NEWS Briefs

AMERICAN HEART CPR AND FIRST AID – Twin Township Ambulance will host a first aid class on Tuesday, Feb. 7. An adult, infant and child CPR class will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Both classes will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the base in New Lothrop. The cost each class is $30. Registration is required one week prior to the class. Call (810) 638-5034 to register or for more information.

MAPLE SYRUP WORKSHOP – The Saginaw Conservation District, in cooperation with Jaques Orchard of Hemlock and The Maple Grille of Hemlock, will be offering a Maple Syrup Workshop on Thursday, March 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Jaques Orchard on Iva Road, Hemlock. The cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple, prepaid, which includes a brunch by The Maple Grille. This workshop will encompass tree identification, tapping, collecting sap and processing it to produce a delicious local product. This is ideal for beginners, small wood lot owners and backyard hobbyists. Those interested in attending should send the payment with their name, number of people attending, address, phone number, method of payment and amount before March 2 to Saginaw Conservation District, 178 N. Graham Road, Saginaw, MI 48609. For more information, call (989) 781-4077, ext. 4 or visit www.saginawcd.org.

HORN TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS – Local residents can visit with State Rep. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) on Monday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Zauel Memorial Library, 3100 N. Center Road in Saginaw Township. For more information, call Horn tol free at 1-866-HORN094, or email him at kennethhorn@house.mi.gov. Horn has scheduled ongoing office hours throughout the 94th District once a month on Mondays. Residents who are unable to attend the office hours are encouraged to contact Horn with a question or concern.

SHOWBOAT PAGEANT LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS – The Chesaning Showboat Queen’s Pageant is looking for anyone who is interested in donating towards a scholarship. Organizers are also selling ad space in the program. At press time there were five spaces left. Anyone interested should contact Kelly by email at kazoellner@hotmail.com. The pageant will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m., with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 12 and under. There will be a 50/50 raffle again this year.

LICENSE/RABIES CLINIC OFFERED – The Saginaw County Animal Care Center will be holding its annual License and Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Sunday, Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is held each year in advance of the renewal deadline to have dogs and puppies licensed per local and county ordinance. Annual licensing and protection from rabies is critical for a dog’s health and safety. This clinic meets both requirements at a reasonable cost and convenient location. The Saginaw County Animal Care Center is located at 1312 Gratiot Ave., Saginaw. For more information contact the center at (989) 797-4504.

CHS PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES — Chesaning High School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Progress reports are available that evening in the principal’s office.

REP. GLARDON TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS — State Rep. Ben Glradon (R-Owosso) will meet with residents on Monday, Feb. 20 at Cinder’s Grill, 232 E. Grand River Road, Laingsburg, from 9 to 10 a.m. No appointments are necessary. Residents who are unable to attend the office hours are encouraged to contact Glardon toll free at (877) 558-5426 or email him at benglardon@ house.mi.gov with a question or concern.

KC RAFFLE WINNERS — The winners of the Chesaning Knights of Columbus 50/50 raffle drawing for February are Mike Ebenhoeh, of Chesaning, Joe Greenfelder, of Chesaning, Linda Hinjosa, of Chesaning, and Chris Misiuk, of Chesaning.

DELTA ARC WELDING CLASSES AT CHS — A Single Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) class will begin Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 6 to 9:45 p.m. at Chesaning High School. The class will meet one night a week for four weeks. The second class, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMW) will begin March 27 with the same time and class length. This class is listed in the Delta schedule. Anyone interested in registering should contact Delta College. For more information, interested persons may also contact Steve Guzdial at Chesaning High School at (989) 845-2040.

CHESANING TALENT SHOW – The Chesaning Kiwanis annual Talent Show will be held Friday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in the Chesaning Middle School auditorium. For more information, contact Lyle Schwandt (989) 845-3669.

