2.17.20

Hearts for Hospice

The staff at Caring Circle Hospice in South Haven were surprised, last week, by the delivery of 60 heart balloons and 20 boxes of chocolate donated through the passion of store staff and generosity of customers of Family Dollar of South Haven. In celebration of Valentine's Day, Caring Circle staff delivered the balloons and chocolates to its patients, while the South Haven Garden Club included some of the balloons in their weekly flower arrangements for hospice patients. Shown in the photo are Cory Knuth of Family Dollar and Angela LaBarca of Caring Circle.

2 men arrested on drug-related charges

COVERT TWP. — Two Covert Township men face a number of drug-related charges after police found heroin in their vehicle last week.

Their arrest follows an investigation into the sale and distribution of heroin in the City of South Haven, South Haven Township and Covert Township, according to Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel Abbott.

While sheriff's detectives were conducting surveillance, Tuesday, on the vehicle driven by the 56-year-old suspect they asked South Haven Police to bring their K-9 team to the location of the vehicle.

At 3:10 p.m. investigators stopped the vehicle in the 24000 block of M-1140 Highway in Covert Township. In searching the vehicle they found four bundles of suspected heroin.

Both the 56-year-old driver and a 38-year-old passenger were arrested.

The vehicle's driver was arrested for possession of heroin and violating parole, while the passenger was arrested for possession with intent to deliver heroin and an outstanding warrant.

After the two men's arrest, sheriff's department detectives and South Haven Police obtained a search warrant for the 56-year-old man's residents in the 76000 block of 30^th Avenue in Covert Township. No information was given on whether more drugs were found in the home or not.

The drug-related incident is being forwarded to the Van Buren County Prosecutor's office for review.



Scaling back

VB commissioners consider less expensive construction plans for courthouse complex

By ROD SMITH

For the Tribune

PAW PAW — Van Buren County commissioners are revisiting a smaller, cheaper building plan compared to a larger, expensive construction project voters rejected three years ago.

Commissioners Tuesday informally directed County Administrator John Faul to contact Kalamazoo-based architectural firm DLZ to update designs and develop time lines to build a new courthouse on the south side of the present complex in downtown Paw Paw. DLZ came up with the original design.

After Tuesday's discussion in which commissioners cut some things out of the project, Faul said the South Haven courthouse, historic courthouse and administration buildings would all stay. Most personnel and offices would also stay put.

One exception is the old sheriff's quarters, which will be torn down to make room for the new structure.

"They'll have to make accommodations for the displaced people." Faul said. Right now the building houses offices and trustee quarters.

The goal is to enhance functionality in the 120-year-old courthouse as well as create a safer environment for the public and law enforcement personnel transporting inmates to court.

The courthouse also has problems complying with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

"Especially getting services out off basements," Faul said.

Commissioners are considering a millage request during the November election. The reduced project is projected to run roughly $21 million.

In 2017, voters rejected a $32 million bond by more than a two-to-one margin The proposal consisted of a jail addition, a court building and renovation of buildings in the courthouse square. The proposal was 0.7-mill for 20 years.

In other matters, commissioners set a public hearing for their Feb. 25  meeting for a $100,000 Michigan Site Readiness Grant  to plan for the development of an 85-acre industrial site in the village of Mattawan.

"Mattawan is contributing money as well," said Zachary Morris, executive director of Market Van Buren, a subsidiary of Kinexus Group of Benton Harbor.

The property is located southwest of the Interstate 94 Mattawan exit. The northern portion is the former Formula K recreation park. The entire property is owned by the same person, according to Morris.

"Adjacent to the 85-acre site is the county’s largest employer, Charles River Laboratories (formerly MPI Research), with 1,700 employees," according to the grant application. "Charles River Laboratories acquired MPI Research as part of a dynamic corporate acquisition strategy and has set forth an aggressive 10-year growth plan for its Mattawan operating unit. This plan includes the addition of 3,000 jobs and an increase in facilities by one million square feet, resulting in expected revenue growth up to one billion dollars."

"With this grant," it continued, "Mattawan and Market Van Buren can better position the adjacent 85acres to build on this planned growth. Charles River Laboratories’ projected growth, in conjunction with the development of the county-wide Economic Development Improvement Plan, presents a clear opportunity to develop the 85-acre site. The goal is to attract similar life sciences companies who may be suppliers, complementary businesses, and spin-off companies. By designing and marketing the 85-acre park for synergistic businesses, economies of scale become evident via industry clustering and an ever-increasing location quotient for similar industries."

In other matters, commissioners approved an agreement to allow the reality show LivePD to ride with Van Buren County sheriff's deputies and film their activities, contracted with Grand Rapids-based Andy J. Egan Company to install a new HVAC system for jail cells 3-9 for $415,000, and pledged $5,000 toward a federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant application to study connecting the Amtrak track that goes through Bangor and New Buffalo to the east-west track that goes through New Buffalo but does not connect until Chicago.



2.10.20

Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates visited South Haven last year to investigate the disappearance of Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 which vanished over Lake Michigan 70 years ago. While in the area, he stopped at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum where he spent the afternoon at the museum’s antique engine and tractor show. In the photo above Gates is in the Flywheelers sawmill learning to cut a log into lumber.

Expedition Unknown features Lake Michigan plane disappearance

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

Set your DVRs for 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 as Discovery Channel Expedition Unknown’s host Josh Gates explores one of Lake Michigan’s greatest mysteries - the disappearance of Northwest Airlines Flight 2501. The three-hour episode is called “The Vanished Airliner.”

Gates and his film crew came to South Haven late last summer to learn more about the airplane which vanished without a trace on the night of June 23, 1950. The DC-4 prop plane was carrying 55 passengers and a three-person crew. As they approached Lake Michigan around midnight, a powerful line of squalls loomed ahead causing three other westbound flights to turn around. Near Benton Harbor, the pilot requested to lower the plane's attitude but was denied. That was the last transmission received.

The U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board concluded later the ill-fated flight was the deadliest commercial airliner accident in American history.

The initial search focused near Milwaukee but after search parties discovered blankets with the Northwest logo, cushions and human remains 10 miles offshore from South Haven, they realized they had been searching in the wrong place.

Intrigued with the ongoing mystery surrounding the disappearance of the plane, Gates came to South Haven last August for the filming of the show and met up with Holland author Valerie van Heest of Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA), who wrote the book “Fatal Crossing” about the group's efforts to locate the remains of the plane.

“Josh was fascinated to learn that 70 years after the accident, the wreckage still had not been found,” said van Heest, “and that the story was not well known.” For the filming of the show, Gates, van Heest, and the MSRA team set out to continue the hunt using state-of-the-art equipment.

Viewers will recognize a variety of local West Michigan locations where the episode was shot including South Haven’s south beach, its downtown, and Lakeview Cemetery.

Gates even spent an afternoon filming at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum’s antique engine and tractor show where he learned how to cut a log into lumber, drove an antique tractor and rode on an old steam traction engine.  In addition, scenes were filmed in a West Michigan dinner, at the Grand Rapids office of the National Weather Service, and on and under Lake Michigan. The Michigan Maritime Museum’s vintage U.S. Coast Guard craft “USCG 36460” also makes an appearance in a re-enactment.

“The crew of more than a dozen producers, camera and audio personnel was here for just over a week,” said van Heest. “Filming was grueling, but fun. We often started at 3 a.m. and wrapped after 9 p.m.”  Josh Gates, she noted, does more than appear in the show as its host. He also produces, directs, and help edits the show. “He’s not just a pretty face,” she joked.

MSRA began its search for the lost airliner in 2004 after MSRA board member Craig Rich wrote a newspaper article about the loss, renewing local interest. That caught the attention of author Clive Cussler for an expedition he funded. They soon realized finding the plane would be no small task. Their search grid spanned an area of 600 square miles off Southwest Michigan. Each spring since then, the explorers used a side-scan sonar and magnetometer to comb the lake bottom for signs of the wreckage. Instead they found 10 historic shipwrecks.

But MSRA hasn't given up on locating the plane.

Since 2017, the group has worked independently continuing the search. Gates and his show have now brought added incentive, according to van Heest.

“We really worked hard to cover more ground while the production team was here,” she said.  The team also worked with the Michigan State Police Underwater Recovery Unit from Lansing, who also appear in the show. They used their Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in the search, further expanding the coverage area. “That led to some excitement on the lake” she reported, although she is banned from discussing any discoveries until the show airs.



2.4.20

Rep. Beth Griffin participates in a roundtable addressing Lake Michigan’s record high water levels and soil erosion.

State lawmakers weigh in on shoreline erosion

By TRIBUNE STAFF

Two state legislators who represent Van Buren and Allegan county have joined other lawmakers to to address shoreline soil erosion along Lake Michigan, due to record-high water levels.

Both Rep. Beth Griffin, R-Mattawan, and Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, say they are committed to finding a solution for this crisis and was one of several lawmakers to urge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency along the entire Lake Michigan shoreline in a letter sent in December 2019.

“People’s homes and businesses have been damaged and they want answers for what’s going to happen next,” Whiteford said. “I don’t blame them. They deserve to know their properties are going to be taken care of and that we as lawmakers are doing all we can moving forward.”

“Our communities have faced significant damage from these high water levels,” Griffin said. “It’s so important we stay proactive and work together to limit the destruction caused by erosion in the future.”

Both legislators are considering a plan that would allow people to immediately begin the process of protecting their property without having to obtain an individual permit, which could happen if the governor declares a state of emergency along the shoreline.

The plan also could include ensuring a homeowner’s property taxes would not increase based on those improvements, as the work would be considered maintenance and not an improvement.

Along with making the permitting process easier, Whiteford is considering a resolution written by a colleague calling on Canada to stop redirecting water into the Great Lakes.

“We must work together for the people of Michigan and do whatever we can to let them know we are in this with them,” Whiteford said.

 “I am committed to looking at all of the options to assist our families and business owners,” Griffin said. “My colleagues and I are not taking this issue lightly – we are considering all options to help our communities as we focus on the next steps.”

Van Buren voters to decide special education millage

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

LAWRENCE — When Van Buren County voters head to the polls March 10, they'll not only be choosing a Democratic presidential candidate, but deciding whether to making $8.5 million worth of renovations to the Bert Goens Learning Center and increase special education funding to area school districts.

The five-year .9 mill tax levy is being proposed by the Van Buren Intermediate School District, which provides special education programs for developmentally disabled students at the Bern Goens Center and additional services to school districts throughout the county.

If approved, the millage would generate an additional $3.7 million annually. Of that amount, $1.7 million will pay for renovations to the Bert Goens building, while the remaining $2 million would go to area school districts to help offset what they shell out for special education costs.

“Special education is very expensive,” said Jeff Mills, superintendent of the intermediate school district (ISD).

Currently, the 11 school districts in Van Buren County served by the ISD. spend $11.2 million annually on special education-related expenses. The state reimburses the combined districts $3 million, while the ISD contributes an additional $1 million.

If voters say yes to the millage request, the ISD's reimbursement to the 11 school districts would increase by $2 million.

“The state doesn't reimburse school districts fully,” Mills said. “They (school district officials) were saying we have a lot of expenses we're not being reimbursed for.”

Right now the ISD's reimbursement to each school district for its special education programs is 12 percent of their total costs. Approval of the millage would increase that figure to 36 percent.

While a portion of the proposed millage would go toward providing more special education funds to school districts in the county, the bulk of the money would go toward upgrading the Bert Goens Learning Center, which deals with students who have greater needs than special education students in regular classroom settings.

The center was originally built in 1976 and has been added onto twice, once in 1986 and then in 2000. But much of its infrastructure is 44 years old and needs to be replaced, according to Mills.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., a Grand-Rapids based construction company, was hired in 2018 by the ISD to assess the condition of the Bert Goens facility. Their findings led the ISD board last December to put the millage request on the March 10 ballot.

If approved, the millage would be used to pay for a new heating and cooling system, new flooring in classrooms, repaving of parking lots, new doors and ceiling tiles, remodeling of the adjoining Special Services facility and upgrades to the ISD's Behavioral Learning Center in Bangor.

The ISD currently levies 3.3 mills for special education. This year marks the first time since 1989 that the ISD has sought additional millage.

If the .9-mill proposal passes, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $45 annually in property taxes.



'Live PD' show to feature VB sheriff's department regularly

By ROD SMITH

For the Tribune

PAW PAW — When you see a Van Buren County sheriff's patrol car, smile.

You might be on national television.

Sheriff Daniel Abbott Tuesday proposed an agreement between the county and New York City-based Big Fish Entertainment, which produces the A&E network show "Live PD," for a year-long contact in which people from the show will ride with Van Buren County deputies and record what they do.

"Maybe people will behave better," suggested Commissioner Paul Schincariol with Commissioner Don Hanson adding people might be scared straight.

The sheriff said the proposal came about as a result of an incident in which the show's producers heard that Abbott had taken part in the pursuit and apprehension of a suspect who had allegedly committed arson, domestic violence and felonious assault. Abbott said he had taken part in that incident because of his policy of being a "hands-on" sheriff. It was all caught on video.

He was interviewed for the show Dec. 11 but the segment has not yet appeared. But during it, according to Abbott, the producers were impressed with the professionalism of the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department and the producers did some research. "We had good reviews," Abbott said.

The producers came back to Abbott with a contract to televise what deputies are doing. Tuesday Abbott brought that to county commissioners, who expressed interest. After the informal approval this week, they'll consider formal final approval in two weeks.

According to the contract language, "Live PD" gives viewers a look at law enforcement. Two-or-three member camera crews ride along with police officers recording what they do.

The producers stated in their proposal, "In Paw Paw, Michigan, we propose embedding with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office (VBCSO) on 'ride alongs' to capture the 'real-time' perspective and diversity within the department and the city. The story will be told through the 'almost live' experiences on patrol. In addition to the 'almost live' content, episodes will feature pre-taped packages that will further showcase the officers, the work, the locations and the departments.

"The 'almost live' aspect will be on a 10-25 minute time delay,” The proposal went on to state. “This delay will allow us to eliminate or blur sensitive material and address any legal concerns prior to broadcast. A department representative will have access to the broadcast control room on location to ensure the standards of content and safety protocols on behalf of the officers, the department, and the city."

The proposal is not a partnership or employment agreement and there's no mention of remuneration. But the company will carry insurance and defend the county against all claims and liabilities arising from the show, except in the case of willful misconduct.

"Except if required by law," the contract said, "VBCSO shall at all times keep the terms of this agreement confidential."

Despite the fact it's a year-long contract, Abbot said the county can pull out at any time.

