surgery and performs procedures for hernia repair, colonoscopies, gallbladder removal, breast biopsies, carpal tunnel release, endoscopes, vasectomies, skin cancer removal, laceration repair and removal of lumps. Dr. David Harrell provides clinic visits for ophthalmology services of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, and minor surgical operations. Dr. Mark D. Clark specializes in pain management and performs procedures for injections targeting lumbar, cervical, thoracic, and sacroiliac, radiofrequency ablations, nerve root injections, transforaminal epidural spinal injections, and greater trochanteric
bursa injections. Dr. John T. Morris provides clinic visits for vascular services of claudication, leg and knee pain, atherosclerosis, popliteal aneurysm, varicose veins, arterial doppler, aorta duplex, ankle brachial index, deep vein thrombosis, and ex- Sara tremity vein mapping. Clevenger Focused on satisfying community needs, Sheridan Community Hospital aims to continue increasing its accessible healthcare services for local families. In the upcoming months, the hospital will be welcoming back Dr. Michael Kelley to the Specialty Clinic to provide Podiatry services for bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, poor circulation, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, diabetic foot care, and arthritic foot and ankle care. The hospital will also be welcoming a new physicians group to the Specialty Clinic to provide Urology services for bladder infections, kidney stones, endoscopies, vasectomies, prostate screenings and men’s health. “Expanding our specialty services allows our patients and community to receive treatment for complex health problems, with the convenience of being close to home,” Specialty Clinic Coordinator Sara Clevenger said. “The specialists evaluate patients in the Specialty Clinic, and if needed, the patients are able to come back to SCH for their procedure and/or aftercare.” Each day, more people have the opportunity to receive these specialty services in Sheridan rather than traveling to Lansing, Grand Rapids or other locations. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Specialty Clinic at (989) 291-6311.
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COVID-19 tests Continued from Page 8A mains unknown about the benefit of having virus antibodies, he said. Because no test is 100 percent accurate, “relying only on a test can be very counterproductive. It can give you a false sense of security,” Mitra said. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY RESULTS? Results of a diagnostic test may arrive in just hours, especially if the lab is onsite. That is generally the case for, say, a hospital-based lab down the hallway from the sick patient in an emergency room. At other collection sites, samples may be shipped to labs across the country to be analyzed, and often takes several days up to a week or more. The state doesn’t track times between testing and results, but Lynn Sutfin, spokeswoman at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state health department is aware that testing varies, dictated both by demand and supply limitations. “Some labs are capable of providing next-day results while others may take up to a week,” she told Bridge in an email.
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 9A 273408
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CLASSIFIEDS
Page 10A | Saturday, July 25, 2020
NO BUYERS PREMIUM!
When you see
SHARE, SELL AND BUY LOCAL To place your classified ad, call (616) 7549301 or email classifieds@thedailynews.cc
AUCTION
2 AUCTION RINGS!
THE FOLLOWING REAL ESTATE & LISTED ITEMS WILL BE SOLD FROM THE LEE CHRISTENSEN TRUST. LOCATED AT 2752 W. HOLLAND LAKE RD., SIDNEY MI DIRECTIONS: FROM SIDNEY- TRAVEL SOUTH DERBY RD. 1 MILE ON TO HOLLAND LAKE RD, THEN EAST 1/3 MILE TO SALE SIGHT.
Jennifer Kelley Iteen
WATCH FOR PIONEER AUCTION SIGNS.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH @ 10AM
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MONTCALM COUNTY OLD BLANKETS NEEDED Donations are being sought of clean old blankets, including electric blankets, comforters, sleeping bags and towels. The items can even be frayed with holes. They will be used to make kennel pads for cat/dog rescue organizations. Contact Ralph Bain at (616) 754-5253 or ralph_bain@hotmail.com.
Auto, Tractors, Combine, Equipment, Shop Tools, Lawn & Garden, Household, Antiques & Collectibles, Misc. from Around the Farm.
Pine Township, Montcalm County, will be holding the Public Test for the August 4th Primary Election on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 2:00PM at the Pine Township Hall/7900 Second St/Stanton MI (Langston). Open to any voter in Pine Township. published 7/25
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Morrison Industrial Equipment, a leader in the material handling industry is looking for Full Time Service Technicians in our Greenville, MI location. We are looking for both the experienced mechanic as well as the “Technician in Training”. We provide opportunities for both candidates and All Training is PAID. M-F, first shift. Please apply by emailing your resume to agerig@morrisonind.com or applying through this link: https://morrisonindustries.applytojob.com/apply/Jyq7m3OL4g/Mec hanic-Technician?source=Greenville+Classifieds.
GRATTAN TOWNSHIP Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Synopsis of Minutes July 13, 2020 Motions Approved: 1. Approve the purchase of gun bladder replacement for the Waste Water Treatment plant. 2. Approve Resolution 2020-017 amendments of support of revisions to the Kehoeʼs Park-Ratigan Lake Plat. 3. Approved Resolution 2020-018 to certify two millage proposals for submittal to township electors at the November 3, 2020 General Election. Our next Township Meeting will be August 10, 2020 at 7 p.m. The approved minutes may be reviewed on our website at www.grattantownship.org published 7/25
Bargain Box
For Sale Miscellaneous
For sale: 8'5" Colorado artificial Christmas tree w/LED multilights. Purchased in 2012 from Bronners Christmas Wonderland. Works great, asking $175. Please call 989-235-5499.
2-Power carts, 2-new batteries. 3-walkers. 2-wheelchairs. A toilet riser seat. 2-bed rails. A NewStep Exercise bike. An outdoorpower stairway, 14-step. 616799-1850 or 989-831-0604.
Michicraft 16' almunium canoe, no leaks but a fw dents. $400. 70's Vintage Arctic Cat Snowsuit. Men's L. Used but in good shape. No rips or tears. $100. (616) 754-5411.
Notices Did You Work at Electrolux in the 60ʼs or 70ʼs? If so please call Kent at 1-800990-6380
Garage Sales GREENVILLE. Garage Sale. Friday and Saturday, July 2425, 8:00-5:00. Womenʼs clothes, some kids clothes, toys, household items, lots of makeup (Younique, Bare Minerals, Tarte, Lorac), furniture, youth bow, menʼs motorcycle boots, etc. Everything priced to sell. 11088 Meadow Wood Circle, Autumn Ridge development in Greenville. GREENVILLE. NEIGHBORHOOD SALE - BEST EVER. Many Home Sales. Thursday-Saturday, July 23th-25th, 9am-6pm. Lots of Misc., clothing for kids and adults, household goods, furniture, fishing gear, hunting items, men gear, antiques, and dishes. Don't miss this one! Wildwood Development off Youngman. Wildwood Drive-Debbie DriveWildlife Drive.
Home Improvement Roofing, Shingles, Metal, Rubber, Vinyl siding, Window replacement. Seamless Gutter, with covers. Licensed and Insured. 616-754-3878
Lawn & Garden Landscape Design and Installation Patio, Retaining Walls, Koi Ponds & Waterfalls. Pruning, Mulching, Planting, Trees Leaf Pick -up Skid Steer, Excavation Work References Available 517-202-9779
Wanted To Buy Bud's Auto Parts. Used cars and parts for sale. We buy junk cars. Gowen. 616-754-0111 I want to buy a refrigerator, stove, washer & dryer. Can fix broken ones too. Have cash. 616-585-1709. WANTED: White Pine trees, wood lot. Arlin Ramer. 989-235-3020.
To place your Classified ad, call 616.754.9301 or email:classifieds@ staffordgroup.com
For Sale: Circulated Peace Dollars & MS Uncirculated 62/63 Peace Dollars. 1916 Gold Centenial Mercury Dime, 1/10oz solid Gold. 616-307-1461. Queen size bed, mattress, box spring, night stand, and tall dresser. Dresser with mirror and shelves on each side. Excellent condition. $650. Bought at Millard's. (616) 232-2136 or (616) 824-1713.
House For Rent Greenville – Your own quiet 2 bedroom single-family home in a safe neighborhood in downtown Greenville with private yard, offstreet parking and storage, complete with washer and dryer and gas appliances. Itʼs small (650 sq. ft.) but well maintained: brand new roof, water heater and heating system in the last 6 months. Available for $775/month (or a small discount for some handiwork) and $700 security deposit (or a small discount for some handiwork). No pets. App fee $30 per adult. (415) 871-0305
273405
JASON CLARK - (989) 621-7194
For more pics and info visit us on www.pioneerauctionservice.com
Help Wanted East Nelson United Methodist Church (9024 18 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs,MI) seeks a person for clerical and support responsibilities for 15hrs/week starting at $15/hour. Duties include preparing weekly worship bulletin, monthly newsletter, ordering supplies, maintaining the calendar, website, and social media presence. Includes creating power point for worship services. Qualifications include excellent communication skills, proficiency in general clerical duties and experience with software such as Microsoft Office, Publisher, Word and Excel. Submit cover letter and resume to Pastor Inge Whittemore at eastnelsonumc@yahoo.com Full time wrecker driver wanted with Chauffer's License. Must be able to pass a health and drug test. Must live within a 5 mile radius of Belding. (616) 794-5055 or (616) 794-0669. Help wanted - Locally owned and operated septic company. Seeking full time driver/laborer. Must be able to drive a manual transmission. CDL Class B required. Contact Brett 989-2870506. Help Wanted: General Construction Laborer. Minimum of 1year experience. Must be able to work on a roof, take instruction & work independently. Call 989630-7908. Hidden Pines and Pine Manor in Greenville, MI is seeking a Maintenance Technician. All candidates should possess excellent customer service skills, basic plumbing, HVAC, and electrical knowledge. Must have own hand tools. Duties include but not limited to: apartment turnovers, painting, basic building and grounds repair maintenance, janitorial, on-call and snow removal. Interested candidates should submit their resumes to carla.coleman@kmgprestige.co m. KMG Prestige, INC. is an equal opportunity employer. Part-time/full-time help wanted, motivated and not afraid of physical work. Pay depended on ability. Greenville resident. Evening calls, 6pm-10pm. Call 616-7546519. SALES ASSOCIATES NEEDED! Training provided. Contact Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Hoppough at 616-754-9100
Mobile Home Rental 3 bedroom, 1 bath mobile. Country setting in Sheridan. $650/month plus deposit. No pets. Background checks. 231445-6054.
Help Wanted DRIVER NEEDED Stafford Printing (Greenville) is seeking a part-time CDL-B driver. We are looking for a dedicated driver that is committed to excellent customer service, a team approach, and attention to detail (retirees welcomed). Our drivers work varied schedules and are not assigned to a particular shift, as we make deliveries throughout the week day and night, and Saturday mornings. Candidates must also be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Stafford Printing is a business known for its quality work and above-and-beyond commitment to customer satisfaction. Resumes (with cover letter & wage expectation) can be mailed to Human Resources Manager, 1005 E Fairplains St, Greenville, MI 48838; or emailed to: rpate@staffordgroup.com. M/F/V/H EOE
Handyman needed. Landlord looking for experienced handyman to do minor repairs, mow lawn and odd jobs. This is not a full time job but on an as needed basis. Great for a local retired person. Must be reliable. (616) 520-3929. Experienced painter wanted! Minimum 5 years experience. Must have drivers license. Wage negotiable based on experience. Call Chuck Anderson at 616260-3977.
AREA LOCALS
JULY 29 CARSON CITY TEFAP DISTRIBUTION EightCAP will be distributing commodities from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) for Montcalm County from 10 a.m. to noon at Carson City Community Food Pantry located at 404 N. Division St. JULY 29 IONIA FARMERS MARKET The Ionia Farmer’s Market will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Farm Market Pavilion on the corner of Steele and Depot streets. JULY 29 SHERIDAN CONCERT “Pickin’ by the Pearl,” a concert, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Pearl Lake park behind the VFW Hall in Sheridan. This week’s concert will feature Ramblin Fever with Buck Kimble. The public is invited.
Ionia County government and Sparrow Health are accepting donations and asking all local people who sew to make and donate face masks to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. The donated masks would be distributed upon request to community partners who work with highrisk, vulnerable populations such as first responders, hospitals, shelters, long-term care facilities and other front-line staff. Face masks pattern is courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health Systems and donation drop-off sites will be at the Sparrow Orthopedic/ Rehabilitation location, 537 W. Main St. They will be accepting donations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
MONDAYS GREENVILLE WAN HAT RACK The HatRack is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and offers free JULY 29 AND 30 HOWARD CITY hats, scarves, wigs and hairpieces to TEFAP DISTRIBUTION EightCAP will anyone who has air loss due to cancer be distributing commodities from The or other diseases. They are located at Emergency Food Assistance Program 124 W. Grove St. (in the Habitat for (TEFAP) for Montcalm County from 10 Humanity building). Volunteers are a.m. to 2 p.m. at Helping Hands Food needed for 3-hour shifts on a rotating Pantry located at 1105 S. Ensley Road. basis. For more information, call (616) 824-2003 or email wanmontcalm@ JULY 31 GREENVILLE TEFAP gmail.com. DISTRIBUTION EightCAP will be distributing commodities from The TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS Emergency Food Assistance Program HUBBARDSTON HISTORICAL SO(TEFAP) for Montcalm County from 10 CIETY The Hubbardston Area Historia.m. to noon at Crossroads Compascal Society display room is open from sionate Center, Greenville Church of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community the Nazarene located at 10087 SW Center. Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. Greenville Road (M-91). Tuesdays following a prayer service at St. John the Baptist Church. The HAHS JULY 31 LAKEVIEW POTTERING IN will be open by appointment only in THE PARK Join the Tamarack District the months of January and February Library outside at 2 p.m. for Pottering by calling (989) 981-6717. in the Park with Corinne Roberts and the Summer Reading Finisher Party. GREENVILLE MONDAYS ADDING This event requires free tickets. Call MEMBERS The Adult with Disabilities (989) 352-6274 for more information. is seeking new bowlers for its league at 6 p.m. Mondays at Jacket Lanes. JULY 31 GREENVILLE TAKE-HOME For more information, contact Deb at FAIRY TALE CRAFT It’s Harry Potter’s (989) 248-3566. birthday. Celebrate by customizing your very own wand with the Flat IONIA IMMUNIZATION CLINIC River Community Library. Craft kits The Ionia County Health Department will be available for pick up from the immunization clinics are currently library and will include all necessary by appointment only. To schedule an materials and instruction for making appointment, call (616) 527-5341. your craft at home. Pre-registration is required to obtain a craft kit. BELDING CALS STORE HOURS Community Activity Learning Services AUG. 4 LAKEVIEW BUBBLE 07 Join is a thrift store located in the bottom the Tamarack District Library at 11 of the Belding United Methodist a.m. for Bubble 07 with the Lakeview Church open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. firefighters. Wednesday through Friday and the first Saturday of every month. All AUG. 5 LAKEVIEW VIRTUAL EVEitems are donated and the store is run NING WITH KATHRYN REMLINGER by volunteers. The store helps adult The Tamarack District Library will host special needs people to gain work a virtual evening with author Kathryn and social skills. Volunteers help place Remlinger at 7 p.m. Remlinger will workers in outside jobs or remain at discuss her book, “Yooper Talk.” the store. MICHIGAN BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED There is a great need for blood donations, especially O-negative blood throughout the state. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, contact Versiti Blood at (866) 642-5663 or visit www.versiti. org/Michigan.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please check with the host of any event before attending. Cancellations and postponements are abundant and this WEDNESDAYS CARSON CITY TEEN list may not be up to date. CENTER The Carson City Teen Center is open from 3 to 5 p.m., next to Main JULY 25 IONIA FARMERS MARKET Street Pizza. The Ionia Farmer’s Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the JUNE FENWICK SEEKING DONAFarm Market Pavilion on the corner of TIONS The Adults with Disabilities Steele and Depot streets. group is seeking donations for a fundraising yard sale that will be held JULY 27 GREENVILLE COMIC ART in June. Recyclable cans and bottles, FANTASY Join Marvel Comic author along with gently-used clothing will and illustrator Jerry DeCaire at 3 be accepted. Drop-off locatons are p.m. with the Flat River Community located at 1210 Chase St. Apr. 1 in Library online for a fascinating live Greenville; 8297 S. Carlson Road in drawing performance. Comic art has Fenwick and 508 Hayes Dr. in Alma. long been used to bring fantasy to Funds will be used to pay for activities life with superheroes, orcs, elves, and outings for the group. To make a sorcerers, dragons and more. Art and donation or to ask questions, contact fantasy will be created before your Deb Thornton at (989) 248-3566. eyes. This live, virtual event requires pre-registration. IONIA ACCEPTING DONATIONS
THE DAILY NEWS DEADLINES LINER ADS Mon-Thurs: 10am for following day • Fri: 10am for Sat. & Mon. DAILY NEWS EXTRA DEADLINES LINER ADS Tuesday at 10am for the next weekly publication THE GAZETTE DEADLINES LINER ADS Wednesday at 10am for the next weekly publication
GREENVILLE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS AND MEMBERS Montcalm Alano Club is a non-profit organization looking for volunteers and new members. The group hosts AA and NA meetings on a daily basis as well as putting on social functions and fundraisers. There is no need to be a member to volunteer or perform community service approved by the court system. The group could use people to meet and greet walk-ins and to perform cleaning and office work. For more information, call (616) 232-2002.
FENWICK FUNDRAISER Returnables will be accepted by the Adults with Disabilities group to help fund activities for the group, including state bowling in March. Returnables can be donated to Deb and she can be reached at (616) 255-7543. WEDNESDAYS GREENVILLE LINE DANCING Let’s have a night out and have some fun line dancing at 5 p.m. at the Greenville Moose Lodge every Wednesday. 5 to 6 p.m. is for beginners, 6 to 7 p.m. intermediate and 7 to 8 p.m. is advanced. Cost is $5 for the night. For more information call Dorothy at (616) 984-2905. GREENVILLE TAEKWONDO Taekwondo teaches the art of self-defense, confidence, concentration, self-control and balance. Try the first class for free. Classes for all ages and meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening at the Greenville Area Community Center. Cost is $15 per month for Greenville residents and $22 per month for nonresidents. The registration deadline is the first of every month. Call (616) 754-9163 to register. FENWICK ADULT WITH DISABILITIES The Adults with Disabilities is open to any adult 18 or older with a disability. The group is currently seeking new members and accepts tax deductible donations to help fund social events for members. Donations can be monetary or used ink jet cartridges, cell phones, digital cameras, returnables, can tabs for dialysis and gently used shoes. For more information, contact Deb at (989) 248-3566. FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS GREENVILLE CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTIONS CORe (Community Outreach Rescue) hosts cat and kitten adoptions every Friday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Saturday at Bazaar Pets, 101 S. Lafayette St. GREENVILLE CALL FOR ARTISTS The Greenville Area Community Center is seeking local artists to display their artistic talents. Each month, the community center features a local artist as “Artist of the Month.” There is no cost. Individuals or groups who would like to be a featured artist should call the Greenville Area Community Center at (616) 754-9163. CARSON CITY FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS Contributions to the food pantry in Carson City are always welcome, both monetary and nonperishable food items. Current needs are spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned meats, toilet paper. Monetary contributions may be mailed to Carson City Area Community Food Program, P.O. Box 166, Carson City, Mich. 48811. Those receiving food must be residents of the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district and may come once a month for food.
SPENCER TOWNSHIP SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION Spencer THURSDAYS SAND LAKE SQUARE Township is starting a program in conDANCING Rick Eyer and musicians junction with the Red Cross to provide provide live music for square and free installed alarms to residents round dances at 6 p.m. every Thursday of the township. Anyone who has at the VFW Hall in Sand Lake. Each questions or would like to schedule evening begins with a potluck at 6 an appointment can contact Richelle p.m. and dancing at 6:30 p.m. Cost is Harkins at (616) 375-7238. $6 per person. SIX LAKES GCOM BABY PANTRY GREENVILLE YOUNG AT HEART The Great Commission Outreach EXERCISE CLASS There is a “Young Ministries (GCOM) Baby Pantry is open At Heart” exercise class of low impact from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday cardio and yoga from 10 to 11 a.m. in the GCOM Building (old Six Lakes Tuesdays at First United Methodist School), 107 Vesta St. It is open to Church. This program is great for parents of children age 3 and younger, Parkinson’s patients and anyone look- who live in Belvidere and Cato towning to improve balance and strength. ships and the townships to the west Each class costs $3 and participants up to U.S. 131. They can get diapers should bring a floor mat and a pair up to 3 years old, formula up to 1 year of light weights. For more informaold and baby food free. Call Calene at tion, contact Becki Hansen at (574) (989) 330-0038 for more information. 286-4250. STANTON SIGNED DETROIT TIGER GREENVILLE FLAT RIVER CONBASEBALL FUNDRAISER The SERVATION CLUB The Flat River Stanton Veteran’s Park committee is Conservation Club is seeking potential selling autographed Rozema Detroit members. The Flat River Conservation Tigers baseballs to raise funds for Club offers a variety of classes and Veteran’s Park. They can be purchased events and rental space. For more by calling (989) 831-4440 or stopping information, call (616) 754-9855. by City Hall.
DISPLAY ADS 10am 5 days prior to publication • 10am Wednesday for Monday DISPLAY ADS Monday at 10am for the next weekly publication DISPLAY ADS Tuesday at 10am for the next weekly publication
PAYMENT TERMS: Prepayment is required for Classified Advertising. The Daily News reserves the right to request prepayment of any advertising published. ERRORS & CORRECTIONS: Advertisers are responsible for checking their ad on the first day of publication to verify accuracy in spelling. If a spelling error is found, your ad will be eligible to run for one additional day at Stafford Printing & Publishing’s discretion. All Tribute Ads should be submitted in writing in person, by mail, email or fax to ensure accuracy. The Daily News will not rerun Tribute ads for free due to incorrect information being provided.
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 11A
LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES BARRIE’S HOUSE Location: Settlement Lutheran Church, 1031 S. Johnson Road, Gowen Contact: (616) 984-5442 Info: Food pantry and clothing center operated by Settlement Lutheran and St. Thomas Lutheran of Trufant. Open on Thursdays. BELDING FOOD PANTRY Location: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 409 S. Bridge in Belding Contact: (616) 794-2610 Info: Open from from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY Location: Greenville Community Church, 6596 Vining Road in Greenville Contact: (616) 894-9873 or www.bolpantry.org Info: Hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pick-up food only. Valid ID is required. CARSON CITY FOOD PANTRY Location: St. Mary’s Parish, 404 N. Division St. in Carson City Contact: (989) 584-6044 or email smsjchurch@cmsinter.net Info: Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Those receiving food must be residents of the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district and may come once a month for food. CRYSTAL LAKE COMMUNITY CHURCH Location: 122 S. Main St., Crystal Contact: (989) 235-2522 Info: Hours are 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays except holidays. You must fill out a form for the state of Michigan and a form for the church. You must also present your photo ID. Food is given once per month per household. CROSSROADS COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY Location: Greenville Church of the Nazarene, 10087 S. Greenville Road in Greenville Contact: (616) 754-7605 Info: Hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. DOLORES HALVORSEN MEMORIAL Location: 209 W. Washington in Sheridan Contact: VFW Post 5065 Ladies Auxiliary (989) 291-9680 Info: Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon, second Thursdays. EAST MONTCALM BABY PANTRY Location: Ferris Church of Christ, 3443 N. Crystal Road in Vestaburg Contact: (989) 268-5551 Info: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays. Clothing provided for infants and children, plus diapers, baby and toddler food and some furniture. You must bring your driver’s license as a form of ID. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BELDING Location: 301 W. Washington St. in Belding Contact: (616) 794-2610 Info: Meals to go are available from 4 to 5 p.m. every Thursday in April. Drive up to the church doors, place a letter-sized paper with the number of meals needed on your dashboard, remain in your vehicle and we will bring meals to you. Call for delivery and leave your name and address. FROST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH FOOD PANTRY Location: 977 Neff Road in Stanton Contact: (989) 831-4518 Info: Hours are 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., second Mondays. GREENVILLE AREA ECUMENICAL FOOD MISSION Location: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 9844 SW Greenville Road in Greenville Contact: (616) 754-6676 Info: Hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Food is available on an emergency basis. Must be resident of the Greenville school district and provide two forms of identification. GREENVILLE FOOD KITCHEN Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 305 S. Clay St. in Greenville
Contact: (616) 754-3163 Info: Take-out meals may be picked up between 3:30 and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. No inside meals are being served at this time. HANDS OF JESUS FOOD PANTRY Location: 1220 N. Lafayette St. in Greenville Contact: (616) 225-9999 Info: Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Must bring own boxes and baskets. Name, address, phone number and driver’s license required for service.
BELDING From June 15 through Aug. 17, Belding Area Schools will distribute a week’s worth of meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Belding High School. Parents are asked to pull up to the front of the building. For more information, call (616) 794-4700. CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL Carson City-Crystal Area Schools will provide a week’s worth of meals once per week. Visit www.carsoncity.k12.mi.us for more information. CENTRAL MONTCALM Central Montcalm Public School is no longer providing meals for the summer. Visit central-montcalm.org/ for more information. GREENVILLE Greenville Public Schools are providing meals via a drive-thru service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at Greenville High School. This service will continue through Aug. 7. Participants can also receive a 20-pound box of produce provided by the USDA Food Bank on a first-come, first-serve basis on Fridays. Please enter the main high school parking lot from Hillcrest Street and meals will be distributed curbside. Visit www.gpsjackets.org or call (616) 754-3686 and leave a message if you have any questions or need additional support. IONIA Ionia Public Schools will host a drive-thru grab and go summer meal program through Aug. 31 at the following sites: • 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday: Jefferson Elementary School, 420 N. Jefferson St., Ionia. • 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Twin Rivers Elementary School, 435 Lou Lemke Lane, Muir. • 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Ionia High School, 250 E. Tyttle Road, Ionia. Visit www.ioniaschools.org/ for more information. LAKEVIEW Lakeview Community Schools is providing weekly meals on Tuesdays. Times and locations are as follows:
THROUGH SEASON GREENVILLE MUSEUM CLOSED The Fighting Falcon Military Museum will remain closed to the public through this season. Private visits for individuals or small groups may be arranged by calling Bob at (616) 754-0161 or Jerry at (616) 754-6991.
