January 12, 2017 by New Buffalo Times

LIFE ON THE SANDY SHORES, THE FRUITFUL FARMLANDS AND THE MAGNIFICENT VINEYARDS.

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LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER issue 2, volume 76

Clerk Lori Vander Clay takes office PAGE 4 Harbor Commission discusses spring dredging PAGE 4 Water-sniffing dogs address water quality in area beaches PAGE 5 Give-back dinners resuming this month PAGE 6

Gnome winners receive goody basket PAGE 6 LRSB postpones elections PAGE 7 NBAS School Board elects new officers PAGE 8

New website, Lunch and Learns announced at Harbor Country Chamber Mixer PAGE 10

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

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New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

ETHICS Society of Professional Journalism PROPRIETOR NEW BUFFALO TIMES, INC. PUBLISHER DEE DEE DUHN CONTENT/NEWS EDITOR KRISTIN E. FATOUROS NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE CREATIVE DIRECTOR JOE DURK REPORTERS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DEE DEE DUHN THERESE DONNELLY LINDA HENDERSON FRANCESCA SAGALA LAWRENCE VON EBELER NATALIE CACIOPPO KURT MARGGRAF ALEXANDER FATOUROS SOPHIA ROSE FATOUROS NEW BUFFALO TIMES INTELLIGENCE NEW BUFFALO TIMES POLITICS GUEST WRITERS

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

HELLO, BALI! I arrived in Seoul, South Korea, with barely enough time to change planes, and then made my way onto Denpasar, Bali. Unfortunately, the luggage did not make it, and I was a bit concerned that they had confiscated it because of all the lipstick for my lipstick mission. Fortunately, I have clothes and office supplies here in Bali, but I am really hoping they find my lipstick. After about three hours of sleep, I headed to breakfast before realizing I must send my publisher’s letter, so I have not gotten my first massage of the day yet, but it is only about nine in the morning.

LIBRARY TIDINGS NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE NEW BUFFALO The word is out that I have arrived without the lipstick. The manager has already called Korean Airlines and we expect it to arrive at about 2 a.m. tomorrow. Once again, thank you to all of the readers who have reached out to friends and neighbors helping to fill the luggage with lipstick and cosmetics... I will send pictures of the giving day. In the meantime, I’m a bit disoriented from the intense travel and my time at the airport. I can’t wait any longer for my first massage of the day (whichever day this is). Welcome to Bali. dee deeduhn

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 A view from the Bali bungalow

The NEW BUFFALO TIMES is easy to find now, as we have the selected drop spots closer to you. Milda’s Corner Market Customs Imports Sawyer Garden Center The Whistle Stop David’s Delicatessen Grand Variety Barney’s Knoll Bros. Bud and Elsie’s Redamak’s Flip’s Big C Lumber Between Casey’s and Nancy’s For the most convenient location, you can subscribe to get the NEW BUFFALO TIMES in your mailbox or inbox. Please email us for E-TIMES, info@newbuffalotimes.com.

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Exhibition to feature Art Prize artists

his year, the Box Factory for the Arts is starting off its gallery exhibition series with some local artists who participated in Art Prize. The diversity of this exhibition is sure to delight every guest who walks through the Williams and Whitlow Galleries, as the artists’ works vary in size and medium. In the Riverwalk gallery, the works of Bertha Schroeder, who recently passed away, will be displayed. The exhibition will showcase artwork that she created throughout her life, including when she was more than 90 years old. The exhibitions will be celebrated with an Opening Exhibition Party Friday, Jan. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Box Factory and will run through Saturday, March 4. At the party, guests may treat themselves to specialty coffees, light hors d’oeuvres and cookies. This event is free and open to the public. The Box Factory for the Arts is located at 1101 Broad Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