After commissioners gave their initial approval Tuesday, Commissioner Randall Peat called out, "Make us proud, Dan."

"I'm trying," Abbott said.







1.27.20

Alan and Catina Quinn are shown at their daughter Destiny's high school graduation. Front row from left are the couple's children Ash, Anakin and Collin. In the back are Alan, Destiny, Catina and Nolan.

Rallying for Alan

34-year-old husband and father of 5 suffers paralyzing stroke

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

When Catina Quinn’s husband, Alan, 34, called her from work New Year's Eve and said he had some numbness and tingling on his left side, she never would have dreamed that the next 24 hours would change their lives forever.

Alan suffered a massive brain stem stroke that left him with a rare neurological disorder called Locked-in Syndrome. The disorder results in complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles except for the ones that control the movement of the eyes. Individuals with the syndrome are conscious and awake but have no ability to produce movements (outside of eye movements) or to speak. It is caused by damage to the pons - a part of the brainstem that contains nerve fibers that relay information to other areas of the brain.

“He got home around 7:38 p.m and went right to our bedroom and laid down,” Catina recalled. “I went in to check on him and he said he had a headache and wanted to just lay down for a bit. He asked for Excedrin and again was asked if he would go to the hospital. He said no, it was just a headache and it felt like it was due to a kink in his neck.”

Alan was completely coherent. No one even considered the possibility of a stroke.

But, it was.

It was after midnight when things changed for Alan. He was found unresponsive and having a seizure. While waiting for the ambulance, a lot of prayers were said.

“When the ambulance arrived, they took us to Bronson in Kalamazoo where they told us the devastating news that Alan had suffered a stoke due to a blood clot,” Catina said.

There is no cure or specific treatments for locked-in syndrome, according to the National Institutes of Health. While partial recovery of muscle control is possible, it is somewhat dependent on the cause.Speech therapists can help people with locked-in syndrome communicate more clearly with eye movements and blinking. However, electronic communication devices, including patient-computer interfaces such as infrared eye movement sensors and computer voice prosthetics, are allowing people with locked-in syndrome to communicate more freely and have access to the internet.Motorized wheelchairs have also increased independence.

“I worked in the health field for 15 years and had never heard of Locked-in Syndrome,” Catina said. “Only 1 percent of stroke patients end up with it.”

Born and raised in South Haven, Alan worked as a security guard at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. The father of five is the sole provider for the family, and while he has health insurance for now to cover the medical bills, the family is having a hard time meeting household expenses as well as the added incidental expenses like gas used for traveling back and forth to the hospital.

“This will be a long process developing a new life,” wrote Catina’s sister Stephanie Barbosa who started a GoFundMe page for the family. “Alan and Catina are reluctant to ask for help, so I am doing it on their behalf. As you can imagine this has been a huge shock and it has put a heavy financial burden on this family. We are asking for help to cover the cost of their mortgage and any other unforeseen expenses that will arise. No matter what the next course of action is Alan and Catina will continue to rely on God for their source of comfort and strength as they adjust to a life that looks very different.”

Monetary support has been pouring in, As of Wednesday, the fund had raised more than $15,000.

“Alan is a friend and coworker of mine,” wrote Danny, who donated. “ As a fellow veteran, we have to stick together in trying times, giving love and support to those who have sacrificed so much to be there by our sides like his family has been for him. Get well soon, brother.”

Alan, a Iraq veteran, is now at Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab - a nationally ranked physical medicine and rehabilitation research hospital, which has worked with patients who have Locked-in Syndrome.

His wife is spending as much time as she can at the hospital and is relying heavily on her family to keep the couple's children's schedule as normal as possible.

“The kids are doing great at the moment but miss their daddy dearly,” she said. The children have been up to the hospital a handful of times, she added, and the couple’s oldest daughter has moved back home to care for her siblings while mom is with dad. Catina is relying heavily on her faith which she said has kept her going.

“When people ask what they can do to help, my response is 'just pray,'” she said. “There is nothing more powerful than prayer.”

To help the family, visit gf.me/v/c/5dt/alan-quinn-lis-lockedin-syndrome



South Haven city officials accept grant for dock while eyeing high water levels

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Use it or lose it.

That's the conundrum South Haven City Council members faced earlier this week in deciding whether to accept a grant to help pay for a new ADA-accessible small watercraft dock on the Black River.

Normally, city officials are happy to receive federal and state grants for recreational improvements, but they were a little wary about accepting the latest one.

The reason? Record-high water levels on both Lake Michigan and the city's harbor.

“The Harbor Commission has noted increasing anxiety and concern about the overall state of boating in our harbor due to high waters,” City Manager Brian Dissette said. “The commission has expressed growing concern over any capital outlay tied to marinas or harbor expenses. This is likely the last capital improvement project that I bring to council for a number of months while we see what happens with the high water levels.”

It was over a year ago that city council gave the nod for staff to apply for a $35,000 Coastal Management Program grant toward development and construction of a $70,000 dinghy dock at the west side of Dyckman Bridge, with the understanding the city's marina fund would pay the other half.

There is an ADA-accessible pier and kayak launch at Black River Park, which is upriver from the drawbridge, but over the years there has been an increasing number of dinghys, kayaks and standup paddle boards on the river.

“Ten years ago we had citizens come forward to place a floating pier underneath the bascule bridge close to Capt. Lou's,” Dissette said.

But the dock fell into disrepair and was deemed not to be in the best location.

Michigan's Coastal Management Program officials approved the $35,000 grant a couple of months ago, but on Monday, the city council had to decide whether to accept the grant.

In the end they did.

“If we don't approve the resolution it is unlikely they will grant any extensions,” Dissette said.

“This is one more tool to have more mobility (for watercraft using the river),” Harbormaster and Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier said. “Even though there are high water concerns, this is something we have been planning for several years. The other one (portable dock that was on the other side of the bridge) is unusable. It's just the timing is pretty bad.”



1.20.20

While contractors get ready to pour the cement street and curbs and gutters on Center Street in downtown South Haven, South Haven Center, a new $3.8 million, three-story mixed-use development in downtown South Haven has opened it doors. The building contains 2,500 square feet of retail space on the first floor and 18 market-rate apartments on the upper floors. Several of the apartments have already been leased.

New apartment/retail complex opens in

South Haven

First one to locate downtown in more than two decades

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

For more than a decade, a piece of property in the heart of the city's central business district sat vacant; the historic church that once dominated the site was condemned in 2007 and finally torn down.

But new life has taken over the .3-acre lot in the form of a brand new $3.8 million, three-story mixed-use building.

Situated at the corner of Huron and Center streets, South Haven Center is now open. The brick and steel structure took more than a year to build and contains 2,500-square-feet of retail space on the first floor and 18 market-rate apartments on the upper floors.

Each of the one- and two-bedroom living spaces has balconies that overlook either Center Street or the city's downtown pavilion and Dyckman Park.

“I don't know of anyplace like this in South Haven, South Haven Center apartment manager Marie Mielke said. “There's not too many places where you have a view of the downtown like this.”

The opening of South Haven Center marks the first time in a couple of decades that new apartments have been constructed in the city's downtown. The Dockside Apartment complex on Williams Street, constructed in the 1990s, were the last ones to be built.

City officials are welcoming the new apartments, downtown, as well as 18 new ones proposed to be built by developer Randy Locker.

According to a study prepared last year by Community Research Services of St. Johns, there is a need for 60 market-rate apartments, in the vicinity of downtown, and an additional 30 to 40 non-subsidized senior apartment units.

South Haven Center already has tenants, Mielke said. “We have had tenants from the day we opened.

I have shown the apartments many times.”

Each apartment contains stainless steel appliances, washer and dryer, one to two bathrooms, and large windows. Each tenant can utilize an assigned parking space for their car and there's a room on the first floor for bike storage. Tenants can also have up to two dogs. Apartments range in size from 630 to 975 square feet and cost from $1,400 to $1,850 per month to lease.

To help make the mixed-use complex a reality, South Haven city officials granted a 10-year tax abatement to developer Matthew O'Connor, owner of South Haven Center LLC. The abatement will result in a savings of $646,672 over the next decade for South Haven Center, according to city officials.

Under Michigan Public Act 210, a municipality can create a commercial rehabilitation district that would freeze the taxable value of a property at pre-project levels for up to 10 years. In other words, the developer would only pay taxes on the property itself, not the improvements that are made. However,the improvements would still be subject to school operating taxes.

Bangor officials unveil new council chamber

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

BANGOR — An open house will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 to show off the city’s recently renovated city council chamber.

Thanks to funding from the Downtown Development Authority, the city has been able to renovate and enlarge the antiquated meeting room at city hall.

“The DDA had told us they would be willing to do a project for the hall and we had been wanting to remove a wall and expand the council chambers,” City Manager Regina Hoover explained.

For years, meetings were held in one room at city hall that had limited public seating. By knocking out an existing wall in an adjoining room, city officials were able to double the size of the council chamber.

“The rooms were old and antiquated,” explained Thad Earl, DDA chairperson. “The other room wasn’t used basically because it was in terrible condition and the wiring was bad. Personally, I thought the rooms were dangerous because of the wiring.”

The remodel, according to Hoover, includes new flooring, windows, exterior siding, LED lighting, paint, a Smart TV that is used for presentations, interior doors and a new council desk resulting in about a $35,000 price tag. The remodel also included adding exterior gooseneck lights and siding.

“Our council room looks amazing,” wrote Darren Williams, city mayor, on the city’s Facebook page. “Thank you to DDA for the new council room. I won’t only feel like the mayor but like a king!”

Contracts for the remodel were held with Midway Electric, Ray Kenyon, Monroe Miller and Overalls, said Hoover.

“It was a good project for the DDA, ” Earl said. “It makes it easier for the public to access services.”



1.13.20

Clementine's settles with feds over wage dispute

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Two popular Southwest Michigan restaurants and their owner say they have reached a settlement with a federal agency that accused them of short-changing pay for some of their employees.

Clementine’s Saloon in South Haven, Clementine’s Too in St. Joseph and owner Al Ruppert plan to reimburse employees a total of $36,000 in back pay and damages assessed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

“Clementine’s appreciates its employees, treats them fairly and believes that it fully has complied with the law,” the company posted on its Facebook site. “We disputed and vigorously defended ourselves against what we believe were unfounded charges by the U.S. Department of Labor. However, for business reasons, in order to avoid protracted and costly litigation, the company decided to enter into a modest settlement agreement.”

“We decided to accept the settlement. We want it to be over,” said Clementine’s General Manager Sue Frederick.

A judgment settlement over a lawsuit filed by the Department of Labor against Clementine’s was entered Monday, Jan. 6, in U.S. Sixth District Court. The judge in the case signed the consent agreement on Thursday, according to Scott Allen, the U.S. Department of Labor’s regional director for public affairs and media relations.

The lawsuit said Clementine’s violated the federal Fair Labor Standards Act by not classifying some of its workers as minimum wage employees, but rather as ones who receive a combination of wages and tips.

The Department of Labor said Clementine’s should have classified its expediter staff in the same wage category as kitchen staff. Instead, the two restaurants put expediters in the same classification as servers and bartenders, who receive a combination of hourly wages and tips.

The Department of Labor began investigating the restaurants’ wage practices in November 2018 and presented their findings in May 2019, according to Frederick. The investigation involved an examination of wages paid to employees between 2016 and 2018.

Frederick said the restaurant did not purposely mean to violate federal labor laws involving restaurant worker wages.

South Haven stremlines livestock permit process

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Two years ago, Edgeworks owners Chuck and Debbie Beatty thought it would be a great idea to let four of their Boer goats graze on property the couple owns in the city's business park.

The couple — unabashed goat lovers — reasoned that bringing the the animals to work would help keep their grandchildren occupied while grandma and grandpa worked at the shop.

But gaining the city's OK was another story.

First, the Beattys had to apply for a livestock permit from city officials. Then they had to get the Van Buren/Cass Health Department's blessing. Finally, the city council had to decide whether to allow the goats. The couple's diligence, however, paid off.

“They were over the moon the council approved it,” City Manager Brian Dissette recalled.

The Beattys aren't the only city residents who want to own livestock on their property.

“The City Council has received an increasing number of requests to keep non-traditional

animals on residential properties,” Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier said. “The current ordinance requires a recommendation from the county health department officer in order for the city council to approve an application for livestock.”

But the health department no longer has staff available to conduct the reviews.

“For the past couple of years, the health department has said, 'we cannot review them. We don't have the staff,” Dissette said.

As a result, livestock permits have been basically put on hold.

But it looks like that will change.

Council members, Monday, voted to amend the city's livestock ordinance to streamline the process of gaining a permit to own such outdoor animals as domestic rabbits, pigeons, chickens, potbelly pigs, goats, even honeybees.

City staff and the planning commission, for the past several months, have been examining livestock ordinances from other cities in Michigan, Hosier explained. Proposed amendments were then drafted for the planning commission to review and forward to the city council.

The updated ordinance gets rid of some of the steps people had to take to get a permit. Applications no longer have to be reviewed by the city council and the health department. Rather, city staff will have the authority to approve or deny permits. The amended ordinance also stipulates how many of each kind of livestock people can have, how much space they need to allocate for their animals and how to properly care for them. Livestock owners who violate provisions of the ordinance can be prosecuted.

“This is a way for us to better enforce (livestock ownership within city limits). I think it's time to put it on the books,” Mayor Scott Smith said.

Some people, however, aren't for having any livestock in town. Period. And they voiced their opinions during a public hearing Monday.

“What this is proposing is to allow animals not commonly kept within your house,” said Mary Lynn Bugge. “They have excrement and make noise...I think it's lovely to visit farms but I chose to live in an area that has properties close together. If I wanted to live next to a farm I would.”

Bugge and another resident, Pat Gaston, also questioned whether violators of the ordinance would be properly dealt with.

We put regulations out there but don't seem to have the personnel to monitor and enforce this,” Gaston said.

A third resident, Joe Wilkins, said allowing livestock in his neighborhood could potentially bring down property values if people were actually trying to raise livestock, versus owning them as pets.

But other residents said they have no problem with the city having a livestock ordinance.

“I'm in favor of this ordinance,” said Danielle Veenstra. “I lived in Grand Rapids years ago. There was a huge controversy over people having chickens. Most neighbors were not even aware someone had chickens.”

Council member Chris Campbell commented that a friend he knows owns a duck.

“My daughter loves ducks. Give her a puppy, she doesn't care,” he said.