HOPE’S PANTRY Location: Hope Lutheran Church, 4741 W. Stanton Road in Stanton Contact: Gayle Stull at (989) 831-5594 or (989) 831-4462. Info: Call to set up an appointment.
STANTON LIBRARY HOURS The White Pine District Library is open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The library is limited to 12 patrons at a time with a limited number of computer terminals and limited checkouts. Sidewalk delivery is available to the public with restrictions.
LAKEVIEW MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION FOOD PANTRY Location: Lakeview Community Church, 8980 Howard City-Edmore Road (M-46) in Lakeview Contact: (989) 352-7788 or newlifeumc@cmsinter.net Info: Set appointment Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must show identification for proof of person and residence. This pantry only serves those within Lakeview Community Schools district.
VESTABURG LIBRARY HOURS The Richland Township Library is open for limited hours; 3 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The library is limited to 12 patrons at a time in the building. There are also limited computer terminals open and limited number of checkouts. There is curbside pickup by request.
M-46 TABERNACLE FOOD PANTRY Location: 11098 E. M-46 Highway in Riverdale. Contact: (989) 807-0203. Info: Open from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. MONTABELLA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION FOOD PANTRY Location: 504 E. Main St. in Edmore Contact: Edmore Faith United Methodist Church (989) 427-5575 or email churchmouse833@verizon.net Info: Hours are Wednesdays by appointment. POMPEII BABY & YOUTH PANTRY Location: Pompeii United Methodist Church, 135 Burton St., Pompeii. Contact: Glenda Braman at (989) 838-2249 or Mary Toth at (989) 838-2210. Info: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. first and third Thursdays in church basement. Available items include diapers, clothing size 0 to 12 years old, cribs, cereal, baby food, formula, shampoo and more. Baby and youth clothing donations welcome. SHERIDAN ASSEMBLY OF GOD Location: 4010 S. Sheridan Road in Sheridan Contact: (989) 291-3996. Info: By appointment only SHILOH COMMUNITY CHURCH Location: 8197 Heth St. in Orleans Contact: (616) 761-3584 Info: Distribution on Mondays. ST. CHARLES KITCHEN Location: St. Charles Catholic Church, 505 S. Lafayette St., Greenville. Contact: (616) 232-9661. Info: Meals to-go from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays. TRINITY CHURCH Location: 415 N. Mill St. in Stanton. Contact: (989) 831-5728. Info: Hours are 10:30 a.m. to noon first and third Wednesdays. Must be a Stanton resident. The Daily News will publish this list often. If you have additions or corrections to make to this list, please email details to News Editor Elisabeth Waldon at ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
• 10 to 10:15 a.m., Ben Gordon Trucking in Amble and Sylvester Community Church in Sylvester. • 10:30 to 11 a.m., Maple Valley Township Hall in Coral and Townline Lake at 11481 Elm St. in Lakeview (formerly Mary’s Country Corner on north side of lake) • 11:20 a.m. to noon, JB’s Country Store at Lake Montcalm • 11:30 a.m. to noon, Wildflower Schoolhouse (old Trufant Elementary School) in Trufant • 4 to 6 p.m., Lakeview Middle School, 516 Washington Ave., Lakeview Visit the Lakeview Community Schools Facebook page or email Superintendent Kyle Hamlin at hamlink@lakeviewschools.net for more information. MONTABELLA Montabella Community Schools is partnering with the Endeavor Center in Edmore to provide meals to local youths through July 29 via the Meet Up and Eat Up food program. A week’s worth of meals can be picked up from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at the Endeavor Center at 302 W. Main St. in Edmore. Visit the Endeavor Center’s Facebook page for more information. PORTLAND Portland Public Schools is providing meals from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Portland High School. Meals will also be delivered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays for those who cannot pick up meals. Visit www.portlandk12.org to sign up for meal delivery or for more information. TRI COUNTY Tri County Area Schools is distributing “Grab & Go” meals throughout the summer. Pick-up is Wednesdays (three meals) and Fridays (four meals) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tri County High School, MacNaughton Elementary School and Sand Lake Elementary School, as well as at bus station locations at Pine Grove Church on M-82 in Howard City, Pierson Bible Church in Pierson, Skate Estate on M-46 in Howard City, Baptist Lake by the boat launch and Gordon Park on Federal Road in Sand Lake. Call Tri County at (231) 937-4386 or Tri County Food Service at (231) 937-4338 ext. 1118 or visit www.tricountyschools.com/ for more information. VESTABURG Vestaburg Community School will be providing a week’s worth of meals from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays. Visit www.vcs-k12.net/ to sign up for meal delivery or email Laura Kimbell at lkimbell@vcs-k12.net for more information.
Sparrow Ionia Hospital, Ionia County Health Dept. to hold COVID-19 testing in Lake Odessa Submitted by Sparrow Ionia Hospital LAKE ODESSA — Sparrow Ionia Hospital and the Ionia County Health Department are combining to offer COVID-19 nasal swab testing at a special oneday event in Lake Odessa on Wednesday, July 29. The testing will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Edwards Catholic Church Family Center, 741 Washington Blvd., Lake Odessa. Attendees are asked to use the north parking lot off of Washington Boulevard. A nasal swab (or PCR) test determines whether or not you have an active COVID-19 infection at the time the sample is collected. It’s a molecular test that is reviewed at Sparrow Laboratories. Nearly 100 people were swabbed at a similar event held recently in Belding.
THROUGH AUG. 14 GREENVILLE GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE The next deadline for the receipt of grant applications from the Greenville Area Community Foundation, the Lakeview Area Community Fund and the Montcalm Panhandle Community Fund is Aug. 14. Area non-profit, tax exempt organizations are invited to apply. Grant decisions will be made in Mid-October and grants will be payable in January 2021. The Meijer Children’s Health Care Fund deadline is Aug. 14 as well. Only Montcalm County healthcare non-profits should apply. Contact Amy O’Brien at the GACF at (616) 754-2640 or email at amy@gacfmi.org or go to the website at www.gacfmi.org for applications and additional information.
HELPING HANDS FOOD PANTRY Location: 1105 Ensley St. just south of Howard City Contact: (231) 937-5177 or visithelpinghandshc.org
SCHOOL MEAL DISTRIBUTION Local school districts in Montcalm and Ionia counties are offering a variety of free meal services to anyone 18 and younger, including homeschoolers, charter school students, private school students and online school students. Here’s a look at local meal distribution plans:
AREA LOCALS
Residents can attend without having a doctor’s order in advance. No money will be collected onsite and Sparrow will bill those with medical insurance. “Sparrow Ionia Hospital has been working collaboratively with the Ionia County Health Department to ensure the health and safety of our community,” Sparrow Ionia President Linda Reetz said. “Again, the goal is to protect the community we serve as our county and state begin to reintroduce people back into the workforce.” Those seeking more information can contact the health department at (616) 527-5341. “One of the most effective ways to contain any epidemic is widespread testing,” said Ionia County Health Officer Ken Bowen. “We encourage anyone who has symptoms, who may have been exposed, or who will be returning to work to get tested.”
THROUGH JULY 31 VESTABURG SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAM Michigan Library Quest Join the Michigan Library Quest at the Richland Township Library for a virtual summer program. STANTON BABY PANTRY AT STANTON The Baby Pantry located at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 400 N. Lincoln St., is open the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. It is for families with children younger than the age of 4 who need assistance with diapers, formula, baby food, clothing and baby equipment. No appointment is necessary. Identification and proof of birth is required. Expectant mothers may use the pantry once before the baby is born for layette items. Call (989) 831-4657 or 831-5728 for information. The Baby Pantry also accepts donations of gently used clothing in sizes 0-5T and other baby items in good repair. SIDNEY DISC GOLF COURSE A disc golf course is open and free to use at Montcalm Community College’s Sidney campus.. Course maps and score sheets are available at the Recreation Desk in the Activities Building at hole no. 1, located between the tennis course and College Drive. Discs are available to rent at the Recreation Desk for $2 each. For more information, visit www.montcalm.edu/nature-trails or email naturetrails@montcalm.edu or call MCC Biology Instructor Heather Wesp at (989) 328-1270. VESTABURG EAST MONTCALM BABY PANTRY The East Montcalm Baby Pantry is looking for families willing to donate their children’s no longer used toys, books, baby equipment, furniture and clothing in sizes newborn to 7 to the baby pantry to help other families in the area. Receipts are available for tax purposes. The baby pantry is housed at Ferris Church of Christ and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Call the church at (989) 268-5551 or East Montcalm Baby Pantry Coordinator Roxanne Russell at (989) 831-8817 for more information. MONTCALM COUNTY LEGO DONATIONS Area residents are asked to donate any Legos they may have to their local libraries. Libraries are partnering with the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District to host Lego clubs in each school district in Montcalm County. The following libraries are accepting donations: Richland Township Library, Vestaburg; Tamarack District Library, Lakeview; Home Township Library, Edmore; White Pine District Library, Stanton; Carson City-Crystal Library; Spencer Township Branch of KDL; Flat River Community Library, Greenville; Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library, Howard City. GREENVILLE FREE CLOTHES Giving away free clothing for sizes children through adult. If in need, contact Pat at (616) 754-4277. SIDNEY ENRICHMENT COURSE LISTINGS Montcalm Community College offers a variety of career development and personal enrichment courses. Visit www.montcalm.edu/careerdevelopment for course details or to register online. SIDNEY KENNETH J. LEHMAN NATURE TRAILS Montcalm Community College’s Kenneth J. Lehman Nature Trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. There is no charge to visit these beautiful trails winding through forests, grasslands and wetlands. More than four miles of trails are marked with numbered trail posts and maps are available at most major trail heads. For more information, email naturetrails@montcalm.edu or call MCC Biology Instructor Heather Wesp (989) 328-1270. WEDNESDAYS GREENVILLE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER The Greenville Family History Center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The center offers free access to Ancestry, Fold 3, Family Search and other premium sites. Appointments may be scheduled for other days and times. The church is located at 10700 W. Carson City Road (M-57), just east of Walmart. For more information call (616) 225-8210 or (616) 754-7731. GREENVILLE CAN DRIVE Community Outreach Rescue (CORe) is accepting cans for its can drive during business hours at Bizarre Pets located at 101 S. Lafayette St. Cans can also be dropped off at 804 N. Cherry St. in Greenville All proceeds go towards the cat rescue. For more information, contact Mary at (616) 894-0871.
AREA LOCALS GUIDELINES Area Locals are printed on a space-available basis. No guarantees can be made about when or how often an item will be published. All activities listed in Area Locals must be open to the general public. Activities by for-profit organizations do not qualify for Area Locals. Church activities do not qualify for Area Locals but may be used on the Faith Page. Regular club meetings will be listed in the Club Calendar. Suitability for Area Locals will be determined by the newspaper staff. Items that do not meet the guidelines for Area Locals often may be used elsewhere in the Daily News. All submissions must be limited to 100 words and may be edited for clarity and style. Submissions may be sent to Community Editor Stacie Smith by emailing ssmith@thedailynews.cc. Stainless & Aluminum Welding
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Page 12A | Saturday, July 25, 2020
BIRTHDAY
THE AMISH COOK | Gloria Yoder
Welcome, Joshua David!
W
hat a miracle. What complete innocence. I can not wrap my feeble brain around it. Only God in his sovereignty could design anything so perfect. As a new mom, I am not able to find words to express all that has been going on in my heart for the last two weeks since our treasure has arrived. I think I’ve had some of the best days of my life. When little Joshua was born and I cradled him in my arms for the first time, I felt the presence and power of God in a new and vivid way. Who but God could create life — the first breath, that first cry, which is then comforted by mama? And who am I that God would trust me with this little life which has a soul that will never die? Only the maker of life will be the One providing wisdom to bring this soul back to him. We are absolutely in love with this new little guy in the house. He’s a little prince charming with a head full of medium to dark wavy hair and big blue eyes, I love his cowlick, it’s off to the side just like our other three biological children. I have spent days holding him, just marveling over this most amazing gift. In the meanwhile Daniel, my mom, and sisters have faithfully helped with the housework. I feel like I’ve been pampered for sure. They want me to take it easy these first weeks, so that’s what I’ve been doing. Besides caring for baby Joshua and filling other little love tanks, I have been off duty around here. Yet we do have “real” times with tired days and frazzled brains; those aren’t the most fun moments, but then we also need those times. Despite some adjustments for the younger children, they do love Joshua dearly. Having older children does add a very rewarding dimension in many ways. They all love holding him and wearing the tag of big sister and big brother. I am most deeply thankful for Daniel’s sister Mary, from Danville, Ohio, who came this week and plans to stay for two months. Yes, that’s two months worth of additional mental and physical rest for me. She takes charge of the housework, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and the likes. Telling you that she is capable would certainly be an understatement; there is simply nothing for me to worry about when she’s in charge. Yes, Joshua is doing fantastic. Most of the time, he is a very content baby. Even his nights are good with him, only waking several times. Now, to all those of you who helped by giving name suggestions, I want to thank each of you. Even though we couldn’t use them all, it certainly gave us a lot of food for thought. Little Joshua David is named
MARY ELLEN PENDELL Mary Ellen Pendell will celebrate her 80th birthday on July 29 with a card shower. Those interested in sending birthday cards to Mary Ellen may mail them to 8153 S. Bloomer St., Carson City, MI 48811.
AMISH COOK RECIPE: ZUCCHINI CAKE INGREDIENTS 3 eggs 1 cup oil 1 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon cinnamon (opt) 2 cups grated, unpeeled zucchini squash 2 cups flour
Carson City, Crystal libraries offer Book Club features
INSTRUCTIONS Blend together eggs and oil then add remaining ingredients. Pour in a greased 9-by-13 inch cake pan. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until done. If desired, spread with cream cheese when cooled frosting.
Submitted by Carson City Public Library
INGREDIENTS 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened 1 stick butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar INSTRUCTIONS Whisk together until smooth. More or less powdered sugar may be used to obtain desired consistency. Spread on cooled cake. after my dad and Daniel’s brother, who are both named David. Joshua has been on my list of favorites for some time, perhaps because of my cousin Joshua who is eight years older than myself; even as a young girl, I looked up to him. He is now married and has a beautiful family of five children. Not only do we enjoy having them as neighbors, but their love and support have also enriched our lives in many ways. We have been super blessed by friends and family bringing in food. Perhaps one of our favorites was a zucchini cake, my cousin, Judith made. Honestly, when Judith left some leftover cake here for us, I kept it hidden for a “Mama snack.” She had made a healthy version of it; I’ll go ahead and give you the original recipe since you’re probably more likely to have all those ingredients. With all our fresh zucchini floating around these days, we are always looking for new ways to use it, here is a one way that is a hit by all. Gloria Yoder is an Amish house-wife in rural Illinois. She is the third writer of The Amish Cook column since its inception in 1991. Yoder can be reached by writing: The Amish Cook, Box 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042.
The Carson City Public Library Book Club and Crystal Community Library Book Club are now featuring “Running with Sherman: The Donkey with the Heart of a Hero” by Christopher McDougall, and “Virgil Wander” by Leif Enger. “Running with Sherman” is the heartwarming story of a family and the rescue donkey they trained to run in one of the most challenging races in America, and, in the process, discovering the life-changing power of the human-animal connection. “Virgil Wander” is the sweeping story of new beginnings against all odds that follows the inhabitants of a hard luck, Minnesota town in their quest to revive its flagging heart. Both of these books are the featured titles of the Montcalm County One Book One County/Montcalm Community College Reads program. Crystal Community Library will discuss these books at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Crystal Noll Park. Carson City Public Library will discuss these books at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the library. SUMMER READING CLUB We will be using Wandoo Reader for online Summer Reading Club registration and reading logs. Readers can keep track of books, reading minutes, and qualify for award certificates. Participants will also be able to submit book reviews and choose entertaining challenges to give a little variety to your day. Participants who would like to sign up for SRC over the phone can call Carson City at (989) 584-3680 or email carread@ llcoop.org or call Crystal at (989) 235-6111 or email cryread@llcoop.org. Participants may pick up paper copies of reading logs at their library if they do not wish to use
Wandoo Reader. Please call for more information. Here is how you get to Wandoo Reader: go to www.carsoncity.michlibrary. org or www.crystal.michlibrary.org, and choose the Imagine Your Story banner at the top of the page. Fill out and submit the registration form. Read! Have fun! Challenge yourself ! We will offer some virtual programs. Details will be on Wandoo Reader and our websites. Participants ages 4 through 12 will be invited to submit original short poems (no more than 10 lines) about the following five subjects: a favorite book (or story), a favorite food, nature, a pet (or any animal), music. We will be happy to feature participant poems on the library Facebook page. Be creative. The poems can be free style or in a specific form, like a haiku or limerick. The poet can request to remain anonymous or give permission for us to give your first name and age along with the poem. Please submit all poems via email at carread@llcoop.org. Use the subject heading #poem. The library staff will review all poems for appropriate subject matter and language. The library reserves the right to not share a poem on our Facebook page. Poets may submit more than one poem. A grand prize bag of goodies will be given to all Summer Reading Club members who complete 10 hours of reading. Please contact us with any questions. CURBSIDE SERVICE Carson City Public Library and Crystal Community Library are both offering curbside service. Curbside service will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Carson City and from 1:30 p.m. to
Continues on Page 15A
ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: HOW TO PREPARE
Manage.
Bart Buxton President/CEO, McLaren Health Management Group Part three of five-part series When completing your advance directives, do your research and understand what treatments you want, do not want, and any concerns you may have. This should include your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments such as tube feeding and ventilation. Once you have determined your wishes, document them in your advance directives. Deciding which treatments and the extent of treatment you would like to receive can be difficult. For support or help making those decisions, it may be helpful to speak to your family physician, minister, rabbi, priest, counselor or a close friend. When establishing your advance directives, it is also important to name a patient advocate that can speak on your behalf in the instance you cannot do so yourself. The person named as your patient advocate should be someone that can make difficult decisions, ask clarifying questions from medical staff, and respect and carry out your wishes. When creating advance directives, it is also good practice to have a second patient advocate named in the event your first patient advocate is unable to act on your behalf. Once you have completed your advance directives and named a patient advocate, he or she will sign the acceptance form, indicating he or she will make decisions on your behalf and act in your best interests should you become incapacitated.
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Advance directives can be created free of charge and do not require an attorney. They can also easily be submitted to a statewide registry so physicians have access to these documents. Once established, you should provide a copy of your advance directives to your family members, your primary physician, and keep a copy for yourself. Advance directives should be kept in an easily accessible location so they can be retrieved in case of a medical emergency. By establishing advance directives, you can ensure your family and patient advocate understand and honor your wishes regarding endof-life care.
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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 13A
Sparrow Ionia Hospital recognized as age-friendly health system
United Hospital maternity care nationally recognized
ter, Sparrow Ionia nurse manager of the Medical Surgical Unit and Special Care. “We really need to focus on what matters to these patients rather than only what’s the matter with them,” Dexter said. The initiative uses lessons learned from a movement launched by the IHI and the John A. Hartford Foundation that concentrates on the 4 M’s: What matters to the patient/family; medication; mentation (preventing and identifying conditions like dementia and depression); and mobility. The need for special focus on older patients is obvious, Dexter said. Currently, more than half of all patients at Sparrow Ionia are 65 and older, and that is expected to soar throughout the nation because of the Baby Boomer generation, he said. The Sparrow Ionia project involves such things as guiding patients in use of technology, such as Sparrow’s MySparrow app, and making sure caregivers know their specific health concerns. For more information about Sparrow Ionia, go to Sparrow.org/SparrowIonia online.
Submitted by Sparrow Ionia Hospital IONIA — Sparrow Ionia Hospital is among only three healthcare organizations statewide to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System for providing special care to those 65 and older. Sparrow Ionia was singled out by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), through an initiative of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s Keystone Center, for working to create an age-friendly environment for patients. “Our caregivers are focused on the four key areas of an age-friendly hospital — what matters, medications, mentation and mobility,” said Sparrow Ionia President Linda Reetz. “Sparrow Ionia Hospital aims to improve our patient care, their safety and overall improve the health of the individuals in our communities. I am very proud of our staff and their dedication. They are making a difference.” Sparrow Ionia’s approach is based on the individual and special needs of each patient as a way of showing compassionate care and preserving their sense of well-being, said Steve Dex-
Submitted by Spectrum Health GREENVILLE — Spectrum Health United Hospital today was named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals in the country. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families, as verified by the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. “We’re delighted for our maternity care team in earning this prestigious distinction,” said Carol Dwyer, chief nursing officer for Spectrum Health United and Kelsey Hospitals. “Led by birthing center nurse manager Kourtney Quinn, this team continues to provide an outstanding and safe experience for area mothers, babies and their families. We also believe the exceptional partnerships with our OB/GYN and pediatric physicians has created the ability for us to excel in our practices and outcomes.” This award follows United Hospital earning a fifth consecutive “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group earlier this year for patient safety and excellence in care. “Best Maternity Care Hospitals are
an elite group of hospitals from across the country” said Nancy Cooper, Editor in Chief of Newsweek. “These facilities are to be commended for the care they provide to women and families, and for giving babies a strong start to life. Particularly in these uncertain times, we are honored to share this list of top-ranked facilities with Newsweek’s readership.” Hospitals named as a Best Maternity Care Hospital have fully met The Leapfrog Group’s standards for maternity care on evidence-based, nationally standardized metrics. The tough standards have been established by Leapfrog’s national expert panel. This includes lower rates of early elective delivery, NTSV C-section, and episiotomy, as well as compliance with process measures including newborn bilirubin screening prior to discharge and blood clot prevention techniques for mothers delivering via C-section. United Hospital was one of fewer than 250 to receive the prestigious accolade. Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital was also recognized. The full list of recipients will appear in the current edition of Newsweek.
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Harper’s outbreak a caution for college bars JONATHAN OOSTING | Bridge Magazine
As Michigan State University students return to campus this fall, a popular East Lansing restaurant, bar and club hopes to reopen after closing them last month following a COVID-19 outbreak linked to 188 infections. But Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub owners promise things will look very different: No more dancing, loud music or bar service. Instead, masks will be mandatory, doors hands-free, social distancing enhanced and lines managed by an app that will include contact tracing features to help public health officials track the virus in the event of another exposure event. “If you get up” from a table to go anywhere other than the bathroom or to leave, “you’re going to be escorted out of the building,” owner Pat Riley told the Michigan Liquor Control Commission on Thursday during a remote meeting by Zoom. “It’s just going to be that simple.” Commissioners, who have the power to revoke Harper’s liquor license, grilled Pat and Tricia Riley for more than two hours in what could be a test case for how the state treats bars and restaurants that fail to adhere to new COVID-19 safety rules. Authorities say the bar did not enforce social distancing or mask rules designed to protect employees and staff. To date, 144 patrons — average age 21 — who visited Harper’s from June 12 to June 20 have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Ingham County Health Director Linda Vail, who said that eight-day span qualified as a “super spreader event. Another 44 people caught the virus from those patrons later on, she said. Under an agreement reached Thurs-
Harper’s owners say they’ve commissioned a new “virtual line” app to discourage large crowds from congregating while awaiting entrance to the East Lansing bar. This photo is from March at the beginning of the pandemic. — Bridge Magazine file photo day, Harper’s will be required to submit safety plans to both the county health department and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for review and approval before reopening. “We do not want the super spreader story to get any worse, for the Rileys or for us or for the young people, mainly 18 to 29, that are all now COVID-positive,” said Pat Gagliardi, who chairs the state liquor commission. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closed bars and restaurant dining rooms in March as the coronavirus slammed Michigan but allowed them to resume in-person service on June 8, provided they adhered to new safety rules. Since late April, residents have also been required to wear masks in enclosed indoor spac-
es, a rule Whitmer tightened July 10 by adding penalties. Bars and restaurants are now limited to 50 percent of their normal capacity and are required to maintain social distancing between seated parties. Whitmer orders also direct them to provide physical guides, like signage or floor tape, to ensure that “customers remain at least six feet apart in any lines.” Ingham County, home to Michigan State University and dozens of other college bars, has taken additional precautions. Under a local order, bars can only allow a maximum of 125 patrons. Harper’s, which operates out of a large facility with multiple spaces and an outdoor patio, is typically allowed to serve up to 950 customers at a time. But
it was only allowing 250 people inside at a time when it reopened on June 8. Riley said the bar took extra precautions at the time but was not prepared for the swarm of college students that descended on the bar during what would have typically been a quiet Monday. Video footage from opening night showed long lines with little social distancing, a crowded dance floor with few masks as customers leaned in to talk over loud tunes. “We did not advertise and tell people we were opening on that day,” Riley said. “But as college students are wont to do, they have social media at their fingertips, and the word got out and spread that we were actually open.” Harper’s had put tables on the dance floor in order to discourage large crowds, but that strategy proved ineffective, Riley said. The bar had tried to follow state rules and federal guidelines, but found no recommendations for how to regulate “common areas, people mingling, or dancing or anything of those natures,” he told commissioners. Riley acknowledged the bar did not require customers to wear face masks in June. While the bar posted signs and provided free masks to those who wanted one, he said ownership was not aware they had the authority to deny entry to those not wearing one. “We thought people had the freedom to deny wearing a face mask,” he said. “We had them at the front door. We wanted them to wear a face mask, but we weren’t going to fight with them at the time.” The testimony raised questions about how and if other college bars will handle large student crowds this fall. “Do you think some of these estab-
Continues on Page 15A
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Harper’s outbreak Continued from Page 14A lishments are too big to have the proper control?” Gagliardi asked Jeff Spitz, a community safety coordinator and liquor liaison officer for the East Lansing police department. “My personal opinion on that is, and this comes from over 23 years of dealing with a lot of intoxicated college students, is it is very difficult for an organization that has limited staff members out there trying to control several hundred intoxicated subjects,” Spitz
said. “It’s a real challenge.” Harper’s has about 100 employees, and would typically have about 50 to 60 employees working customer-facing jobs on a busy night, Riley said. If and when the bar does re-open, a disc jockey will not be among them. “Having hindsight, I wish we didn’t have the DJ and I wish we had not had any dancing,” Riley acknowledged. “We’re going to eliminate loud music so that social distancing measures can be utilized.