CLERK LORI VANDER CLAY TAKES OFFICE

Lunch and Learn to highlight Glassman Park

he City of New Buffalo welcomed their new Clerk, Lori Vander Clay, Tuesday, Jan. 3. he Harbor Country Vander Clay comes to New Chamber of Commerce Buffalo after serving 14 years as and the Harbor Country the Clerk of The City of Allegan, Rotary will host a Lunch and Learn program Michigan. She began pursuing Wednesday, Jan. 11, at the Chamber’s the position last June, when it office. was advertised on the Michigan New Buffalo Township Parks Director Municipal League (MML) Pat Donnelly will present an overview of website. At that time, the City of the recently renovated Glassman Park. New Buffalo offered her the job, The park, which is located south of I-94 but she said it was not financially on the west side of Glassman Road, off feasible and she was unable to Kruger Road between Red Arrow Highway accept the offer. After a couple and Lakeside Road, is a 47-acre parcel of months went by, New Buffalo that has been owned and managed by Deputy Clerk Mary Lynn reached New Buffalo Township since 1981. The wooded parcel adjacent to the Galien out and contacted Vander Clay River has been largely undeveloped until to see if the timing may be a recent DNR matching grant allowed better for her to make a move. for the development of the recreational “This time the timing and site. The $235,000 Phase I of the terms were right to make the multi-phase project provided a parking move,” she said. area, hiking trails, fishing access and Vander Clay said that she is a handicapped kayak/canoe launch very excited to be living here, on site on the river. Also at the Lunch and Lake Michigan. Learn, guests will learn about a unique “I love, love, love the beach. Zen labyrinth that invites hikers to enjoy There was something that really a respite from their activities. drew me here. Everybody is so The following week, Wednesday, Jan. 18, join Mariel Borgman, Community nice, and it is a very cute town Food Systems Educator with MSU by the lake. It is perfect,” she Extension’s Greening Michigan said, adding that she had never Institute to learn about Food Hubs visited before her initial interview and Food Sheds and the opportunities and she just loved what she saw. they present for southwest Michigan Vander Clay and her husband agriculture, as well as about MSU have four children. Two sons Extension research and education are currently attending college efforts designed to help small- and (one attends Grand Valley medium-sized farms meet food safety State University and one son standards in southwest Michigan. attends Ferris State University), The Chamber Lunch and Learn programs provide a great opportunity a third son is in the work force for learning about a program or service in Allegan and her daughter is a in the area. They are open to the public senior in high school in Allegan. with free admission and an optional Following her daughter’s lunch is available for $10 each. All graduation, the couple plans programs are held from 11:30 a.m. to to move to New Buffalo 1 p.m. at the Chamber office located permanently. In the meantime, at 15311 Three Oaks Road in Three Vander Clay is renting a house Oaks. Registration is required. Register the week and commuting for any session on the website www. 30during N Whittaker St • Open Daily to Allegan on the weekends harborcountrychamber.org or by calling to be with her family. — LINDA 269-469-5409. — COMPILED BY LINDA

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Harbor Commission discusses spring dredging

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO

t their first meeting of 2017 Thursday Jan. 5, the New Buffalo Harbor Commission discussed the need for dredging the federal channel in the spring. Water levels remain at historic high levels, and the channel has not been dredged since 2013. Shoaling near the mouth of the harbor and channel depth below Army Corp of Engineer (ACE) recommended levels are necessitating that dredging be done this year. Chair Nancy Smith announced that, due to salmon spawning, the DNR has changed the dates when the channel cannot be dredged. The new blackout dates are between March 15 and May 1; previously, the dates were May 1 through July 1. This means that the City of New Buffalo must be ready to dredge as soon as the May 1 date to be ready for the summer boating season. The commissioners will recommend that the City Council pursue dredging and prepare bid documents so that the City is in a position to dredge as soon as it is allowed. In past years, either Wightman Engineering or the USACE have performed soundings and prepared bid documents for the City. The Detroit USACE office has oversight of the channel dredging. The sounding data must be collected from the channel within a three-week period of the actual dredging; however, soundings are also usually taken earlier to determine channel depths and the estimated amount of cubic yards of spoils to be removed. In 2014, the USACE allocated $275,000 to New Buffalo, but it was not funded by the federal government. The estimate cost from the USACE for Spring 2017 dredging is $240,000. All clean spoils, sand, removed from the channel are delivered to the south side of the channel to replenish beaches along Dunewood and Sunset Shores, which have been negatively impacted by the 1975 construction of the harbor break wall. This requirement is part of the original contract with the USACE. The 2017 dredging will be funded by private funds that have been voluntarily donated to the City’s Emergency Dredging Fund (EDF). The City of New Buffalo also contributes a portion of the revenues received from the City boat launch to the EDF. Nine harbor entities contribute annually to the EDF: Dunewood Condominium Association, Harbor Point Shores and Harbor Landings Condo Associations, Lake Michigan Yacht Club, Oselka Marina, Pleasure Isle Marina, South Cove Condo Association, The Moorings Condo Association and The Peninsula Home Owners Association. The EDF has a current balance of $362,732.12. In past years, dredging in the New Buffalo federal channel has been accomplished from funds set aside in the City’s Emergency Dredging Fund (EDF), from Pokagon Fund Grants and from Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funds. Since 1999, there has been no money allocated or available from the federal government for small draft recreational harbor maintenance, which is the designation for New Buffalo. When U.S. Congressman Fred Upton (R) St. Joseph visited New Buffalo’s lakefront in April 2016, he stated that there is a cap on federal spending and every department is under a financial microscope. He stated that since 1999, congress no longer has money for “earmarks” or the ability to direct spending to specific projects. All federal money is allocated and controlled by the Appropriations Committee and he said they “don’t have a single member on the Appropriations Committee from Michigan.” According to the U.S Army Corp of Engineers Contract Dredging Report, which indicates the number of cubic yards dredged in past years, the beaches 1,500 to 3,200 feet south of the south breakwater in New Buffalo harbor received dredging spoils in seven different years since 1995. The sand was delivered to different locations during the seven year period. Following is the USACE published data: 1999 - 18,586 cu. yds. delivered 1,5003,000 ft. south of breakwater, in 2001 - 4,157 cu. yds. delivered 1,500-3,000 ft. south of breakwater, 2003 - 11,781 cu. yds. delivered 2,400-3,200 ft. south of breakwater, 2005 - 11,107 cu. yds. delivered 1,500-3,000 ft. south of breakwater, 2006 - 2,907 cu. ft. delivered 2,400--3,200 ft. south of breakwater, 2008 - 7,135 cu. yds. delivered 2,400-3,200 ft. south of breakwater, 2010 - 13,075 cu yds. and in 2013 - 9,720 cu. yds. delivered 1,500 ft. south of the south breakwater. In 2009, the United States Army Corps of Engineers performed a study on the beach erosion south of the New Buffalo harbor break wall. The 2009 study, Planning Assistance to States Village of Grand Beach, Michigan 2009, recommends adding 120,000 cubic yards of sand in the Warwick Shores and Sunset Shores locations in New Buffalo; the study estimated that, (at that time) it would add 150 to 200 feet of beach and would provide a long-term benefit to the shoreline and to the City pump house. They estimated that the sand would naturally drift south to nourish Forest Beach and Grand Beach. The study additionally recommended that 26,000 cubic yards of sand be added to the area yearly; neither of these options has been done. New Buffalo’s channel and harbor mouth have not been dredged since 2013. In other business, the commissioners set their meeting dates for 2017 for the first Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m., with open meetings being held at New Buffalo City Hall.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