1.6.20

Brian deBest of deBest Inc. in South Haven stands behind several of the huge limestone boulders his company is using for erosion-control projects up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline. The boulders pictured above were used earlier this month to provide further protection for a home on Monroe Boulevard in South Haven. (Photo by Tom Renner)

Epic battle against nature

South Haven homeowner does what it takes to protect his property

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

A decade ago, South Haven Township homeowner Mark Odland paid for construction of a large revetment wall to protect his lakefront property and beach from erosion.

It seemed indestructible at the time.

“We used a product called Redi Rock,” Odland said. “Huge concrete blocks...weighing more than a ton each were placed one at a time on a foundation 15 feet below sea level and built up one layer at a time. The wall was built up to a height of between 6-8 feet above the shore, and huge boulders were placed in front of the wall upon completion.”

The Odlands loved their lakefront home on 77^th Street with its 175 feet of beach. That is until this fall when high waves and strong winds, fueled by the near-record water levels on Lake Michigan eroded the revetment and took away the Odland's beach.

“Day after day of prevailing northwest to north winds caused the lake to surge and waves began to breach the north side of the wall...thus causing significant erosion on the neighboring property and erosion behind our wall,” Odland said. “With those storms came huge amounts of floating debris including trees, logs, docks, boats, decks, etc., all causing additional damage.”

The damage caused by high water levels on Lake Michigan is all too familiar to Brian deBest, owner of deBest Inc. in South Haven.

For the past 20 years, deBest's landscaping firm has built revetments. But because of the high water levels on Lake Michigan this year, they've had to come up with more creative ways to complete their erosion-control structures.

In the case of the Odland home, deBest had to use large excavating equipment and an amphibious dump truck to unload huge boulders, and sand and clay that will comprise the outer portion of the current revetment. The boulders will line the entire length of the existing wall, which will then be raised in height to prevent waves from breaching the top of it.

The boulders, each weighing from 1-5 tons, came from a mine in Wisconsin and were shipped by barge for deBest's erosion control projects.

“The boulders seem to work much better than other materials taking the energy out from the wave action,” deBest said.

DeBest is using the massive, large boulders for other erosion control projects, as well.

“We currently have 17 projects similar to the Odland's currently in process,” deBest said. “We are working from the Fennville area to as far south as New Buffalo.”

The erosion-control measures lakeshore property owners are undertaking can come with a hefty price tag.

Odland said the erosion control measures he's taken to protect his property will cost approximately $150,000. He also had to work with an environmental engineer and obtain permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy to proceed with the project.

“It will cost more than what we had planned to spend, but less than what would happen if we failed to take this action,” Odland said in an interview with the Palladium on Monday. “On the north side of our property immediately next to the adjoining neighbor, we lost between 30-40 feet of our property. It (erosion) would have threatened our home had we failed to take action.  It is threatening the property next door where no protection was placed.”

Some people have been critical of lakefront property owners these days, saying they never should have purchased homes and beachfront land so close to Lake Michigan and that the measures some utilize to protect their land from erosion don't work.

“Even though we are the landowners and even though we are paying significant taxes on lots that are underwater, we consider ourselves caretakers of this wonderful lakefront doing what we can to preserve it for the generations that will follow.

“The school of thought that suggests we shouldn’t do anything to protect our property is not one that we believe in...Remember when tires, car bodies, wheels, concrete slabs, tree stumps, 55-gallon drums filled with concrete, engine blocks and other garbage was dumped on the bluffs and used for shoreline erosion protection in the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s?  How did that work out?  Much of it litters our shore today south of South Haven.”



12.30.19

Nic Sheppard, a sophomore at South Haven High School, is shown with his Formula Ford race car.

Hip surgery fails to

keep racer from getting behind the wheel to

win awards

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

South Haven High School sophomore Nic Sheppard has added one more title to his racing resume.

The Gobles teen, who has been whipping around the race track since he was kindergarten-age, racked up enough points this past racing season to be named “2019 Great Lakes SCCA Divisional Points Champion.”

Competing in the Formula F class, Sheppard started in the kart class earning plenty of trophies, ribbons and checkered flags.

"I started racing karts when I was 5 years old,” said the 16-year-old son of Dale and Julie Sheppard. “I had a very successful career in karting. I've been racing in Formula F for two years now.”

Formally known as Formula Ford, Formula F is an entry-level class of single seat, open wheeled race cars. Traditionally regarded as the first major stepping stone into formula racing after karting, Formula F is an important step for many Formula One drivers, according to racer.com.

With a total 36 victories, including three national and seven regional ones, Sheppard has raced on tracks in multiple states, from Wisconsin to Florida, and is well on to his dream of becoming a professional driver - even after a major health setback.

“My season was shortened last year due to needing to age in,” he explained. “Being the youngest on the track, there is a sense of pressure and I really need to prove myself. Earlier this year I had surgery on my hip which I had to recover from, and it had delayed my racing season practices and start. My first races were done with me on crutches and no weight bearing. When I had recovered from the hip surgery, I continued on in the season to win seven races and the Great Lakes Championship.”

Sheppard is the first to admit that he couldn’t have accomplished as much as he has without support from his mother, his father and his two brothers.

“This all truly means a lot to me and hopefully we will continue to have successful years in the future,” Sheppard said. “It's a thrill and adrenaline rush to win a race, and this championship win was especially rewarding. I know I could never get to this point without my father, my family, school support system and my wonderful sponsors.”

The SCCA Great Lakes awards banquet will be held in March.



12.23.19

South Haven Township officials are looking at ways to make the M-43 roundabout, east of South Haven, safer for motorists. (Herald-Palladium photo by Don Campbell)

Proactive approach

Township plans to install street lights at M-43 roundabout to make it safer for motorists

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

When Michigan Department of Transportation constructed a roundabout on M-43 Highway a decade ago, the agency did so to reduce accidents at the state trunkline's busy three-way intersection.

Over the years, MDOT's strategy has paid off. Crashes have been significantly reduce. Still, some motorists continue to struggle with negotiating the circular roadway.

The latest mishap occurred in August when the driver of an eastbound vehicle failed to yield at the roundabout. His vehicle careened over the concrete traffic island, went airborne and then slammed into the side of Maple Grove Grill and Bar. The driver ended up being taken to the hospital while the restaurant grappled with the extensive damage the crash caused.

That incident and several others has prompted South Haven Township officials to try to come up with a solution to make the heavily used roundabout more safe.

“We want to be proactive,” South Haven Township Supervisor Ross Stein said. The roundabout is located right where two roads intersect at angles with M-43 Highway.

Currently, as motorists traveling on M-43 or the two other roads approach the roundabout, they see a series of yellow neon signs instructing them to yield to traffic to their left and proceed counter-clockwise into the circle roadway at a slow speed. As nightfall approaches, the signs can be seen from a distance because of their neon coating.

But board members think overhead lights, such as one along other rural intersections are needed at the roundabout. So, Wednesday, members voted to install two more overhead street lights – one at each side road intersection.

It will cost $300 to install the light fixtures. The township will also pick up the cost of the monthly electrical usage fees.

“If we get lights there, maybe people will quit running over it (the cement traffic island),” Stein said.

A holiday treat

Twenty South Haven elementary school students joined others throughout Van Buren County last week for the annual Shop with a Cop program. Officers from South Haven Police Department, Michigan State Police and firefighters from South Haven Area Emergency Services took children on a Christmas shopping spree at Meijer in South Haven. They also enjoyed pizza at Lakeside Entertainment Center. Meijer provided a grant for the gifts, while a donor from the state police provided the pizza. In the top photo, South Haven Police Officer Phil Poole helps children shop. In the photo to the right, state troopers serve up pizza to a youngster. (Photo by Tom Renner)



12.16.19

How sweet they aren't

Online survey names top 10 least favorite holiday candies

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

From Hershey's Kisses to candy canes, everyone has a favorite Christmas candy, but a new survey by Candystore.com finds there are some confections people would rather not find in their stockings.

As part of its annual list of worst Christmas candies, Candystore.com asked 32,000 of its customers about their least favorite sugary treat. It didn’t take long for them to respond.

Topping the list once again is the Christmas Tree Nougat, according to Ben George of Candystore.com

“It seems they are thought of by many to have a flavor that is inconsistent with expectations for a nougat candy,” he said.

“I don’t even want to see the little poker chip nougats,” commented one Candystore customer. “Ugly, bad taste, weird texture. Go away.”

Coming in at number two were Cherry Cordials. Ranked fifth last year, the chocolate-covered cherries jumped up to the number two slot this year. While many agree that chocolate is good and cherries are good, the combination appears to be anything but.

“That poor little cherry has been swimming in whatever that junk is and now we’re supposed to want to eat it,” one customer wrote.

Reindeer Corn is one Christmas candy that is hated by some, loved by others. Earning the No. 3 spot, Reindeer Corn actually dropped from the number two slot last year. What is Reindeer Corn you ask? It’s the Christmas version of Halloween’s candy corn, only it’s red, green and white.

Worst Christmas candy respondents though didn't seem to care what color they are.

“Reindeer corn, seriously? Beyond awful,” one person said.

Also making the list of least favorite candies were white peppermint M&Ms, Peeps, Lifesavers Story Books, peppermint bark, Old Fashioned Hard Candy Mix, non-peppermint candy canes and ribbon candy.

The National Register estimates that Americans will spend over $2 billion on Christmas candy this year.  Candy is a much bigger part of culture than most people realize. People’s likes and dislikes are shaped by a thousand different influences over their lifetime, and especially their childhood. Some of the biggest sellers are also the most hated. 

For example, Michiganders, according to the Candystore.com survey of Favorite holiday candies, rank Reindeer Corn as the top favorite Christmas treat followed by Reese’s Cup Minis and Peppermint Bark. 

Whatever your preference, the popularity of Christmas candy is here to stay, so, let the unwrapping begin!

Testing the waters

City seeks input on whether lifeguards should man South Haven's beaches again

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Following the drowning of a 13-year-old boy near South Beach in July, area residents asked South Haven city officials to consider bringing back lifeguards to monitor beach activities.

Now, city officials are making good on citizens' requests.

Officials have contracted with Western Michigan University's Kercher Center for Social Research to conduct a community-wide survey to gain input on how effective the city deals with safety-related issues, including ones related to Lake Michigan.

The goal is to use the results to assist the city in evaluating safety needs and identifying what

approaches are most supported by the South Haven community, according to City Manager Brian Dissette.

In November, the Kercher Center randomly chose 2,000 city residents to mail surveys to. Now, they're seeking additional input from the surrounding area by putting the survey online, with the intent of compiling the results by February to present to city officials.

“By placing the survey online, we are seeking to gather information from the entire community, not just city residents,” Dissette said. “We are attempting to show data from both city and community members as part of the final report.”

Although the 20-question survey asks respondents to rate the effectiveness of the police, fire and code enforcement services, the majority are related to water safety and whether lifeguards would be more effective in preventing or dealing with drowning situations.

According to Dissette, the survey's focus on water safety is a direct result of input the city council received from area residents following the July drowning death.

Much of the input came from an online petition started by South Haven resident and parent Kam Daugherty, who asked respondents whether lifeguards should return to South Haven beaches.

She ended up getting thousands of responders throughout the United States who gave an overwhelming yes to her question.

“Because most of my friends were lifeguards I was able to witness the effectiveness of lifeguards in not only rescuing swimmers but preventing drownings,” said Daugherty, who grew up near North Beach.

But city officials at the time were reluctant to act on results of the petition.

“That information included a vast number of signatures but the data was developed using social media and included voices from all over Southwest Michigan, the state of Michigan, and even the country,” Dissette said. “By engaging the Kercher Center, we hope to refine the data to show how folk living in South Haven feel about the topic, and whether or not there is a desire by South Haven residents to explore the creation of new water safety programs.”

South Haven, along with many lakeshore communities up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline disbanded life guard programs in the early 2000s.

Currently, the city relies on first responders from South Haven Area Emergency Services and South Haven Police Department to respond to water rescues. Both departments have invested thousands of dollars in life-saving equipment and training to improve their effectiveness in water rescues on Lake Michigan and in the Black River harbor.

Several years ago the city also instituted a flag weather warning system at North and South beaches and installed signs warning people of the dangers of rip currents in Lake Michigan. When the green flags are used the water is considered safe for swimming. Yellow means caution, while red means stay out of the lake. First responders monitor the flags throughout the day, based on changing weather conditions.

And yet, beachgoers still enter Lake Michigan when the warning flags are yellow or even red.

When the 13-year-old boy drowned in July, the flags had been changed from green to yellow. Several days later when the flags were red, first responders rescued two swimmers who became distressed from the high waves near the South Pier. A month later they rescued three other swimmers who had become fatigued from dangerous water conditions.

Aid requested for lakeshore erosion

Upton seeks help from Corps of Engineers; State legislators want a disaster declaration

By JOHN MATUSZAK

HP Staff Writer

NEW BUFFALO — Southwest Michigan leaders aren’t treading water when it comes to combating the growing problem of erosion along the lakeshore.

This past week U.S. Rep. Fred Upton sent a letter asking for the Army Corps of Engineers to include $2.4 million in its 2020 budget to add 120,000 cubic yards of sand to replace materials lost south of the New Buffalo pier.

The request came as Upton met in Washington, D.C. with Berrien County Commissioner Ezra Scott, of New Buffalo, and members of the New Buffalo Shoreline Alliance, including New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit.

New Buffalo is among the areas hard hit by rising waters and heavy waves along the shore, that is worsening erosion and threatening homes, beaches and infrastructure, such as the New Buffalo water plant. Sidewalks at Lions Beach Park and Silver Beach in St. Joseph were damaged by storms last week, and Bridgman officials asked residents to fill sandbags to protect the beach house at Weko Beach.

In his letter to R.D. James, assistant secretary of the U.S. Army (Civil Division), Upton pointed out that for 20 years the Corps of Engineers had replaced sand lost due to the construction of the New Buffalo pier, but stopped short of its 50-year commitment to mitigate the erosion. A 2009 plan recommended replacing the 120,000 cubic yards of sand at the Warwick Shores/Sunset Shores location, Upton wrote.

The members of the New Buffalo alliance have been working to get the Corps of Engineers to restore the beach and install structures that would reduce erosion.

Last month, Scott introduced a resolution, passed by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners, asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of disaster along the 3,400-mile Michigan shoreline, as a step toward seeking federal aid. While in Washington, he was planning to meet with White House contacts to make the case for the needed aid.

Closer to home in South Haven, city officials are asking the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners to take similar action.

State legislators are taking up that call, as well.

Reps. Beth Griffin, R-Mattawan, and Mary Whiteford, R-Allegan, along with other legislators also have made a request for a disaster declaration from the governor.