Carson City, Crystal libraries Continued from Page 12A 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Crystal. We will respond to patron questions or material orders as we receive them. Please use the following methods to contact us: • Call Carson City Public Library at (989) 584-3680 after 10 a.m. or email carcurb@llcoop.org to place an order or for assistance. • Call Crystal Communi-
ty Library at (989) 235-6111 after noon or email crycurb@llcoop.org to place an order or for assistance. Go to our websites at www.carsoncity.michlibrary.org or www.crystal. michlibrary.org in order to place holds on items. Use the “Search for Books and Other Library Materials” tab. We will make your hold item ready through curbside. Please call to arrange for pick-up.
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County board: Law enforcement millage will go to sheriff ’s office Continued from Page 1A get. Six months ago, hiring people was a lot harder than I think hiring people is going to be right now. I understand the state will have cuts and the job market will change drastically.” “Talking about this millage and putting it on the ballot, we asked you before if we were going to realize any savings in the general fund because of it,” Petersen responded. “You said yes, for sure, we will … As far as budget requests, your final sheriff ’s budget (from last year) was $1.446 million. This year, you’re asking for $1.385 million. That’s a savings of about $60,000. I thought we’d see a little more savings out of the general fund.” After going over some documents and financial figures to address Petersen’s concerns, Williams turned commissioners’ attention toward what he said was an unassigned $8.6 million sitting in the county’s general fund, saying he believed commissioners could grant a number of departmental requests and still have a healthy fund balance. “You’ve done a great job the last couple of years building that fund balance up,” Williams said. “That’s great. That’s the rainy day fund. If you have a rainy day fund, you don’t have to underestimate things like property tax revenues as much. I’m not advocating spending $8.6 million of fund balance down to nothing — you have to have some — but what’s that number at? What’s the low point?” Commissioner Ron Baker of Howard City re-emphasized a point made earlier by Petersen. “People think we are in a position to divert funds (out of the millage),” Baker said. “We’re not going to divert any funds. All those funds will go straight to the sheriff. The problem is that we have general fund money. General fund money is not part of that millage. All the money on the millage goes to the sheriff, that’s all there is to it. We have discretionary funds in the general fund we have to deal with, for all departments. Some of it goes to (the sheriff ’s department), some of it may not. Those funds in the general funds need to make everyone happy and make the whole county work.” Krause came before the commissioners to explain some of her budget requests for the prosecutor’s office. She emphasized that she was fully in support of funding the sheriff ’s department and ensuring that Williams is able to hire 14 new road patrol deputies. “I was on the committee to help get that millage passed. I even made a personal financial contribution to help get the millage passed,” she noted. The reason she had asked for funding from the law enforcement millage, Krause continued, was due to what she had been told about the ballot language. “The language of the millage, as I understand it, changed from what the sheriff proposed to what was actually passed by the Board of Commissioners when approving ballot language,” Krause said. “Why that happened, I wasn’t privy to that, but it happened. The change was from naming it a sheriff ’s department millage to a law enforcement millage. It was my understanding, at that time,
Montcalm County Commissioner of Ron Baker of Howard City reassures the public that the law enforcement millage will go to the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office, even if spending out of the general fund for the upcoming budget is currently unknown.— DN Photo | Brandon Schreur when we all learned of the change in language, this meant my office would be eligible for millage funds. That’s why I made the request.” Krause’s budget requests, which she says total less than $100,000, include hiring a new assistant prosecutor due to the increase of work her office has seen over the past three years. “Our caseload that my office handles now, even through the COVID-19 shutdown, is higher per-lawyer than what is recommended by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission,” Krause said. “… When you add 14 new deputies — which, according to the sheriff, he expects that to be done in the next year — my caseload will go through the roof.” Krause also requested a $5,000 raise for each of her three other assistant prosecutors. “I hear the (new road patrol deputies) are going to get $27.39 an hour — and I don’t begrudge them getting that, please don’t say that I begrudge anybody getting what they deserve — but my assistants are currently making less than $20 an hour,” Krause said. “I have two assistant prosecutors right now. One makes approximately $43,000 a year, the other makes about $50,000. Both of them have over 20 years of experience. One has about 30 years of experience. All three — my two assistants and chief assistant — are under the average with their wages for similar-sized counties. “I’m not asking for a raise for me,” she noted. “I did not put that in my request, but we need to get them up to a reasonable wage. The bottom line is that I don’t care where the money comes from, but I need help now and I need to get these people paid a decent wage.” “I’m not going to let any of my kids go to law school and work in Montcalm County,” Commissioner Phil Kohn of Edmore commented. “That is less than graduating accountants get.” While Krause said she’s been fortunate to find good help committed to helping the Montcalm County community, her office has essentially become a
Montcalm County Prosecutor Andrea Krause speaks before the Finance & Personnel Committee on Thursday to explain why she requested funds out of the law enforcement millage. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur training ground for new employees. “The last opening I had, I think I got three resumes. I used to get 100, maybe, way back in the day. Now I get three to 10 — no more than 10, for sure. I’ve been lucky, I guess, in terms of who I’ve hired. They’ve all done real good, but once they get a year under their belt, they’re looking to move on. They have some experience on their resume and they’re looking to move somewhere they can get more money,” Krause explained. “I know the clerk’s office is struggling, as are other departments. I know that I’m not unique to needing help, but my requests for millage money was because that’s what I was led to believe.” “I’d like to say, at this point, that the Board of Commissioners needs to respond to the exact language that was voted on by the people of Montcalm County,” Baker noted. “That is, specifically, this millage is for the sole purpose of funding law enforcement function — providing personnel and equipment, conducting road patrol and any other public safety purposes authorized by law. It’s not how it was promoted, but that was the millage voted on by the people on Montcalm County.” Baker’s observation triggered several more heated public comments from attendees.
“Mr. Baker, if you believe that people are going to the polls and reading every single thing written down under a millage or something they’re looking at, they do not and, if they do, they don’t understand part of it, anyhow,” said Dan Vogel from the audience. “For you to read to us what was on there is an insult to my intelligence and everyone else in the room. We knew what (the millage) was meant for. That’s why we voted for it.” Petersen took a moment to again address some of the concerns voiced. “To Commissioner Baker’s point, I understand the language, but I think everyone understands that dirty pool is dirty pool,” Petersen said. “I think someone who used to work here changed (the language) so that they could finagle that stuff. That might be a reason that person isn’t here anymore. As far as diverting millage money, it’s not going to happen. “Cutting general fund spending, we can’t make any promises,” he said. “I think every office is going to feel a cut. There’s no two ways around it. There just isn’t. There’s $500,000 we have to find somewhere. If we don’t take it out of the sheriff, we have to take it out of other department heads and I don’t think they like that. We have to find a balance and there isn’t an easy solution here.” CLERK’S AND MAINTENANCE OFFICE Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard also spoke before commissioners to discuss her requests for hiring additional staff in her two offices — Circuit Court and Elections/Vital Records. “In my budget, I requested one and a half employees — one full-time in vital records and two part-time in courts, up to full-time,” Millard said. “We’re currently down two and a half employees, so that’s not a full restoration, but it would make us functional and be able to open the vital records office five days a week. “As an alternative, I put a portion of imaging of vital records in the budget under capital improvements in the amount of $90,000,” she added. “The last quote we got to image the entire office was about $200,000.” “Your proposal would set the pace for back to five days in vitals?” Baker asked. “If we can get another employee, yes,” Millard answered, noting that her workload has increased ever since the clerk’s office staff was cut. After hearing a separate report from Maintenance Director Jeffrey VanVolkinburg as to his upcoming budget requests, Controller-Administrator Brenda Taeter informed commissioners that VanVolkinburg — who was hired in March — was resigning effective July 30. “A previous employer made him an offer he could not refuse,” Taeter said. Commissioners approved a motion to allow Taeter to post the open position immediately, which passed unanimously. The Finance & Personnel Committee will continue to discuss the upcoming budget during their next regular meeting on Aug. 10.
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EXTRAS
Page X | Day, Date x, 2018
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 19A
AMY DICKINSON
askamy@amydickinson.com
Stressed wife might need a ‘she shed’ D
KenKen® is a registered trademark of KenKen Puzzle LLC. ©2020 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication www.kenken.com
ear Amy: I have known my husband for almost 40 years. We’ve been married for 30 years. I am trying to become healthier in body and mind. I practice yoga, and I am evolving and growing. My husband chooses to do nothing to take care of his body; he eats whatever and whenever he wants, and has always chosen to be sedentary. He just retired due to health issues (and his age). I’ve just retired, also. He doesn’t choose to go places. He doesn’t even get out of the house very often. We live on a large property, and even though he uses a cane, he could still at least go out to his garage or onto our porch, but he chooses not to. I have literally begged him to give me my space, since we both worked throughout all of our marriage — until now. I am now battling depression and anxiety. I took my marriage very seriously and I don’t want it to end. I have suggested counseling, and I attend therapy sessions on my own a few times a year, but he wants nothing to do with that and tells me that I need fixing — not him. I still love him, but I don’t feel confident that our marriage or my sanity will endure. Help! — Loving Mother and Wife Dear Loving Mother: Even though he meant it unkindly, your husband has halfway arrived at a bit of wisdom. You might not need “fixing” as much as he does, but you deserve fixing, and — of the two of you — you are the one most likely to receive it — and to benefit from it — because you are motivated to change. Contact the counselor you have seen previously and immediately set up a virtual appointment for an assessment. I hope you understand that many people are struggling right now … the pandemic has forced everyone into uncomfortable territory, and while this retirement phase might have been challenging in normal times, right now you are likely being denied some of the important social, friendship, and familial connections that would be helpful to you. You should try to establish a daytime routine similar to the one you had while working, if possible. If you can’t have privacy inside your home, you should head to the porch, the garage, or another part of your large property and set up your own space where you can keep “office hours,” and work on your yoga, meditation, reading, painting, gardening — or whatever creative pursuits you want to try. Look online for “she sheds” to see if you might be able to create an actual retreat space that is yours alone. Make sure you talk to at least one friend or family member each day. You notice I haven’t mentioned your husband…? I can’t “fix” him. You can’t, either and whatever flows from that tough reality, you should be strong and healthy, in order to face it.
D
ear Amy: Your answer to “Living the New Normal” about telephone job interviews, left out some important tips: Always dress as if for an in-person interview. Use a mirror, so you can see your expressions. Smiling does make a difference in how your voice sounds. Go to a quiet, private room. No children or dogs! Sit at a desk or table, not on your couch. Have your list of questions written out, and ask them! Take notes. Have the reason for leaving your previous job written out. Rehearse saying it. — Lynne Dear Lynne: I love these suggestions. (Using a mirror is a great idea, unless it would prove a distraction.) I will add: Near the end of the talk, ask the interviewer, “Is there anything I’ve brought up that you have further questions about? I’d be happy to try to fill in any blanks.”
7-25-20
D
ear Amy: I am very much on the fence about attending a family reunion in another state. The news seems to be changing every day regarding whether or not it is safe to gather, and my decision about whether to go changes every day, too. Can you weigh in? — Fence Sitter Dear Sitter: Every time I start thinking about traveling again, I read another story about gatherings where people seem to be taking precautions, and yet somehow contract and spread the COVID virus, sometimes with tragic consequences. Ask yourself, “Is it worth the risk to possibly infect a family member?” I think this is one time when you should absolutely follow the age-old dictum: Better safe than sorry.
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 6 without repeating. The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.
ON THIS DAY In 1978, the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, is born in Oldham, England.
BABY BLUES
FRAZZ
GARFIELD
ZITS
Page 20A | Saturday, July 25, 2020
WEATHER
Today 88° 69°
LOCAL SUMMARY Warm and humid with clouds and sun. Winds southwest 4-8 mph. Expect 6-10 hours of sunshine with relative humidity 75% early, 45% in the afternoon. Partly cloudy, very warm and humid tonight. Winds southwest 4-8 mph. Average humidity 75%.
Sunday
88/66 Baldwin
Temperature High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low
83°/61° 83°/63° 103° (1934) 47° (1953)
Ludington
SUN AND MOON 6:25 a.m. 9:10 p.m. 12:01 p.m. none Last New
Walkerville
White Cloud
86/67
88/66
Fremont
Montague
Aug 3
Aug 11
Aug 18
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020
Big Rapids
89/65
Muskegon
90/68
89/68
88/69
Grand Haven
89/66 88/66
Belding
Sheridan
89/68
Carson City
Holland
Wayland
88/70 Allegan
Frankenmuth
88/66 87/67
88/68
88/69
88/68
Flint
Owosso
89/67
Durand
88/67
88/67
St. Johns Ionia Grand Rapids 88/69 88/68 88/70 Lake Odessa DeWitt
84/72
Saugatuck
Saginaw
Alma
Greenville
Coopersville
88/68
Midland
Ithaca
88/69
85/72
Bay City
Mount Pleasant
Pierson
88/68
84/73
Coleman
89/66
84/72
88/68
90/67
Lakeview
87/66
86/72 Jul 27
City Adrian Alpena Ann Arbor Bay City Benton Harbor Chicago Detroit Escanaba Flint Gaylord Green Bay Hillsdale Houghton Iron Mountain Ironwood Kalamazoo Lansing Manistique Marquette Milwaukee Newberry Port Huron Saginaw Sault Ste. Marie Sandusky, OH South Bend Toledo Traverse City
89/66
Precipitation (in inches) 24 hours through 5 p.m. yest. 0.00 Month to date (departure) 4.52 (+1.59) Year to date (departure) 23.79 (+3.44)
Gladwin
90/67
Evart
88/68
Charlotte
88/67
Lansing
88/68
88/69
Fowlerville
87/67
PPE turns into ‘tremendous’ opportunity Continued from Page 2A “glimmer of hope.” Walsh said that as an industry, manufacturers are looking for federal liability protection for companies making new health-related products. They also hope that the state considers some financing, even loans, to assist with costs. The products may never be made at the lowest possible costs as they are overseas, including China,
“which has been an adversary for a long time” to tooling and injection molding, Doornbos said. However, the shipping costs and unpredictability of a global economy means that “reshoring” is becoming more viable, he said. For every seven parts produced overseas, three might come back to the United States, he said. Meanwhile, the pandemic continues in many countries, including the United States, Doornbos said he
they appreciated the uplift. She also reconnected with family after 50 years. “I appreciate family more and realize the importance of touch (hugging, holding hands), smiling more with my eyes (since my mouth is covered with a mask), greeting others with a hello and trying to be kind.” Jane Anderson Beach liked the “enforced” me time and enjoyed reading more. She appreciated the slower pace, doing things online and having church in a parking lot. (I am reminded of that Amy Grant song!) Candy Kerschen realized some people were draining. (She assured me I wasn’t
Today Hi/Lo/W 87/64/s 89/68/pc 86/61/s 88/68/pc 86/69/pc 90/74/pc 86/67/s 82/73/c 88/67/s 86/69/c 89/76/c 86/64/s 88/71/t 88/73/t 86/70/t 88/69/pc 88/68/pc 78/70/c 88/71/t 87/74/pc 84/72/c 85/62/s 88/68/pc 84/68/c 83/70/s 88/69/pc 89/66/s 89/75/pc
Sun. Hi/Lo/W 90/74/pc 89/71/t 89/72/pc 91/75/t 90/72/t 92/74/t 90/75/c 84/65/t 90/75/c 84/68/t 88/67/t 89/73/c 83/62/t 85/62/c 82/58/t 90/75/t 90/74/t 80/64/t 83/61/t 92/73/t 85/62/t 89/73/c 91/74/t 80/63/t 88/75/pc 90/74/t 92/75/pc 88/72/t
84° 65° Partly sunny and pleasant
NATIONAL CITIES Today Sun. City Hi/Lo/W Hi/Lo/W Albuquerque 83/66/t 85/66/pc Anchorage 63/53/sh 65/56/c Atlanta 90/72/t 91/73/t Bismarck 92/59/t 85/58/s Boston 86/71/s 93/76/pc Cincinnati 89/69/s 90/72/c Cleveland 84/66/s 90/74/s Dallas 93/76/c 91/75/pc Denver 85/60/t 83/61/c Helena 84/51/pc 87/54/s Honolulu 88/74/pc 86/77/sh Indianapolis 87/70/s 90/73/pc Las Vegas 104/83/s 105/85/s Los Angeles 80/60/pc 81/61/pc Miami 88/79/pc 90/79/t Minneapolis 88/75/t 86/64/t Nashville 90/73/pc 92/74/t New Orleans 84/77/t 85/77/t New York City 87/74/s 93/75/pc Orlando 89/73/t 89/74/t Philadelphia 90/75/s 93/76/pc Phoenix 102/87/pc 106/88/pc Pittsburgh 87/66/pc 89/70/s St. Louis 93/77/s 93/78/pc San Francisco 73/57/pc 73/57/pc Seattle 77/57/s 86/62/s Tampa 92/76/t 90/77/t Washington, DC 90/76/pc 96/77/pc
Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
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one of them.) She enjoyed her daughter moving in with them and getting to know her new boyfriend (her daughter’s, not Candy’s). Oh, and she loved rarely wearing a bra as she sheltered in! (She and lots of other women!) Keith and Jean Hudson did more yard work in one month than they’d done in five years. He got into some old music and ended up playing his clarinet up to four hours a day. Jean sewed over 100 masks for friends and nursing homes. Keith also did over 80 hours of historical research on early Greenville movie stars. It definitely helps to pause and ponder the positive pandemic perks. What were yours?
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Pleasant with sunshine and patchy clouds
REGIONAL CITIES
Standish
Thursday
83° 64°
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Clare
88/65
82/71
Mostly sunny and nice
90/67
Reed City
88/68
Wednesday
82° 63°
A morning thunderstorm; cloudy, humid
Cadillac
85/69
Tuesday 83° 62°
Overcast, warm and humid; a p.m. t-storm
Manistee
ALMANAC
Sunrise today Sunset today Moonrise today Moonset today First Full
90° 73°
Partly sunny, warm and humid
Grand Rapids through 5 p.m. yesterday
Monday
Amber Rood Director of Sales & Marketing 616-548-8257 arood@thedailynews.cc
5/4/17 9:26 AM
2020 PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 1B
64B DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
Greenville attorneys, District Court magistrate face off in judge race ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
STANTON — Three Greenville-area attorneys will face off in the August primary election for a chance to advance to the November general election and take the bench as Montcalm County’s next 64B District Court judge. Keeley Blanchard, 38, of Eureka Township; Adam Eggleston, 39, of Greenville; and Tom Ginster, 61, of Greenville are all vying for the top seat in District Court which will be vacated later this year by outgoing longtime Judge Donald Hemingsen. The top two finishers in the primary will advance to the general election in the non-partisan race. KEELEY BLANCHARD Keeley Blanchard is a managing member and trial attorney at Blanchard Law in Greenville. She is also the program manager of Michigan’s trial skills simulation training program for the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC), where she manages $450,000 in grant funding for that program. Blanchard believes her multiple leadership roles qualify her for the job of District Court judge — from building a successful law firm in Montcalm County to serving a diverse array of clients to using technology to make her business more efficient. She helped create an Evidence Boot Camp program for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and she has been on their faculty team for their Trial College for many years. She is also on the faculty of Trial Lawyers College and developed the curriculum for their first Indigent Representation Seminar. “During my 15-year legal career, I’ve had trial experience in dozens of serious cases which I have successfully tried to verdict,” she said. “I have tried jury trials not only in Montcalm County but in counties across Michigan and also nationally. My diverse experience gives me a perspective about what is available in other counties that Montcalm is missing out on. My years of trial successes led me to become in-demand to train other lawyers in trial skills.” Blanchard believes one of the most pressing issues facing the next District Court judge is increased drug use and mental health issues within the Montcalm County community. “Generally, the first place that a drug user lands when they first begin to have law enforcement contact is the District Court,” she noted. “We need a judge who will make early intervention in drug and alcohol abuse a priority so that we don’t see that drug use continue to translate into more serious criminal activity involving theft and violence.” “Mental health within our community is another big concern,” she said. “I will make it a priority to bring additional grant funding to our county so that we can increase our participation in mental health and veteran’s courts and look at other ways to divert people struggling with mental health issues into treatment.” Blanchard also believes District Court budget issues will be a challenge, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic, requiring the judge and staff to do more with less. “This will occur while the judge is also dealing with a backlog of cases as a result of the court closings,” she noted. “My management experience will be a great asset in leading the court out of the fallout from the coronavirus crisis.” Blanchard said her leadership skills and work ethic set her apart from her two opponents. “I’ve proposed a number of plans during this campaign that will reduce crime, reduce homelessness and positively impact our local economy and county budget,” she said. “My plans would create a positive impact in our community, and not only have I presented detailed information about implementing those ideas, but I’ve also proposed paying for them through grant funding that I would seek by making applications for funding at the federal and state level, as well as from private organizations so that there will be no additional costs to our taxpayers. “My opponents, on the other hand, have presented plans with very little detail, all of which go against the recommendations of the bipartisan Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration,” she said. “They’ve also failed to discuss how the county will pay for the significant additional cost of implementing their plans.”
Keeley Blanchard of Eureka Township, a trial attorney with Blanchard Law in Greenville, is running for the job of Montcalm County District Court judge. — DN Photo | Cory Smith
Montcalm County District Court Magistrate Adam Eggleston of Greenville is running for the job of District Court judge. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
Tom Ginster of Greenville, an attorney with Peterson Ginster in Greenville, is running for the job of Montcalm County District Court judge. — DN Photo | Cory Smith If elected, Blanchard’s goals include the following: • “I plan to run the District Court more efficiently and in a user-friendly manner. I’ve created a BudgetSmart clerk plan that will consolidate the District Court clerk’s office with the Circuit Court clerk and county clerk offices. We’ll move the county to electronic filing and increase efficiencies in the office, which will allow all of the offices to provide public-facing services during all regular business hours.” • “I plan to expand the programs available within our courts by taking the time to apply for grant funding that is available at the federal and state levels, as well as from private foundations. This would allow me to implement a first of its kind Job Court designed to give probationers the skills required to get and keep a job following their release from incarceration. It would also allow us to increase our participation in specialty mental health, recovery and veterans courts. I won’t ask the county taxpayers to fund any of the court’s specialty programs and will work hard to bring more money and resources to serve the citizens of our county.” • “I plan to implement a permanent Eviction Prevention Program. The CARES Act has provided funding for a temporary eviction prevention program to be implemented in each District Court across the state. This program will connect tenants with existing services that
will allow them to stay in their homes, and permit landlords to get paid. This will prevent the increase in crime and the economic instability that comes along with homelessness.” ADAM EGGLESTON Adam Eggleston is the current magistrate for Montcalm County District Court. He believes his specific judicial experience within that court qualifies him for the bench, along with his experience in three phases of the court system — prosecution, defense and magistrate. “I have been a defense attorney, prosecutor and assistant city attorney which allows me the unique perspective of seeing all sides of a case,” he said. “I currently serve the court in its most important and essential functions, such as conducting arraignments in all criminal cases, handling search warrants and setting bond conditions to keep our community safe and protect rights. I am familiar with the inter-workings of the court. I know what can and cannot be changed. I serve on three specialty courts and I have established an eviction diversion program in the 64B District Court.” Eggleston believes the most pressing issue facing the next District Court judge will be dealing with fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. “I anticipate there will be little to no money available for independent grant programming and we need to expect fi-
nances to be tight across the spectrum,” he said. “There are also many issues with drugs, but all we can do at the court level is to support rehabilitative programs, such as recovery court that I am already involved with. I also believe it is necessary to work with other courts within the circuit to help get people the necessary treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible. “We’ll also need to ensure the pendulum does not swing too far in the direction of letting people off easy for criminal activity,” he added. “Because of bail/bond reform and COVID-19, outside forces have kept many criminals from going to jail. This makes our community less safe. We need to ensure justice for both the accused and victims of crimes. But we cannot allow our system to drift in a direction that would unfairly prioritize either side of the spectrum. I have worked hand-in-hand with the jail throughout the COVID-19 crisis to try to keep our community as safe as possible during these restrictions.” Eggleston said his experience and ability to work with all aspects of the court system sets him apart from his two opponents. He noted his campaign is being supported by all Montcalm County prosecutors, retiring Judge Hemingsen, local police unions, most local defense attorneys, State Rep. Jim Lower, former State Sen. Judy Emmons and numerous other local officials. “They’re supporting me because of my vision and experience,” he said. “I know firsthand that pie-in-the-sky talking points about combining our courts or getting ‘free grant money’ sound nice on paper, but won’t work in our courtroom. All judges that would be affected are opposed to combining our courts for a variety of good reasons. But perhaps most importantly, the District Court and Circuit Court are legally separated.” Eggleston also cited his work ethic during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as efforts he made to implement technology to streamline court hearings in response to the pandemic, including remote access to District Court and hosting court hearings via Zoom. “I have worked with community partners from EightCAP, DHHS and legal aid to establish an eviction diversion program,” he said. “I have met with local leaders to help start a veteran’s court before being shut down by COVID-19. I have worked with community partners such as pretrial services and Michigan Works to help enhance our existing probation and pretrial release services. I worked around the clock to make sure the legal functions of the court never quit or slowed down during the shutdown. While I don’t have control over the court staff or our hours, I did take it upon myself to greatly increase my workload and hours to make sure our community and citizens’ rights were protected during that time. I was the point of contact and picked up where everyone else had to leave off.” If elected, Eggleston’s goals include continuing to bring the court fully into the 21st century “in a way that will actually work.” “I have led the charge,” he said. “I have the firsthand experience to know what we can improve and what is controlled by the State Court Administrative Office.” Eggleston’s goals include entering all of District Court’s information entered into the LEIN tracking system. “This will allow police to be able to do their job more effectively and keep our community safer,” he said. Eggleston would also like to end all pre-set bonds. “I want every arrest reviewed by an independent judicial figure to ensure that the rights of the accused are preserved and protected, but also to make sure the relative threat of each individual offender is considered,” he said. “We’ll put proper safeguards in place to ensure violent criminals are not released through a revolving door back into the community.” TOM GINSTER Tom Ginster is an attorney with Peterson Ginster in Greenville. He has 25 years of experience as a civil litigator, assistant prosecuting attorney and special assistant to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. He has administrative experience as the former acting director of Michigan’s Office of Drug Control Policy, where he led a staff of 26 people while evaluating and distributing more than $45 million in federal grants to multi-jurisdictional drug teams, law enforcement agencies, community groups and schools. For eight years, Ginster was former
Continues on Page 2B
This supplemental section of the Daily News provides a look at local contested primary races and ballot proposals for the Aug. 4 election. For a complete list of candidates visit your county clerk’s website or michigan.gov/sos.