Water-sniffing dogs address water quality in area beaches

rotecting the quality of Harbor Country’s water resources has been a key focus of The Pokagon Fund in its efforts to maintain the area’s environmental and economic vitality. In 2015, The Fund approved a $50,000 grant to The Conservation Fund with two goals: to complete a watershed management plan and to identify specific areas contributing to water quality problems for 12 streams in the Harbor Country area. As part of that effort, a public-private partnership led by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission is using trained canines to systematically identify the source of E. coli problems on 10 beaches in Harbor Country. With a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), including the grant from The Fund and funding from Freshpet, Inc., the project is conducting a study of the 12 streams and developing a plan to address E. coli is bacteria that indicates E. coli contamination and other water the presence of human or quality issues over a three-year period. animal waste. Since 2010, Each of these beaches have streams several beaches along Lake that outlet in or near the beach area. Michigan, from Stevensville Though the streams were the suspected to the Indiana state line, have source for elevated E. coli levels at the had closings due to the risk of beach, pinpointing where the E. coli is serious illness caused by high coming from has been difficult. levels of bacteria, including: • Warren Dunes State Park Last summer, project partners, Beach (17 days) including the Southwest Michigan • Weko Beach (7 days) Planning Commission, The Conservation • Cherry Beach (8 days) Fund, Berrien County Health • Union Pier (Townline Road) Department, Chikaming Open Lands (9 days) and Great Lakes Scientific, started • Harbert Beach (2 days) investigating the sources of E. coli along • Grand Beach/Michiana the streams. Water samples, taken beaches (10 days) from each stream at the outlet to Lake Michigan and at points further upstream, were sent to Environmental Canine Services (ECS) to be sniffed by dogs that can detect human wastewater. “The contamination was widespread, with dogs detecting human waste in 31 out of 50 samples,” said Marcy Hamilton, Senior Planner with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission. “Human waste was detected in six of the 12 streams.” ECS then brought dogs to southwest Michigan for follow up investigations. “The dogs are able to detect things that humans can’t,” said Peg Kohring, Midwest Regional Director for The Conservation Fund, one of the partners implementing the canine investigation as well as analyzing the results. “This study is making important strides in ensuring that Lake Michigan’s beaches are safe for future generations. Safeguarding water quality in the area is good for the community, the local economy and the environment.” The dogs identified several problem areas that are being investigated, including failing septic systems and pipes that are funneling sewage from homes to creeks and storm drains. However, most of the problems are believed to be a result of failing sanitary sewer infrastructure in the area. These sanitary sewer lines and lift stations may be leaking sewage into streams, which then flow to Lake Michigan and cause the beach closures. This is a serious public health issue that is not only polluting area beaches, but could also be contaminating groundwater supplies. “With local support from The Pokagon Fund, our partners leveraged state funds to address this crucial issue, which will benefit everyone in Harbor Country,” said Executive Director Janet Cocciarelli. The project partners will continue the investigation next spring and summer to find and correct problems. In the meantime, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission will be visiting with city, village, township and county staff and officials to raise awareness of the problem and to begin discussing solutions. For more information on E. coli contamination and beach closures, visit www. glin.net/beachcast/faq and www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/. Those who see any indication of sewage leaking onto the ground or into waterways should immediately call the MDEQ 24-hour pollution reporting hotline at 800-292-4706 or contact the Berrien County Health Department at 269-927- 5623. — STAFF REPORTS