“Tremendous damage has been done not only in my community, but along the entirety of the Lake Michigan shoreline,” said Rep. Brad Paquette of Niles in a news release. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to address this devastation by allowing the impacted areas to qualify for additional financial help.”

By issuing a state of emergency, the governor would be able to designate more resources to respond to the erosion along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the release explains. A state of emergency declaration would also allow the state to petition the federal government to do the same, activating additional resources to assist impacted communities and property owners.

The letter mentions how the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has been helpful in speeding up the permitting process and reducing regulatory hurdles to address potential future impacts, But it also notes that much of the damage has already been done, “leaving residents and business owners to pick up the pieces.”



12.9.19

As part of his training to become South Haven Public Schools new School Resource Officer, South Haven Police Officer Kevin Wildey has been spending time interacting with students in the classroom and at sporting events and other activities. In the photo, above, he is shown with varsity swimmer Kaiden Cole, who has Spina Bifida. Wildey wore a custom-made yellow police bike patrol jersey in support of Cole and Spina Bifida awareness. (Contributed photo)

SH Police, school district relaunch School Resource Officer position

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Nearly three years ago South Haven Public Schools and the South Haven Police Department decided to end their agreement to have a police officer assigned to the school district on a regular basis.

Now, after several months of planning, a police officer will once again walk the hallways of school buildings throughout the school year interacting with students and staff.

Officer Kevin Wildey will start his new duties this week as School Resource Officer (SRO) at South Haven Public Schools.

His new position was made possible, Monday, when South Haven City Council members voted in favor of approving a two-year agreement with South Haven Public Schools to create the SRO position. School board members ratified the pact last month.

Wildey, who has been with the local police department since 2006, had been working night shifts for South Haven Police Department specializing in accident reconstruction for serious and fatal accidents and processing crime scenes. But now his job and work shift will change.

“Officer Wildey will be assigned to South Haven Public Schools full-time during the school year.” Police Chief Natalie Thompson said. “He will not be handling complaints outside of the school unless he is called in for one of his specialties...During the summer/non-school months he will fill the open night-shift position he left to go into the schools.”

To gear up for his new job, Wildey received training from the National Association of School Resource Officers.

“He is anxious to serve as a positive role model within the schools,” Thompson said.

Wildey's role as SRO includes duties typical of a police officer – protecting lives, enforcing laws and assisting in criminal activities. But his job also entails counseling students in special situations, when requested by building principals, conducting classroom presentations about law enforcement and attending after-school activities from time to time.

Kevin Schooley, who is in his first year as superintendent for South Haven Public Schools, said the district is pleased to once again have a School Resource Officer.

“We have been in the planning stages of this for some time and we are ready for yet another positive addition to our school community, he said. “I think the position is important, especially at the younger level, to build positive relationships with students and staff,” he said. “They get to realize the SRO is an additional person they can count on in a time of need.  The SRO is also a bridge to law enforcement and getting resources in place for kids and assisting school personnel with school safety procedures.”

To make the SRO position a reality, Schooley and Thompson sat down to hammer out an agreement that would be satisfactory to both the police department and the school district.

Although the new agreement recognizes that if a crime occurs on school premises the SRO can investigate and make an arrest if necessary, it also outlines the building principal's duties.

“Chief Thompson and I did work a great deal on outlining the parameters of the SRO position, as providing clear expectations for the SRO is key in the program's success,” Schooley said. “The SRO is not a school disciplinarian and does not assume the role of what is traditionally the building principal. The SRO is an additional resource.”

As part of the two-year agreement, South Haven Public Schools will pay the City of South Haven $36,000 for Wildey's position. Under the previous SRO agreement, South Haven Schools was paying $56,000.

The greater expense helped to play a role in the termination of the pact, according to South Haven City Manager Brian Dissette.

“It was partially due to the funding commitment and partially due to an unclear definition of what the SRO's role was to accomplish,” Dissette said. “Natalie has spent a lot of time with Superintendent Schooley to ensure that all parties know exactly what the SRO will do on a daily basis to ensure that we meet the goals of the South Haven Public Schools' leadership. The role of the SRO is now clearly defined to ensure that the SRO knows exactly what the chain of command is and how to handle sensitive situations.”

Although South Haven city officials do not plan to hire an officer to take Wildey's place while he's working as an SRO, city staff may do so in the future if necessary.

“Over the next year, management will monitor the agreement and determine if an additional staff member is needed due to the increased work load, overtime, or a reduction in standard police services,” Dissette said.

Group issues $25,000 challenge grant toward splash pad

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

As youngsters and adults look forward to the construction of the new splash pad near South Beach, a local group hopes some of that enthusiasm will generate funding to help pay for the structure.

The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation this week announced a dollar-for-dollar community donation drive to raise a total of $50,000 for the splash pad.

The matching grant campaign will take place over the next five years, according to Alan Silverman, a member of the Foundation.

We've pledged $25,000 provided it is matched by citizen donors,” Silverman said.

Already people are donating to the Splash Pad Matching Fund. At Monday's South Haven City Council meeting, Silverman presented the city with a check totaling $12,945.

Most of the cost for the splash pad's construction is coming from a state grant and donations from community groups. The city obtained a matching $300,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources earlier this year and has accumulated nearly $90,000 in local donations since then.

The city is also helping to pay for the project through several other funding sources, including beach parking fees, the Downtown Development Authority and the capital projects fund, according to City Manager Brian Dissette.

When completed the splash pad will resemble the Michigan Maritime Museum's tall ship, Friends Good Will and will accommodate approximately 100 people who can run under the nautical-designed fountains and other devices to cool off during hot days at the beach.

Elementary students in South Haven who were polled earlier this year, overwhelmingly chose the ship design over another one that consisted mainly of decorative water fountains.

Two weeks ago, city officials held a ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the splash pad. Contractors hope the project will be completed by Memorial Day 2020.

With the high water levels of Lake Michigan and beach erosion, splash pads along the lakeshore could prove to be even more popular with people next summer.

“I am thrilled we have another option when the lake waters may not be in swimming condition or closed due to E. coli. It’s a great addition to our community” said Erica Karr, Covert mother of three. Karr is among a number of area residents with children who say they plan to take advantage of the new splash pad for the safety it provides close to home.

“It will be such a relief to have a place to take the girls to play in the water where it is easier for me to keep an eye on them when I am by myself” said Amanda Johnson of South Haven.

In addition to providing a safe alternative to the lake, the splash pad project will

provide other benefits to South Beach and nearby Riverfront Park, including added seating and tables near the beach, new handicap-accessible parking areas, expanded green space and additional landscaping along the riverfront.

For more information about the Splash Pad Matching Fund, visit www.southhavencf.org

Woman volunteers twice a week to register voters at SH library



By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

For the first time, voting in Michigan is easier than ever thanks to recent legislative changes and one local resident is taking advantage of it.

Twice a week, you can find South Haven resident Judi Stimson at South Haven Memorial Library helping anyone from any city, town or state, even, to register to vote.

“It’s a very easy process now,” explains Stimson who volunteers her time. “You don’t even have to have an ID. Just fill out a form and sign it.”

Last November, voters approved amendments to the state’s voter registration law that allowed for no-reason absentee voting, in-person registration done the day of election with proof of residency, straight-party voting and registration by mail up to 15 days before an election.

The ballot measure, known as Proposal 3, was passed in Michigan by a better than two-to-one margin.

The amendment brings Michigan in line with at least 17 other states when it comes to same-day voter registration.

Encouraging voter registration is important to Stimson who has taken a couple of classes on the new registration changes. 

“Another important change,” she said, “was in the past, college students used to have to drive to the town where they were from to vote and then drive back. Now they don’t have to do that anymore.”

Stimson will be at the library 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays through January. She will resume signing people up to vote in April. She recommends calling the library at 627-2403 to make sure she is available for registrations.





12.4.19

South Haven High School senior Katie Schooley (right) pushes a whipped cream pie on to the forehead and face of her dad, South Haven Schools Superintendent Kevin Schooley, as part of a Peer-to-Peer program fundraiser. (Photo by Becky Kark)

A little pie goes a

long way to make Thanksgiving dinner possible for school's Peer to Peer program

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

It's not everyday that teachers, coaches and administrators agree to willingly allow students to pie them in the face, but more than a handful at South Haven High School agreed to do just that just before Thanksgiving.

They did so as a fundraiser for the high school's Peer-to-Peer program's annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Eight faculty and staff lined up, Friday, Nov. 22 to be pied by students and teachers, who bought raffle tickets for the chance to do so during the high school cafeteria's two lunch hours. Superintendent Kevin Schooley was joined by high school Principal Ryan Williamson, Athletic Director Adam Verseput, electives teacher Sandy VanderRoest, social studies teachers Cory Salyer and Mark Eddy, math teacher Allan Anastacio and science teacher Mark Woolcock.

“We had eight very braves souls who agreed to do this twice, once at A Lunch and then at B Lunch,” laughed Special Education teacher Jennifer Fedewa, who organized the fundraiser and who leads the Peer-to-Peer program. She tried to make the event a little less messy for the willing victims by supplying them with plastic ponchos, plastic shower caps and small masks to cover their eyes.

“I guess that's the elementary teacher and momma in me,” Fedewa said, regarding the protective supplies she bought for the volunteer's faces and clothing.

The event proved to be not only a lot of fun to watch, but a good fundraiser for the Peer-to-Peer program's Thanksgiving dinner and its other activities.

“We raised $125,” Fedewa said.

Now in its fourth year the program matches South Haven High School upperclassmen mentors, or “links” as they referred to as, to special needs students.

Links who take the program, enroll in an actual class where they study disabilities, write research papers, and spend time helping special needs students with homework and socializing with them.

Thirty-four upperclassmen have enrolled in the program this year and they are paired with 17 special needs students.

In addition to the curriculum component to the class, mentors and the students in Fedewa's class also get together for activities.

One such activity is the annual Thanksgiving dinner, which the class prepared and ate this past Tuesday..

Thanks to the pie-in-the-face fundraiser, the program this year was able to purchase four turkeys and other fixings to make for a nice holiday dinner for 60 “links” and Fedewa's students.

“Links” brought in or made several of the side dishes, including cranberries, sweet potato pie and green bean casserole.

Allegan County man arrested in 1980 cold case

A 70-year-old Michigan man has been arrested for the 1980 homicide of Kathleen Doyle, 25, of Norfolk, Va., according to a news release from the Michigan State Police.

Dennis Lee Bowman of Hamilton was arrested, Nov. 22 in Allegan County, by the Norfolk Police Homicide/Cold Case Section, in partnership with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and the MSP.

Doyle was found murdered in her Norfolk residence on Sept. 11, 1980. She was the daughter of a naval officer and the wife of a U.S. Navy pilot who was deployed at the time of the homicide.

The 39-year investigation culminated with forensic evidence to allow the case to be solved.

Bowman, who had served as a young adult in the U.S. Navy, is being held in Michigan, awaiting extradition to Virginia.

Glenn students gather nearly 1,000 pounds of food for pantry

GLENN — Just in time for the holiday season, Glenn Elementary School students held a community food drive, recently, and collected 922 pounds of non-perishable food to donate to a Fennville food pantry.

Students in grades K-5 spent part of a morning in November walking door to door collecting canned vegetables, pancake mix and other nonperishable food items to deliver to Ladders of Hope Food Pantry.

Before dropping off their decorated boxes and bags, the children stopped by the Golden Orchards assisted living facility to perform a holiday concert in the dining hall. Then it was on to the food pantry, where they formed an assembly line to pass along, weigh and stock the pantry shelves.

"It was awesome," said board member Mike Wohlwend, who received the delivery. "Most read each label as it passed through their hands to the next person."

 The amount of food collected by the school this year was more than double the 445 pounds brought in to the food pantry in 2018. Ladders of Hope has served more than 5,460 individuals so far this year, including more than 1,560 children.

"By donating to Ladders of Hope, you help keep our shelves stocked for those in need," Wohlwend said. 





11.25.19

Jeff Andringa from Glenn is shown building a tree house for the children of  Dr. Andrea Fleuren after her fiancé suddenly died from cardiac arrest. (Contributed photo)

A treehouse for Vivienne

Glenn builder makes dying man's promise to financée and children a reality

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

With the help of a friend, a South Haven mother and her children recently found out that a promise can be kept, even if the person who made it suddenly dies.

Dr. Andrea Fleuren and her fiancé Shannon Gullion were set to be married earlier this year.

“Our life was so happy,” recalled Fleuren, who is an internal medicine physician at Bronson South Haven Hospital. “We traveled with the kids. Shannon had never been on an airplane before he met me.  He read voraciously, collected first-edition books. He could fix anything that had an engine. He was self taught and constantly learning.”

But the couple's wedding plans were shattered in June when Gullion went into cardiac arrest.

“We were supposed to get married and he died a week before,” Fleuren said.

But at Gullion's funeral Fleuren and her children discovered that when one door closes, a window opens.

It came in the form of builder Jeff Andringa, who had known Gullion.

During the funeral, Fleuren's young daughter Vivienne spoke about how Gullion was so good at fixing things around the house, and had even promised to make the children a treehouse, but now he couldn't because he had died unexpectedly.

“The entire room dissolved into tears,” Fleuren recalled. “When Vivienne stood up at Filbrandt’s and reached for the microphone, which was high up, and spoke in front of all the people, I can’t imagine how much bravery that took. She had been eating Reese’s peanut butter cups beforehand, which was Shannon’s favorite candy, and just marched up there and spoke.”

After the funeral, Fleuren received an unexpected phone call that would make Gullion's promise come true after all.

“Jeff called me out of the blue and asked if I needed help with anything as a favor to Shannon,” Fleuren recalled. “He devotes his life to ‘paying it forward.’ I explained about the treehouse and he came out to the house and scoped out the trees. I thought I never would see him again, but he called, made plans and he actually built it.”

Build it he did.

The 10 x 10 foot wooden structure, complete with roof, windows, trap door and even a rope ladder that the kids added, sits high in a tree by the house in Geneva Township. The kids helped paint it, said their mother, and plan on adding a plaque dedicated to Shannon.

“He (Jeff) must have worked at least 20 to 30 hours on this project,” Fleuren said.”He told me that he does these things to ‘pay it forward’ for mistakes of his past.”

“I just did it to make things right in the world,”  Andringa modestly admits. “Sometimes you can’t always make restitution. Shannon was in his mid 50s and was way too young to die.”

Covert school board terminates school chief's contract

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

COVERT — After being placed on paid administrative leave two months ago, Bobbi Morehead will no longer serve as superintendent for Covert Public Schools.

School board members, Monday, voted unanimously to terminate the school chief's contract.