Page 2B | Saturday, July 25, 2020
MONTCALM COUNTY CLERK
Longtime clerk faces primary challenge from public sector veteran ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
STANTON — The longtime Montcalm County clerk is facing a challenge to her bid for a seventh term. Kristen Millard, 52, of Sidney Township has been the county clerk since 1997. She has a total of 31 years of experience working in a county clerk’s office — more than 23 years as the elected Montcalm County clerk, plus eight years as a deputy clerk in Ionia County. Millard is being challenged for the seat by Meg Mullendore, 51, of Montcalm Township who works as executive director of the Montcalm Alano Club in Greenville; owns Mully Consulting; works as support staff for the owners of the Clifford Lake Inn in Stanton; and works for EDUStaff which provides substitute teachers for school districts in Montcalm County. Both women are running as Republicans, meaning the decision will be made in the August primary election because no Democrats are running. Millard was named Clerk of the Year in 2015 by the Michigan Association of County Clerks (MACC), served as president of the MACC in 2019 and previously served as co-chair of MACC’s Legislative Committee and chair of the Council of Election Officials for MACC and the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. “The very specialized qualifications I possess are leadership, experience and knowledge,” Millard said. “These are very important leadership qualifications because legislative changes affecting both county and local clerks are happening constantly. These changes affect not only clerks but our constituents and voters. It is so important to have an experienced, knowledgeable county clerk, with proven leadership that can help guide our legislators on how the bills they are introducing, and voting on, impact our counties and constituents.” Mullendore has spent more than two decades in the public sector, which she says has offered her multitude opportunities to be involved with decision making. She says she has a successful track record of writing and being awarded millions of dollars worth of grants from federal and state government and private organizations. “I am able to navigate and understand statutes relative to municipal organizations, understand the various roles each department has and I have an in-depth understanding on oversight on a municipal entity in areas ranging from human resources, planning to records retention, resolution v. policy v. Michigan Complied Laws,” Mullendore said. “I also have the advantage of having been looking in from the outside at Montcalm County government for the last several years and understand and appreciate the various struggles the county has and continues to go through. I come in with fresh ideas and ‘outside the box’ thinking. I utilize the five C’s: Customer Service, Communication, Cooperation, Collaboration and Consolidation daily. “I respect that the position is a public position that represents the county and that any actions, inactions or behavior by me would reflect upon the position and therefore I don’t put myself in a spot where it could have or leave a negative opinion of the county clerk,” Mullendore added. According to Millard, the most pressing issue currently facing the Clerk’s Office is funding and staffing. “The Board of Commissioners significantly reduced my staff in 2017 by 2.5 employees,” Millard said. “That is a
Montcalm County Clerk Kristen Millard of Sidney Township is hoping to be re-elected to her seventh term as county clerk. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
Meg Mullendore of Montcalm Township is running for the job of Montcalm County clerk. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon 58% reduction in staffing — yet increased our fees which increased our revenues. The cuts were so drastic that the Vital Records/Elections office was left with only myself and my chief deputy to run a very, very busy office that generates a significant amount of revenue for the general fund.” The Vital Records/Elections Office has only been open three days per week since October 2017 due to county budget cuts. “There are many times the office is run by just one person because the other person is away from the office for meetings, appointments, sick time or on vacation,” Millard said. “None of the behind-thescenes work could get done if the office were open to the public five days per week. Behind the scenes work includes issuing CPL licenses, mailing CPL renewal letters, preparing marriage licenses, processing voter registrations, processing elections filings, preparing election notices, assisting local clerks with election-related issues, testing voting equipment, administering campaign finance laws and maintaining the files, performing election audits, training all election inspectors, preparing jury lists, filing death and birth certificates and more. “Now that the county’s fund balance is growing and we are in a stable financial position again, according to county’s auditors, the Board of Commissioners need to allocate the funds to put another full-time person in the Vital Records/
Elections office and increase our parttime position to full-time in the Circuit Court office,” Millard said. “The public deserves to have the clerk’s offices adequately staffed and able to serve them five days per week.” Mullendore said the most pressing issues facing the Clerk’s Office are “re-establishing the public’s trust and integrity of that office due to many issues over the last 24 years, working to rebuild and strengthen bridges with other departments and the Board of Commissioners that have been damaged, making sure that the annual schedule of meetings is completed at the first BOC meeting in January and start having the office open five days a week — immediately.” Millard said her experience and knowledge about the clerk’s office and county government set her apart from Mullendore. “There aren’t classes that teach you about the duties of a county clerk or how to perform the duties of the office,” Millard said. “The county clerk’s office is the most diversified county office and is governed by 596 different statutes that fall into four major divisions: clerk of the Circuit Court, registrar of Vital Statistics, chief election official for the county; and clerk to the Board of Commissioners. It takes years to learn all of the different functions and duties and there is no other way to learn these duties other than hands-on experience. My opponent pos-
sesses none of those qualifications and had no hands-on clerk’s office experience or practical knowledge of the clerk’s duties or responsibilities.” Mullendore said her lack of being a longtime politician sets her apart from Millard. “I am not a lifelong politician who has forgotten what being a public servant is and how your credibility can damage and cast a negative light on the office in which you serve,” Mullendore said. “Additionally, I am not coming in with any type of hidden agenda. I saw and heard of the issues in that office and have taken action to be a remedy. My governmental background and advanced training in a number of governmental areas allow me to come into the office with less of a learning-curve and able to hit the ground running due to the municipal exposure I’ve had in overseeing all aspects of a full-service municipality, human resources, planning, recreation police, fire, water, sewer, ambulance. I have a wealth of knowledge on how things need to be done both properly and legally. I am willing to share my tools with everyone in the county so it can become a more cohesive unit, with common goals and objectives.” If re-elected, Millard said her goals would include updating the technology of her offices. “If there is anything we learned through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that we need to streamline our online services,” Millard said. “We have implemented several new online services for our constituents so they were able to have access to their vital records and file their court documents during the county’s closure due to the Stay Home Order, but we need to go even further and focus on e-filings in Circuit Court. “The Board of Commissioners have never dedicated funds for imaging or microfilming any of the county clerk’s records, even though I made requests for it starting in 1997, so everything we have is in paper form and every vital record on file has a permanent retention period,” Millard added. “We are physically out of room. To try to free up physical space we need to eliminate paper and one way to do that is to move to paperless court files. If re-elected, I pledge to work with our Circuit Court judges, the Supreme Court and the State Court Administrator’s Office, and the local bar association to move towards e-filing and go paperless in our Circuit Court.” If elected, Mullendore’s main goal would be reopening the Vital Records/ Elections Office to five days a week. “As a public servant you need to make sure you are allowing your clients/customers as much access as possible,” she said. Mullendore also wants to prepare an addendum to the county’s records retention policy for approval by the Board of Commissioners that would allow vital records to be digitized. “Instead of having to go off-site to retrieve a document, staff could simply pull it up on a computer, print it off, sign/date and seal the document and provide it to the customer,” she said. “Ideally, I would want to work with other county departments who also have records that they must keep in perpetuity so everyone would be able to capitalize on the digitalization, as typically the more volume you have the lower the price per unit becomes.” Last but not least, Mullendore wants to combine the clerk’s Circuit Court Office and Vital Records/Elections Office into one. “The merging of the two offices was supposed to have taken place over two years ago at the court complex building, but still has not happened,” she said.
Greenville attorneys, district court magistrate face off in judge race Continued from Page 1B Michigan Gov. John Engler’s criminal justice policy adviser, in which he worked with police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and victim rights advocates statewide. Ginster has served on the training faculty of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, as well as on the Michigan Sentencing Commission and Governor’s Traffic Safety Commission. “Decisions made by our District Court judge impact countless lives,” he noted. “Our District Court is the first line of defense to sort out guys that make a one-time mistake from those who eventually kill or seriously injure someone if they’re not stopped.” Ginster believes reducing alcohol- and drug-related deaths is one of the most pressing issues facing the next District Court judge.
“The Michigan State Police annual drunk driving audit reveals that in the past two reporting periods, covering 24 months, 37 people lost their lives on Montcalm County roads,” he said. “Dozens of others were seriously injured. In comparison, Ionia County had 15 fatalities over this same period.” Protecting women from domestic abusers is also a priority for Ginster, who previously served as staff for a former lieutenant governor’s domestic violence and homicide prevention task force, in which he delivered upon the testimony of domestic violence survivors from throughout Michigan. He also participated in drafting domestic violence legislation, which he says was comprehensive and became a model for the nation. “I propose a ‘rocket docket’ for alleged domestic abusers,” he said. “The longer these cases remain on the docket, the
I’m Tim Johnson and am running to become a Eureka Township Trustee. My wife, of 33 years, our son and I have been living in Eureka Township for the past three years. I will work hard and be a voice for the great people of Eureka Township.
I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE ON AUGUST 4TH! Paid for by Tim Johnson, 10614 Wildwood Drive, Greenville, MI 48838
273381
greater danger to the victims and more opportunity for the abusers to pressure the victim to drop charges.” Ginster believes his experience sets him apart from his two opponents. “I’ve been a prosecutor in a big county and a small one,” he said. “I have been an attorney in private practice, learning first-hand the burdens and priorities of Montcalm County families, farms and small businesses. I was the acting Drug Czar for the State of Michigan, I wrote the criminal laws for Gov. John Engler’s administration for eight years and I’ve tried well over 100 trials in front of juries, both in State and federal court. “As a former career prosecutor, I believe in law and order and the rule of law. I believe judges should narrowly interpret and apply the law and Constitution, not make the law. I believe every single life is precious, that every person is cre-
ated in the image of God and have dignity — which is why as a judge, you have a responsibility to rule impartially, with wisdom and to treat every person fairly.” If elected, Ginster wants District Court to pay for itself and generate a surplus for taxpayers; protect women from domestic violence at all stages of the court process; and significantly reduce alcohol and other drug-related crashes, injuries and death by implementing a day-report and monitoring program.” “People in Montcalm County work hard and they expect their judges to work hard as well,” he said. “I will uphold the tradition of a strong work ethic by our judges. I believe we can make the District Court even more efficient, and I give you my word: as your judge, I’m going to try more cases than any judge in the region. More cases being heard mean fewer plea bargains and swifter justice.”
Van Til
Vote Aug 4
Bill
Paid for by Bill Van Til Incumbent Committee, 5022 W. County Line Rd, Pierson, MI 49339
for
PIERSON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR A True Republican
273255
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 3B
MONTCALM COUNTY DISTRICT 9 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Incumbent commissioner challenged by retired teacher ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
A farmer who listens to his constituents as passionately as he speaks out is being challenged for re-election to the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners by a former school teacher who’s campaigning for “cultural change” at the county seat. Adam Petersen, 37, of Montcalm Township was first elected to the District 9 seat in 2018. He manages Taylor Hops Farm, owns Petersen Farms and is a co-owner of LA Welding. Petersen is being contested for re-election to his second term on the county board by Shad Morgan, 49, of Sidney Township who is retired after teaching history, government and economics at Central Montcalm Public School for the last 26 years. Both men are running as Republicans so the District 9 decision will be made in the August primary election. District 9 includes Montcalm Township, Sidney Township (minus the village of Sheridan) and Douglass Township south of Briggs Road. Petersen was named vice chairman of the Board of Commissioners in the second year of his two-year term. He is known for being one of the more vocal commissioners on the board on a variety of issues. “I’ve put in the time to become well-versed in county issues,” Petersen said. “I have prided myself on the fact that I will not let anyone put in more time and effort than I do.” Morgan, who has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, believes his experience in coaching sports, teaching students and negotiating contracts for Central Montcalm Public School are among his most valuable assets. “I am running for county commissioner because I be-
Shad Morgan of Sidney Township, a retired Central Montcalm Public School teacher, is running for a chance at being the District 9 representative on the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners. — Submitted photo lieve in democracy,” Morgan said. “For democracy to work effectively, people need to have choices amongst candidates. I have no agenda, no ill will toward the board or ax to grind with the commissioners. I believe we need to move forward and not repeat past mistakes.” Petersen and Morgan agree that finances will be the most pressing issue the county board faces in the coming year. “First and foremost is the state revenue sharing for the next fiscal year,” Petersen said. “With the pandemic costs, we
Adam Petersen of Montcalm Township is hoping to be re-elected to his second term as the District 9 representative on the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon
have no idea what money, if any, will be coming from the state.” “This year is going to be tricky with the possible loss of some revenue sharing from the state — notice that I said possible loss,” Morgan said. “No one really knows as of yet, and there is a good possibility that federal funding will offset any revenue loss. The county also has a pretty hefty fund balance that they can dip into as well. I don’t want to say there will be no need for cuts at the county level, but I believe those cuts
can be minimized.” If re-elected, Petersen said his goals would include continuing to be fiscally responsible and the county continuing to receive clean audit reports. “I’d also like to see to it that the board becomes within good standing of our citizens and regain some of the trust that has been lost by things that happened in the past,” Petersen added. “We owe it to our people and ourselves to be the best that we can be — a solid foundation in this shaky world we live in. Overall I just hope to do the job
at the level I’d like to see it done if I weren’t in the seat I am in.” If elected, Morgan said he would like to accomplish three things in his first term: “Open up communication and build trust between the board, department heads and elected officials; adequately fund all county departments to acceptable levels while maintaining sound county finances; and create a five-year strategic plan or goal for the county. “In short, a vote for me is a vote for a cultural change at the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners,” Morgan said. Petersen said Morgan should be honored for all the years he’s spent inspiring today’s youth and young adults; however, he believes his experience sets him apart from Morgan. “I’ve been here, I’ve done this job to the best of my abilities while always keeping the voices of my district in the forefront of my mind,” Petersen said. “I’ve listened to the people and voted the way that I was guided to do. I’m a civil servant that will never forget who my real bosses are, the great citizens of District 9.” In comparison, Morgan believes his “vision of what a commissioner should be” sets him apart from Petersen. “I believe that the culture at the Board of Commissioners needs to change,” Morgan said. “Not everything has to be adversarial. “I believe the commissioners, department heads and elected officials should meet periodically to discuss where the county is heading and how to keep Montcalm County moving in the right direction. The ultimate goal is for everybody to work together in order to run Montcalm County effectively and efficiently. Departments should not have to compete amongst each other for funding. The departments and the board need to trust each other and work together for the people of Montcalm County.”
I am Tom Norton. I am running for Congress in Michigan’s Third District.
In 1964, Ronald Reagan spoke of A Time for Choosing. Well, this is our time. It is time we choose to be strong on immigration. It’s time to choose strong borders. Michigan is the home of Gerald R. Ford and Paul Henry, two amazing public servants. Two men who had our backs. It is time, again, for someone who is strong on crime, strong on life, and who will stand strong for our American Veterans.
My wife, Jami, and I have three children aged 10, 9, and 7. I am a veteran of the Afghan War and have stood with my fellow veterans since we have returned. I have focused on suicide prevention, leading my American Legion post to greater growth, and helping to found the West Michigan Veterans’ Ranch.
FARM RAISED FAMILY FOCUSED WMU DEGREED CRIMINAL JUSTICE & SOCIOLOGY NWU SCHOOL OF POLICE STAFF & COMMAND 24 YEARS ON DUTY ADVANCED FROM ROAD PATROL TO SHERIFF INNOVATOR COMMUNITY-ENGAGED
Pro-life:
I promise to protect the life of the unborn as life is precious.
Effective and respected leader and manager with 24 years of experience in the functions and operations of both patrol and corrections within the Sheriff’s Office. Appointed as Sheriff in 2018, seeking election to a full 4-year term.
Pro-second amendment:
I promise to protect the right to keep and bear arms.
Pro-strong borders:
Build the wall then have immigration reform.
www.Norton4Congress.com 616.258.6305 Paid for by Tom Norton for Congress, 1071 Chippewa Street, Jenison, MI 49428
Leadership Employee Relations Investigations Jail Operations Tactical Operations Grant Writing
Management Community Relations Policy and Procedure Patrol Operations Budget Preparation Case Management
May I have your vote to remain your Sheriff? 616 894 5700 sheriffcharlienoll@gmail.com
Paid for by the Committee to Keep Sheriff Charlie Noll, PO Box 115, Belding, Mi, 48809 272519
Page 4B | Saturday, July 25, 2020
ENDORSED BY:
Representative Jim Lower
Fmr. House Speaker Tom Leonard
Fmr. Senator Judy Emmons
Fmr. Lt. Governor Brian Calley
Pat Outman understands the difficult position farmers, small business owners, and our community as a whole are facing because of the COVID19 shut down. Pat Outman will continue the fight to restore our system of checks and balances. He’ll also continue to fight for a more common sense approach to containing COVID19. He believes COVID19 is serious, but we cannot let it be used as an excuse to destroy our democratic process, society, and livelihoods.
Sheriff Mike Williams
He’s been endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and Sheriff Mike Williams because they know he’ll have their back while in office. Our local police sacrifice so much to keep our community safe. Pat Outman will not allow their livelihood to be taken away by violent extremists and political grandstanding.
VOTE PAT OUTMAN ON AUGUST 4TH!
Paid for by Pat Outman for State Representative, 6397 N. Miles Road, Six Lakes, MI 48886
273378
PAT OUTMAN OPPOSES DEFUNDING THE POLICE
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 5B
IONIA COUNTY SHERIFF
Incumbent faces pair of challengers KAREN BOTA
kbota@thedailynews.cc Ionia County Sheriff Charlie Noll will face two challengers on the primary election ballot Aug. 4. Doug Gurski from Portland and Robert Rickert from Belding are running against Noll from Belding for the top position at the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office. All three candidates for the fouryear term are running as Republicans. There’s no Democratic opponent in the November election so the primary winner will be the sheriff. DOUG GURSKI A substitute teacher for the Portland and Ionia school districts for the last four years, Gurski, 62, also has been a licensed professional investigator, formerly known as a private investigator, in the state of Michigan since 2010. Gurski is running for sheriff, because he believes with all that law enforcement agencies are facing in the public spotlight, some changes are needed. “We need to bring transparency to the forefront. We need to be more proactive in addressing the issues before they happen instead of reacting to them,” Gurski said. “I strongly believe this starts with listening to the needs and concerns of our citizens with (an) open mind, thinking outside of the box, instead of (a) ‘This is the way things are done’ approach.” That change must begin inside the sheriff ’s office, “because their voice counts,” he said. But it also will include the voices of the citizens the department serves. As a former law enforcement officer, chief judge of Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal government, administrator, business owner, educator and trainer of criminal justice programs, Gurski said he brings the skill set needed to effectively run the sheriff ’s office. He says his management style would bring a “fresh new approach” to how each member of the department can play an active role in shaping policies, procedures and programs within their work environment. “This alone is a vital key to encourage employees to do their best, be productive and instills a passion for the position they are entrusted to uphold,” Gurski said. “If the sheriff respects those who work for him and feel listened to, they will respect his leadership and their role as deputies.” Being an outsider looking in is what sets him apart from his opponents, as well as a style that welcomes every employee’s input, he said. “I would elicit their vision for the department and encourage their involvement to make improvements,” said Gurski. “Working together with those on the front lines just makes sense.” Taking that same management style outside the department and including input from business owners, farmers, government and private service agencies, along with that of citizens, will enhance the sheriff ’s office’s ability to function effectively when it comes to keeping the public safe. “Issues need to be addressed, and as sheriff I will make that my main priority,” Gurski said. If elected, he plans to build “an effective administration” designed to serve both the department and the residents of Ionia County.
“In every election cycle, there are candidates who outline what they will do or what they have accomplished. Too often some administrators are minimalists and do just enough to call it good,” Gurski said. “A true leader delivers above and beyond, goes the extra mile. He looks ahead, has a vision for a better way. He brings with him the passion and drive to see it to completion. This is called under-promising and over-delivering.” Gurski said training of personnel is another priority, and he has a plan to keep deputies up to date in that. Training should be done consistently, to build their confidence and so they can do their job with excellence, he said. “This can be accomplished inner department and with the cooperation of other agencies from surrounding counties facing budget restraints,” he added. One of Ionia County’s biggest issue is illegal drug use, and Gurski plans to address it aggressively “from day one.” If he can get that issue under control, he thinks that most of the other issues will be manageable. “On Aug. 4, I want to be the leader chosen to lead the sheriff ’s department, knowing this is not about me; it is about the citizens who live here,” said Gurski. “Together, we can and will make a difference.” CHARLIE NOLL Appointed as sheriff in December 2018 when Sheriff Dale Miller retired, Noll, 46, has now spent 19 months in the position. He hopes to continue to serve as sheriff “to represent and be responsive” to the needs of Ionia County citizens. Noll is proud to have dedicated his career as a member of the community and of the Sheriff ’s Office for the last 24 years, and he remains committed to continuing to lead the agency “with the highest of standards and professionalism.” “I believe I bring to this Constitutional Office the valued skill of experience, vision, leadership, and integrity that you, the citizens of Ionia County, demand and expect from their Office of Sheriff,” Noll said. “I have demonstrated this as your current sheriff, and pledge my commitment to continued leadership and ‘quality of life’ through the services provided by your Office of Sheriff.” The Sheriff ’s Office faces new challenges every day, requiring “exceptional leadership” to navigate through each one for the best outcome for citizens, Noll said. He says as the only candidate with two dozen years of service to citizens, he has hands-on experience, advanced leadership training, and a lead-by-example philosophy. “These are challenging times, and I will ensure the sheriff ’s office continues to connect with the community by always striving toward improving professional standards and best practices to better serve and protect the citizens of Ionia County,” he said. “The relationships I have fostered throughout the county with state, county, township and local leaders create the foundation of preparedness needed to positively move Ionia County in the right direction.” Noll plans to continue his focus on services that strengthen community
Continues on Page 16B
Doug Gurski, a substitute teacher and professional investigator from Portland, is running for a four-year term as Ionia County sheriff. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
Charlie Noll of Belding, who was appointed Ionia County sheriff in December 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Sheriff Dale Miller, is running for his own four-year term. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
Robert Rickert, a U.S. Air Force veteran from Belding who also worked in the Ionia County Jail, is running for a four-year term as Ionia County sheriff. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
IONIA COUNTY REGISTER OF DEEDS
Ionia County voters to select new register of deeds KAREN BOTA
“The remonumentation program is also an essential part of keeping Ionia’s land records properly recorded, and I plan to work with the grant program to make sure we are in compliance with the state of Michigan in our endeavors,” Lake added. Lake said her 18-year tenure as chief deputy register makes her the “top choice” for register of deeds. “My knowledge, experience and dedication to the residents of Ionia County set me in first place in the list of candidates seeking election to the position of register of deeds,” Lake said. “I look forward to continuing my employment with Ionia County and working to make our Register of Deeds Office the best we can offer to our residents.”
kbota@thedailynews.cc Voters will choose between two Republican candidates for the Ionia County register of deeds on the Aug. 4 primary ballot. One candidate for the four-year term has experience in county government; the other has experience in state government and the private sector. Rhonda Lake of Orleans Township and Will Wagner of Ionia are each hoping to succeed current Ionia County Register of Deeds Diane Adams, who is retiring this year. The Register of Deeds Office records, files, maintains and retrieves all documents relating to real property in Ionia County. RHONDA LAKE In May 2002, Rhonda Lake was offered the job of chief deputy register of deeds in Ionia County. “I accepted the challenge and have worked here serving the public these past 18 years,” Lake said. “I would like to continue serving the communities and people of Ionia County in the position I am trained for.” As the chief deputy register, Lake has been in charge of running the office in the absence of the register, which she believes has given her the needed experience and knowledge to successfully manage the office as register. “I am familiar with all aspects of the day-to-day events that are carried out in the Register of Deeds Office,” Lake said. “I am qualified and have performed the duties of the register many times throughout my career with Ionia County.” With an associate degree in the arts with a double major in business management and administration from the University of Phoenix, Lake says she
Rhonda Lake of Orleans Township, the chief deputy register of deeds in Ionia County for 18 years, is running for her retiring boss’ job of Ionia County register of deeds. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
Will Wagner of Ionia hopes his experience in the private and public sectors will convince voters that he is the most qualified to serve as the next register of deeds for Ionia County. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
has the skills needed to make “confident decisions” for the office. “I care about preserving the condition of our previously recorded historical records, (and) I am dedicated to recording all new documents and keeping them safe for years to come,” Lake said. “I want to make the Register of Deeds Office a place where people feel comfortable to visit when they have a need to process land records in Ionia County.” If elected, Lake said she will focus on making the transition in leadership from Adams to herself a smooth one.
“I am grateful to have worked all these years with Diane Adams, as her right-hand assistant,” said Lake. “Together she and I have worked on projects together that I would like to follow to completion.” Lake said she plans to use the Automation Fund to keep the office upto-date on the most current technology available to enhance the ability to provide records for the public. She also hopes to implement a credit card system that is affordable to the public to record and purchase document copies from the office.