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HCPAIarborbirdhouse auction is back Country Public Art Initiative is bringing back their popular

Birdhouse Auction Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Marina Grand in New Buffalo. The silent auction will feature more than 30 unique artisan designed birdhouses crafted by local famous and soon-to-be famous artists. Over the past seven years, the one-of-a-kind birdhouse designs have been highly coveted and talked about. Many say it is their chance to own an original t piece by a local artist. Others just love the unique designs, or want to help promotew and support public art throughout the eight area communities. m Doors open at 5 p.m., with the event lasting until 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in s advance and $35 at the door. Admission includes appetizers prepared by the t Bentwood Tavern and two glasses of wine or beer. Tickets may be purchased at l Marina Grand Resort by calling 269-469-9900 or from Fusion Group at 269-469- p 8226. For more information, contact www.hcpai.com. — LINDA HENDERSON a a o S W r he Bentwood Tavern in the Marina Grand has resumed their popular, t o winter monthly give-back dinners. Once a month during the next five months, one area beneficiary will benefit from the dinner and social evening. The Bentwood Tavern gives B back 50 percent of all food and beverage revenue from one designated A s evening. The full menu of artisan comfort cuisine is available for dining. The first dinner of the 2017 season will be Wednesday, Jan. 25, and will benefit p t the New Buffalo Railroad Museum. Founded in 1989, the Museum exhibits artifacts relating to the rail industry and it houses items of historic interest and value to the greater New Buffalo area. Visit the museum at 530 South Whittaker C B Street or visit the website at www.newbufalorailroadmuseum.org. To date, the Marina Grand Resort/Bentwood Tavern has donated over $81,000 i in support of charity organizations and community initiatives throughout H Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. Reservations are always suggested. Please visit www.marinagrandresort.com or S call 269-469-9900. The Bentwood Tavern in the Marina Grand Resort is located atp B 600 West Water Street in New Buffalo. — STAFF REPORTS p L Gnome on the Roam winner Lisa and Isabella Lewis 1 with NBBA Executive Director Cathi Rogers t t f b d o

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Gnome winners receive goody basket

isa and Isabella Lewis were the winners of the Gnome on the Roam hunt game that took place over the holidays, and won over $450 in gifts that were donated by members of the New Buffalo Business Association. During the Shop Local, Shop Small Business promotion, 26 New Buffalo businesses hosted an elusive little gnome for their patrons to find. After registering their find, patrons were invited to enter the contest and qualify for the grand prize basket of goodies. Cathi Rogers, Executive Director of the NBBA, delivered over $450 worth of gifts to Lisa and Isabella, just in time for the holidays, from the 26 participating business. Lisa is New Buffalo’s local mail lady, so if you see her, tell her congratulations. — LINDA HENDERSON