“The board is confident that this is the best decision for Covert Public Schools and that we have a team in place that will make the transition seamless,” Board of Education President Rita Perry wrote in a news release issued Wednesday.

The administrative team will be led by Covert High School Principal Yolanda Brunt, who has been serving as interim school chief since the school board placed Morehead on leave in September. Prior to being named as high school principal, Brunt served as a high school teacher for Covert.

“We have no doubt that our Interim Superintendent Yolanda Brunt will continue to lead our district in a positive direction until the Board selects a permanent superintendent,” Perry wrote.

Morehead, who had two years left on her contract, could not be reached for comment. She had served as Covert's superintendent since 2012.

Perry did not indicate in her news release nor in an earlier interview in October what led to Morehead being placed on paid administrative leave.

A former school board member, however, told the South Haven Tribune in October that Morehead was suspended with pay after telling the Board that Cassopolis school teacher Steven Mammel came highly recommended. It was later discovered that he had actually been fired.

According to the Jan. 14, 2019 Cassopolis Board of Education meeting minutes, Mammel was terminated from his job, effective that session. No reason was given. Mammel was hired in 2015 to teach math and physics.

During a special meeting held Thursday, Sept. 5 the Covert school board approved hiring Mammel who was to start Sept. 6.

But during an emergency special meeting held Friday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m., the Board voted to rescind the motion to hire him.

It was after that when Morehead was placed on administrative leave.

Bangor man pleads guilty for son's drug overdose death

By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

HP Staff Writer

PAW PAW — A Bangor man is facing a prison sentence after taking a plea deal last week for the overdose death of his son.

Gary Birkhead, 48, pleaded guilty in Van Buren County Circuit Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter, a crime that has a maximum prison term of 15 years. In exchange for the plea, a charge of second-degree child abuse was dismissed by prosecutors, according to online court records.

Cole Birkhead, 16, of 

Hartford died of a drug overdose Aug. 13, 2017, at Bronson Hospital Kalamazoo. Police said that after a lengthy investigation, they found evidence that Gary Birkhead allowed his son to use illicit drugs for over two years, until his death.

Gary Birkhead was charged and arrested in March, and has been in the Van Buren County Jail on a $1 million bond since.

He is set to be sentenced 9 a.m. Dec. 9.



Approved

SH City Council allows medical cannabis testing facilities east of Blue Star Hwy.

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

It has taken nearly a year for a local business to receive the green light to test medical marijuana within the city limits, but it finally happened last week.

City council members, Monday, voted to create a medical marijuana overlay district east of Blue Star Highway to allow New Age Laboratories to test cannabis. The only no vote was cast by council member Letitia Wilkins, who has consistently gone on record against letting any type of pot-related enterprise locate in South Haven.

For New Age Laboratories owner Scott Wall, the council's decision came as a welcome relief.

“I thank the planning commission for their work (in crafting a medical marijuana ordinance) and the council's work,” he said. At a planning commission meeting earlier this month, Wall estimated that five new jobs will be created at his laboratory in the Interstate 196 Business Park if he is allowed to add the testing of medical marijuana.

In making their decision, council members and Mayor Scott Smith stressed the overlay district is limited to just medical marijuana testing facilities. No other cannabis-related businesses, such as grow operations, provisioning centers or processing facilities, will be allowed in the overlay district.

“Tonight we are only talking about testing,” Smith said.

Council members could have allowed testing facilities to locate in a second district that was being considered – an industrial area south of Aylworth Avenue in the city's Ward 1. In fact the original ordinance that was drawn up proposed the creation of an overlay district for both east of Blue Star Highway and south of Aylworth Avenue. But council members nixed the Aylworth area, mainly because of concerns expressed by residents that pot businesses would increase drug abuse and crime in their neighborhoods.

“I remember concerns by citizens of Ward 1 and I have to weigh that,” council member George Sleeper said.

“I understand Ward 1 has an issue,” council member Chris Campbell said. “We have to pay attention first to people who live there.”

Another city council member, Steve Schlack agreed, but also said that sometime in the future it may make sense to consider allowing medical marijuana businesses south of Aylworth Avenue.

“South of Aylworth isn't really different than east of Blue Star,” Schlack said in regard to the Aylworth area being zoned for industrial and commercial uses in a manner similar to the I-196 Business Park.

At least one business owner in the Aylworth industrial area hopes the council will add it to the overlay district and that the area won't be limited to just testing facilities.

Earlier this year, Will Rogers moved the North American headquarters of HTS Direct from Grand Rapids to a building at 1310 Kalamazoo Street, which he renovated for not only his own business but for prospective new ones, as well.

HTS is a supplier of hydraulic jacks that are built in Germany and shipped overseas to its clients in North America.

Monday evening Rogers told council members he has two businesses that would like to lease space in his building at 1310 Kalamazoo St. to establish medical marijuana-related companies.

“We have an opportunity to lease 4,200 square feet of space for a medical marijuana provisioning center and an additional 7,000 square feet of space to a hemp processor, which is another part of cannabis industry,” Rogers said. The two companies, he went on to say, would create nearly 70 new full-time jobs, with pay ranging from $20 to $30 an hour.

But, whether the council will take up the issue of allowing more types of medical marijuana facilities in town or expand the overlay district remains to be seen.

“Tonight we're only talking about a testing facility,” Smith told Rogers. “Hopefully we'll be sitting down soon with our economic development folks and make sure we're showcasing your facility to a broad audience.”





2.17.20

Maple Grove Elementary students are taking Random Acts of Kindness Week one step further by celebrating it throughout February. In the photo above, kindergarten students from Tera Crichton's class carry cards they wrote to put on their friends lockers.

SH elementary school students hope to rack up 7,000 acts of kindness

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

Launched in 1995, Random Acts of Kindness Week is an annual opportunity to unite people around the world through kindness. 

At Maple Grove Elementary School in South Haven, students are taking it one step further by celebrating the event all month long.

“We were wanting to do some sort of kindness campaign but couldn’t find one we really liked so we combined some ideas and created our own,” explained Molly Brush, school secretary. “I made the chart for each student and made up the different kindness challenges.” She then presented her proposal to school Principal Kim Cross.

“She was on board from the very beginning,” Brush said.

The goal, according to Brush, is for everyone to complete one act of kindness every school day resulting in more than 7,000 random acts of kindness in one month. During the first week of February, Michele Johnson, the school success coach, presented the idea to students and teachers in each grade level.

Celebrated this year from Feb. 17-23, National Random Acts of Kindness Week has grown in popularity each year. It is celebrated by individuals, groups and organizations, nationwide, to encourage acts of kindness. It makes people feel good, it’s a totally free pastime and, as the Random Act of Kindness Foundation points out, it’s one of the only things in the world that doubles when you share it. Kindness, it reports, increases Oxytocin – also known as “the love hormone,” energy, happiness and lifespan. Performing a kind act also decreases pain, stress, anxiety and depression.

“February can be a dreary month with not much sunshine, so we wanted to brighten up the day of others by doing these small random acts daily,” Brush explained. “The quote we use for this is ‘If we all do one random act of kindness daily, we might just set the world in the right direction.”

Each pre-school through third-grade student received their own kindness chart that has one suggestion per day. Some of the ideas include picking up a piece of trash or telling the school janitor thank you.

“It was really challenging to think of kind things for the students to do,” Brush admitted. “Maple Grove follows the 'Four Bs daily - Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Nice.'  We are always talking with students about looking for ways to follow the Four Bs. Being kind just fits right into it.” 

The charts are used to track progress. When one act is completed, it is marked off on the chart. Students are also decorating the building’s main hallway with paper chains representing each act of kindness.

“Everyone has seemed really excited about it,” Brush said. “It is so neat to hear the students talk about the kind things they were going to do that day and the things they have already done.”

Seminar for parents and teachers addresses effects of childhood trauma

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Three organizations and South Haven Public Schools will be working together this week to help teacher and parents better understand how to better cope with children who have behavioral issues, especially ones associated with trauma.

The Parent Teacher Seminar will take place Wednesday and Thursday Feb. 19-20 and will be led by Dr. Jim Henry, a professor of social work at Western Michigan University and director of the Children's Trauma Assessment Center at WMU.

“Dr. Henry is a dynamic speaker who engages his audience and inspires them to change how they think about children’s behavior, hence changing their own behavior as they attempt to care for, help and teach children,” said Mary Blashill, who is a social worker and member of South Haven Kiwanis Club, who helped organize the seminar along with Sheryl Postma of Hope Parent Network and Sherry Bennett, Great Start Collaborative coordinator for Van Buren Intermediate School District.

Carey Frost, curriculum director for South Haven Public Schools, said she was very receptive when the three groups approached the school district about setting up a seminar to help both teachers and parents dealing with youngsters suffering from trauma and other issues that affect their behavior at home and in the classroom.

“It is necessary for schools to offer  'wrap around' student services to ensure physical wellness and mental health, so SHPS has provided several staff trainings as part of a 'whole child' initiative,” Frost said. “A few of the trainings that have been offered to staff over the past two years include strategies to de-escalate student behavior, interventions that can be used to help students overcome challenging behaviors associated with childhood trauma, and the effects that poverty has on student success in school.  While we regularly provide programs for parents related to academics, this will be the first program specifically related to mental health and behavior.”

The first day of the seminar will be targeted toward elementary school teachers and staff.

“There will be about 80 teachers and staff,” Blashill said. The seminar will take place at South Haven High School and will include a lunch, courtesy of the South Haven Kiwanis Club.

Thursday will be targeted toward parents and children. The seminar will be from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Lincoln Elementary School and will consist of a dinner and seminar by Henry. While parents listen to the seminar their children can take part in a variety of activities.

Although the school district often offers in-service training for teachers, it doesn't always include parents. But including parents is important, Frost thinks.

“We believe that the school district should play a major role in supporting our students and their families outside of school,” she said. “Our goal is to be a resource for parents in their quest to create supportive, nurturing home environments for their children.”

Blashill said she was pleased that the organizations could partner with the school district to offer the seminar for teachers and parents.

“Teachers, parents, other people caring for children, and the children themselves are often stymied when it comes to understanding children's challenging behaviors,” Blashill said. “Inability to listen, follow directions, focus on an activity, or respond appropriately to physical or verbal confrontation are frequently interpreted as intentional behavior rather than the inability of the child to cope with the stress of their situation. It is very important for all people who care for children to learn about and understand how trauma affects children’s developing brains in order to respond in a helpful, not hurtful, way to their behavior.”





2.10.20

South Haven Mayor Scott Smith (center) congratulates South Haven Police Officer Lucas Keene and South Haven Township resident Austin Grzybowski, Monday, for saving a woman's life after her car crashed into a freezing pond in January and nearly drowned. Also pictured from left are South Haven Police Chief Natalie Thompson and Grzybowski's wife, Michelle.

Man joins officers in saving woman's life

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

South Haven city officials make it a point to publicly recognize first responders who save people's lives, but once in awhile they get the opportunity to honor average citizens who do the same thing.

Such was the case earlier this week when a private citizen stood alongside two police officers to receive credit for saving a woman from drowning in her vehicle.

City council members, Monday, issued proclamations to Austin Grzybowski and South Haven Police officers Lucas Keene and Denarie Melendez for their life-saving efforts.

“We get paid (to assist people). That's our job. But to have a citizen take the extraordinary actions he did was truly exceptional,” South Haven Police Chief Natalie Thompson said.

It was a cold day Jan. 8 when Grzybowski sat inside his residence in Park Meadows Apartment to enjoy some down time. But a loud crash and people yelling prompted him to get up and look out the window. He saw them running toward a pond located near an RV park south of the apartment complex on M-43 Highway in South Haven Township.

Grzybowski didn't stand still for long. He rushed toward the pond to see what was going on and saw a vehicle floating on top of the water with someone still inside. He yelled to the driver to roll down their window and sit on the edge of the door frame, which she did, but the vehicle started to sink.

In the meantime Keene and Melendez responded to a 911 call of a vehicle sinking in a pond. When they got to the pond they jumped a fence as the vehicle rapidly began sinking with the woman trying to climb out of the driver side window.

Keene quickly took off his vest and entered the water along with Grzybowski. They helped to pull the driver out of the car and with Melendez' assistance swam the woman to shore, where she then was treated by South Haven Area Emergency Services paramedics and taken to Bronson South Haven Hospital.

Thompson said she was impressed with Grzybowski's efforts to save the woman.

“He was giving her directions immediately which resulted in a successful outcome,” Thompson said, noting that when officers arrived Grzybowski could have stood off to the side, but instead went into the freezing water and swam alongside police to rescue the woman.

“The air temperature that evening was 21 degrees and the eight-foot deep pond was ice-covered except

where the car broke through,” Thompson noted in the proclamation. “The driver reported being unable to move because of the extreme cold. Because of the quick action of Austin James Grzybowski, Officer Keene and Officer Melendez, the driver survived what could have been a much worse outcome.”



2.4.20

Eathen Kazarian and his fourth-grade classmates grins when Bronson Safe Kids Coordinator Pam Ford held up a booster seat during the 'Tweens: Back, Boost, Buckle" program, Monday, and asked whether it was a baby seat. The students in unison said, "yes," prompting giggles and smiles, as did the skeleton prop, "Skully," that Ford used as part of the program that focused on seatbelt safety for youngsters.

These aren't baby seats

Program stresses safety seats for kids

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

When Bronson South Haven Hospital's Safe Kids Coordinator Pam Ford went to North Shore Upper Elementary School, Monday, to talk to students about vehicle safety, she made sure to bring a car booster seat with her to ask youngsters what they thought of it.

“Is this a baby seat?” she quizzed.

Almost in unison and giggling a bit, the children gave a resounding “yes.”

But by the end of the “Tweens: Back, Boost, Buckle” program, the fourth and fifth graders were beginning to view booster seats a little differently.

Michigan law dictates that children age 8 or younger or less than 4 feet 9 inches tall need to sit in a car seat. The law also states that children 12 and under must sit in the back seat of a vehicle, not the front seat.

However, it appears that a number of elementary students, especially the older ones, don't really know about the law, nor do their parents.

In November, Ford and several Safe Kids volunteers went to South Haven's three elementary schools – Maple Grove, Lincoln and North Shore — to physically conduct a survey of youngsters as their parents dropped them off at school. At North Shore 167 students were observed. The good news is that 99 percent of them were buckled. But only 78 percent were in the back seat and just 24 percent in a car seat.At Maple Grove and Lincoln, which are for younger elementary grades, car safety compliance was somewhat better. At Maple Grove, 100 percent of students were buckled, 93 percent in the back seat and 51 percent in a car seat, while at Lincoln, all students observed were buckled, 77 percent in the back seat and 42 percent in booster seats.