WILL WAGNER Currently, the operations manager at Voss Lighting, Will Wagner, 34, previously worked as a legislative aide in both the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate. Wagner said he is running for register of deeds for two reasons. One is that widespread, private property ownership is “a unique and special aspect of the founding of our nation. “These rights must be preserved, and I value the significance of the Register of Deeds Office in Ionia County that continues this important legacy,” he said. “It is essential to have accurate records to maintain individual property rights, and I would be honored to be in the position of safeguarding those rights.” The second reason is because Wagner values the historical aspect of the office. “I have a passion for preserving historical documents, and it would be a privilege to continue to maintain the
Continues on Page 16B
Page 6B | Saturday, July 25, 2020
Endorsed and Supported By: Montcalm County Leaders cite experience, integrity, and vision in push for voters to Support Eggleston’s Candidacy
Attorneys who interact with the court, on both the prosecution and defense side, all agree that Adam is the best candidate for the position of Judge. Not because either side is going to have the upper hand, but because they know he will oversee a fair and impartial process that ensures justice for all in our community. PROSECUTORS
Christopher Hekman
Tammi Shaw
Shannan Kane
PAST AND PRESENT CITY ATTORNEYS
DONALD HEMINGSEN
JUDY EMMONS
ANDREA KRAUSE
Former State Senator
State Representative
Montcalm County Prosecuting Attorney
“I’ve been impressed with Adam’s knowledge of our legal system. As Magistrate, he’s already helped lead major improvements to our local court system. He’ll make an excellent Judge and serve with integrity,”
“Adam has a unique combination of experiences. He also has a passion for public service and a vision to bring our court system to the next level. I’m proud to support his campaign,”
“As Prosecuting Attorney, I have a front row seat to our court system. I believe Adam Eggleston has the integrity and knowledge to be our next District Court Judge. I fully support him,”
Montcalm County District Judge
“I am proud to announce my support for Adam Eggleston as our next District Court Judge. His ability, integrity, and experience will combine to make him an excellent District Court Judge,”
JIM LOWER
Jim Mullendore
G.R. Pete Frye
Tom Siver
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS Michelle Lyons John Raven Randy Norton
Megan Hunter Michelle Cooper Monica Tissue-Daws Jourdan Rasmussen
Diane Longoria Ryan Villet Kyle Strobridge
Eggleston is also overwhelmingly supported by:
Police Officers Labor Council
Michigan Police Officers Association of Fraternal Order of Police Michigan
Command Officers Association of Michigan
COMMUNITY MEMBERS Ted Flynn Joanne Vukin Adam Eller Charlie Braman Karen Braman Nancy McComb William Grice Gloria Grice Carl Hansen Jim Draper Sue Draper Lois Edgar Amy Miller Brian Miller John Horn Carrie Horn Michael Hurst Ginger Gurecki Laurie Coville Andy Ross Mary Kemler Kohn Michael Walsh Don Allen Cheryl Allen Gail Hohbach Janice Mascho Eric Giles Mandi Giles Lori Dehnert Toni Burgess Maureen Wolverton Marc Wolverton Cathy Schermerhorn Scott Coville Carolyn McPherson Austin Bean Jen Bean Ryah Shaw Travis Rogers Penny Ritter Jessica McCain Scott McCain Jason Black Dave Clifford Michele Ehle Ed Ehle Karen VanRiper Phyllis Shilling Lori Williams Kate Aittama Bruce Aittama Andy Brooks Stacey Peterman Lori Braman
Rob Braman Jackie Kemler Jennifer Iteen Lee Iteen Mark Cole Charlie Mahar Jaye Christensen Matt Ryan Robert Christiansen Joni Christiansen Dan Basom Jane Basom Kari Buskirk Lois Simpson Stacey Senn Matt Longest Sara Longest Ben Wood Krista Wood Dan Lyndrup Jan Lyndrup John Kearney Sue Kearney Kelly Skarl Justin Colby Chris Clingenpeel Beth Clingenpeel Nels Hansen Dorene Holt Mandi Bellows Ed Lingeman Casey Lingeman Lee Lindquist Scott Lindquist Esther Combs Martin Combs Abby McGowan Chad Barber Jeff Trimper Jane Trimper Jason Christensen Heather Johns Deb Kuczynski Steve Kuczynski Shauna Thompson Troy Thompson Tom Coville Mandy Coville Brenda Sova Tom Sova Tarry Everingham Don Lance Chad Coville Rylie Coville
Betty Kellenberger Brianne Lodholtz Jeffrey Lodholtz Carrie Hallihan Brett Hallihan Terry Harriman Cheryl Rosso Doug Willemin Laura Willemin Mike Fitzpatrick Brandon Stowell Jeremy Steere Tabitha Steere Mark Lehman Patrick Hill Susan Hill Brendan Mahar Courtney Brokaw Tony Brokaw Lori Vanhoose Ryan Villet Karen Villet Ed Doyle Jeni Williams Michael Kotenko Kelly Dines Steve Snyder Cindy Hill Chuck Hill Kevin Packard Brenda Packard Brandy Bunting Nancy Jenks Kevin Jenks Scott Bates William Smith Amy Smith Manda Quigley Missy Studley Lisa Rogers Eric Hansen Nicki Hansen Samantha Wright Heath Wolverton Angie Sattler Kari Buskirk Jared Wright Krisitn Rowley Alicia Sexton Denny Sexton Amber Guerreiro Sue Aagaard David Ellis William Garlick
Brian Blomstrom Olivia Blomstrom Wayne Dillon Adam Coon Chris Johnston Chris Wetherington Sarah Wetherington Mechela Anderson Shane Dennis Michele Dennis Kris Kolbe Amy Kolbe Shelley Misner Stephanie Huested Amy Hancock Alex Hancock George Knight Jarad Stone Kristin Kilduff Morgan Sanders Brad Hansen Jerry Knight Dawn Hancock Jerry Hancock Jason Grice Steve Winnie Dana Ryan John Ryan Rachel Porter Andrew Porter Garrett Ryan Mike Kamps Marilyn Kamps Wayne Waldron Mary Waldron Terry Ryan Linda Ryan Jo Anne Anderson Dave Peters Teresa Peters Rod Roy Sherry Roy Joyce Braman Jason Eggleston Chelsa Eggleston Travis Braman Patti Braman Matt Braman Ron Cooper Karene Cooper Tom Worden Barb Worden John House II Pat Bucholtz
Marcia Braman Todd Braman Deanna Braman Kathy Platt Bill Willison Pat Willison Tom Smith Ann Smith Red Petersen Esther Petersen Dan Chesebro Jeff Gilmore Kathy Buskirk Terry Buskirk Ruth Coston Sampson Coston Lori Coston Mercedes Millard Josh Millard Trevor Wright Debbie LeFever John Russell Sanfod Coston Kristen Coston Jamie Bozung Mark Bozung Shelly Springborn Tammy Vandenburg John Vandenburg Gladys McComb Craig Wondergem Bruce Anna Nancy Anna Jamie Rogers Trevor Rogers Rachel Kilduff Jason Barnes Becky Steere Dave Steere Tina McConnell Tiffany Kohn Lynette Durnell Gary Valentine Travis Carr Kylee Buskirk Steven Schutter Andrea Edelman Vlad Edelman Joelle Black Julie Ward Jim Lingeman Michael McFarland Kati Harmon Jeanne Studley
Mike Studley Jenean Kane Jim Eggleston Nicole Eggleston Neca Ehle John Tuinhoff Jessica Burggren Jake Burggren Mari Wise Carol Barber Kathy Kieffer John Kieffer Brian Brecker Danny Alexander Angela Alexander Kathy Gerlach Matthew Case Joanna Corder Ransom Corder Lori Brace Janelle Morgan Shad Morgan Brad Stone Tim O’Brien Amy Tasker Sue Ringleka Sonja Rasmussen Chris Bracey Jason LaFramboise Mary LaFramboise Becky Blackmer Shelley Belt Rob Belt Andrew Powell Heather Dillon Nick Kieffer Andrew Welch Chris Ryan Dan Ryan Kris Eggleston Ken Dwight Tara Todd Dawn Miles John Powell Johnny’s Whitetail Taxidermy Don’s Towing and Recovery Green Thumb Garden Care Lawn and Home Maintenance And Many More
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Adam Eggleston, 128 S. Lafayette St. Greenville, MI 48838
www.EggforJudge.com 273185
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 7B
70TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
5 square off for spot on Republican ticket CORY SMITH
csmith@thedailynews.cc As Rep. Jim Lower, R-Eureka Township, completes his second two-year term in the House of Representatives as Michigan’s 70th House District while choosing not to run for re-election, five Republican candidates are hoping to rise above their peers and land on the November ballot. On Aug. 4, voters will choose between Gregory Alexander, Christopher Comden, Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross to challenge lone Democratic candidate Karen Garvey of Alma in November’s general election. The 70th District includes all of Montcalm County and a portion of Gratiot County. GREGORY ALEXANDER Gregory Alexander, 54, of Stanton describes himself as a nonpolitical candidate. He has worked a variety of jobs, including at Greenville Trailer Sales, Action Service, 10 years at Hitachi Magnetic, 23 years at Montcalm County EMS, eight years with the Road Commission for Montcalm County and 14 years as an American Heart Association instructor of CPR. Alexander is also a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard 1073rd maintenance company. He is a 1984 graduate of Central Montcalm High School and also attended Montcalm Community College. Alexander is confident his local roots — having lived 50 years in Montcalm County — give him a proper perspective of what the residents of the county want in a representative. “I have been the commander of the Stanton American Legion Post 452 for four years now. I am very community-oriented, volunteering all the time,” he said. Alexander said if elected, he would place a focus on area veterans. “We lose an average of 22 veterans a day to suicide (nationally) and I’ve lost a couple of friends to this,” he said. “If we can have sanctuary cities for (illegal immigrants and refugees) where everything is free, why can’t we do the same for our veterans that are homeless and dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)? It’s time to drain the swamp. I’m not a politician, never have been, so let’s put a non-politician in office. We the people, for the people. I am one of you, a hard-working American.” CHRISTOPHER COMDEN Christopher Comden, 44, of Vestaburg has spent most of his adult life working in administrative roles for non-profits and is currently teaching at a Catholic High School in Saginaw.
Republican candidates for the 70th House District include, clockwise from top left, Gregory Alexander, Christopher Comden, Pat Outman, Arturo Puckerin and Martin Ross. — Submitted photos Christopher said he is running as a “true conservative” and as a “true representative,” believing that, above all else, it will be his responsibility to represent and vote based on his constituents’ desires — not the wants of lobbyists or party leaders. “The reason I am running for state representative is because I believe that both the Republican and Democrat parties are failing at listening to their constituents,” he said. “The Republican politicians have been running on a conservative platform and then not holding true to the values they propose after they’ve been elected. It’s time to vote for candidates who will stay true to conservatism and actively work to represent those in their district instead of those who donate to their next election.” If elected, Comden said his main areas of focus would be on roads, healthcare and insurance, K-12 education, eliminating regulations, controlling higher costs of education, corrections and farming. “It is time to stop electing men and women who follow the lead of a few politicians and instead vote for those who are ready to represent the voters,” he said. “Do you want your representative to answer to you or to a few party leaders that other people voted for? Do you want someone to be truly conservative and do what’s best for those in their district and the state of Michigan instead of what’s best for donations for their next campaign?” PAT OUTMAN Pat Outman, 26, of Six Lakes works for Outman Excavating, as well as on his family’s cattle farm. If elected, he would be in the same seat his father, Rick Outman, held for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate. Pat said he’s hopeful to represent the voice of constituents from Montcalm and
Gratiot counties. “The voice of people in our area is actively being silenced right now. The governor has unilaterally declared herself all-powerful and believes she can govern on her own,” he said. “This is not how our system of government is designed to operate. Whether you agree or disagree with the actions the governor is taking, the way our government is running right now does not include the voice of the legislature. This has to be corrected through any means possible. In order to have a republic, the legislature has to be relevant to the process to ensure constituents’ voices are heard.” Outman said in operating his family’s small excavating business and farm, he believes that venture into small-business management would serve him well in the State House. “I know firsthand how the actions of the government affect how businesses operate. Whether it’s an overreaching regulation or a new tax structure, the actions of the government have a huge impact on our local economy,” he said. “By bringing a business perspective to the Michigan legislature, I will hold our government more accountable to be less wasteful and run more efficiently. I also have legislative knowledge and experience from working within the Michigan House of Representatives and seeing firsthand the role of a state representative. With that firsthand knowledge and experience, I’ll be ready to hit the ground running from
day one and serve as an effective advocate for our area.” Outman has several goals he would like to accomplish if elected. “Once we get the economy turned around, one of my main priorities is to put in place a long-term road funding plan without raising taxes. We need to prioritize spending within our state budget to meet this goal,” he said. “I also want to continue to address the skilled trades shortage in Michigan. Currently, we have thousands of skilled trades vacancies within our state. As a member of a small business within the skilled trades, I understand how hard it is to find workers with the right skill sets. Ensuring a more skilled workforce will help our economy thrive. Outman said he will also fight for the rights of the unborn, the Second Amendment and basic constitutional rights. ARTURO PUCKERIN Arturo Puckerin, 36, of Greenville, is executive director of the Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership, a community action agency that works to improve the lives of low-income people. Puckerin said in running for office, his story is all about “the American Dream.” “I am 100% pro-life and I will sponsor and introduce legislation pursuant to our unified efforts to ultimately overturn Roe V. Wade, and I am proud to see that
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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
RE-ELECT
KRISTEN
MILLARD
Republican Incumbent For Montcalm County Clerk
EXPERIENCED:
23 Years Experience as Montcalm County Clerk 8 Years Experience as Ionia County Deputy County Clerk 31 Years Experience in 8th Circuit Court, Elections & Vital Records Successfully Managed 102 Elections as County Clerk
KNOWLEDGEABLE:
2015 Michigan Clerk of the Year 2019 President and former Legislative Chair of Michigan Assoc. of County Clerks Leadership Montcalm Graduate
I am a lifelong resident of Montcalm County, a graduate of Montabella Community Schools and Davenport College of Business. l am a mother of two Central Montcalm graduates, and a grandmother to four, with a fifth on the way. I have deep community roots and have served as president and secretary/treasurer of many local organizations, including but not limited to: Stanton Youth League, Central Montcalm Sports Boosters, the former Sheridan Lioness Club and Montcalm County Republicans. I am asking for your vote on August 4th as my dedication and loyalty to the voters of Montcalm County is strong and proven.
Montcalm County Clerk
Vote
MILLARD for COUNTY CLERK on August 4th!
Paid for by: Committee to Re-Elect Kristen Millard, 2950 Lakeside Dr., Stanton, MI 48888 273379
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
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86TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2 Dems compete for a chance to run against Albert BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc
Two Democrats will face off in the primary election for the chance to take on the Republican incumbent for Michigan’s 86th District state representative. Jeff Merritt and Sue Hayes both want to represent the 86th District which covers portions of northwest Ionia and southeast Kent counties, including the cities of Belding, Ionia and Lowell. The primary winner will take on State Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, who was elected to his current seat in 2016. Hayes of Grand Rapids did not return repeated messages seeking comment for this story from the Daily News. Merritt, 55, lives in Caledonia and is self-employed as a Realtor. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Saint Thomas and master’s degrees from both Aquinas College and Ball State University. Merritt says his interest in helping other people began in his youth while attending Catholic school. “We, as a school, were always very active in the community
with community service projects,” he said. “As an adult, I have worked as a social worker in the abuse and neglect system, as a teacher for close to 20 years, as a director of alternative education and as a Realtor, working primarily with first-home buyers. I have always been committed my entire life to a life of public service. I think this prepares me very well to move forward seeking a position as public service.” Merritt says working closely with people in his various positions has given him a passion for helping those who might be less fortunate or are stuck in difficult situations. “I am especially wanting to help what was once the middle class and help those who are poor,” he said. “They are the forgotten people and they desperately need an advocate in government.” If elected, Merritt says he’d focus his efforts to see changes made to wages for workers. “I fully support the movement towards a $15 an hour minimum wage,” he said. Merritt would also like to see the Right to Work and Tenure Law both repealed, as he feels both are unfair to the working
class. “Right to Work seeks to undermine unions and to weaken collective bargaining rights,” he explained. “When teachers lost tenure, it opened the door for school districts to get rid of higher-paid experienced teachers before they could get their full pension and replace them with lower-wage first-year teachers. Getting rid of tenure laws was never about rooting out burned-out teachers who are no longer effective. It was a means to an end. It allowed school districts to get rid of higher-paid teachers and replace them with lower-paid teachers.” Merritt says he’d also like to be part of a movement to ensure that all residents in Michigan, specifically those living in Flint, have access to clean, safe drinking water. Having worked in a wide variety of positions and becoming involved in the community, Merritt believes his experience will make him an effective representative for the 86th District. “I have worked in a service field for my entire adult life,” he said. “I love helping others. It is what gets me up in the morning.”
Jeff Merritt is running as a Democrat in the state representative race for Michigan’s 86th State House District. The Democrat primary winner will take on incumbent Thomas Albert in November. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur
5 competing for 70th District Republican ticket Continued from Page 7B Planned Parenthood of Michigan will no longer receive more than $4 million in federal funds to care for low-income patients, due to their sinister ‘gag rules’ that prevent the group from providing information to patients about abortion,” he said. “As a Constitutionalist I am a strong supporter of the Bill of Rights and of course, the Second Amendment, and in our contemporary climate of shooting sprees, chaotic riots and inner-city gun violence, our concealed permits are needed more than ever to protect life and liberty from such conventional challenges. As your state rep, I will do what I can to ensure that ‘red flag’ laws are never at issue again.” Puckerin is a believer in a limited federal government. He said if he’s elected, he would work to cut taxes, adding that he doesn’t believe in raising taxes “under any circumstances.” “I’m running for the Michigan House of Representatives because we need en-
hanced strategic planning around our community-needs assessment to advocate for us in Lansing through impactful processes that are felt in our roads and neighborhoods,” he said. “I’m running for the Michigan House because we need a leader who is committed to putting forth common-sense solutions and fresh perspectives in our region and in the Michigan House of Representatives. We need leaders who have seen firsthand the way policies impact people. My experience working with Michigan families, advocating for working families experiencing employment violations and recipient rights in mental health recovery services has given me substantive knowledge of the ways our legislature functions and now I want to make our outstanding system work better for us.” Puckerin added that if elected, he would work to introduce legislation through his District 70 Economic Opportunity Plan, featuring agricultural enhancements to the livestock permit benefits that provide more flexibility
in inter-county transportation costs for agricultural waste disposal for farmers, Michigan truckers, excavation and construction workers. MARTIN ROSS Martin Ross, 62, of Bushnell Township retired last year after 40 years with the U.S. Postal Service, the last 28 as postmaster in four different offices. The pastor of Butternut Bible Church since 2001, Ross said his venture into running for public office is a way to give constituents a choice for someone who is not a “hand-picked representative.” “It is important to be representative of the district I serve,” he said. “I grew up on my family’s small farm near Fenwick, graduated from Central Montcalm High School and have lived in Montcalm County for over 60 years. For the last 28 years, I met face-to-face with the people here daily as postmaster and listened to their concerns and solved their problems. I am not part of the professional political class but wish to be a citizen legislator as envisioned by the Founding
Fathers, serving as a voice for my neighbors.” Ross said his qualifications are his life experience and maturity, his record of responsibility and dependability over decades, and his ability to communicate his positions. “I am the only candidate with a proven record of being in management positions that serve the public over decades, the only candidate endorsed by Michigan Right to Life, and the only one with consistent, conservative political positions for 40 years,” he said. Ross said he is in favor of outlawing dismemberment abortion, limiting the governor’s powers in time of emergency and upgrading the state’s infrastructure using existing resources. “I have the public support of township officials from nine townships including four supervisors, five treasurers, two clerks and five trustees. In addition, the former county Republican chair for the last 15 years, the director of our Road Commission and other local officials have endorsed me.”
RestoRing CRedibility
Meg Mullendore
Elect Rhonda Lake
for county clerk
Ionia County HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHof HHHHHHHHHH Register Deeds “Not only was she my direct supervisor but she became my friend as well. Even when Meg had to make the hard decisions, she did so with much thought and care and was consistently firm and fair across the board. I believe the city is in better shape than it was when she came here and now that I have assumed the position of city manager I have a greater understanding of the issues, challenges, and obstacles she faced on a daily basis. She made this sometimes difficult and thankless job look easy. She did that through her excellent communication skills.”
• Experienced • Knowledgeable • Dedicated
~ William Marx, City Manager/Police Chief, Buchanan Michigan
Hello friends and neighbors, I’m Rhonda Lake and am working toward becoming the new Register of Deeds in Ionia County. I have worked as Chief Deputy Register of Deeds for the past 18 years. This position has given me the Experience and Knowledge to successfully manage the office in the best way possible to meet the needs of the public. My degree in business management and administration provides me with the skills needed to process land records in compliance with the State of Michigan. I care about maintaining the condition of our historical documents and keeping them safe for years to come.
Vote August 4, 2020 to Elect Rhonda Lake Register of Deeds Together we can share a Register of Deeds office that works for everyone. Paid for by the Committee to Elect Rhonda Lake, 1932 Belding Rd, Orleans, MI 48865
HHHHHHH “I believe she will bring honesty, integrity and unity to the office of county clerk.” ~ Gary Valentine, Greenville Dept. of Public Safety Sergeant, Retired
HHHHHHH • Collectively has spent well over two decades in the public sector, primarily government or NGO which has offered her a multitude of opportunities to be involved with or being the decision maker; • Understanding the complexity and nuances of a governmental entities and departments; • 100% supporter of our Armed Forces; • Bachelor’s degree in science and Master’s degree in Public Administration; • You are either part of the solution, or you are part of the problem; TOGETHER WE CAN BE THE SOLUTION • Right is right and she does the right thing even when it’s not popular; • Understands the complexity, regulatory/statutes, and nuances of a Governmental entity and the various organizational departments; • Says what you need to hear not what you want to hear, and sometimes you may not like it; • Adamant about using the 5 C’s: Cooperation, Consolidation, Collaboration, Communication and Customer service daily; • Her integrity and character are two things she takes pride in and understands she is the only one who can damage them;
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Paid for by Friends of Meg Mullendore for Montcalm County Clerk, PO Box 342 Greenville, MI 48838
Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 9B
3RD DISTRICT UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
5 GOP candidates hope to replace Amash CORY SMITH
csmith@thedailynews.cc As U.S. Congressman Justin Amash, L-Cascade Township, announced his decision earlier this month not to seek re-election, six candidates are hopeful to occupy the open seat in Congress. A field of five Republican candidates — Lynn Afendoulis, Joe Farrington, Peter Meijer, Thomas Norton and Emily Rafi — will be narrowed down to one when voters take to the polls at the Aug. 4 primary election. The winner will then run against lone Democratic candidate Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids in the Nov. 3 general election. The 3rd District includes all of Barry, Calhoun and Ionia counties, northern Kent County and the cities of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, and Eureka Township in Montcalm County. LYNN AFENDOULIS Lynn Afendoulis, 61, of Grand Rapids Township is serving in her first term in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 73rd District, but has set her sights on Washington, D.C. “As a state representative, I have seen how critical it has been to know my communities by being in them, by talking to and engaging with the residents, businesses, organizations, and municipalities that define and create them,” she said. “I love that part of the job — truly knowing my communities so I can effectively represent them. Our current congressman, Justin Amash, looks at the job differently. He has a constituency of one — himself — and represents his own needs and views, not the views of the people.” If elected, Afendoulis said she will put the interest of her constituents before those of her own. “I will go to Washington to represent the people and I will spend my time in my communities making sure I know the will and needs of the people and the district, from Marshall to Portland, and from Grand Rapids to Battle Creek,” she said. “It’s what I do in my state seat and what I’ll do in Congress. And I will make sure our West Michigan values and voice are heard in the halls of D.C. and that our needs are known, considered, and met.” Afendoulis also credited her career before entering the realm of politics in preparing her to take on a bigger role. “I had a nearly 40-year career in the private sector, starting as a newspaper reporter in the 1980s and working for 26 years in various capacities for a large manufacturing company,” she said. “And I have had decades of community leadership, sitting on and chairing boards and initiatives and doing what I could to make West Michigan a better place for having lived here. Having dipped my toe in legislative waters, I know what it takes to bring people together to get good legislation done and would be able to hit the ground running in Washington, D.C.” Afendoulis wants to make the country as appealing as it once was to her grandparents. “I am the granddaughter of legal immigrants who came here for the American dream. They learned the language, built homes and churches, worked hard, sent their children to school and their sons to war, and flew the flag of their new homeland proudly,” she said. “I want to fight for the America that lured
Republican candidates for the 3rd District United States House of Representatives include, clockwise from top left, Lynn Afendoulis, Joe Farrington, Peter Meijer, Thomas Norton and Emily Rafi. —Submitted photos my grandparents; for the constitution and freedoms they loved. I will fight for the very fabric of this nation. I will go toe-to-toe with the squad so that we have voices as loud as theirs defending the beauty of this nation, not seeking to dismantle and shred it. “I will work with President Trump to bring back the economy, strengthen our borders and our immigration laws, stand up to China, defend life and our right to bear arms, and promote and ensure the greatness of America for today and for generations to come.” JOE FARRINGTON Joe Farrington, 42, of Lyons is the owner of the Lyons Bar. After having served as an elected official in local government as a village trustee, he’s aiming to make a bigger impact. Running as a self-described “fiscal conservative, social moderate,” Farrington points to his previous work history, which includes working as a finance director and a school teacher before purchasing the Lyons Bar in 2013, as helping to give him a well-rounded view of the needs and wants of his constituents. “I don’t see folks such as myself, or my customers, represented in Congress, especially in West Michigan. As a working-class Republican, I believe in the abolishment of unnecessary regulations, gratuitous taxation, and the preservation of the Second Amendment. We work long-hard hours with calloused hands. We beat our bodies to exhaustion. We hunt, fish, spend time with our families, and we enjoy a good burger and ice-cold beer. We deserve a lot more than an absentee congressman with a perfect record for looking out for his best interests,” he said. Farrington believes a working-class Republican is necessary to root out special interest groups. “We do not need millionaires and billionaires representing the 3rd District. They have never had to work paycheck-to-paycheck or worry whether or not their health insurance was going to cover the cost of a hospital stay,” he said. “Vote for your best interests — working-class interests — not for the best interest of the super-wealthy.” Additionally, Farrington said he would work across the political aisle. “At this moment in our political state that we currently have there’s a lot of bad behavior going on, on both sides of the fence. I think we need to just bring it down to where we have a little sensibility, people that are more pragmatic and less divisive,” he said. “There’s a direction in which we should be go-
ing, that we are currently not going in. We’re not on the correct path, as a nation. We need to switch the course of direction. More so than anything, I think we need to start having conversations, as opposed to just fear tactics and rhetoric to pit one another against each other. That’s counter-productive for our country.” PETER MEIJER Peter Meijer, 32, of Grand Rapids is the grandson of Fred Meijer, founder of the Meijer supermarket chain. From 2008 to 2016, Meijer served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq from 2010 into 2011 as an intelligence advisor. “Growing up in West Michigan, I stocked shelves at our family store and learned the values of hard work, integrity and responsibility. These responsibilities led me to serve in Iraq as a sergeant and they bring me here today,” he said. “My service didn’t end when I left the Middle East. I served my country and now I want to serve my community. I’m running for Congress because our politicians spend their time trashing each other online, coming up with excuses and pointing fingers. We should expect more from the people who represent us. “I have a lot of ideas to take to Washington,” he continued. “We need to secure our borders. We need to bring our troops home from senseless wars and we need health care to not bankrupt families, with education within reach.” Meijer said his platform is 100% prolife, from “conception to natural death.” He said if elected, he would be a proud defender of both the First and Second Amendments. “The First Amendment is first for a reason, and we must preserve the freedom of religion and assembly. No government rule, law, or policy must force an individual or church to violate their closely-held religious beliefs,” he said. “The Second Amendment to our Constitution states that, ‘the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed’ for a reason. I proudly support the Second Amendment and exercise my own right to keep and bear arms, and I will strongly defend this right against any infringement.”