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

LRSB postpones elections

LINDA HENDERSON IN NEW BUFFALO

he New Buffalo Area Local Revenue Sharing Board met for their first regular meeting of the year Tuesday, Jan. 10, for the purpose of electing a chair and a representative for the at-large municipalities. New Buffalo Area Schools President and Board representative Pano Arvanitis sat on the Board as the alternate member of the at-large municipalities and stated that all of the municipalities that ewere scheduled to elect a representative were not in attendance at the meeting, which was scheduled prior to the regular LRSB meeting. He stated that there was a concern that proper notification had gone out to all the members. Member Matt Weesaw motioned that the election of the atlarge representative and the election of a new chairperson for the Board be postponed until the February meeting. The at-large municipalities are comprised of the townships of Chikaming and Three Oaks and the Villages of Grand Beach, Michiana and Three Oaks and New Buffalo Area Schools. Since the inception of the five-member board of the LRSB, the at-large representative has been the Chikaming Township Supervisor. The first elected representative was Jeanne Dudeck, followed by Wayne Warner. With the defeat of Warner in the November election, a new representative is needed and will be voted on by members of the entities which they represent. The representative may be chosen from any of the elected officials from any of the at-large municipalities. Following the election of an at-large representative, the five members of the Board will elect a chairman. The past chair and Berrien County Commissioner Andy Vavra was defeated by Ezra Scott in the November election. Scott succeeds Vavra as the county representative on the LRSB, but the chair position will be elected by the seated board members. That election will also take place in February. The current members of the LRSB board are: Berrien County, Ezra Scott; City of New Buffalo, Bob Spirito; New Buffalo Township, Jack Rogers; Pokagon Band of Pottawattamie Indians, Matt Weesaw; and the at-large representative is to be determined. At the opening of the meeting, New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit addressed the Board and asked that they reconsider the allocation for Specific Actual Cost (SAC) reimbursement for New Buffalo Township police tprotection. Heit stated that since the inception of the Four Winds Casino- New Buffalo in 2007, New Buffalo Township, as host community, has provided police protection to the Township. She stated that in the early years of the LRSB, the Township was reimbursed through Specific Actual Costs (SAC) for 100 percent of the cost of the contracted police protection, which is provided by the Berrien County Sheriff Department. In later years, that figure was reduced to 70 percent of the cost; in 2016, the Township received $439,568.18 in SAC for police protection reimbursement. In the past year, it has been stated by the board members that the LRSB will not reimburse SAC requests that are not documented in detail, as to how the expense, on a per call basis, relates to the operation of the casino. Heit asked that the Board reconsider their position. “Our Township stands to lose the most by this change in the way SAC requests are awarded,” she said. Heit added that, originally, the LRSB was to pay out 12 percent of the revenue for public safety to the municipalities and the Township’s request was below that number. She also stated that the Township has reduced their current police force, and they will ask the residents to approve a public safety millage in May. In addition to the elections in February, member Weesaw suggested inviting the two attorneys, New Buffalo Township Attorney David Peterson and Pokagon Band Attorney Mike Phelan, to attend the meeting and review and clarify the LRSB bylaws, the State Compact Agreement and the Inter-local agreement. Each of the attorneys was instrumental in drafting the original documents and they have presented an overview of them and of the requirements of Specific Actual Costs requests to past LRSB board members. The next meeting of the LRSB will be Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 a.m. at New Buffalo Township Hall.

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. — Aristotle

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

ARENA sports

From the Bleachers COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

he middle of January.... a very cold day.... the perfect time to write a column. Hockey and basketball are in the middle of their very long seasons. College football, at least for those of us in the Midwest, is finished. The Bears were historically bad this year, so my interest in the N.F.L. playoffs is not nearly as high as usual. The baseball season lasted longer than it ever has for this Cub fan, so the good news is, pitchers and catchers report for spring training in about five weeks. I’m truly excited to experience a baseball season that doesn’t have any curses attached to it. So, once again, we will travel to the sports world in a different vehicle. This week, let’s talk about friendship. I met my first real friend when I was five years old. He had just been hit by a car. We became friends during his rehabilitation, and after he was healed, we did almost everything together. He had an older brother who taught us to play basketball. My family changed churches because the new church had a great youth program. This included a basketball team and I met my next good friend. We played basketball in a church league, and learned to depend on each other. These two men, some 60 years later, remain my close friends. High school began, and I was fortunate enough to have a couple of wonderful people in my homeroom. Our last names were close to each other alphabetically, so we got to share a locker. One of these young men didn’t return from Vietnam, and the other became a wonderful friend. We played basketball and softball together, and our conversations almost always revolved around girls, music, or most often, sports. Another guy from the basketball team was a terrific guy, and we hung out both on and off the court. Two of us went off to college together, and were joined by a high school classmate that we didn’t know very well. He was a baseball player, and during college we all became buddies. These three men, fifty some odd years later, are still a big part of my life. There were, of course many others. A couple of my friends became good friends. Then, sports had to take a back seat for a while, while I searched for the one I wanted to spend my life with. Luckily, when I found that girl, we became best friends. My buddies found their mates and we all were lucky enough to really like each other. As time passes, we find new friends, reconnect with old ones, and our children grow up and become our friends too. The five men I referenced above are more than just sportsmen. They are a doctor of education, an extremely successful business owner, an accountant, a lawyer, and a salesman. More than that, they are great fathers, husbands, and friends. I am eternally grateful that all of my friends have come into my life. Although there have been some serious bumps on the road, I consider myself an awfully lucky man. There are so many wonderful quotes about friendship. My choice is from Helen Keller who said “ Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Be careful out there. Make good choices. Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