The number of youngsters not following state-mandated vehicle safety requirements bothered Ford. Not because they and their parents appear to be ignoring the law, but rather because they could end up with serious injuries in the event of a crash.

That prompted Ford to ask South Haven Public School district elementary principals if she could present the “Tweens: Back, Boost, Buckle” program, developed by the Helen DeVos/Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids and funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

“We're trying to change the stigma about booster seats. When I pull this out (a booster seat) everybody laughs,” Ford said.

“We want to tell them the importance of being buckled, in a booster, and why the back seat is the safest place for them to ride.”

To show students the importance of booster seat use, Ford asked fourth grader Eathen Kazarian to sit in a model car seat. When Kazarian, who is a little shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, buckled up, Ford noted the shoulder strap was closer to his neck than toward his shoulder where it's supposed to rest and the lower strap was straddling his lower abdomen not his hips.

But when she asked Kazarian to use the car seat and then buckle up, the belt fit him just right.

“Seatbelts are designed for adults,” Ford told the students. “The problem with kids using the seatbelts without a car seat is it can cause injuries to your organs and spine.” She also explained that the air bags that are in front seats could also prove harmful to youngsters because the bags are designed for teens and adults.

“Until age 13 bones are not developed. Car bags could cause serious injuries, not to mention the dash board and windshield,” Ford said.

Although he grimaced a bit when asked to sit in the booster seat in front of all his classmates, Kazarian said he's rethinking his stance about car seats.

“Yeah, I think it's safer,” said Kazarian, who does sit in the back seat and uses a seatbelt.

Luckily, Kazarian and other North Shore students who need safety seats will be able to get them for free.

As part of the “Tweens: Back, Boost, Buckle” program, North Shore students who are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall were given a voucher to give to their parents granting them a free booster seat if they don't already have one. From 4-7 p.m., Thursday, students, accompanied by their parents, were able to go to Bronson Wellness Center, 950 S. Bailey Ave., and receive a free car seat.

The car seats are being made available free of charge thanks to a grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning and the Bronson Health Foundation's South Haven Fund.

Firefighters protect themselves from carcinogens

By TRIBUNE STAFF

First responders at South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) now have much more capable commercial cleaning equipment that decontaminates carcinogens from bunker gear and prevents cross contamination with other laundry thanks to grants from three industries and a bank.

Each of the three SHAES stations now has industrial washers built especially for the purpose of cleaning the gear. In addition, the staff has built drying equipment saving the department significant expenses that would have been incurred by purchasing commercial products.

Studies have shown an association between cancer risk and being a firefighter. After exposure to even routine firefighting, bunker gear can contain carcinogens that may be absorbed through contact or inhalation. Awareness of this increased cancer risk brought a desire by the SHAES leadership to improve upon gear-cleaning.

"The safety of our first responders is our highest priority," said Fire Chief Ronald Wise. "We determined that a systematic approach to cleaning turnout gear would be the best remedy for providing this safeguard. We're grateful to our contributors whose acknowledgement of this need brought it to reality."

Lovejoy, Inc., through the Timken Foundation, awarded SHAES a $20,000 grant. The Timken Foundation awards grants to non-profit agencies that operate in communities in which the Timken Company has facilities. Lovejoy, Inc. has had a plant in South Haven since 1960. The company is a supplier of couplings, power transmissions, hydraulic components and rubber suspension technology.

Albemarle, which is a global supplier of specialty chemicals, contributed $10,000 through its employees' Foundation. The company has been located in South Haven since 1976. The Albemarle Foundation was launched as a means to power the giving potential of its employees. Each site has its own Foundation Council that shares a wide view of a community’s needs and oversee diverse programs of philanthropic opportunities.

Entergy Corp., owner of the Palisades nuclear plant which has operated in Covert Township since 1971, has contributed $5,000. Entergy is a Fortune 500 integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.

Employees of Sturgis Bank and Trust donated $450 to the project. The second Friday of each month is dedicated as “Jean Day” at the bank. For a donation of $5 employees can wear jeans that day. Each month a different branch of the bank can determine the beneficiary of their contribution. Sturgis Bank and Trust has two of its 12 branches in South Haven.

The project cost a total of $42,000 and funded equipment purchases and ensured that plumbing and electrical requirements were met. The washer and dryer machines were built by SHAES. The SHAES staff also contributed to the project by sponsoring fund-raising pancake breakfasts.



1.27.20

Van Buren County Commissioner Gail Patterson-Gladney is shown in February 2019 taking part in We Care in the Name of Christ's Warm Your Heart Month Island Sit in downtown South Haven. This year's 12-hour fundraising event is scheduled Feb. 29. We Care hopes to raise $10,000.

Chilly tradition creates warmth for those in need

We Care ministry's annual fundraiser culminates in 12-hour sit at outdoor traffic island

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

A human service ministry that helps people in need throughout the South Haven area is getting ready to launch its biggest fund-raiser of the year.

We Care in the Name of Christ's annual Warm Your Heart Month will kick off Feb. 1 and conclude March 1 with a variety of fund-raising events, including the popular “Island Sit” where volunteers brave the cold weather to stand at the city's downtown traffic island to solicit monetary donations from motorists and pedestrians.

“Last year, we raised over $7,000 with just that one event - and we had to shut down 2 hours early due to weather,” said Erika Morrison, executive director or We Care.

Overall, We Care hopes to raise $20,000 during Warm Your Heart Month, and Morrison thinks it will happen.

“We were able to reach and exceed our goal of $15,000 last year,” Morrison said. “We raised almost $19,500 in 2019.  We have a whole team of people that help put together this month of events, raise awareness for needs in our community and fundraise.”

Originally, We Care used Warm Your Heart funds for its winter heating assistance program. But several years ago, the non-profit decided to expand use of the donations to its other ministries, as well

“We have found that when someone comes in for one thing — for instance, help with their heating bill — they also need other things, such as food, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, even medical equipment like a bath chair or a walker,” Morrison said. “However, if people want to make their donation directly to a particular ministry or program, we understand that and welcome that as well.”

Last year, We Care was able to provide $12,500 in heating assistance for 103 families. The ministry limits funding to $250 per family. However, by working with partner agencies, We Care was able to obtain an additional $60,000 in heating assistance in 2019 for area residents in need.

Overall, in 2019, We Care provided help to 2,800 individuals. The ministry provides food, clothing, personal care items, back-to-school supplies, medical, furniture, emergency housing and transportation assistance and holiday meal baskets and gifts to people. It also coordinates with other agencies to help those in need.

Warm Your Heart Month events

• Feb. 1 — Warm Your Heart Kick-off, noon-2 p.m., Golden Brown Bakery, 421 Phoenix St. Variety of children's activities. The bakery will provide discounts to people who donate canned goods.
• Feb. 6 — A Night to Warm Your Heart, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Taste Restaurant, 402 Phoenix St. Portion of proceeds will be donated to We Care.
• Feb. 8 — Corner Collection, noon-6 p.m., downtown South Haven. St. Basil's Knights of Columbus will be collecting money from motorists and pedestrians.
• Feb. 11 — A Day to Warm Your Heart, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Phoenix Street Cafe, 523 Phoenix St. Portion of proceeds will be donated to We Care.
• Feb. 14 — A Day to Warm Your Heart, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Clementine's restaurant, corner of Center and Phoenix streets. Portion of proceeds to benefit We Care.
• Feb. 15 — Trivia to Warm Your Heart, 7 p.m., The Congregation (formerly Vineyard Restaurant), 259 Broadway Ave. $100 donation for table of 6. Includes desserts, snacks, raffle and door prizes. All proceeds go to We Care.
• 20 — A Night to Warm Your Heart, 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Black River Tavern, corner of Phoenix and Kalamazoo streets. Portion of proceeds go to We Care.
• 22 — A Night to Warm Your Heart, noon-10 p.m. Kitchen 527, 527 Phoenix St. Portion of proceeds to benefit We Care.
• 23 — Soup Luncheon, noon-2 p.m., St. Basil Catholic Church, 513 Monroe Blvd. Free-will donation for We Care.
• 27 — A Night to Warm Your Heart, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Three Blondes Brewing, 1875 Phoenix St. Portion of proceeds to benefit We Care.
• Feb. 29 — Island Sit, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., downtown traffic island. Participants will seek monetary donations from motorists and pedestrians. WCSY-FM will provide live broadcast.
• March 1 — Soup luncheon, noon-2 p.m., Bangor Church of Christ. Free-will donation for We Care. Sponsored by Bangor area churches.

Number of short-term rental permits dips in South Haven

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Fewer homeowners in the city limits are applying for “business” permits to operate their home as a short-term rental (STR).

That's according to a report summarizing the city's 2019 short-term rental program.

“We saw a 19 percent decrease in business units,” Assistant City Manager Kate Hosier said. “We were at 421 (in 2019), we're now down to 389.”

The report, which was presented this past Monday to the city council, summarizes how the city's updated STR ordinance performed in its first year of operation. The updated ordinance, adopted in December of 2018, put a number of restrictions on business STR owners. They now pay an annual $500 fee vs. $200 and agree to yearly safety inspections to rent their homes throughout the year. Conversely, homeowners who obtain “personal” permits can do so free of charge up to 28 days per year, while agreeing to pay a bi-annual $100 inspection fee.

The report cited several reasons for the decrease in business STR permits from last year to this year.

• Prior rentals are converting from two to four-unit properties to single dwelling properties

• Property owners are moving into South Haven long term

• Inspections identified safety deficiencies that the property owners were unwilling or unable

to correct

• Property owners do not want to pay registration fees or submit to a safety inspection

• Property owners changed their permit designation to personal

The city utilizes a 4-to-1 ratio each year in determining how many dwellings within the city limits can apply for a business STR permit, with the exemption of condo complexes and planned unit developments, which the ordinance does not apply to.

In looking at the housing stock for 2020, there are 2,827 dwellings. So up to 565 or 25 percent of them can be used as business STRs. With 389 currently registered, the city can grant up to 176 additional permits this year, according to Hosier.

The report also included costs associated with operating the short-term rental program. In 2019, the city received $282,875 in fees but ended up spending $3331,795 to administer the program and conduct home inspections. Other costs included legal fees, computer software expenses, publishing expenses and $3,450 in miscellaneous expenses for a loss of $48,920.

“Right now we're operating at a loss,” Hosier said. “When we calculated fees we did anticipate we would see a loss. We created a new department and ordinance. We did over 621 inspections. We did quite a bit of work.”

City Manager Brian Dissette said even though the program did not break even in its first year with a higher fee structure, the city expected that to occur.

“What we're trying to do with fees is control the bleeding. We're getting closer and closer,” he said regarding the larger deficits the STR program incurred prior to passage of higher permit fees. “We anticipate legal expenses will go down. Inspections to be quicker.”

However, an increase in permit fees in the future is not being ruled out.

“In the next year we may be asking council to reconsider the fee structure,” Dissette told council members at Monday night's meeting. “At this time we'll work with the finance department to understand every dollar that went through the program. We're not at a point tonight to offer a formal recommendation.”



1.20.20

Erosion has taken its toll on the shoreline of Pilgrim Haven Nature Preserve in South Haven Township. (Photo by Tom Renner)

Shoreline erosion takes its toll

County board wants state to issue a disaster declaration

By ROD SMITH

For the Tribune

PAW PAW — Van Buren County Commission is joining the ranks of other county boards in asking state officials to declare shoreline communities as disaster areas.

Van Buren board members last week adopted the measure after viewing a Michigan State Police aerial video of erosion along Lake Michigan caused by the abnormally high water levels.

The video footage showed views of the shoreline starting at Glenn in Allegan County and ending to the south at Palisades Park, in Covert Township. The area includes the beaches and harbor at South Haven, Pilgrim Haven Land Preserve, North Point Land Preserve and Palisades nuclear plant. Added were overlays of street names and other features. While watching the video, commissioners commented about the extent of damage the near-record high water levels of Lake Michigan has wrought over the past year.

In one spot, a fairly new home looked as if it had no back yard. In other places, bluffs were being eaten by the lake, their faces sliced off and disappearing into the water. When the video got to Van Buren State Park, Commission Chair Richard Godfrey pointed out, "No beach."

In the resolution the county says it recognizes the erosion from storms, high water and wind-driven waves, as well as ice. The lakes themselves, according to the resolution, drive Michigan's tax base and property values.

"The conditions of the Great Lakes shoreline," according to the resolution, "affects businesses and the tourism industry by limited access to the beaches; the loss of property along the shoreline directly affects the local, county, and state tax base; and the effects on municipal water systems and the inland waters levels throughout the state are all affected.

"Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved that the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners requests that the Governor of the State of Michigan along with the state legislature give favorable consideration to the declaration of the shoreline in the State of Michigan as a disaster area, and seek assistance from congress and the president of the United States for this devastating situation which has an impact statewide."

In other matters, commissioners adopted a resolution asking the state to double the terms of county commissioners.

County commissioners have two-year terms. All other elected officials have four-year terms. State House Bills 4937-38 and Senate Bills 504-505 would make that four years.

County boards of commission came into existence in 1968, superseding county boards of supervisors, where all the township supervisors met for county-level discussions. The state abolished the supervisors board in favor of boards of commissioners, where each member represents a district not based upon township lines.

The current board consists of seven members. In the past it's had five.

In the resolution, commissioners said their duties have greatly increased over the last century to include road patrols, indigent defense, mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention programming, solid waste pick-up and disposal, food and water supply safety, park operations, economic development efforts, emergency management and response.

"The position of county commissioner is a highly complex oversight role that requires years to master," the resolution stated.

In other matters, commissioners held their organizational meeting for the coming year. Richard Godfrey was returned as chair and Mike Chappell voted vice-chair, succeeding Kurt Doroh.

Sales up, prices down

Realtor group releases 2019 housing market stats for South Haven

Home sales increased in 2019 in the South Haven housing market while priced dropped, according to the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors.

At the end of 2019, the number of single-family homes sold in the South Haven area jumped 18 percent when compared to 2018 (244 vs. 207). But, the average selling price for single-family houses last year fell 20 percent to $301,990 from $380,331 in 2018. The median selling price for single-family houses in 2019 also decreased 5 percent from 2018 ($223,500 vs. $235,730). The median price marks the price point in which 50 percent of the homes sold are above that number, and 50 percent, below.

While single-family home sales increased in the South Haven market, the number of condos sold in 2019 decreased 16 percent (41 vs. 49). But, the average selling price for 2019 was $304,834, up 3 percent from $296,028 average selling price in 2018. The median selling price for condos in 2019 slipped 2 percent from 2018 ($254,000 vs. $260,000).

