New Buffalo Township Board approves proposal for endangered plant relocation regarding planned Marquette Greenway

APPROVES MATCH FOR BERRIEN COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS RADIO REPLACEMENT GRANT

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

to make the structure safe by July 8 at their Members of the New Buffalo Township Board approved a proposal for the relocation of some endangered plants that are in the path of the planned Marquette Greenway at their Monday, Aug. 16, meeting. Marcy Hamilton from the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission said that in 2019, a three-season plant survey was done along the corridor for the Marquette Greenway (a planned nonmotorized trail that will connect Chicago with downtown New Buffalo). Contractor Cardno found some endangered plants, Hollow Joe Rye Weed, in the township’s section along approved eliciting the help of their attorney U.S. Highway 12, in the area that’s going to be disturbed by the trail. Hamilton said the proposal from Cardno allows them to obtain a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and to relocate the plants. The plants are currently on the Amtrak side on U.S. 12, and Cardno is proposing to move them to another population that are on the other side of U.S. 12. Hamilton said the plants flower in August and September, and they need to be flagged and photo documented while they’re still in flower. The best time to move them is in the fall. Board members approved the Hollow Joe Rye Weed relocation for the Marquette Greenway from Cardno for $12, 825. Hamilton said this amount doesn’t include monitoring the plant population for three years. She added that MDOT gave her a local contact from Chikaming Open Lands for monitoring and she may also approach MDOT’s environmental staff members. New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit gave special recognition to Deputy Brittany Garza of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department New Buffalo Township patrol. Deputy Garza and Sgt. Russ Tillery of the New Buffalo Police Department were the initial emergency responders on scene of an early morning June 30 house fire in the 15000 block of Locke Road in Chikaming Township, during which they assisted the 55-year-old male had been working to secure a grant for portable radios since 2016. This year, members of the association learned they had been awarded a FEMA grant for $558,00 for the portable 800-megahertz radios.

Flick said that with New Buffalo Township having two fire stations, the township’s fire department was awarded $31,693.82 to go toward portable radios

Township Supervisor Michelle Heit (right) recognizes Deputy Brittany Garza

resident safely out of the residence. The fire was controlled and was tended to by firefighters from Chikaming Township.

Board members approved the 7 percent match for the Fire Department Radio Replacement Grant in the amount of $2,218.56.

Fire Chief Jamie Flick said that the Berrien County Fire Chiefs Association for the department. The township is required to pay 7 percent of that amount, which brings the total that the township received to $29,465.26.

Board members approved the ninth payment in the amount of $47,979.70 for the Public Safety Building Project.

The eighth payment for Roggow Construction for the Union Pier Trailhead Project in the amount of $5,962.05 was approved. Heit said that it’s a shared cost with Chikaming Township.

Board members also approved a proposal in the amount of $16,369.80 for a retaining wall at the trailhead and $9,632.58 for additional landscaping work there from Naylor Landscaping. Heit said that there’s currently a twofoot elevation drop-off between the township’s lot and the neighbor’s lot. She said the township will request if its $75,000 grant from The Pokagon Fund that was to go toward finishing off the parking lot can go toward the wall and additional landscaping.

An application for Outdoor Assembly for U.S. 12 Speed and Custom for its annual Full Throttle Throw Down Saturday, Aug. 28, was approved.

Board members approved the following amendment to the fifth paragraph in Article 5 of the Sewer Use Ordinance: “In the event the six-inch sewer lateral should require an open excavation, the property owner must contact New Buffalo Township and the township will coordinate the excavation process.”

A maintenance proposal from Kalamazoo Mechanical Contractors for the new public safety building for the annual cost of $3,920 was approved. Heit said that this will help “keep an eye” on the heating and cooling system for this year.

Board members approved loaning the marina fund $30,000 from the Local Revenue Sharing Board fund, which will be paid back once Pleasure Isle Marina starts receiving funds from the slip rentals.

Radiate Gala shines light, hope, inspiration

The Salt and

Light Coalition held their fundraising event, the Radiate Gala, at Chicago’s Drake hotel Saturday, August 14.

With a mission to “mobilize individuals and organizations to empower survivors of trafficking to live meaningful and purposeful lives,” Salt and Light Coalition is doing just that. An evening of glamour and excitement was highlighted by the night’s inspirational speakers and a short documentary describing the power of the Coalition, in which a Thriver stated, “people believed in us. I think that’s what I needed the most.”

Founded by Dr. Izabel Olson, of Chicago and Union Pier, Salt and Light Coalition (SALC) grew from Olson’s observation of the need for a support system for victims of sex trafficking, which began while teaching yoga in Cook County Jail and volunteering at women’s shelters. Olson spoke about the accomplishments of SALC and their graduates, or Thrivers, and that it has become “a survivor led organization” with a recidivism rate of zero, an incredible feat. Olson cited startling statistics regarding the age that trafficking often begins and the frequency of trafficking.