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CHALK BOARD scholastics

NBAS School Board elects new officers BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

ew Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education members voted in new officers at their first meeting of 2017 Monday, Jan. 10. Members voted for Chuck Heit, who served as the Board Vice President, to be the new Board President. The new Vice President is Lee Artz. New Secretary is Lisa Werner, while Treasurer is Pano Arvanitis. In addition to Board officers, Board members also appointed Trustee Heather Black, who was elected to take Judy Handley Zabicki’s place last November, to serve as Board representative on the Berrien County Intermediate School District, with Heit serving as the alternate member. In addition to Board officers, Board members also Members also elected Werner to appointed Trustee Heather serve as Board representative on Black, who was elected to take the Berrien Cass School Boards Association, with Artz as the alternate Judy Handley Zabicki’s place last November, to serve as member. Board representative on the Board members also approved the Berrien County Intermediate following items: the appointment School District, with Heit of Thrun Law Firm as General serving as the alternate Counsel; the designation of NBAS member. Members also Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Leslie, elected Werner to serve as high school principal Craig Stafford, Board representative on the Administrative Assistant to the Berrien Cass School Boards Superintendent Yvonne Homolka, Association, with Artz as the high school secretary Devinnie alternate member. Wysocki to issue work permits and the designation of Leslie to sign necessary paperwork for the sale/purchase of district properties and other documents required by the district. In other business, Board members approved the declaration of January as School Board Recognition Month. Board members approved that the Board of Education be recognized as the policy holder for the New Buffalo 5-C Education Association regarding employee health insurance benefits per the Public Employee Relations Act. Board members approved the hiring of the following coaches: Nathan Tripp as seventh grade girls’ basketball coach, Jessica Conrad as eighth grade girls’ basketball coach and Eric Selby as middle school wrestling coach. Board members approved sending Werner to the National School Board Association conference in Denver, Colorado for an amount not to exceed $2200, with Werner, Arvanitis, Artz and Black voting in favor of the motion and Magro and Heit being the two dissenting votes.

ATTENTION: THREE OAKS NOW HAS THURSDAY DELIVERY!

New Buffalo Times

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SO MANY THANKS...

hank you to everyone who supported Harbor Country Singers at our Christmas concerts in Three Oaks and New Buffalo and other holiday season events. It was an opportunity for many wonderful people to enjoy singing in a group, given special meaning when the larger community clearly enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Thank you for your words of encouragement, for coming to our events and enthusiastically affirming that we “belong” and are filling a community need ...and filling it with music. HCS is open to all, and no previous experience is required. We are beginning to prepare for Spring/Summer concerts of historic, patriotic and popular tunes. If you would like to join, please contact us at schoolofamericanmusic@gmail.com and plan to attend a 2017 Season Orientation Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 pm at the Arts and Education Center, 14 Maple Street, in Three Oaks. Regular rehearsals will follow on Wednesday nights from 6:30 till 8 p.m. We hope to see many new faces! — CINDY DRYDEN (DIRECTOR)

IN HONOR...

n December 30, 2016 the Michigan State Police held a Commemorative Ceremony at the New Buffalo Township Hall to mark the 45 years it has been since Tprs. Charles Stark and Gary Rampy were shot and killed in the line of duty in front of a residence on Red Arrow about a mile north of the Township Hall. The Michigan State Police were represented by an Honor Guard of 10 State Troopers who stood at attention near the portraits of the two fallen Troopers. On behalf of the Michigan State Police and myself I would like to thank Maria Campbell and Brewster’s Restaurant who generously provided lunch for the Honor Guard prior to the ceremony. It is heart-warming to know we have such wonderful merchants in this area willing to help for such a touching tribute, even for an event that occurred 45 years ago. — PETE RAHM, MICHIGAN STATE POLICE, RETIRED

REPUBLICANS DO NOT REPRESENT THE WORKING CLASS...

ever let anyone get away with telling you that the Republican party represents the working class. Anyone who makes that claim is either deluded by conservative fake-news/history propaganda or they’re blatantly lying to lure you to the party of corporate greed. When was the last time the GOP supported a bill to help unions? Or increased the minimum wage? Or regulated corporations? No time in recent memory. Why? Because Republicans support corporate earnings over working-class well-being. Since the 70’s, workers have been affected by Corporatism; an increasingly UNREGULATED capitalist system where a few can afford to buy-out our legislators, kill collective bargaining rights bills, and crush the middle class to increase profits. These DEREGULATIONS have shrunk the middle-class and expanded income inequality by sending would-be worker’s earnings into the pockets of the 1%. When unregulated capitalism breeds a corporate elite who prefer to outsource jobs and to slash wages, safety regulations, sick leave, maternity leave, overtime pay, vacation time, and healthcare benefits (but continue to make campaign contributions to Republican legislators to keep it that way); the working class becomes financially and mentally stressed. As the middle-class’s annual income falls, poverty, crime, addictions and an angry society grows. Donald Trump’s only coherent campaign speech (a tele-prompted policy speech) in Detroit on the Economy, spewed the Republican’s deplorable “more of the same” and “status-quo” economic plan for DEREGULATING and PRIVATIZING everything! Precisely the same game that’s been happening since Reagan! When history and facts no longer mean anything to voters, the Republican “trickle down economics” scam will continue to resonate; allowing corporations to maximize capital by treating their employees as expendable commodities rather than people. Millions of Trump’s voters gobbled up his bombastic fear-mongering that played on their emotions as opposed to their intellect. If they understood why his policies are a con, they certainly wouldn’t have voted for him. So if we all can finally recognize this, “we the people” will be able to resist corporatism by electing candidates who will truly represent working class Americans. — DAMON WOLF