Meijer said he would also work to keep the federal government’s role “as limited as possible,” when it comes to governing. “Our division of governance between state and federal control is one of the greatest strengths of our country. In our diverse nation, one-size-fits-all government simply doesn’t work,” he said. “As a principle, decisions should be made at the lowest level of competent government in order to make those decisions as responsive to the needs of the people as possible.” THOMAS NORTON Thomas Norton, 37, of Ada describes himself as an “America-first, conservative veteran” running for Congress as a Republican. Norton said he believes in the concept of the “American Dream,” because he’s personally lived it, growing up on his family’s farm, learning and using those values to then go from infantry soldier in Afghanistan to small business owner and top salesman for a national company. Norton said he was inspired to run for public office in the village of Sand Lake, serving as a village trustee and then as village president. He believes concerns of area veterans have gone unheard and he’s worked to co-found the West Michigan Veterans Ranch that focuses on suicide prevention and financial help for veterans, while working with them to find a new purpose in life. “So many people in this country have died fighting for our freedom. My family has had someone serve in every major war since the revolution,” he said. “It is a family tradition that I followed by proudly serving my country in 1-126 Cavalry Regiment. I have developed a passion for our veterans and their families.” Norton said if elected, the last thing he would do is abandon veterans. “For a start, send our military to war only as a last resort. When we must, provide them with full support to win,” he said. “And when people get back, do not abandon them. I promise, if elected, veterans will find a friend in my office
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4TH DISTRICT UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2 Democrats vie for November shot against Moolenaar CORY SMITH
csmith@thedailynews.cc As Republican incumbent John Moolenaar of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District looks ahead to the November general election, two Democrats are vying to land a spot on the ticket in the Aug. 4 primary election. Anthony Feig and Jerry Hilliard will compete in the primary, with the Democrat winner facing Moolenaar on Nov. 3. Michigan’s 4th District includes Clare, Clinton, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Isabella, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Osceola, and Roscommon counties, the northern portion of Shiawassee and most of the western portion of Saginaw counties, as well as all of Montcalm County with the exception of Eureka Township. ANTHONY FEIG Anthony Feig, 51, of Mount Pleasant works as an associate professor of geography and environmental studies at Central Michigan University. “We are at a watershed moment in our nation — not just a moment of a lifetime, but of a moment of history,” Feig said. “Now is the time to actively and honestly address the issues we face. We have to have a representative in Washington who understands the specific issues facing their constituents. In the 4th District, these issues include: supporting communities and workers as we contain COVID-19, access to quality, affordable healthcare, protecting our water and environment from PFAS, creating jobs and supporting businesses, and supporting teachers and education.” Feig said his career as a professor has led him to take an “evidence-based approach” to finding solutions, one he would utilize in public office as well. “As a teacher, I know how to listen with care, how to speak with respect, and how to inform. I believe our elected officials
Anthony Feig, left, and Jerry Hilliard are the Democratic primary election choices to face incumbent John Moolenaar in the general election. — Submitted photos should behave the same way,” he said. “We need more scientists and teachers in Congress, fresh perspectives to address the unique problems we are facing. Many folks in the Fourth District feel that Washington has forgotten us, but our government can work for the people if they are represented by someone who listens and faithfully carries their voices to Washington. In these divisive times, we are ready for a new patriotism — a love of country that is rooted in compassion, hope, and lifting up the common good. This is what binds us together as proud Michiganders and Americans.” Feig described his political agenda as one being a “significant change from the status quo” while placing a new focus on the needs of the 4th District. “It is time to end the divisiveness in government and work towards a better and brighter future for our communities. Partisan bickering has come to be expected in these times, but Washington lawmakers need to start behaving like responsible adults. I will be loyal first and foremost to the people I represent,” he said. “I plan to be present and publicly available. I will be easy for people to contact, and people won’t have to be screened in order to talk to me.
This means that sometimes I will get an earful from people who disagree with me, but I have a duty to listen to those folks, too.” If elected, Feig said he would place a concentration on making it easier for county transportation authorities to access federal assistance to increase services in rural communities, as well as introduce healthcare legislation that would focus on ensuring rural care networks stay open, closing the gap between private insurance payouts and medical payouts, while lowering the Medicare threshold to at least 60. JERRY HILLIARD Jerry Hilliard, 70, of Mount Pleasant works as an adjunct faculty in economics at Lansing Community College. If elected, Hilliard said he would work to bring more balance to how Michigan is treated in the eyes of the federal government. “Michigan is a donor state which means most years we send more money to the U.S. government than we receive in return,” he said. “We need someone to advocate for a fair return from the federal government.” Hilliard said he believes his experiences in both working as an educator and be-
coming involved in politics make him well suited to serve as a representative of the 4th District. “I am an economics instructor. I am highly educated. I have been active in Michigan Democratic politics for a decade,” he said. “I have been a county party chair and vice chair. I have lived in the 4th U.S. Congressional District of Michigan most of my life and I am dedicated to helping people in our congressional district and the state of Michigan.” As a longtime resident of the 4th District, Hilliard said he believes he understands what it is the constituents of the district seek from Washington, D.C. “I have worked tirelessly to meet the people in the 4th Congressional District. I took 2018 and I am taking 2020 off from my economics teaching duties and cut back the number of classes I teach in 2017 and 2019 to take part in events such as the Danish Festival in Greenville in 2017, 2018, and 2019,” he said. “I am enthusiastic about middle class economics, which demonstrates that a strong middle class is a key to economic stability. A part of rebuilding the middle class is to make our healthcare system affordable and accessible for all citizens. Unfortunately, our country is near the last of developed countries in all categories related to childbirth, maternal care, post and prenatal care and more. It is too expensive to birth a child in the U.S. so much so that when there are complications with the birth families often are forced into bankruptcy and for these reasons and others I favor Medicare for all.” That specific focus on the middle class is something Hilliard said he will not lose sight of. “My top goal is to rebuild the middle class because people are moving out of Michigan in part because we are about the 30th of all the states in wage rate rankings when in the 1970s we were well into the top 10 highest wage states in the nation,” he said.
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MONTCALM COUNTY BALLOT PROPOSALS
Montcalm County voters to decide millages on Emergency Services, veteran affairs BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc
Montcalm County residents will be asked to decide two countywide millages in the primary election— one of which is a new millage, the other a renewal. One proposal is for the Montcalm County Department of Veteran Affairs for a new millage that would levy up to the amount of 0.25 of 1 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) for five years. The other proposal is a renewal for ambulance and medical first responder services at Montcalm County Emergency Services that would continue to levy the constitutional tax rate limitation on general ad valorem taxes of 0.75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value on such property). As required by state law, a small portion of each proposed millage may be captured and retained by Downtown Development Authorities in Crystal, Edmore, Greenville, Howard City, Lakeview. VETERANS MILLAGE Montcalm County Commission on Aging Director Ryan Dreyer, who also oversees the Department of Veteran Affairs, said the millage request would last from 2020 through 2024 and would generate approximately $476,054 in its first year, if approved by voters. The money, Dreyer explained, would help the department stay afloat given that it is currently relying solely on grant funding. “The County Department of Veteran Affairs has been around in some fashion since 2014 and has always operated under the umbrella of the Commission on Aging. It has always been a grant-funded operation,” Dreyer said. “What this has meant is that there has never been a fulltime employee of the County Department of Veteran Affairs until October 2019, when the Commission on Aging was able to hire a full-time case manager. That allowed our county veteran service officer to devote his full-time attention to veteran services.” The grant funding that the department is currently operating on has become unreliable, according to Dreyer. “In fiscal year 2019, the funds did not arrive until April 2019. The grant funding was a casualty of the state budget process for fiscal year 2020 and was not restored until December 2019,” Dreyer explained. “This unstable funding source jeopardizes the future of the Montcalm County Veterans Affairs Department. All it would take
A renewal for ambulance and medical first responder services for Montcalm County Emergency Services will be on the primary election ballot. The proposal would continue to levy up to 0.75 mills. — DN Photo | Elisabeth Waldon to eliminate the department at this time would be for the funding source to dry up.” Dreyer said approving the millage would help give the department stability in being able to continue offering services to local veterans — including assisting veterans when filing for benefits claims, processing burial assistance requests, providing transportation for medical appointments and giving out emergency financial help to veterans in need. Funding from the millage would also allow the department to offer services to peacetime veterans. “(Peacetime veterans) enlisted in the U.S. Armed Services during a non-wartime period, but were nonetheless prepared and willing to go to war, if necessary,” Dreyer noted. “Peacetime veterans are currently exempt from assistance through the Soldier and Sailor Relief Fund. Additional funding would also potentially allow us to provide relief funds for emergency dental care for county veterans, as dental care is often not covered by Veterans Affairs benefits. Additional funding would allow us to pursue support group meetings for veterans as well.” Dreyer hopes people will keep the county’s veteran population in mind when voting.
“Montcalm County has one of the largest veteran populations in the local geographical area, while simultaneously spending a lesser amount of money per-veteran than most neighboring communities,” he said. EMERGENCY SERVICES MILLAGE There are approximately 100 licensed professionals using 12 ambulances, 12 rescue services and a technical rescue trailer to respond to nearly 10,000 emergency calls per year in Montcalm County. Montcalm County Emergency Services Director Eric Smith is hopeful voters will renew a millage that helps his department ensure those vehicles are fully equipped and reliable in times of need. If approved, the millage renewal would last from 2021 through 2024 and would generate approximately $1,424,473 in its first year before Headlee rollbacks and would provide funds for the acquisition, maintenance and operation of ambulance and medical first response services and equipment. Smith said he believes the most important thing for voters to know is that this millage request is a renewal that has been approved by voters several times in the past.
Jerry Hilliard
“While the legalese language is very confusing and I would say misleading, it is simply a renewal,” Smith said of the ballot language. “Nothing more, nothing new. “It is also very important for the voters to know that, even though the millage is currently approved at .75 mills, only .6 is levied,” he added. “The current year’s anticipated collection is $995,000. We have always promised to be good stewards of people’s money and never take more than we need. We can currently get by with only .6 mills, so we only levy .6 mills. Even though the voters have authorized .75 mills, we keep our promises.” Thanks to the millage, Smith says the department is currently able to offer medical first responder service at no charge to the county. “Part of the rescue division is the technical rescue team as well,” he explained. “In addition to the medical first response, the technical rescue team is trained and equipped for confined space rescue, high angle rescue (rope rescue), trench collapse, farm rescue, search and rescue and other out-of-the-ordinary rescue situations. The millage allows us to provide these services for free as well.” The ambulance service does have a small fee, Smith says, but it’s a service that would either be unavailable or substantially more expensive without the millage. With the millage being responsible for much of the department’s equipment funding, Smith says the millage was able to help the department amid the coronavirus pandemic this year. “Because of the longstanding community support, we were fully prepared for COVID,” he said. “Our PPE supply was never in jeopardy, so all of our frontline workers were all safe and protected. Because of our longstanding community support, our ambulance fleet allowed us to outfit two of our trucks to be COVID trucks, to best protect the community and use those trucks to transport known or suspected COVID patients, while using the non-COVID trucks to transport nonCOVID patients. “The millage also helps to ensure staff is all trained to the latest, best practices in medicine and certified in all of the specialty classes (trauma, cardiac, pediatrics, neonatal, etc.) so they are ready for whatever emergency they may encounter,” he said. “All the training in the world isn’t very valuable without the equipment necessary. The millage helps to ensure all of the needed equipment is available, well-maintained and ready when needed.”
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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 11B
IONIA COUNTY BALLOT PROPOSALS
Ionia County residents to vote on 911 surcharge, senior millage renewal KAREN BOTA
kbota@thedailynews.cc When Ionia County voters head to the polls on Aug. 4, they’ll be asked to decide whether to approve two countywide proposals that will appear on the ballot. One is an increase to the 911 operating surcharge; the other is a millage renewal and restoration proposal for senior citizens services. 911 OPERATING SURCHARGE The 911 operating surcharge is currently $2.30 per device per month. Ionia County 911 is seeking a surcharge increase of up to 70 cents per phone device per month, for a total surcharge of up to $3 per device per month. At the full 70 cents, the increase would cost no more than $8.40 per year. Ionia County 911 is the only emergency answering and dispatch center for police, fire, medical first responder and ambulance services in the county. Not many residents know that all funding for Ionia County 911 operations comes from local and state surcharges, according to Central Dispatch Director Jim Valentine. A surcharge based on devices used to contact 911 is fairer than a millage, which is based on property value, according to Valentine. As Berlin-Orange Fire Chief and local farmer Matt Bennett told him once, “Dirt doesn’t call 911.” “(For a millage) they’re paying on their acreage. This is a more fair way to run a 911 center; it’s technically a user tax,” said Valentine. “It’s the (telecommunications) side of citizens’ use that is funding 911 operations.” Of the center’s typical operating budget of almost $1.5 million, 84.5% comes from the local surcharge — currently $2.30 a month on each landline, cell phone and VOIP telephone system —14.5% comes from the state of Michigan from funds it collects in cellphone bills and shares with 911 dispatch centers, and 1% comes from the same fund to offset dispatcher training costs. “We get no county general fund money, no property tax or millage money, and we don’t charge any city, village or township anything (for 911 services or dispatching their police and fire departments),” Valentine said. “Our income is strictly the surcharge.” That surcharge pays for 911 personnel, costs associated with the building, computers and servers, telephone services, equipment maintenance and support, and new technology and stateof-the-art services to county residents such as Smart911, TEXT to 911 and technology to accurately locate a cell phone caller to 911. “Our operating expenses continue to creep up, so we will have less dollars each year to undertake additional major projects,” Valentine said. The proposed 70-cent increase will help pay for replacing radios for fire departments across the county “to get them on the 800 (MHz) radio system like police and ambulance are” for full interoperability between all agencies, Valentine said. “None of them can afford to replace everything they have.” He estimated that the project will cost more than $1 million for radio equipment and upgrades. If the surcharge is approved, Valentine and fire chiefs will start planning the project in the fall. “It’s a relatively inexpensive way to fund a government operation. We’re asking for less than the price of a cup of coffee per month increase,” Valentine said. Future capital project update and replacement projects also include upgrading the 20-year-old building backup generator, and modernizing the dispatch consoles and cables, which are “a wiring quagmire on the dispatch floor,” he said.
Ionia County Commission on Aging Director Carol Hanulcik, right, and Nutrition Director Lisa Insley stand outside the Commission on Aging building in downtown Ionia. County residents will vote Aug. 4 on a millage renewal to support services to local seniors provided through the agency. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
Dispatchers at Ionia County 911 answer calls for assistance and dispatch the appropriate first responders. Voters in the Aug. 4 primary election will decide whether to support a 911 operating surcharge of up to $3 on phone devices, which includes an increase of up to 70 cents per device per month. The surcharge provides almost 85 percent of the center’s operating budget. — DN Photo | Karen Bota
get memorial contributions, we get gifts from the community and we fundraise nonstop,” Hanulcik said. “But the senior millage is that foundation of support for our agency. It’s crucial.” The Ionia County Commission on Aging was created in the late 1970s. The senior millage was first passed in 2002, and that’s when the agency started to get on “sound financial footing, according to Hanulcik. “I can’t stress how important it is for us to renew that millage, especially right now,” she said. “(With COVID-19) a lot of people think we’re closed, but we never stopped delivering services for one second.” Much of the services provided during the coronavirus pandemic have been related to nutritional support because seniors either couldn’t or were told not to leave their homes. Seventy new clients for recurring meals have been added since March, according to Hanulcik. When the pandemic first hit, the agency had to close down its kitchen. Staff purchased frozen meals, which cost $2 more per meal than kitchen-prepared food, but it allowed them to continue to provide meals to the individuals who needed them. “The senior millage touches every program we provide. … With the economy as it is, a lot of people hurting, a lot of different agencies hurting, we’re not sure where that funding’s going to be next year, and the year after that,” Hanulcik said. “So it goes back to that senior millage, and how important that is for us to continue to provide services. It is even more important than it was before.” The senior millage is based on the taxable value of a home. In Ionia County in 2019, the average home was valued at $118,000, according to Hanulcik. A millage of .5 mills on that home’s taxable value of $59,000 would cost the average homeowner $32.45 a year. Last year, the agency served 74,000 meals through Meals on Wheels and 10,000 congregate meals at its six Friendship Luncheon sites across the county; and provided more than 7,000 hours of in-home services by home health aides, homemaker aides and respite service providers, and “several thousand” transportation trips to medical and dialysis appointments, errands and activities. The commission on aging also provides support groups and educational programs for caregivers. “$32.45 is a really good value,” said Hanulcik of the average cost of the millage. “You get a lot for it.” The Commission on Aging also provides opportunities for social interaction, which studies show are as important to seniors’ well-being as nutrition is. Due to the pandemic, many of those programs are suspended, but when they resume, the center will be bustling again. “This is, normally, as a senior center, where seniors can get together with friends and peers and have a little socialization to stay connected to their community and to each other,” Hanulcik said. “It really helps people improve their quality of life and their health as well. It brings everybody together as a community to look after each other.” Part of the agency’s mission is to help people remain in the homes of their choice and support them so they can remain where they want to be. The alternative to providing services to seniors in the community is residential care in a facility, she said. “When people reach an age when they can’t take care of themselves anymore, you put everybody in a nursing home. Studies show no one wants that, and it’s going to cost taxpayers a lot more money because that is the most expensive level of care,” Hanulcik said. “It’s massively more expensive than keeping people in their homes.”
e c n e r e f f Major projects completed previously include a $500,000 upgrade to the dispatch radio console, which was at the end of its life, in January 2016 (Valentine just finished paying for that project this year); and a $140,000 E-911 IP telephone system upgrade to current and future technology standards in August 2019. A $160,000 replacement of the 1998 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to Next Generation 911 standards — “the backbone of dispatchers” — is scheduled to go live in November. The dispatch system will allow CAD to CAD communication, so Ionia County and Barry County dispatchers can back each other up when a major incident, like a bad crash on the freeway, “swamps” one center with calls, or when a dispatcher goes homesick and it will take time for the replacement to arrive, Valentine said. Calls can be answered by the other center, and notes and time stamps entered into the records system. “With the upgraded 911 system, we’re now in the position to roll out futuristic possibilities, whatever the future holds … the future being the next five to eight years,” Valentine said. “We’re now in the position to take care of all that without major infrastructure changes.” But then there is the eight-year-old phone system that is beyond provider
support, and within two to three years upgrades to the console will be needed. He’ll have to upgrade to expand capacities to record “the multitude of talk groups,” which is an expensive proposition: $200,000 or more. “It’s just never-ending,” Valentine noted. SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICES The senior citizens services millage is a renewal of the current .5 mill or 50 cents per $1,000 on the taxable value of property. The millage had been reduced to .4981 by required millage rollbacks in the Headlee Amendment, so in addition, approval would restore the .0019 mills reduction for a return to the previously authorized total millage rate of up to .5 mills. The senior millage is “the cornerstone” of the Ionia County Commission on Aging’s ability to provide services to area seniors, providing about half of the agency’s annual budget of almost $1.6 million, according to Director Carol Hanulcik. “We get funding from a lot of areas: the Area Agency on Aging (of West Michigan), the Michigan Department of Transportation. We charge fares for transportation, we send out letters for donations, we ask for cost shares, we
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Page 12B | Saturday, July 25, 2020
CARSON CITY-CRYSTAL SCHOOLS MILLAGE
Voters to decide whether to renew operating millage BRANDON SCHREUR bschreur@thedailynews.cc
CARSON CITY — Those living within the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district will decide whether to renew a longtime operating millage proposal in the primary election. Included on the Aug. 4 ballot for those within the CC-C district — including residents in Montcalm, Gratiot, Ionia and Clinton counties — is a proposal to renew a millage for five more years. “The proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance and runes millage that will expire with the 2021 tax levy,” the proposal reads. The operating millage funds are spent on a variety of operating costs that includes maintenance, transportation, salaries, repairs and several other items,
Voters living in the Carson City-Crystal Area Schools district will decide whether to renew a long-time operating millage proposal on Aug. 4. — DN Photo | Brandon Schreur according to CC-C Superintendent John Sattler. “It’s all part of the general fund,” Sattler said.
The millage renewal, which is set to expire with the 2021 tax levy, would last from 2022 to 2026. According to Sattler, the 18 mills ($18
on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) does not tax a primary residence, meaning it would only apply to non-resident homes and businesses. Sattler says a renewal would continue to ensure a quality education for all students attending the district’s schools. “Voting yes would mean that CC-C can keep and grow our current and future academic programming,” Sattler said. If renewed, the millage is expected to generate approximately $1,353,987 in revenue that the school district would then collect. CC-C Area Schools Board of Education President Gregg McAlvey is hopeful voters will renew the millage as the district continues to navigate through a field of unknowns regarding the fiscal year budget in light of the coronavirus pandemic. “I would say with the uncertainly of what the state is going to do in regards to school funding, it is more important than ever that our communities support the school,” McAlvey said.
COON SCHOOL MILLAGE
Ionia’s Coon School millage renewal on the ballot ELISABETH WALDON ewaldon@thedailynews.cc
BERLIN TOWNSHIP — Residents of Berlin Township will be asked to decide a millage renewal for Coon School in the primary election. Coon School is located at 6679 S. State Road in Ionia in Berlin Township’s district 3. The millage renewal would allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of not to exceed 18 mills ($18 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for 20 years (2021 to 2040) on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school
district to receive its full per pupil foundation allowance. A remaining .5 mill increase (50 cents on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) would also available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of a reduction required by the Headlee amendment and would only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction, according to the ballot proposal. If approved, the millage is expected to generate $119,606 in its first year. “Local operating millages are very important to school districts in any given year, but particularly in light of increased operational costs to address impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ionia County Intermediate School District Superinten-
MONTCALM COUNTY TOWNSHIP PROPOSALS BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP • Belvidere Township Refuse Millage: Shall the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased on all taxable real and tangible personal property in the Township of Belvidere, in an amount not to exceed 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000.00 of taxable value) for a period of 14 years, 2020 to 2033 inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for refuse pickup in the Township of Belvidere; and shall the Township levy such millage for said purpose; The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2020 calendar year is approximately $80,000? DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP • Douglass Township New Additional Millage 0.60 Mill for Township Fire Protection Operations, Services and Equipment: Shall the limitation on general ad valorem taxation within the Township of Douglass imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be increased for the Township of Douglass by up to 0.60 mill ($0.60 per $1,000 of taxable value), for a period of four years, 2020 to 2023, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, upon all taxable real and personal property within the Township? The purpose of this new millage levy is to provide funding for fire protection operations, services, and equipment in the Township. If approved, it is estimated that the levy of 0.60 mill will provide revenue of $46,774 in the first calendar year of the levy. EUREKA TOWNSHIP • Eureka Charter Township Proposition for Renewal of Police Protection Millage: This proposition will allow Eureka Charter Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, to continue to levy the previous voted increase on general ad valorem taxes of one mill, to provide funds for Police Protection and Police Equipment in Eureka Charter Township. Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Eureka Charter Township renew, at the previous voted increase, up to one (1) mill, ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value; example – a property with the taxable value of $50,000 would be taxed $50.00), thereby levying up to one (1) full mill, for the years 2020 through 2025, inclusive, for additional police protection and police equipment in Eureka Charter Township, which will collect in the first year an estimated total of $148,680.12? EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP • Evergreen Township Millage Proposal for Fire Services: This proposal will allow Evergreen Township to levy an additional (new) 0.50 mill on all taxable property within the Township for a period of four (4) years to provide funds to operate fire services. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property within Evergreen Township be increased by 0.50 mill for a period of four (4) years, 2020 through 2023, both inclusive, to finance fire services in Evergreen Township? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax of $0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property within Evergreen Township. This proposed millage is subject to applicable constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of the levy and will not exceed the above-stated limitation rate. It is estimated that this proposed millage would, if approved and levied, result in the authorization to collect $37,229.43 in the first year. HOME TOWNSHIP • Home Township Millage Renewal Proposal One and Half Mills (1/5) for Township Road Maintenance: Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitations imposed
under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Home Township, of 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1.000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for 4 years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, for funds for road maintenance in Home Township, raising an estimated $94,524 in the first year the millage is levied. MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP • Maple Valley Township Fire Protection Millage: Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be renewed at one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the Maple Valley Township portion of the existing Lakeview Area Fire District; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000. • Maple Valley Township Road Maintenance Renewal: Shall the previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be renewed at one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the roads within Maple Valley Township; and shall the Township levy such renewal in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000. • Maple Valley Township Fire Equipment Reallocation to Road Maintenance: Shall the previous voted tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec 6 of the Michigan constitution on general ad valorem taxes within Maple Valley Township be reallocated from Fire Equipment millage to Road Maintenance. This will increase the current road millage by one mill ($1.00 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for the period of 2021 through 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of maintaining the roads within Maple Valley Township; and shall the Township levy such an increase in millage for the said purpose, thereby, raising in the first year an estimated $66,000. PINE TOWNSHIP • Pine Township Fire Millage Proposal: Shall Pine Township impose a one (1) mill ($1.00 per $1000.00 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution, a renewed millage following the expiration of the previous approved fire millage which expires in 2020, and levy it for five (5) years, 2021 through 2025, for fire protection? If approved and levied, a one (1) mill increase will raise an estimated $64,000 in the first year the millage is levied. SIDNEY TOWNSHIP • Sidney Township Proposal for Renewal of Fire Safety Services Millage: This proposal will allow Sidney Township to levy an additional (renewal) 0.50 mills on all taxable property within the Township for a period of five (5) years to provide funds to operate fire safety services. Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property within Sidney Township be increased by 0.50 mills for a period of five (5) years, 2022 through 2026, both inclusive, to finance fire safety services in Sidney Township? Approval of this proposal would permit a tax of $0.50 per $1,000.00 of taxable value on all taxable property within Sidney Township. This proposal millage is subject to applicable constitutional tax limitation provisions at the time of the levy and will not exceed the above-stated limitation rate. It is estimated that this proposed millage would, if approved and levied, result in the authorization to collect $33,902 in the first year.