Looking at the monthly statistics for December of 2019, the number of single-family houses sold increased by six sales from December 2018 (17 vs. 11). The average selling price for single-family houses in December sky-rocketed 80 percent when compared to December 2018 ($423,786 vs. $235,190), while the median selling price in December 2019 rose 30 percent to $ 305,000 from $235,000 in December 2018.

Condo sales in December decreased by one condo from December 2018 (3 vs. 4). The average condo selling price in December 2019 jumped 26 percent when compared to December 2018 ($341,667 vs. $270,500). The median selling price for condos rose 27 percent from December 2018 ($320,000 vs. $252,500).

In 2019, there were 5 single-family houses in the closed transactions in South Haven 49090 compared to 7 single-family houses in 2018. There were no bank-owned or foreclosed condos included in the closed transactions in 2019 or 2018.

For comparison, the number of bank-owned or foreclosed homes as a percentage of all transactions in Berrien, Cass, and the westerly 2/3 of Van Buren Counties was 4 percent; down from the 3 percent in November. The highest percentage in December was 45 percent in 2009.



1.13.20

Bronson South Haven Hospital employees Darcy Knapper (left) and Carrie Conroy sign their names, Tuesday, on a steel beam which will be the last one to be erected for the hospital's new steel structure. (Photo by Becky Kark)

Leaving their mark

Bronson employees sign final steel beam for new hospital

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

When contractors erect the last steel beam for the new Bronson South Haven Hospital it will mark a special moment for doctors and staff.

Hospital employees took turns, Tuesday, signing the beam with their signatures and writing special messages.

“We're getting ready to put the last beam up,” Bronson Communications Specialist Jay Newmarch said. “We thought it would be nice for employees to leave their mark.”

Carrie Conroy and Darcy Knapper were two such employees who did so.

“We want to keep the positivity of Bronson going and let the community know we're proud of this hospital,” Conroy said.

Another employee who signed the beam, penned, “For all the positivity in this new beginning, here's to many more years.”

Construction of the new $22 million hospital is going well, according to Bronson South Haven Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kirk Richardson.

“The good news is that the weather has been cooperating,” he said.

Workers began construction of the steel structure in October. Richardson estimates the final beam should be in place in the next two to three weeks.

“We're working to get the building enclosed so we can start working on the interior,” he said.

Hospital officials say contractors are on target to complete the 52,000-square-foot, two-story hospital by December and open it during the first quarter of 2021.

The hospital will house a 14 emergency room beds, eight in-patient beds and 32 physician exam rooms.

Hospital officials also plan to build a new 4,500-square-foot building nearby to house the wound care center.

Bronson Healthcare, which owns Bronson South Haven Hospital, decided to construct the new facility because it would have been too expensive to renovate the existing one with its aging infrastructure, according to Dr. Matthew Dommer, vice president of medical affairs at Bronson South Haven.

“It would have cost $40-$60 million to keep it going,” he said.

Competency exam requested for accused killer

By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

HP Staff Writer

The man accused of killing Wilda Wilkinson in 1986 will take a competency exam before hearings in his case.

A court secretary said Tuesday that Robert James Waite's attorney filed paperwork for Waite to take a competency exam so his probable cause and preliminary hearings were delayed.

The hearings, in South Haven District Court, were rescheduled to May 6 and 13.

Waite, 50, was charged in June with one felony count of homicide-open murder. He waived extradition from Florida in November, where he was serving a prison sentence for an unrelated crime.

Wilkinson’s daughter found her strangled mother in 1986. A nurse’s aide at South Haven Community Hospital at the time, Wilkinson, 59, was divorced and lived alone in Bangor.

The case went cold until new DNA information was brought forward last year.

Waite remains in the Van Buren County Jail.

Contact: anewman@TheHP.com, 932-0357, Twitter: @HPANewman





1.6.20

A youngster is shown on a ski lift at Timber Ridge Ski Area near Gobles. (Photo by Alexandra Newman)

Area ski resorts thankful for snow making machines

By ALEXANDRA
NEWMAN
HP Staff Writer

GOBLES — Getting people to come skiing can be harder than you would imagine.
It doesn’t just have to do with the temperature outside.
“We call it the windowsill effect,” said Amy Scrab, general manager of Timber Ridge Ski Area near Gobles. “If they don’t see snow in their yard, they don’t think about it as an option. Every ski resort has that happen.”
Timber Ridge, along with Swiss Valley near Jones in Cass County, and Bittersweet near Otsego in Allegan County, have all been able to open this year, but only thanks to snow-making machines, or “guns,” working every chance they have. It’s been a difficult season thus far due to unseasonably warm temperatures through most of December.
“They are what made this possible,” Scrab said Friday, speaking of the machines. “We made quite a bit of snow to open up. We’re lucky this year to be open for the holidays.”
She said that the ski area got new snow-making guns this year that can make up to 100 gallons of snow per minute.
“That’s about two times as much as the old machines,” Scrab said. “It can make snow at a higher degree too. At 33 degrees it was still making snow the other day.”
Bittersweet General Manager Victor Gayheart said Friday their ski area was able to open the earliest this year on Nov. 14 thanks to having a patent on their snow-making machines.
“We build our own, and we have like 200 guns, while some places have 50,” he said. “We have a lot of fire power. We’re lucky.”
Timber Ridge opened on Dec. 13 and Swiss Valley opened the next day.
Swiss Valley boasted on its Facebook page that it was the earliest the area has been able to open in the last five years.
Last year at this time, Timber Ridge and Swiss Valley hadn’t opened yet and Bittersweet had been working overtime to make its own snow.
Each ski area the year before was open around mid-December. The year before that, they couldn’t open until January due to unseasonably warm weather in late November/early December.
It’s a year-to-year and day-to-day business that makes it hard to keep regular employees, according to staff.
“It’s very difficult to get seasonal help to begin with, but when you have to close because of warmth and you have to call off people, it’s hard to keep them on because they need a job,” Scrab said. “We can’t have a full staff if we don’t have a full crowd. It’s hard to keep help, for sure.”
She said that there has been more people out tubing than skiing and snowboarding, and more single-day visitors than season pass holders. Not all the runs are open, but enough for people to enjoy the slopes, she said.
Gayheart said at Bittersweet they started out busy, but the crowds thinned out in early December, probably because of holiday shopping.
Gayheart said not to give up on skiing yet.
“When we have another cold blast we’ll be working another 100 percent,” he said. “Even though you don’t have snow in your backyard doesn’t mean we don’t have it in the mountains.”
Scrab said being a family-owned business helps keep the spirit alive at Timber Ridge when the weather makes the business difficult.
“We love helping families have fun,” she said. “Skiing anyone can do. That’s our core. And it doesn’t have to be perfect conditions to go tubing. I had a guy yesterday, say, ‘I felt like I was 5 years old again.’”

South Haven gets ready for the 5G era

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

As mobile device users gear up for 5G service, municipalities are gearing up for an increase in antennas that transmit the signals.

South Haven is one such town that is trying to be proactive about the new antennas, referred to as small cell wireless facilities.

Council members recently passed an ordinance that ensures the city complies with a new state statute, that among other things, gives wireless service providers access to public rights-of-way and the ability to attach transmitting devices to poles and structures to enhance their networks and provide next-generation services.

Public Act 365, which took effect in March, also encourages the deployment of advanced wireless services by streamlining the process for permitting, construction, modification, maintenance and operation of wireless facilities in public rights-of-way.

“Cellular providers are beginning to make a push for 5G coverage statewide, and small cell facilities are part of that effort,” City Manager Brian Dissette said.

Unlike cell towers that people often associate with wireless devices, small cell facilities usually are shaped like smaller antennas, three to four feet tall, that are installed on existing infrastructure, such as a utility pole or other types of free-standing poles.

Similar to a cell tower though, small cell nodes, as they're sometimes referred to, communicate wirelessly over radio waves, and then send the signals to the internet or phone system, according to Crown Castle, America's largest provider of shared communications infrastructure. But because small cells are connected to fiber they can handle massive amounts of data at fast speeds.

Right now the city has only one small cell wireless facility. It is located in the triangular green space at the intersection of Elkenburg and Ravinia streets by South Haven High School.

But with the push for 5G coverage in Michigan, South Haven city officials expect more to be installed by wireless providers.

South Haven's new ordinance will place several stipulations on the installation of small cell nodes.

They include:

• Approval of an application to erect small cell facilities;

• Utility poles will not exceed 40 feet above ground level;

• Small cell wireless facilities cannot extend more than 5 feet above a utility pole;

• In the downtown development district or any residential zoning district, small cell wireless antennas will be contained within a shroud or canister type enclosure;

• The colors of antenna enclosures and equipment cabinets will match the color of the utility pole or support structure on which they are located;

• New providers of small cell facilities will pay an annual fee of $125 per year for each one installed in the city right-of-way. Existing providers will pay $20 annually.



12.30.19

New leaders take the helm at South Haven High School

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

A school administrator from Grand Haven will take on a new role at South Haven High School as its assistant principal.

South Haven Board of Education members, this month, unanimously approved hiring Tighe Carter to replace Ryan Williamson, who in November was chosen to be high school principal.

“A team of high school staff, led by Mr. Williamson, reviewed 24 resumes, interviewed 7 candidates and conducted second interviews with 2 candidates,” South Haven Schools Superintendent Kevin Schooley said. “Mr. Carter was our unanimous choice and he will be a great addition to the high school staff.  He checked all the boxes for us in being a kid-first person and wanting to get involved with continuing to build on the positive momentum at the high school.”

Williamson voiced similar comments.

“Tighe will be an excellent fit for our students, staff and community,” he said. “Tighe is described by his co-workers and supervisors as passionate for students and their learning, a team player, flexible, effective communicator, detail orientated, and a problem solver.”

Carter has accumulated 14 years of experience in the education field. Most recently he has served as assistant director for years at West Michigan Academy in Spring Lake. Prior to that he worked for Holton Public Schools, northeast of Muskegon, for six years in several capacities; first as a teacher, virtual academy administrator, and interim athletic director. He began his educational career at Allendale Public Schools as a high school technology and business teacher.

Carter graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education and teaching and went on to earn a master of education degree in educational leadership and administration from Grand Valley State University.

Williamson replaces Jerry Sardina, who was hired in August to be Iron Mountain Public Schools' new superintendent.

Williamson first came to South Haven in 2018 when he was hired as assistant high school principal.

Before that he served as dean of students at Center Grove High School, south of Indianapolis, Ind. He has served in the education field for 20 years working as a teacher, department chair and most recently, dean of students. He also coached varsity basketball and golf. Williamson earned a bachelor of science degree in secondary education at Ball State University.

Meijer surprises shopper with $1,000 holiday shopping spree

Meijer made Christmas extra special this month for more than 245 unsuspecting customers across the Midwest, including one from the South Haven area, by surprising them with a $1,000 shopping spree during the sixth annual Very Merry Meijer event.

With six kids, the holidays can be a stressful time. Yolanda Marquez hadn’t even begun Christmas shopping yet when she was told by the South Haven Meijer store director that she was receiving a $1,000 shopping spree. She said it was a blessing because of her large family; baby six was a surprise that they only found out about when she was at the doctor’s for another visit.

“The holidays are a time to celebrate hope and give thanks,” Executive Chairman Hank Meijer said. “Very Merry Meijer is an annual event we started in 2014 to help spread cheer and give thanks to our customers. Although the holidays can be stressful, this is our way of celebrating the spirit of the season with our customers and team members.”

The 2019 event took place on Dec. 14. Previously, Meijer surprised one customer in each of its stores by gifting them their entire cart at the checkout.

This year, however, the retailer surprised customers while shopping in the aisles with a $1,000 Meijer shopping spree – and also provided two Meijer team members as personal shoppers to help the lucky customers cross off their wish lists. Those team members each received a $100 Meijer gift card.

In total, the six Very Merry Meijer events held since 2014 gifted more than 1,400 customers with toys, clothes, electronics, groceries and small appliances.



12.23.19

Covert graduate named district's new school chief

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

One month after firing its superintendent, Covert Public Schools Board of Education has hired a new one.

Board members voted unanimously, Monday, to hire Yolanda Brunt, pending contract negotiations. School board members made no comment in making their decision to hire Brunt.

A 1987 graduate of Covert High School, Brunt had been serving as Covert's interim superintendent since September when former superintendent Bobbi Morehead was placed on administrative leave.

Although the board unanimously favored hiring Brunt, former school board president Maria Gallegos made the comment that there were rumors circulating in the community that the school board and Covert Schools Resource Officer Darryl Williams wanted Morehead to leave so Brunt could take her place.

Brunt stated that she would not address rumors. School board members also did not reply to Gallegos's accusations, but when emailed for comment Tuesday, Williams responded by saying, “This is absolutely ridiculous and not true.”

Morehead was placed on administrative leave Sept. 6 after school board members learned that a teacher she had highly recommended for hire had been terminated from his previous school district.

Contract negotiations for Brunt are expected to take place at a later date. However, the school board plans to make Brunt's salary as superintendent retroactive to Sept. 16, when she first began serving as interim superintendent.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in anthropology/zoology, Brunt went on to receive her master's degree in curriculum instruction from Andrews University and a master's degree in education leadership from Western Michigan University.

She first began working for Covert Public Schools as a para-pro in 1996. She then took part in the district's Home Growth Program which was created to attract and retain teachers. The program paid fund toward teachers' certification requirements. In return the teachers agreed to work for Covert Schools for at least three years.

“I saw this is an opportunity not only be to certified but to also give back to my district,” Brunt said.

She continued to teach at the high school until 2014 when she was named pre-kindergarten-12th grade principal, a job she held before being named interim superintendent in September.

South Haven releases new economic development plan

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

South Haven has some great assets – a vibrant downtown that overlooks Lake Michigan, access to 14 recreational trails, close proximity to major highways and educational institutions and a small, but highly competitive manufacturing base.

But, Monday, city leaders heard about weaknesses and even threats to the town's vitality during a presentation about the new 10-year economic development strategic plan for South Haven.

The 132-page report prepared by veteran economic development consultant Jim Hettinger of Douglas and business consultant Patricia Muellen of St. Joseph, points out how the high cost of living in the city, lack of affordable housing, over-reliance on tourism, limited access to 5g broadband and lack of workforce development hurts the area's economy.

Those weaknesses are compounded by the city's lack of land for development of new industrial and business sites, the pending closure of Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in 2022 and most recently – high-water levels on Lake Michigan that could negatively impact tourism.