Thriver Carla Shaw spoke about her personal journey from trauma at home as a young child, the abuse and trafficking she survived, and spoke of the “transformational” power of the organization, saying “being with the SALC taught me that I am worthy.” Shaw spoke of inspiration she received from “graduates like Taylor, Corrine, and Linda,” and how she learned that “it’s never too late to get yourself together.”

Shaw, who

jokingly explained that Salt and Light taught her to eat vegetables, also shared that with her Salt and Light family, she learned to “interact with grace.” She has earned a life coaching certificate, she is now an employee of SALC, and she is indeed thriving.

For more information about Salt and Light Coalition, a registered 501c3, visit www. saltandlightcoalition.com

Live auction bidding Guests mingle and discuss silent auction items

Amanda is thriving Volunteers are recognized Live art performance and auctioned piece

SHERIFF’S OFFICER RESPONDS TO SINGLE-VEHICLE COLLISION ON US. HIGHWAY 12 IN NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

At 4:53 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, the Berrien County Sherriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle collision rollover crash with entrapment on W. U.S. Highway 12 near Grand Avenue in New Buffalo Township.

According to a Berrien County Sheriff press release, witnesses stated that the silver Honda Accord was driving at a high rate of speed west bound on U.S. Highway 12. The Accord began passing on the right and lost control.

The vehicle went off the road to the left striking a fire hydrant, a residence, a large rock, several trees, and a parked vehicle before overturning and coming to rest on its roof.

The passengers, a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, both from New Buffalo, were able to exit the vehicle on their own.

The driver, a 29-year-old Michigan City man, was extricated by the New Buffalo Twp Fire Department

The driver was transported to South Bend Memorial with serious injury.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor

The collision remains under investigation by the Berrien County Sheriff accident investigation team.

Agencies responding were the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Berrien County Accident Investigation Team, New Buffalo City Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, Michiana / Grand Beach Police, New Buffalo Township Fire Department, and Medic 1 Ambulance. — STAFF REPORTS

CORPS OF ENGINEERS DEBUTS VIDEO SERIES

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a new Great Lakes water level video series last week.

“On the Level” will provide monthly information and updates about the Great Lakes’ water levels and forecasts from Detroit District Hydraulics and Hydrology experts.

“Our team is always looking for new ways to share information about the Great Lakes water levels and we are really looking forward to adding the ‘On the Level’ video series to our repertoire,” said district Great Lakes Watershed Hydrology Chief Keith Kompoltowicz. “We plan to share a wide variety of material and we hope folks will look forward to them every month.”

In addition to timely water levels updates, the videos will include special features like how to read Corps of Engineers water level forecast graphics, Lake Superior regulation and much more.

“On the Level” videos will be made available from the district’s website and YouTube page at https://go.usa.gov/

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Cub haters are having a field

day as the Cubs are now barely resembling a major league team. Even some die hard fans are jumping ship as the team you love or hate keeps losing by lopsided margins. Although I must admit that losing thirteen out of fourteen since August 1st, including the last eleven in a row, hasn’t been fun to watch, when you’re a Cub fan, you’re a Cub fan all the way. Anyway, if you know any Cub fans, take it easy on them for they are suffering enough already.

Things are very different on the south side. The White Sox are playing unbelievably well. That Field of Dreams game against the Yankees was a thing of beauty. Now that all of the injuries are healing and a couple of trades were made, the Sox are certainly at or near the top of the pecking order. When the White Sox won the pennant in 1959, they lost to the Dodgers in the World Series. I won’t be at all surprised to see those same two teams meet this year and the Sox could easily turn the tables on the Dodgers this time.

The baseball games I’m enjoying the most right now are the little league games. These young men are really good players, and good sports too. Three separate stories have stood out to me. Earlier this week I saw a young lady both pitch and catch. Many girls are playing little league baseball now, and some are outstanding, but I don’t remember seeing a girl both pitch and catch. She was every bit as good as her teammates. Secondly, with the game on the line, a right fielder dove and made a game saving catch. The ball looked like an ice cream cone almost oozing out of his glove, but he held on and I could almost feel his joy through my television. Finally, a young man from Hawaii pitched one inning with his left hand and the next inning with his right. It really didn’t matter which hand he threw with as he held them scoreless with both.

The Bears had their first exhibition game Saturday. Those of you who read this column regularly know that I’m optimistic about our local teams, sometimes overly optimistic. When it comes to new Bears quarterback Justin Fields, I don’t think it’s possible to be overly optimistic. I was a fan of Mitch Trubisky when he joined the Bears, but Fields seems light years ahead of any quarterback the Bears have employed at least since Jim McMahon led them to their lone Super Bowl victory in 1986. Fields was calm and composed as he ran and passed the Bears down the field in their victory over the Miami Dolphins. I know it was only one exhibition game but I predict that Fields will lead the Bears back to the promised land.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the passing of Tony Esposito, one of the greatest goalies to play for the Chicago Blackhawks. R.I.P. Tony.

John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?”

Refuse hate. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.