IONIA COUNTY TOWNSHIP PROPOSALS NORTH PLAINS TOWNSHIP • North Plains Township Road Maintenance and Improvement New Additional Millage Proposal: Shall the constitutional total tax rate limitation on general ad valorem taxes in the Township of North Plains be increased by 1.0 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) for three (3) years, 2020 through 2022, inclusive, and shall the Township of North Plains levy such new additional millage annually on all taxable real and personal property to provide funds for improving and maintaining public roads in North Plains Township, thereby raising an estimated $28,500 in the first year of the levy? All or portion of the revenues from the millage will be disbursed to the Ionia County Road Department or its successor for public road improvements and mainte-
nance within North Plains Township. ODESSA TOWNSHIP • Odessa Township Millage Renewal Fire and Ambulance Services: Shall the expired previous voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Odessa Township of 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 1.9576 mills ($1.9576 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.9576 mills ($1.9576 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for four (4) years, 2020 through 2023 inclusive, for Odessa Township fire and ambulance services, raising an estimated $238,115 in 2020, of which a portion will be disbursed to the Lake Odessa Downtown Development Authority?
dent Ethan Ebenstein. “Funds generated from the millage have been discussed by the board of education to purchase additional resources and materials to help individualize instruction as well as limit the spread of germs. Staff hours will need to be increased to support the implementation of CDC recommended protocols and sanitization. Additionally, upgraded building security features have also been examined.” According to Coon School’s website, it is a K-5 public school that offers a modern day education with an old-world twist, with multi-age classrooms filled with technology. There school has one teacher and two para-pros in two classrooms and base our teaching on the Michigan Standards
for Mathematics, the Michigan Standards for English Language Arts, and on Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations for Science and Social Studies. The school was established in 1866, after a local family (named Coon) donated the land for the school. “This is a renewal — not an increase — of the non-homestead operating millage levied on all properties, with the exception of primary residences who do not have to pay this tax,” added Ionia County ISD Finance Director Jamie Carnes. “Without the successful approval of this millage, Berlin Township S/D #3 would lose $119,000 or approximately 75% of its revenue.”
3rd District Continued from Page 9B 24 hours a day. I will never turn down veterans or their families in need and will not give up working for their cause and support.” Norton said he’d also work to reform health care, taking government out of the mix. “We need to get the government out of the health insurance business and focus on elevating doctor/patient relationships,” he said. “Using that as a foundation brick, we need to lower the costs of healthcare and reduce unnecessary third-party involvement. Tax relief is very needed in the area of healthcare. I am also asking third district constituencies with similar ideas to share them, as I want to draft (or co-sponsor) a bill in the first year of Congress, if elected, to address the issue of accessing low-cost, quality healthcare.” Additionally, Norton said he would work to provide tax relief to his constituents. “In my first year in office, if elected, I will attempt to co-sponsor a permanent tax relief to everyday citizens and permanent residents to equal the permanent tax relief the corporations have received,” he said. “In the end, people should be equal to corporations, not only when they donate money for political campaigns, but also when they pay taxes. I will also work to co-sponsor a bill for a balanced budget amendment without an individual tax increase.” EMILY RAFI Emily Rafi, 40, of Battle Creek is a business transaction attorney, operating her own private practice for the past 12 years, representing banks and commercial real estate developers in a wide range of transactions, litigation and bankruptcy proceedings.
Rafi said broad legal education and years of experience practicing federal law have prepared her with the background needed to comprehend and draft legislation on the federal issue regularly legislated in Congress. “I believe it’s important to represent the constituents of our district in Congress because we have not seen effective representation for 10 years and change in leadership is needed. As an attorney, I have successfully represented and advocated for the needs of individuals and businesses. Our district is ready for leadership that listens to constituents and then delivers results,” she said. “With 20 years of Federal Law experience in a wide range of areas I am equipped with the skills needed to be an effective representative for the voters of our district. I am the only candidate in the race who has agreed to a term limit in Congress and put forth a 10 point ‘Voter Contact’ specifically setting forth the goals I will work to achieve if elected to Congress.” Rafi believes her experience in working with federal law places her above her fellow Republican candidates in being the right choice. “My opponents will have to spend years learning and getting up to speed on laws I already know. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and will result in ineffective representation,” she said. If elected, Rafi said she will work to establish her “Voter Contract,” with those goals including: upholding the constitution and individual liberties, decreasing taxes and balancing the budget, reducing the cost of health care through increased competition, reducing the cost of higher education and infrastructure and rebuild the economy by creating more jobs and new opportunities using the full potential of the Small Business Administration program.
Vote Greg Alexander for State Representative 70th District on August 4th! I will be committed to helping and serving our GREAT community if I am elected, the people's voice will be heard through me I am PRO: Second Amendment | I have been to many rallies and protests to prove it Agriculture | I have worked on dairy farms and owned my own horse ranch Small Business | I had my own horse/breeding ranch for eight years and have been with the American Legion for 19 years Veterans | Our veterans are being left behind and need help. Did you know, an average of 22 veterans per day lose the battle to PTSD? About Me: • I am a community oriented, blue collar guy, not a politician • 23 years with Montcalm Co. EMS • 8 years as a mechanic at the Montcalm Co. Road Commission • 6 years with the color/honor guard • 4 years as the Commander of the Stanton American Legion • Was part of the 1073rd Army National Guard Paid for by Committee to Elect Greg Alexander, 4512 E. Stanton Rd., Stanton, MI 48888
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Saturday, July 25, 2020 | Page 13B
VOTE
KEELEY BLANCHARD
FOR JUDGE TUES, AUG. 4TH
THE MOST QUALIFIED & EXPERIENCED
Keeley Blanchard has taken on leadership roles locally, statewide, and nationally. She is a small business owner who has built the most successful law firm in Montcalm County, a landlord who manages two real estate companies, and manages $450,000 in grant funding for criminal justice projects in Michigan. Her 15 years of trial experience and skills have led to her being in-demand across the country to train other lawyers, and she leads trial skills training for public defenders throughout Michigan.
THE ONLY CANDIDATE WITH REAL PLANS
Tough Problems require Smart Solutions. Our community deserves a judge who will work to make Montcalm County a better place to live for everyone. Keeley’s plans include reducing crime through her Job Court, reducing unnecessary evictions, early intervention in cases of substance abuse, and a BudgetSmart clerk plan to make our county’s clerks more efficient while increasing services, amid budget shortfalls caused by the pandemic. Keeley is the only candidate with real plans to improve our community.
A FRESH APPROACH TO OUR COURT
From the implementation of specialty courts to accessing grant funds to create programs to help offenders find work and keep out of jail, Keeley will bring a fresh approach to the bench - with a focus on keeping our families safe, respecting our taxpayers, and being a community-minded judge with unmatched character and experience.
THE BEST CHOICE FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE Learn more about Keeley at www.SMARTJUSTICE.net
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Keeley Blanchard • PO Box 843 Greenville, MI 48838 • www.SmartJustice.net
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LOCAL TOWNSHIP CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES Candidates in contested township board races in Ionia and Montcalm counties were asked the following questions: 1. Name, age and city/village/township of residence? 2. Current employment (or former employment, if retired)? 3. What qualifications do you have that would effectively serve and benefit your district if you are elected to this position? 4. What sets you apart from your opponent(s)? 5. What goals would you like to accomplish during your term, if elected? Here are their responses: IONIA COUNTY DANBY TOWNSHIP TREASURER (primary winner will face Teresa Hillis, a Democrat, in November) 1. Erika Hoppes, 39, Danby Township (Republican). 2. State of Michigan (LARA) analyst. 3. My employment background has given me over 15 years of banking experience. Several of these years were spent working directly with townships to maximize their return on investments. I have served Danby Township since 2016. Most recently, I am serving as a member of the Planning Commission and a Erika member of the Board of Review. My Hoppes position on the Board of Review has allowed me the opportunity to build a relationship with the current township assessor. 4. I have a genuine interest in the success of Danby Township and the quality of life the township provides residents. I have always taken an interest in actively serving within my community. Whether serving on the board or volunteering as a coach to our community’s youth, I am happiest when serving those around me. 5. If elected, I will strive to maintain transparency to the residents of Danby Township and work hard to maximize return on investments. I look forward to building positive relationships with Danby Township residents. The departing treasurer has successfully served the residents of Danby Township for several years, my goal is to build on and continue the great job she has done. Elizabeth Nurenberg (Republican): No response. 1. Margo Schafer, 37 years old, Danby Township (Republican). 2. The Daily News. 3. I have 10 years of experience working at our local credit union, 21 years of customer service and a degree in business administration. 4. My years of financial experience, I welcome the opportunity to serve in the financial sector again. I also have deep family roots in the township, with many family mem- Margo bers still living in the township. Schafer 5. To streamline any processes that may need updating with my financial expertise. I will listen to our community members to ensure their voice is heard. RONALD TOWNSHIP CLERK Loree Reed (Republican): No response. 1. Arthur Pelon, 64 years old, lifelong Ronald Township, Ionia County resident (Republican). 2. Self-employed prior to retirement. Currently Ronald Township clerk and chairman of the Ionia Conservation District Board of Directors. 3. I am a graduate of Michigan State University’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy. I have completed two Department of Homeland Arthur Security courses, National Incident Pelon Management System and National Response Plan. Also, an accredited Michigan Department of State Election Official. Leadership experience that benefits our township include serving eight years as president of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, four years as president of the Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, two years as the Michigan Delegate in Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Conservation Districts, two years on the NACD Farm Bill Task Force in Washington, D.C., and four years as president of the Western Michigan Rifle and Pistol Club. 4. The experience and training from 30 years on the Township Board (27 years as clerk) should be considered. I realize that we are a small community that relies on state shared revenue and less than 1 mil of property taxes to provide our services. The burden and challenge of distributing a small community budget fall on the Township Board. Our current board excels in meeting that challenge. I have received several awards, including NWTF Conservation District Partner of the Year (National Award), MACD Director of the Year and NWTF Wild Turkey Woodlands Award for Michigan. I am a Life Member of the NRA, Life Member of the North American Hunting Club, Life Member of the Western Michigan Rifle and Pistol Club, Silver Life Sponsor of the NWTF, Member of the Ionia Fishing and Hunting Club and Ionia Moose Lodge Member. 5. I would like to see our current programs continue that we furnish to our residents; three brine treatments for our secondary roads, our clean up voucher program available to every household, our contractual ambulance service, support for our cemeteries and support for our Fire Department to the fullest extent possible. I would prefer to maintain our current excellent staff of Election Inspectors and Board of Review Members. I would also like to expand our search for professional grant writers that can research and apply for state and federal grants that may be available for our township. I support the continuation of local township government and will always be a strong advocate for the conservation and protection of our township’s natural resources. EASTON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Cynthia Cotter (Republican): No response. Erik Krieger (Republican): No response. 1. Lon MacLachlan, 73, Easton Township (Republican). 2. Part-time driver for Ionia Dial-A-Ride. Retired after 30 years in public health (25 years at the Ionia County Health Department) and eight years at Kent County Department of Public Works. 3. I presently serve on the Board of Directors at M1 Credit Union and have been on various committees and the board of M1 for 25 years. I am a member of the TPA Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ionia Moose, Knights of Columbus and SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Involvement in these organizations has allowed me to deal with a variety of issues and problems. 4. Experience and involvement in the various organizations cited above have enabled me to deal with people on issues, people problems and policies. 5. Fair and equitable treatment of individuals regarding long- and short-term solutions to issues for the betterment of the township. Keeping in mind the financial stability of the township at all times.
1. Don Rittersdorf, 54 years old, Easton Township (Republican). 2. I am employed by Petersen Oil and Propane as the district manager for the Ionia location. 3. I have 22 years of management experience, as well as 24 years with serving Easton Township. I am aware of the needs of the township, the concerns of the residents, and how to best serve them while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Don 4. Experience — I have served as Rittersdorf trustee for Easton Township for the past 24 years. 5. My goal is to represent the entire township equally and to see the township remain safe, healthy and prosperous for all constituents. OTISCO TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Francis L. Mason, 68, Otisco Township (Republican). 2. I have been involved in farming my whole life. I have owned and operated Mason Orchards since 1987. I have worked at Belding Area Schools for over 30 years. Fifteen of those were as a bus driver, retired in 2017. All 30 years I have worked as a game manager for fall and winter sports. Also, I have been an MHSAA registered official for 25 years. 3. I have served on the Otisco Francis Township Planning Commission Mason and Zoning Board of Appeals for 24 years. This gives me the experience it will take to serve as supervisor. 4. I have 24 years of experience serving on township committees. I have worked with both past and current Otisco Township elected officials. It is important to know the history of events, issues, policies and procedures when serving as supervisor. I will make myself available to the citizens of the township by keeping regular hours at the hall. As a retired man and with my knowledge I have the time to serve. I think it is important to keep our township a place where people are proud to live. 5. I believe it is important for citizens to elect people who are familiar with the area they will serve. Citizens want their township officials to be fair, upfront, hardworking and approachable. One goal I have is to make sure that we are organized and ready when issues are brought to us. I will work to support the goals that are in our Master Plan. Through the jobs that I have had and the service I have given to Otisco Township, I have learned that I use common sense when making decisions that are best for the entire township. I know that I don’t make promises I can’t keep or statements I can’t back up. Desmond Pike (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire. OTISCO TOWNSHIP TREASURER 1. Paula Byrne, 54, Otisco Township (Republican). 2. Healthcare Outsource Network. 3. Eight plus years experience as Otisco Township deputy treasurer, Otisco Township deputy supervisor and Board of Review experience. 4. Lifetime resident of Otisco Township. 5. To make changes within the treasurer’s office to better the Paula residents of Otisco Township. Byrne 1. Cara Johnson, 45, Belding, Otisco Township (Republican). 2. Current elected treasurer for Otisco Township. 3. Four years of educational training courses specifically related to the treasurer position. Experience working with the banks for investment purposes. I have worked closely with Ionia County, the Road Commission, Planning Commission and many other agencies to further Cara grow the township and benefit the Johnson residents. 4. Experience. I have been the current treasurer of the township board for four years now. I am dependable and dedicated to help the residents with any issues and do what is right for the township. 5. My number one goal is the roads. Since being elected, I have been passionate about making sure the roads in Otisco Township are kept up. I would also like to work on more modern technology for the township, being able to accept credit card payments, projector screen during meetings for the public to see documents and real-time updates on the website. OTISCO TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Joseph Borek (Republican): No response. 1. Gib Brown, 41, Otisco Township (Republican). 2. Assistant pastor, Ashley Baptist Church. 3. I have served similar positions on multiple non-profit boards and was in charge of a half-million-dollar budget for over five years. I have been an active member of Otisco Township for most of my life. 4. My family has been an integral part of the community for nearly a hundred years. I have a college Gib degree and am nearing completion Brown on a master’s degree. I am known for my helpfulness and integrity. 5. I am a big supporter of the farmers in our area and would like to see our roads improved. I would also like to see more businesses open or increased jobs in our community. 1. John Feuerstein, 70, Otisco Township (Republican). 2. I’m a self-employed cash crop farmer. 3. I have experience in local government as I previously served on the Keene Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission. For over 10 years, I served on the Ionia County Soil Conservation District. These experiences, as well as being a steward of the land, give me a unique perspective to benefit John the residents of Otisco Township. Feuerstein 4. My depth of life experience sets me apart from my opponents. From being drafted into the Army, to taking over the family farm growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa, I have experienced and adapted in several situations working with all walks of life with varying personalities and situations. 5. Goals that I would like to accomplish include running township business efficiently and timely to benefit all residents of Otisco Township. Shane McDonald (Republican): No response. IONIA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) (primary winners will face two Democrats, Sheri Lynn and Joseph Pecks, in November)
Mark Barna (Republican): No response. Susan McCoy (Republican): No response. Aric Pitchford: (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire. MONTCALM COUNTY BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. John W Anderson, 73, Belvidere Township (Republican). 2. Self-employed at Killer Bee Printing. 3. Four years on the Belvidere Township Board as supervisor, four years on the Belvidere Township Board as a trustee. Over 49 years of business ownership experience. Over 38 years of various boards. 4. I have spent the last four years as supervisor on the Belvidere John Township Board. Previous four years Anderson as trustee on the Belvidere Township Board. Currently the liaison to the Fire Department. I believe my business and prior boards experience. 5. To discern the best use of township funds and spend wisely as a board. To find a solution to issues that occur. I will listen and work to solve any questions that arise. I will get back to anyone who contacts me. 1. Armon C. Withey, 73, Belvidere Township (Republican). 2. Retired from ConAgra Foods. 3. Trustee of Belvidere Township, president of Montcalm Township Association, member of Montcalm Planning committee, college degree in accounting. 4. Making friends at deferent levels of government. 5. Growing local businesses and getting new businesses to our Armon economy and provide additional Withey jobs for citizens. Improve our roads without tax increases. BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) Carolyn Kelsey (Republican): No response. Andrew Reynolds (Republican): Declined to participate in the questionnaire. 1. Bennett “Ben” Reynolds, Six Lakes, Belvidere Township (Republican). 2. Semi-retired, currently working part-time at High Grade Materials, Six Lakes. 3. I’ve worked at the same location for 40 years, 20 as a truck driver and 20 years in a management position, managing two businesses for the same company. 4. I’ve lived and worked in Belvidere Township almost my Ben entire life. Now that my family is Reynolds grown and my work responsibilities have slowed done, it’s a good time for me to give back to the community. As a manager for two businesses, my background in business and customer service puts me in a good position to help our community. 5. To see our township be a fiscally sound and responsible community. Spending money where it needs to be spent, and saving where we can. We have to keep in mind what is best for the whole township and not just certain areas or people. 1. Patrick Stuller, 76, Belvidere Township (Republican). 2. Owner of Pigeon Creek Crafts since 2003. 3. 31 years in law enforcement, full and part-time. Foreman for Bierlein & Companies for 15 years. After retiring from Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department, I returned to Bierlein & Companies as a foreman for four more years. Army veteran 1962-1965. Patrick 4. Leadership qualities, capable of Stuller running a successful business. Good communication skills. 5. Would like to build a good rapport with the township residents and the township board. CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) 1. Sherry Kutt, 66, Crystal Township (Republican). 2. Michigan Department of Corrections, retired 2016, 21 years of service. 3. I was appointed to this position in December 2018 to fill a vacancy. Since that time, my efforts have resulted in repairing the sidewalk on Lake Street, leasing the beach in 2019 and revitalizing the pickleball court at Noll Park. I initiated a process of seeking a cost-effective way Sherry to repair the 1962 portion of the Kutt Community Center roof to prevent further damage to the building. Being elected as trustee would allow me to continue work on this project as well as other community improvements. I bring a working knowledge of government and protocols to be followed to this position. I have several years of experience writing policies and procedures outlining standardized processes when obtaining bids for products or services. I will bring that knowledge to the board to establish administrative policies that will increase efficiency as well as reduce costs. Establishing policies will assist the current and future boards in obtaining competitive bids. When a product or service is needed to maintain township property I am very thorough and persistent. I do the necessary research, obtain answers and when possible provide a variety of options that would be more cost-effective to address the issue. I follow through until the project is completed. 4. I have over 18 months serving successfully as a trustee on the board. I regularly talk with residents and seek their input on how we might improve our township or what concerns they may have about the township. I look for ways we can improve safety and enjoyment for our citizens and to create a more inviting atmosphere for visitors. I am always interested in finding ways that will better our community, help local businesses and boost the economy. I work hard to be transparent and have no conflicts of interest. I spent 15 summers on Crystal Lake and have been a full-time resident for over 3 years. I bring historical knowledge of Crystal Township as well as an ability to envision the future. 5. The Crystal Township Board is responsible for the safety, health and enjoyment of our residents and visitors and these are my top priorities. I will continue to review how the township spends the residents’ tax dollars and make decisions that benefit the township as a whole. I will work to establish administrative policies to standardize and simplify our processes not only for the current board but future boards. This will provide a structure and more transparent process for boards to follow. I will continue to work to preserve all property the township currently owns and encourage the board to be more proactive, instead of reactive, in its maintenance. I will also look at ways the
township can utilize the property we have to generate income or benefit residents and visitors alike. I feel it is important to not only look at what is best for the current community but also to preserve it for future generations. 1. Seth Andrew Lane, age not provided, Crystal (Republican). 2. Part owner of Crystal Box Office Theater. 3. I think I am a problem solver, I can identify a problem I feel needs to be fixed and do it in a cost-efficient manner. 4. I think all of us want fiscal responsibility open communication and total transparency. I think all who run for town council want to Seth Andrew see Crystal grow and prosper. I am Lane fairly new to Crystal and I think I bring a fresh perspective to see things and opportunities others might be overlooking. Others see an old building I see opportunity. Running the theater I know what it’s like to make hard decisions and difficult choices. Because we have always done things this way doesn’t work for me and I want to bring the town forward. 5. It will be exciting to see Crystal grow. Renovate the old school into a cost-efficient town hall everyone can be proud of. Seeing the Crystal beach being built. Watching the docks go in. Working on zoning that will protect individual freedom while still allowing Crystal to grow. My goal would be to be able to do this staying in budget benefiting Crystal and not raise taxes! 1. Roger Martin, 60, Crystal Township (Republican). 2. Retired State of Michigan supervisor and former business owner in Crystal Township 3. Having lived in this community for years, I have strong, established, positive relationships with many people of this community. I have participated in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). 4. My family and I have resided in Crystal Township for over 29 years. I have been an active member of this community through regular attendance of township meetings and having awareness of current and previous township agenda related issues and topics. I have experience with managing difficult decisions, setting priorities, and effectively working with others for positive resolution. In business and through my work experience, I strongly believe that by being approachable, being present in the community, being a good listener, and providing follow-through is an essential element for success. 5. My interest lies in contributing to the good of this township. I would like to establish effective avenues to address community concerns/issues by establishing various committees that would encourage participation and increase the representation of all taxpayers within Crystal Township by providing people with a voice. 1. Diane E. Rydahl, 53, Crystal (Republican). 2. Co-owner/developer of Fairway Farms LLC. 3. I understand the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, see the potential, and have a vision of how we can work together to continue to grow/develop our community. As in the past, I will use my public relations skills to continue to advocate for both residents and businesses. I value and understand Diane how vital local businesses are to the Rydahl community. 4. Since my family owned the Crystal Golf Course for over 70 years, I gained a love for the community at a very young age. My husband and I became fully invested over four years ago when we chose Crystal as our primary residence & the location for our new business, Fairway Farms LLC Driving Range & Fairway Bungalow Vacation Rental. I participated/participating in the following: three township committees and currently chairing the Park Redevelopment Project Committee; engaging and collaborating with community and statewide stakeholders, develop and enhance community programs opportunities and policy; Crystal Township committees that seek to find solutions to our community needs; Crystal Community Center Committee which met for over a year to give the township board ideas/options for the present elementary school/community center. Facilitated two outside companies to speak to our committee about the process, procedures, and planning for development and funding for a project of this magnitude. From these groups, the committee selected Kingscott to be presented to the Township; and advocated for the placement of American flags on Crystal Township’s Main Street in 2018. 5. The development and implementation of a township master plan. This will allow the township to move forward with goals and objectives to create opportunities for our community as well as the abilities to apply for economic development grants at the state level. Protecting the Township’s greatest asset, Crystal Lake will also be one of the goals I set for myself and the township. EUREKA TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Les Lillie, 63, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. Retired from Road Commission for Montcalm County. Currently, code enforcement officer for the City of Greenville. Hobby farmer. 3. I have served on Eureka Charter Township board from 2000 until 2008 with being supervisor from 2004 until 2008. I currently serve on the Planning Commission just being appointed to my third term and being chosen as vice chairman Les this term. Lillie 4. I feel my years of service to Eureka Charter Township make me the better choice and I also follow a number of family members that also served in a number of positions for Eureka Charter Township. My father was a trustee from 1987 until his death in 2001. My mother served as treasurer and deputy treasurer for over 35 Years. My grandfather was supervisor from 1968 until his death in 1977. 5. I would like to continue building a good working relationship with the City of Greenville and continue an aggressive upgrade to our township roads. I would like to thank those in advance for supporting me in this election. 1. Darcia Kelley, 66, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. Currently, I am the director of Community Hope Christian Counseling Center. Previously I worked as marketing manager for GE Consumer Finance. I also taught in the Business Department at Montcalm Community College for 20 years. 3. Qualifications that I bring to the office show that I have a proven record of servant leadership. Master’s degree in management, Darcia Cornerstone University. Former Kelley trustee for Oakfield Township Board for multiple terms. Grant writer for area township fire departments. Desire to serve our country at the township level and do what I can to help residents of the township achieve goals. Successful business leader in the local community and in a global business 4. What sets me apart from my opponent is my education and continued proven ability to lead in a diverse envi-
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LOCAL TOWNSHIP CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRES ronment. I have successfully taught business principals to all ages at the Community College and successfully used those principals in my own career. I am currently leading a business to serve those in our community while keeping the agency financially solvent during these changing times. Business decisions have been made by me to effectively lead here in the township and in previous positions I held at GE Consumer Finance Division. I also seek to work as a team player and will continue to work together with each elected individual that serves on the Eureka Township Board. 5. Some of the goals I would like to accomplish during this upcoming term are: Assist businesses to promote long-term growth in the township; help facilitate the building of additional affordable housing by working with developers; use existing funding to continue to improve our roads; and maintain our sound budget and financial standing EUREKA TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (4 seats open) (primary winners will face Linda Weger, a Democrat, in November) 1. Jeremy Austin, 44, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. I’m a licensed contractor, constructing residential homes. 3. I have eight years on the board now and so there is experience in this position. I’m a common sense and straight-shooting guy and that is greatly needed as a township official. Being transparent is always at the top of my list. 4. What may set me apart is that I try to make my vote count for the safety of our residents first. I also believe in the liberties and freedoms of our residents. I am against burdensome regulation that serves only to frustrate our residents. I try to encourage our residents to come and participate in our meetings. 5. One goal I have to raise awareness of those things that are causing almost double the fatal accidents that we have compared to other counties around Montcalm. I believe bringing facts to the residents’ attention, could reduce that issue. I do realize that not all the accidents that happen in Montcalm are actually residents. There are many passing through our county, but to be informed will only help. Tim Johnson (Republican): No response. 1. C. Brad Kelley, 59, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. Work at High Grade Materials, Greenville. Have been employed there over 30 years 3. Experienced township board member in Oakfield Township and currently two terms in Eureka Township. Well known for my integrity, dependability, caring individual and trustworthiness. Ability to get along well with others and be a leader asked. Open to working with diverse C. Brad groups and can relate well to all age Kelley groups 4. What sets me apart from others that are running for office is my willingness to be a servant leader. I am here to work for the people of Eureka and not here for just my own agenda. I have eight successful years of service on the Eureka Township Board and look forward to continued service to my community. I make sure I do needed research on all issues that come before the board so I can have an informed and fair vote on issues brought before the township. 5. I would like to see the township have a good working relationship with the City of Greenville. Would like to see continued growth in our township with a balanced budget. Keep a high standard of law enforcement and fire protection for our community. 1. Kristen Lower, 28, Greenville, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. While currently on a career sabbatical to raise our three children, I am a Licensed Veterinary Technologist (LVT). 3. I hold a Bachelor’s of Science from Michigan State University. I worked my way through school gaining many years of experience working for small business owners. I have seen the difficulties employers Kristen face while operating their business- Lower es and also challenges presented by local restrictions and policies. During the past few years, I have spent countless hours discussing community politics and becoming familiar with local levels of government. I bring a different perspective to the board and hope to represent the views of young families in our community. 4. I am the youngest candidate seeking a trustee seat, and also the only one with a young family. I believe I would bring a fresh voice and energy to the table, with new ideas to help bring positive change to the community. 5. One of my primary goals is to stay out of the way of small businesses. I would like to encourage entrepreneurial growth in our community and try to help businesses navigate our local government to give them the best chance at success. I also would like to see a community-wide recycling availability/opportunity and possibly a unified trash service for the entire township. Like many of you have experienced, our home-owners insurance premiums recently increased due to a drop in the insurance rating of our local fire department. I will investigate possible solutions to improving the quality of our local fire department and water accessibility in the township. Lastly, I want to continue the atmosphere of cooperation and goodwill among board members, and keep our budget in the black. 1. Elaine Pendrick, 84, Greenville, Eureka Township (Republican). 2. I am retired. I worked at Greenville Public Schools as a secretary for over 20 years. 3. I have lived in Eureka Township for 62 years and have watched our area grow. When I worked for the school district I was known for being a well-organized person, could handle any task that I was asked to do, and I learned how to deal Elaine with difficult people. I have a lot of Pendrick experience in dealing with people in a businesslike and fair way. I have been on Eureka Township Board for 12 years, so feel very qualified to continue. Several of my accomplishments: Marty Posekany and I applied and received for our play yard in the back of the hall from the Greenville Area Foundation. I was responsible for starting our yard waste program in the township. 4. The wisdom I have due to my age. I feel it is important to have a variety of ages on the board. 5. Because of the growth that is happening in our area, I would like us to work well with the City of Greenville to our area an even better place. EVERGREEN TOWNSHIP TREASURER Annette Fountain (Republican): No response. 1. Doreen Ann Tissue, 62, Evergreen Township, Sheridan (Republican). 2. My former employment was at Montcalm County DHS.