The only source of knowledge is experience. — Albert Einstein

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017 Chamber members mingle in New Buffalo Hardware

Dan Ventura, Chuck Gerasic and Liz Thomas

New website, Lunch and Learns announced at Chamber Mixer

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

ith the start of a brand-new year comes the launching of a brand-new website for the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members received a sneak peek of the website at their annual meeting last October. During the first After-Hours Mixer of 2017 at New Buffalo Hardware Thursday, Jan. 5, Executive Director Vicki Gudas announced that the website can now be viewed at harborcountry.org. She added that they are more than willing to help any members with any problems they may encounter while accessing the website. “We’re still working out some kinks, but are ready to provide any assistance you need with managing your profile, posting events, or just finding stuff,” she said. In other 2017 news, Gudas mentioned that they’re getting ready to start layout and production for this year’s Harbor Country Guide, and she reminded everyone to place their ads and review their listings. Gudas said they’d continue to host their free of charge Lunch and Learn series with Harbor Country Rotary in the coming year, adding that the session taking place Wednesday, Jan. 11, will focus on New Buffalo Township’s Glassman Park and Wednesday, Jan. 18, they’ll be learning about Food Hubs and Food Sheds with Mariel Borgman from MSU Extension. Gudas also gave recognition to a new Chamber member, Reese Herrera, who has opened Redman & Co. Dog Day Care. She also welcomed Leslie Green, Market Relationship Officer at New Buffalo Savings Bank, and Hillary Knight, who will soon be taking over Dr. Jay Blackburn’s practice in New Buffalo.

Mitch Willis,Tony Chalmers, Abby Huber and Leslie Harfert

Karen Poff with Robert Damon

Susan Hall, Mike James and Marie Price

Lori Bulthuis, Hillary Knight and Elise Mauro

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

OBITUARIES

VOLUNTEER

Adam Wesley Bennett

1974-2017

dam Wesley Bennett, 43, of Michigan City, Indiana passed away unexpectedly in the early hours of Thursday, January 5, 2017. Adam leaves behind his wife Terri, of 24 years. Adam and Terri were high school sweethearts, with bumps in the road, they beat the odds and were still going strong and planning their 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal this coming June. Also surviving are his mother Linda Mayer, fathers: Lee Povlock and Ron West, and sister Lisa Bennett. Adam and Terri were blessed with three sons, Trey, Andrew (Heather), and Jacoby “Meathead.” Adam was also a very proud papa of Kensleigh Alexis, Liam Wesley, Oliver Adam, and soon to arrive Rosalie Luna. Never known to have a quiet home, Adam also became “Dad” to many bonus kids along the way who he would claim as his own. Adam was a man who will never know or understand the love that so many people had for him. The world lost one of the greatest that day. Family and friends gathered Sunday, January 8, at Three Oaks Free Methodist Church in Three Oaks, Michigan for services with the Reverend Ray Babcock officiating. The family wishes for memorial contributions be made to Adam’s son Jacoby Bennett. Contributions may be made out to Terri Bennett. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128. Please share a memory or a message online at www.wagnercares.com.