“Hearing the truth is very hard,” Muellen told members of the city council and Local Development Finance Authority, who met jointly to listen to the two consultant's presentation.

Yet, much of the information contained in the report didn't come as a surprise to city officials.

“A lot of the information are items that are often discussed by the LDFA and council,” City Manager Brian Dissette said. “The value of the plan is having all of those items listed in one document and then having a road map for how to best counter the weaknesses.”

City officials hired Hettinger and Muellen earlier this year to come up with a 10-year plan to position South Haven as a magnet for economic development in Southwest Michigan.

The plan's goals for development are based on demographics compiled by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, several hundred face-to-face interviews with area residents and from a survey filled out by 500 people.

The “road map” outlined in the plan follows:

• Establish an ongoing economic development program by hiring an agency or individual to be in charge of overseeing it;

• Develop a strategy to market South Haven as a community that is a good place to work and raise a family, year-round.

• Acquire develop and market business and industrial land sites

• Acquire a 5g wireless system in South Haven

• Actively pursue a year-round economic base

• Develop and implement a strategy to improve workforce development

• Promote year-round activities

The consultants hope the goals outlined in the plan can be established by 2024 and improved upon over the next six years.

But before any of those goals can be accomplished the city needs to determine who will take the lead — a director, an agency like Kinexus, or continue doing it in-house as has been the case for the past several years?

Hettinger advised city officials against the third option.

“This (economic development) takes a focused, sustained effort,” he said. “If you want to be serious about this, you need to get someone with their nose to the grindstone.”

City officials appear to agree.

“In the short-term, we will issue a request for proposals for economic development services,” Dissette said. City council will then collect the submittals and decide what type of economic development provider to hire.

“From there, we will seek to more actively market the area and seek to attract new employers,” Dissette said.

But before proceeding forward, Dissette said city council and Local Development Finance Authority board members need to officially adopt the 10-year economic development plan. He anticipates they will vote on it sometime in January of 2020.



12.16.19

Linda Teeter of South Haven shows a photograph of her father fishing on a river in Indiana. Teeter says that she has come to realize her father, a World War II veteran, suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, but was never diagnosed. Fishing helped him cope with some of the disorder's symptoms. (Photo by Becky Kark)

New group forms to support families of veterans who struggle with PTSD

By KIM INGALLS

For the Tribune

Linda Teeter of South Haven remembers the emotional struggles her dad dealt with after coming home from World War II. It has prompted her and other members of the South Haven American Legion Women's Auxiliary to sponsor a new support group for spouses and family members of veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“My father was in World War II,” Teeter said. “I now know that he struggled with PTSD when he returned from the war.

Outwardly, her dad seemed fine – he was married with children, held down a good-paying job for 37 years, and owned his own home. But emotionally, he seemed tormented.

“He looked and seemed perfectly normal, but there were times when all the effects of the PTSD would come out,” Teeter recalled. “His happy place was when he fished. Then he could get away from al the symptoms. I wish that PTSD had been identified then, and there had been resources for veterans and their families to identify PTSD and deal with the effects.”

The first meeting for the Spouses & Family Members of Veterans Struggling with PTSD will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at the Church of the Epiphany, 410 Erie St.

“The main goal (of the group) is to provide a loving place for spouses and family members to share and talk together,” explained Teeter, a member of the American Legion Post 49 Women's Auxiliary.

The formation of the group has been talked about for quite a while, Teeter went on to say.

At the initial meeting, the group will decide the format, how often to meet, and if they would like outside professional involvement. There is no cost to attend. 

“Members of the South Haven American Legion Ladies Auxiliary identified this need sometime ago,” Teeter said. “We worked together to get this first gathering together and with Fr. Michael Ryan's assistance to serve as the facilitator for first meeting.” Ryan is the pastor at Epiphany Episcopal church.

PTSD affects 3 percent of the U.S. adult population - about nine million individuals, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. About 37 percent of those diagnosed are classified as having severe symptoms. Women are significantly more likely to experience PTSD than men.

Traumatic events — such as an accident, assault, military combat or natural disaster — can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health. While many people will have short-term responses to life-threatening events, some will develop longer-term symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. Symptoms often co-exist with other conditions such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety. 

SW Michigan named a top tourist destination

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

Lake Michigan has traditionally lured tourists to Southwest Michigan. But apparently, the region's agricultural attributes is also a drawing card. At least that's what editor's at an international travel magazine think.

Earlier this week, Condé Nast Traveler named Southwest Michigan a top 20 international tourist destination for 2020, along with such better known locales as Dubai; Copenhagen; Okinawa, Japan; Slovenia; Spain's Canary Islands; and Southeastern Australia.

The honor caught South Haven Visitors Bureau Executive Director Scott Reinert by surprise. When asked Friday if he knew about the listing, Reinert confessed that he had not.

“No I was not aware,” he said. “Being listed as a travel destination alongside so many fabulous international locations is quite an honor.”

In coming up with its Top 20 list, Condé Nast's editorial staff said it purposely chooses destinations throughout the world that possess amenities that would appeal to a wide variety of tourist interests.

“We aim to compile a list that is geographically diverse but also has points of interest for every traveler, whether you’ll fly for unparalleled stargazing, gorilla spotting in the wild, or shopping in Tangier,” the editors wrote in the Top 20 article's introduction. “We know that you’re using this list throughout the year to plan your trips, so we vary the types of destinations on here, from summer escapes like western Michigan to far-flung locales like southeastern Australia.”

Condé Nast is an award-winning luxury tourism and lifestyle publication based in New York.

Unlike other top 10 or top 20 listings posted online or in magazines, Condé Nast's listing was not based on a popularity contest – where people nominate their favorite destination over and over again. Rather the magazine's editorial staff surveyed its travel staff and network of correspondents who are based throughout the world, such as Chicago-based travel writer and editor Nina Kokotas Hahn, who wrote the synopsis on why Southwest Michigan made the Top 20 travel destination list for 2020.

For her article, Hahn chose to focus on tourism attractions in South Haven, Fennville and Saugatuck.

But unlike writing about the draws Southwest Michigan is noted for – the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan or the fall color tours along rural roadways, Hahn highlighted attractions that are gaining in popularity — outdoor experiences and locally produced food and beverages that are prepared and served at a growing number of restaurants, wineries and breweries.

“Ocean-like coastlines and a laid-back vibe have always been southwest Michigan’s biggest draws,” Hahn wrote. “But recently, the lakefront region has embraced a grown-up take on agritourism and reemphasized its focus on family farms — after all, Michigan is the country’s second most agriculturally diverse state, behind California.”

Examples of agriculturally based attractions Hahn highlighted included Virtue Cider, a 48-acre farm near Fennville that offers live music, a barn-style tasting room and a new cider house. Other attractions she wrote about were Modales Wines and Waypost Brewing Co., near Fennville, the Pennyroyal Cafe & Provision café in Saugatuck and The Fields of Michigan in South Haven. When it opened earlier this year, The Fields became one of the first “glamping” or luxury outdoor camping spots in the Midwest.

The attractions Hahn chose to write about didn't surprise Reinert.

“There's no doubt that beyond the lake and beaches, visitors are becoming very interested in other attractions and amenities including agriculture and outdoor recreation,” he said. “We've always seen somewhat of an interest (in outdoor recreation and agritourism) by our visitors, but it definitely seems that the younger demographic is having more of an impact in growing outdoor experiences and activities.”





12.9.19

A portion of South Beach's playground equipment is shown underwater during a wind storm that brought 60-mile-an-hour wind gusts across Lake Michigan. (Photo by Sheryl Kaptur)

Area state legislators urge governor to declare emergency along the lakeshore

As water levels along the Lake Michigan shoreline continue to rise, several state legislators, including Republicans Mary Whiteford and Beth Griffin have joined a bipartisan group of Michigan legislators in sending a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asking for a state of emergency declaration.

The desired declaration would cover the entire shoreline of Lake Michigan in response to erosion from near-record high water levels. Communities along the lake have experienced significant damage to both public and private property.

“Tremendous damage has been done not only in my community, but along the entirety of the Lake Michigan shoreline,” said Rep. Brad Paquette of Niles, who also signed the letter. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in the fight to address this devastation by allowing the impacted areas to qualify for additional financial help.”

Joining Paquette in signing the letter were Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield of Levering and state Reps. Triston Cole of Mancelona, Griffin of Mattawan, Jim Lilly of Park Township, Jack O’Malley of Lake Ann, Terry Sabo of Muskegon, Bradley Slagh of Zeeland, Scott VanSingel of Grant, Greg VanWoerkom of Norton Shores, Pauline Wendzel of Watervliet and Whiteford of Allegan.

By issuing a state of emergency, the governor would be able to designate more resources to respond to the erosion along the Lake Michigan shoreline. A state of emergency declaration would also allow the state to petition the federal government to do the same, activating additional resources to assist impacted communities and property owners.

The letter mentions how the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has been helpful in speeding up the permitting process and reducing regulatory hurdles to address potential future impacts, but outlined that much of the damage has already been done – leaving residents and business owners to pick up the pieces.

Getting ready for the next decade

South Haven set to unveil economic development plan

By BECKY KARK

Editor and general manager

For the past year, consultants Jim Hettinger and Patricia Muellen have spent much of their time compiling data and gathering input from business owners, community leaders and yes, even 'average joes', to come up with a 10-year plan to position South Haven as a magnet for economic development in Southwest Michigan.

Two weeks from now, on Dec. 16, the South Haven Economic Development Strategic Plan 2020-2030 will be unveiled to the public at a City Council meeting.

“We’ve recognized the need to develop a year round economy—which, naturally, elevates the presence of the city’s small, but very competitive manufacturing sector,” said Hettinger, a veteran Southwest Michigan economic development consultant. “South Haven needs to attract people as much as businesses. Economic development can also be human development. But the community as a whole has to make a commitment to get better.”

As a way to get the community to “buy in” to improving the local economic climate, Hettinger and Muellen, owner of P. Muellen & Associates of Benton Harbor, spent a lot of time gathering input from people who live and/or work in South Haven.

“We've talked to hundreds of people,” Muellen said. The two consultants of course talked to business and government leaders, but they also reached out to service clubs, churches, non-profits, and people at neighborhood gatherings. “One of our goals was to make them feel their input is valued.”

Hettinger agreed.

“We went for human intel,” he said.

In addition to interviewing people orally, Hettinger and Muellen developed a comprehensive survey that was filled out by more than 500 people throughout the community.

“A number of people said, 'thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a say,'” Muellen said.

But the 10-year economic development plan doesn't just rely on anecdotal information.

It also relies heavily on facts and figures, some of which don't paint a pretty picture of South Haven.

“It is an amazing paradox,” Hettinger said. “South Haven is scenic, walkable, livable, etc, and it still has awful demographics. I have never seen anything like it.”

The demographics were compiled by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in Kalamazoo as part of a three-year study of South Haven's economy. Members of the institute's economic planning services team spent the past year compiling data to give city leaders a baseline indicator of South Haven's population, education and workforce, income and housing.

Some of the findings follow:

• South Haven's population has decreased from 4,550 residents in 2010 to 4,345 residents in 2017, while the population of the city's residents, age 55 and older, increased from 1,729 in 2010 to 2,229 in 2017.

• The average household size in South Haven (1.95) is smaller than the State of Michigan (2.49).

• South Haven residents who are 25 years old or older tend to be better educated than the rest of Michigan, however the increased educational attainment is driven by older residents who tend to be better educated than younger ones.

• According to latest U.S. Census figures, the labor force participation rate in South Haven in 2017 (51.4 percent) was lower than the state (61.2 percent) or Van Buren County (60.3 percent). Even for prime-age workers, the labor force participation in South Haven (75.7 percent) was lower than the state (81.1 percent) or the county (80 percent).

• The top industries in South Haven are manufacturing and education and health services, who each comprise 17.8 percent of the employment. Leisure and hospitality follow with 16.3 percent, while retail trade is fourth at 12.9 percent. However, leisure and hospitality added the most jobs since 2010 with 131, followed by education and health services with 79.

• Average weekly wages in Van Buren County have historically been lower than the state. In 2018, the average worker in Van Buren County made $878 a weekly, compared to $1,035 in Michigan.

• Forty percent of South Haven's households have incomes under $35,000 a year compared to only 33.3 percent of households in the state. However, the child poverty rate has been trending downward in South Haven since 2013. But it still remains higher than the county or state at 24.1 percent.

• The median house price in South Haven is $177.815, compared to $125,438 in the county and $138,991 in the state.

• The percentage of homeowners in South Haven considered housing burdened (paying $35 percent or more of income for housing) has been declining since 2010, but remains higher than the state. Latest figures show that in 2016, 24 percent of South Haven residents were spending 35 percent or more of their income on mortgage payments, compared to 18 percent statewide.

• Most of South Haven's workers are employed outside the city. In 2017, only 409 people lived and worked in the city, while 1,400 worked elsewhere.

The town's demographics may appear to be a huge negative for attracting more full-time residents and businesses, but Hettinger said it can be done.

“It is time for non-traditional approaches and counter-intuitive thinking,” he said.

In the past 30 years, for example, South Haven's tourism economy has taken off with the development of more second-owned homes, marinas, stores and restaurants, and the creation of new tourism-related jobs.

But even though tourism contributed $85 million annually toward South Haven area's economy in 2018, Hettinger said the town needs to focus on diversifying its economy.

“My concern with tourism is all the eggs are in one basket and that basket is particularly vulnerable to weather, energy prices, and, now, high waters.” But, Hettinger went on to say, “South Haven can increase non-tourist parts of the local economy. This is not a zero sum situation.”

South Haven can grow in a number of ways, which Hettinger plans to lay out in the South Haven Strategic Economic Development plan.

Some of those solutions include:

• Taking advantage of the growing number of people who work outside of a traditional work setting. Approximately 60 percent o the U.S. workforce is location indifferent, meaning that someone who works for a Chicago company can actually live a couple of hundred miles outside of the Windy City and still have a job there. “Why can't a scenic community like South Haven better position itself to become home for these “anywhere” types of workers?” Hettinger said.

• Developing better relationships between area businesses, workforce development groups and educational institutions such as Lake Michigan College, South Haven High School and the Van Buren Intermediate School District's Technology Center to offer and promote training programs for jobs that are in demand in Southwest Michigan.

• Improving Broadband access. “Because South Haven is not a densely populated area, it is difficult to entice the telecoms to do more than they might be willing,” Hettinger said. “But I would say 5g is crucial.”

• Increasing the availability of housing for lower- and middle-income families

• Coming up with a unique attraction or niche that will not only be appealing year-round for not just local residents but visitors, as well.