3. My qualifications that I have that would effectively serve and benefit my district are a combined 40 years of experience with clerical/ office administrator/treasurer/legal secretary which includes working with the public, computer experience, accounting experience working with BS&A software and more. Also, experience working with Doreen confidential information. Tissue 4. I thoroughly enjoy working with people. 5. The goals that I would like to accomplish during my term would be to work efficiently with the assessor, trustees, township supervisor and township clerk and also assist the Evergreen Township Office to continue to grow. I am willing to learn new technology as it continues to change in order for me to do my job more efficiently. FAIRPLAINS TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR Jay Edwards (Republican): No response. 1. Thomas Sova, 62, Fairplains Township. (Republican). 2. Retired 3. I have 12 years of experience serving in local government, while also serving six years as the Montcalm Townships Association president. 4. Although I don’t really know my opponent very well, while serving as Fairplains Township supervisor I have established a good working relationship with our county officials, other townships and members of our community. 5. To complete electronic cemetery records and keep township business running smoothly. FERRIS TOWNSHIP CLERK 1. Teri Brecht, 52, Ferris Township (Democrat). 2. Currently employed at Sparrow Carson Hospital. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in December 2020. 3. In my current position at the hospital, I record minutes, organize meetings, host meetings, organize trainings and work with many organizations. I have multiple years in customer service. I enjoy team-focused roles. I am proficient Teri in technology and verbal skills. Brecht 4. I am currently working as the Ferris Township clerk and I am enjoying learning all the aspects of this position and the community members I am meeting. 5. My goal is to learn more about our township, the people who live here and learn/advocate for what is best for our community. 1. Kathleen Gibson, 67, Ferris Township (Democrat). 2. Currently, I’m semiretired, self-employed as co-owner and accountant at Jacks SawMill. I also serve year-round as a volunteer coordinator with AARP Foundation TaxAide. 3. I earned my BSBA in accounting from Central Michigan University. Before I left to become a full partner in the sawmill, I held the position of inventory control at the Home Kathleen Depot; before college, customer Gibson service rep with GTE. I volunteer as the local coordinator, instructor, and tax counselor with AARP Foundation TaxAide, working with the Montcalm County Commission on Aging, Montcalm County DHHS and United Way of Montcalm and Ionia Counties. 4. I would go back to honoring published office hours, for consistency and the convenience of township residents, cemetery researchers, historians, and township officials. The treasurer must help taxpayers understand their tax statements, who to contact to take action in case of problems or errors. With my training, I would be able to assist when called upon in the absence of the treasurer. Online Zoom meetings held at the township could be advertised better; meetings easily accessed, along with the meeting agendas as well as the final decisions reached. I can help the township become more technology-based, with an expanded website, making resources accessible to more residents, by being open to changes, and using the skills I’ve acquired volunteering. Our cemetery procedures need some updates, including the completion of digitalizing plot records. As a volunteer for Find A Grave, I believe my interest would be helpful in assisting individuals in purchasing cemetery plots, understanding the cemetery rules or helping resolve problems that arise, as well as maintaining and correcting records. Elections are going to look a lot different in the future. As clerk, I would use my training in setting up layout, equipment, workers, acquiring PPE and other safety measures, for the safety of taxpayers and workers alike. I understand the need for accuracy and being careful with how township dollars are spent. Changes to the Small Business Personal Property tax took some of the tax burdens of our own business, but the exemption for small businesses also reduced the available funds for our township. 5. Montcalm County plat map online shows Ferris Township owns five parcels: Ferris Township Hall, Ferris Township Cemeteries on Crystal Road and E. Klees Road, and three lots on Lake Stevens. I could help with utilizing Michigan Township Parks Grants to upgrade the cemetery for possible use as a park, possibly paved trails, that would enhance funerals, and encourage walking and bike riders. Searching for Ferris Township Cemetery brings up tiny E. Klees Road Cemetery, instead of the main cemetery on Crystal Road. I would like to see some action on those issues. Except for years as an Air Force spouse, I grew up and again live on Douglas Road near the edge of the township. I would be proud to serve as Ferris Township Clerk. Thank you for your vote. MAPLE VALLEY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. David Kraft, 67, Trufant (Republican). 2. Die and machine designer, lifelong farmer. 3. The ability to look and listen to all sides before forming an opinion. 4. My age — I have watched a lot of people do this job. I have seen what they did right and wrong. 5. Make sure everyone is treated equally and fair. David Kraft Michael Larsen (Republican): No response. 1. John Schwandt, 50, Trufant, Maple Valley Township (Republican). 2. Co-owner of County House Assisted Living and the Maple Valley Market. I also work for Carr Farms in Lakeview. 3. I have been involved in different aspects of the township for over 15 years. I am currently serving as chairman of the Planning Committee, where we just updated our master plan. I also serve on the board of review as chairman. I have served the community for over 15 years on the fire department, currently serving as a lieutenant. I helped with the merger of Coral and Trufant becoming
Maple Valley Fire Department. Then, more recently, with the joining of the Lakeview District Fire Department. I’ve also served six-plus years on the board at Community First Federal Credit Union and worked within the township for many years on the road committee, the complex committee and others. I am also responsible for the renting of the John old bus garage for storage each year. Schwandt My time served as trustee and then as appointed supervisor makes me very familiar with the workings of the township and with the decision-makers within the county. 4. Many years of volunteering and serving the citizens of Maple Valley Township. Being self-employed, within the township, I have always made it a point to be available, accessible and inviting to everyone. You can always contact me by phone — text (231) 349-1943 — or email countryhouseafc@yahoo.com or in person. I make it a point to always respond back as soon as possible. Growing up in Trufant and working at my Grandfather’s elevator in Coral has made me very familiar with both villages and the people. My time on the fire department and township board has put me in good communication with many local, county and state officials (fire departments, EMS, police, board of commissioners, road commission, etc.) 5. My main goal is to improve communication. I will lead by example and get everyone on the board to reply back to residences in a timely manner. I would like to develop a five- to 10-year plan for road maintenance and improvements. I will keep working to improve our ordinances in accordance with our master plan and get back to improving our cemeteries. Talking with other township officials, I would like to see what other things we can do together to improve services and make things more cost-effective. MONTCALM TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE (2 seats open) (primary winners will face Steve Sprague, a Democrat, in November) Brian Cousineau (Republican): No response. 1. Edward J. Hansen, 38, Montcalm Township (Republican). 2. Volunteer fireman for Montcalm Township for 14 years. Family owned and operated farmer my whole life. School bus driver for Greenville Public Schools for four years. 3. Family man with good Christian faith. My knowledge of Montcalm Township and its residents. I am a member of the ZBA and have knowledge of our township ordinance. 4. I have always wanted to get involved in helping my township. Edward Running for township office allows Hansen me to get further involved in the direction the township may take. 5. To share my knowledge of Montcalm Township and to help investigate and solve any situation that will develop and handle them with informed discussion. 1. Tim Rau, 70, Montcalm Township (Republican). Note: Tim Rau’s name will appear on the primary ballot but he is moving out of the township and thus is no longer running for re-election. 2. Retired 3. Qualifications of any candidate would be a basic understanding of parliamentary procedures followed by the ability to effectively communicate with fellow board members and the residents that Tim they represent while being respect- Rau ful and understanding. Honesty and transparency should always be the core the foundation of anyone that is accepting the responsibility of being the spokesperson for the constituents of their district. 4. The value that was the driving force for myself during my term as trustee was putting people first and getting out and actually talking to the people while truly listening to their concerns. All too often it is the special interest groups that get the attention even though in many cases these special interest groups do not reflect the values and desires of the silent majority. I truly hope that whoever is elected as trustee to our township will continue to stand up to special interest groups that do not respect the values of our community. 5. My wife and I have recently made the difficult decision of putting our home up for sale. We have genuinely loved living on a lake in this area and have been fortunate enough to meet several people here that we can and will continue to call our friends. We will not be relocating within Montcalm Township, so I will not be running for reelection. Unfortunately, the primary ballots are already printed, with that said, I would like to officially endorse Ed Hansen as the Republican candidate for trustee. PIERSON TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR 1. Dan Buyze, 68, Pierson Township (Republican). 2. I am now retired. I worked at Steelcase for 28 years and held various positions in supervision and management within the Logistics/ Distribution Department. In 2005, I retired from Steelcase and worked until last year as an independent transportation rep and logistic consultant. 3. Aside from my supervisory and management positions at Steelcase, Dan I have the following experience: I Buyze led the effort to get the state to investigate PFAS contamination in the township. Now I am a member of the Governors MPART Citizens PFAS Advisory Work Group representing Montcalm County. Chair for the Pierson Committee of Community and Economic Development. Contributor to the updated Pierson Master Plan. President of the Big Whitefish Lake Association. Member of the Pierson Township Sewer Advisory Committee. Former member Kent County 641 Solid Waste Planning Committee (1990s). Former board member West Michigan Environmental Action Council (1990s). Former president of the Big Whitefish Lake Association (1990s). 4. I have a proven record of building coalitions within diverse groups and special interests to agree toward a common goal. As a member of the PFAS Citizens Advisor Workgroup, I am a main liaison between the state, industry and Township Board to ensure contamination plume boundary identification and subsequent clean-up plans are on track to ensure resident health and water resources are protected. Led the effort to create the first sewer district in Pierson Township. Led the effort to create the first lake management program within Pierson Township. Member of the State Forum to control the mute swan. 5. Make township functions process-oriented that will improve customer service, create sustainable practices and create a disciplined means for decision making. Protect the environment. We have many beautiful lakes, large forest areas and wetlands, all of which need our stewardship to protect from invasive species. Ensure we protect our groundwater. Maintain the “character” of the township through controlled growth to protect our farming culture while also providing business growth opportunities. Provide recreational opportunities for residents.
1. Bill Van Til, 73, Pierson Township (Republican). 2. For 43 years I worked at American seating in a variety of areas, retiring in 2011. Since 2017 I have served on numerous committees for Pierson Township. Parks and Recreation, zoning and the planning committee. On Jan. 2, 2019, I had the honor of becoming a supervisor for Pierson Township when the previous supervisor retired and I was unanimously selected by the board Bill to take his place. Van Til 3. These last two years as supervisor have given me a wealth of knowledge and how townships are run. I have attended conferences and many Michigan Township Association sessions to gain more knowledge. My time as supervisor has been challenging and rewarding. I would love to be able to continue to serve the people of Pierson Township as their supervisor. I am a true Republican and I desire to serve the entire township to the best of my ability. 4. My experience as current supervisor, serving on township committees and living in Pierson Township for 50 years shows I am truly committed to the welfare of Pierson. 5. Pierson is a small township and we are dealing with state budget cuts. The board is responsible for budget oversight. In this term, I would love to continue to serve the people of Pierson with complete transparency and continue to monitor and ensure township finances are used to benefit the entire township. PIERSON TOWNSHIP TREASURER 1. Kathy Hyrns, 66, Pierson Township (Republican). 2. I was elected Pierson Township’s treasurer in 2016. Former owner/ operator of Family Hair Design for 33 years that I retired from in 2018. I was also an advocate for The Association For Children’s Mental Health for the 1990’s-2000. 3. I have a history of being in the business world and working with the public for over 40 years. I have valued experience in the last Kathy four years as treasurer of Pierson Hyrns Township. I have settled each March with the county treasurer to the penny. The tax files, investments and monthly reconciliation audit reports verify my understanding of my fiscal responsibilities. I was able to securely invest our township funds to earn over $9,000 worth of interest last fiscal year to help reduce the burden on our taxpayers. I am experienced with our government software that we use (BS&A). I have a knowledge of the history and needs of our township. My dad Ken Mulholland served as a trustee in the late 1970s and early 1980s. My grandmother Bertine Mulholland donated the land on Cannonsville Road where our Township Hall is located. I’m a person of integrity. I support and am thankful for our United States Constitution. I’m conservative both fiscally and socially and I am a passionate supporter of life, the 2nd Amendment, veteran’s causes, hunting, fishing and farming, small business and environmental issues. These are very near and dear to my heart as my husband was a veteran of the Vietnam War and succumbed to the effects of Agent Orange in December 2019. 4. My experience is what sets me apart. My 33 years as a business owner/operator.This current term of serving as a member of the Township Board. Being the treasurer that understands and adheres to the statutory requirements of the office. I personally love meeting and serving the residents of Pierson Township and I would appreciate the opportunity to serve four more years as your treasurer. I am just a phone call away to help our residents or point them in the right direction to get their questions and concerns answered. 5. I will continue to hold officials and employees accountable for how our tax dollars are being spent. My short term goal is to keep Pierson Township fiscally solvent during this time of the pandemic and the uncertain times when having to make budget cuts due to our loss in state revenue sharing. Long term goals are to continue a relationship of public trust and to see Pierson Township grow and prosper for future generations to come with a safe environment. 1. Dora Schroeder, 54, Pierson Township (Republican). 2. I am retired from Continental Airlines. 3. I have 30-plus years of accounting related experience. Including tax preparation, budgeting, and managing cash flow. These core competencies along with my knowledge of township government operations, interpersonal skills and leadership abilities will serve my township well. Dora 4. I understand the importance Schroeder of having a competent local person as treasurer to not only act as the collector of taxes but be the bank for our township funds. My experience has taught me how important healthy communication is in building relationships and trust. I will use this experience to create working and personal relationships not only within our township and county but with other local townships and businesses as well. I feel our township deserves financial competence, strong communications skills and integrity from the treasurer’s office. I understand local issues and believe it’s crucial to be available at the township offices for all our citizens needs on a consistent and regular basis. I would like to open the treasurer’s office more than the currently held hours to give people more availability to their local elected officials. My vote as a board member will be with taxpayers’ dollars in mind! I will encourage citizens to participate in meetings, voice their concerns and be heard! I am listening! 5. I have a passion for community service! I believe elected officials should not only work hard at their statutory duties but go above and beyond. Become involved in the community they serve. Endorse local businesses’ and support community members. I hope to gain support on having more community outreach programs and community activities. I currently serve on the Community and Economic Growth Committee, where we recently cleaned up local roadsides. I also participate in the local farmer’s market and am leading the effort to build a local community garden. Currently, I maintain the Pierson Township Hall’s garden beds, removing the cost of paying an outside gardener during these times of hardship! I am ready to serve the citizens of Pierson Township with pride, dignity and the respect our residents deserve. PINE TOWNSHIP TREASURER Rachel Pitcher (Republican): No response. 1. Misty VanGessel, 39, Pine Township (Republican). 2. Multi-unit team leader/office manager/tax return preparer. 3. I have good communication skills and I am community-minded. I have knowledge of the property tax system in the State of Michigan. I have been an office manager for 15 years and I work well with people. Misty 4. I am dedicated to serving the VanGessel residents of the township. 5. I will do my best to always be available to the township residents and communicate in a timely manner.
Page 16B | Saturday, July 25, 2020
Ionia County sheriff Continued from Page 5B safety and build collaborative relationships to address drug abuse and substance recovery, traffic safety and caring for victims of crimes. He plans to continue school partnerships with sheriff ’s employees working closely with school administrators to create a safer environment for both students and staff; and senior citizen partnerships to provide seniors and their families with training in fraud and abuse, welfare checks and watch programs, and opportunities for services that better address their needs and quality of life in the community. Noll also intends to continue confronting increased substance abuse, particularly opioid addiction, in the community, working with all the stakeholders to seek “significant initiatives” that reduce the harm of drug misuse, and looking at how the sheriff ’s office can be a catalyst for that change, he said. “We will continue to be focused on being responsive and supportive to vic-
tims of crime. We will continue to focus our police services based on trust between the members of the Ionia County Sheriff Department and the community we serve,” Noll said. “It has been stated before, and cannot be stated enough, that being responsive to the community and understanding the connection between the Ionia County citizens and the public safety efforts of my department will be the ‘bridge-building’ that brings the best result for Ionia County.” Noll has three main goals for his agency, if elected. The first is for his office to prioritize and dedicate department operations to quality of life for the citizens. “Through services provided and communication with our community, your sheriff ’s office is and will be focused on all quality of life standards,” he said. “This means the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office is conscious of the well-being of its citizens and will foster our services with expectations and guided values and goals to preserve and provide services that ensure quality of
life.” Second, as the elected chief law enforcement officer of the community, Noll said he must prioritize his constitutional duty to stand up for freedoms under the law and the duty to protect the public from those who participate “in wrongdoing and lawlessness.” “My mission for our department is to fulfill these duties of enforcing the law, serving the courts, and managing a safe and secure jail by operating your sheriff ’s office using sound budgetary efficiencies, creating a high trust culture, respect, dignity and a commitment to excellence,” he said. Third, Noll said he is committed to continuing the substance abuse services, mental health services, and Michigan Works services currently provided in the jail. He also has taken steps to start a Sheriff ’s Office Committee to evaluate, research and educate regarding the need for a new facility in the future. “Preparing for what is ahead is key to being successful and building a
stronger community for Ionia County,” he said. ROBERT RICKERT Retired from the Ionia County Sheriff ’s Office, Rickert, 59, currently is employed at Lowe’s. Rickert believes there needs to be changes made at the sheriff ’s office to improve the relationship between the agency and the public. As a lifelong resident of Ionia County and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, nine years as a reservist on the Belding Police Department and 22 years working in the Ionia County Jail, Rickert thinks he is the candidate who can best make those changes. “I am a good listener, and I would be willing to meet with the public to discuss any concerns they would have,” he said. If elected, Rickert said he would focus on improving communication, improving training for all officers and do the best he can to stay current on both.
Ionia County register of deeds Continued from Page 5B records of the first settlers of Ionia County, along with everyone who has lived here since,” he said. “My ancestors’ land transactions are recorded there, and many of your ancestors’ records are recorded there, too.” Wagner said his positions in the private and public sectors have provided him with qualifications important to the role of register of deeds, such as an understanding of the importance of consistent, excellent customer service. “It is essential to treat the person on the phone or the person who walks through the door as the highest priority at that moment,” he said. “Customer service is important in any industry, but it is paramount in a government office that is funded by and established for the benefit of the people it serves. The purpose of government is in part to make its citizens’ lives quieter and more peaceful. This is a mindset I would bring to the Register of Deeds Office every single day.” In his current position overseeing the day-to-day operations of a sales and distribution warehouse and managing a staff similar in size to that of the Register of Deeds Office, Wagner also has dealt with a variety of personnel
issues. “I have seen employees grow and succeed, but I have also had to deal with performance issues that ended in termination,” he said. “Overall, I offer the leadership and diverse experience necessary to succeed as the register of deeds.” Wagner has “the utmost respect” for Adams and her dedication to this office, and he would strive to build upon her legacy, he said. His first goal would focus on maintaining accuracy in the recording of documents. “Ionia County’s citizens shouldn’t have to be concerned that a clerical error might create problems and land disputes in the future,” he said. Wagner said he also would continue the timely processing of paperwork. While government offices have a reputation for “dragging their feet,” his office would be marked by “a timely effort in all work.” Finally, Wagner plans to find ways to highlight the history of the land records of Ionia County, including using social media to create greater awareness of the county’s history and partnering with historical and genealogical groups across the county to help others explore their personal heritage. “Our past is essential to our future.
This supplemental section of the Daily News provides a look at local contested primary races and ballot proposals for the Aug. 4 election. For a complete list of candidates visit your county clerk’s website or michigan.gov/sos.
History should be studied and learned from,” Wagner said. “We can’t ignore
Vote
M
PAID FOR BY GINSTER FOR JUDGE PO BOX 333, GREENVILLE, MI 48838
Ionia County
We need your help!
YES 911
VOTE YES on August 4th
Support your 911 Center!
FLIP THE BALLOT OVER
AND VOTE YES!
►►►►►►►►
The surcharge increase is for Operations, Equipment and Facilities and will allow us to continue to provide new technology for our residents such as Smart911 and TEXT to 911. A planned future project is to up-grade radios for the Ionia County Fire Departments.
WHEN VOTING, BE SURE TO FLIP THE BALLOT OVER AND
VOTE YES FOR 911.
Ionia County 911 is seeking a surcharge increase up to $.70 (seventy cents) per device, per month; from $2.30 per device, up to $3.00 (an annual increase of up to $8.40 PER YEAR). Ionia County 911 does not receive property tax or county general fund, and no local communities are charged for dispatching services. QUESTIONS Why increase the surcharge?
ANSWERS Current income remains flat, while operation costs increase. Continue upgrades of critical 911 equipment.
Max. Cost increase per year?
Up to $8.40 per device.
Will this raise my taxes?
NO, this is not a property tax.
When would this begin?
July 1, 2021
Don’t forget to flip the ballot over & vote YES!
►►►
See more information on our Facebook page: Citizens for Ionia County 911
Paid for with unrestricted funds by the Citizens for Ionia County 911. P.O. Box 196, Ionia, MI 48846
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what has shaped our communities to bring us to where we are today.”
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Alan Cropsey Former Deputy Attorney General & Chairman, Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee
“Tom Ginster will be an exceptionally well qualified conservative Judge who upholds the laws and our Constitution. I strongly encourage his election as District Judge.”
Judge Christopher Murray Michigan Court of Appeals
“Tom Ginster will be a terrific judge for residents of Montcalm County. He is smart, hard-working and appreciates the situation of those coming into district court. Yet, he understands the limited role judges play in our system of government, and I am confident he will apply the laws as written.”
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