Sue Wolkins

1944-2017

ue Wolkins, age 72, of Galien, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in her home in the presence and comfort of her family. Sue was born May 4, 1944 in Bedford, Indiana, the daughter of William Robert and Emma (Hardwick) Dumond. She married Jack Wolkins on October 24, 1964 in Niles, Michigan. Sue enjoyed her flowers and working in her garden. She liked to cook. Sue and Jack always enjoyed going to the races on the weekends, she really enjoyed her NASCAR. She enjoyed traveling and camping with her family and friends. Sue loved Halloween and Christmas, those were known as her decorating holidays. The family will always remember her daily coffee breaks with her sister-in-law Carol for their 45 years of being neighbors. Sue will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her husband Jack Wolkins; her children: Debbie Froehlich, Chris Wolkins, Brian Wolkins; her grandchildren: Justin Harrington, Nikki Froehlich; her greatgrandchildren: Hunter and Hayden; her father William Robert Dumond; her brother Bob (Karen) Dumond; her mother-in-law Margaret Wolkins; her sisters-in-law: Bev (Larry) Mabry, Diane (Terry) Hein; her brother-in-law Terry Dalrymple; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Sue is preceded in death by her mother Emma Dumond, her father-in-law Stanley Wolkins, and her sister-in-law Carol Dalrymple. Visitation was Friday, January 6, 2017 at Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan. The Funeral was Saturday, January 7, 2017 also at Pobocik. Sue will be laid to rest in Galien Cemetery. The family prefers memorial contributions be made in Sue’s memory to Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Lane, St Joseph, Michigan 49085. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online at www.wagnercares.com.

NEW BUFFALO TIMES

The New Buffalo Times, in conjunction with Volunteer Southwest Michigan, publishes current volunteer opportunities in our community. To view all current listings, please visit Volunteer Southwest Michigan’s opportunities page online at www.volunteerswmi.org. If you’re an agency who wants to begin listing your volunteer opportunities, please contact Sarah Kolbeck at skolbeck@volunteerswmi.org or 269-983-0912 to learn more about recruiting volunteers today.

LAKELAND HOSPITAL, NILES Lakeland Hospital, Niles is looking for a surgery/recovery assistant volunteer. Volunteers will work with nurses, doctors, patients and families. Volunteers help stock rooms, prepare rooms, transport patients and patient care. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.volunteerswmi.org. RIVERWOOD CENTER, BERRIEN COUNTY TRIAL COURT A health and juvenile justice system navigator volunteer is needed to assist with non-clinical activities that engage, educate and support families of juveniles with a mental illness who have had interactions with the legal system. The volunteer will work closely with children and families to provide information, and present options and referrals to health care professionals, facilities and agencies specializing in the types of treatment needed. For more information, or to sign up, visit www. volunteeerswmi.org. BUDDY-TO-BUDDY VOLUNTEER VETERAN Buddy-to-Buddy is seeking veterans to help make a difference. Volunteer veterans would help connect veterans and military service members to financial, educational, health care and counseling resources. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.volunteeerswmi.org. FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND NATURE PRESERVE- NILES Fernwood is looking for a volunteer to assist with grant writing. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.volunteeerswmi.org. THE POKAGON FUND – NEW BUFFALO The Pokagon Fund is looking for an office volunteer in its New Buffalo office. The volunteer will help with general office work and miscellaneous small projects. The work schedule would be about two afternoons per week, with some flexibility. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.volunteeerswmi.org. FERRY STREET RESOURCE CENTER - NILES Ferry Street Resource Center is looking for an intake volunteer in Niles. The volunteer will greet clients as they enter the building, ask introductory questions, conduct intake interviews, create a file for clients if necessary, and assist with faxing, copying and other office duties. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.volunteeerswmi.org. HARBOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – BENTON HARBOR Harbor Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to rehab homes in the Benton Harbor/Benton Township area for deserving families. All work is indoors in a heated location. Work includes, painting, chalking, dry walling, removing/installing doors and hardware, changing cabinets, installing wood floors, landscaping, cleaning and various other jobs. All work is indoors in a heated location. Those interested in helping can contact Brenda Butler at 925-9635 or bbutler@harborhabitat.org. VOLUNTEER SWMI / CASA OF BERRIEN COUNTY – NEW BUFFALO A court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer advocates in the community and courtroom for the best interests of foster children in Berrien County. Energetic volunteers with a passion for children are sought. More than 30 hours of training will be provided. Volunteers must be older than 21, have reliable transportation and pass a background check. For an application, or to learn more, contact Jamie Brooks at jbrooks@volunteerswmi.org or 983-0912. For more information about CASA, visit www.casaforchildren.org.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE • SINCE 1942

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REAL ESTATE

LAKEFRONT • NEWS • BANKING STATISTICS FOR LEASE • NOW FOR SALE • CONSTRUCTION

MORTGAGE RATES 30 Year Fixed Jumbo.................... 4.52% 30-Year Fixed............................... 4.04% 15-Year Fixed Jumbo..................... 3.93% 15-Year Fixed............................... 3.20%

US CDS (NATIONAL AVERAGE) 1 year............................................... .58 6 month............................................ .34 1 month............................................ .10 KEY RATES Fed Fund Rate................................... Fed Reserve Target Rate �� Prime Rate........................................ US Unemployment Rate ��

.37 .75 3.5 4.6

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. — Albert Einstein

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017

EATS

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