BRADY TOWNSHIP HALL – The life expectancy of the Brady Township Hall’s well house heater is uncertain. During the Brady Township Board’s Wednesday, Feb. 1 meeting, Township Hall Maintenance Custodian Randy Braeutigan reported that the well house heater could last a day, could last a year. Some pipes connected to the outdoor well had rusted, but were replaced. Some fittings were replaced on the pump as well. “It’s working now,” Braeutigan concluded. Township Clerk Beverly Wenzlick commented that the hall had recently been rented out for a party, but since there was no water, they had to provide a refund.

MIXED RESPONSE ON DROP BOX – During the Feb. 1 meeting of the Brady Township Board, an individual in the audience commented that Brady Township Hall is the only hall that doesn’t have a drop box. Township Clerk Beverly Wenzlick responded, “We work out of our homes.” Trustee Suzanne Peterson commented, “That might be a good idea.” Peterson suggested that if they installed a drop box, they might be able to eliminate the post office box. Wenzlick explained that there are somethings that would continue to be sent to the post office box, regardless. “I don’t want to have the responsibility for the box. I’d be more leery of what might get left here,” Wenzlick added. She explained that right now, she’d be concerned that absentee ballots would be left in the box. Tax payments are also a concern. There was also comment Chesaning Township has office hours three times a week, nothing is left in their box for more than two days. Brady Township Board officers work out of their homes.

BRADY TAX EXTENSION – During their Feb. 1 meeting, the Brady Township Board agreed to extend the winter tax deadline by two weeks, until Feb. 29, 2012. Brady Township Treasurer Patricia Goodrich explained that it was something they always did. Besides, Goodrich commented that if they didn’t extend the deadline, she would have to send out a lot of late notices with a one percent late fee. She preferred not to do that. The township board agreed.

CHESANING TAX UPDATE – According to Chesaning Township Treasurer Cathy Gross, they are now collecting six percent interest on summer taxes. The deadline for winter taxes has been extended until Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012; giving Chesaning Township taxpayers an extra two weeks to pay their winter taxes without a penalty.

ELECTION INSPECTORS – Brady Township held an Election Committee meeting just prior to the township board’s Feb. 1 meeting. During the Election meeting, election inspectors and an election chair were appointed. Mary Anne Stasek was named election chair. Election inspectors appointed include: Janet Fuoss, Janet Vrable and Beverly Wenzlick.

NOT READY FOR CYBER VOTING – During the Feb. 2 meeting of the Chesaning Township Board, Clerk Sue Emmendorfer reported on the upcoming Presidential Primary Election, Feb. 28, with polls open 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. She also commented about a recent test conducted by the government, to determine whether a national election could be conducted securely online. Universities across the the country were challenged to test the system in a “mock election” to hack into their system and change votes. The University of Michigan was successful in hacking the site, where they were able to actually change votes, as well as upload the U of M fight song onto the government system. During the test, they also determined that someone from Iran had also hacked in. According to Emmendorfer, they had a lot of encryption, but hackers still got in. Conceivably foreign countries could have influenced, if not determined an election if it had been real.

ARE YOU RUNNING? – Chesaning Township Clerk Sue Emmendorfer reports that there is a May 15 deadline for those running for township office with party affiliation. Candidates must register with 3-10 signatures on their petition, and and affidavit. Although those without party affiliation have until July 19 to register, they will need 9-30 signatures, plus affidavit. All of the township’s terms are expiring this year. Emmendorfer also pointed out that Chesaning Village candidates have an Aug. 14 deadline to register with 6-20 signatures, and affidavit; there are four village terms expiring. However, due to a change at the state level, the Chesaning School Board won’t have another board member election until 2014. The River Rapids District Library Board is also up for re-election this year; those who want to seek office must file by July 19, 2012.

ROAD COMMISSION DOLLARS – According to Chesaning Township Supervisor Bob Corrin, there is state legislation (5125/5126) which would eliminate road commissions and turn that money over to the counties. The County Road Association of Michigan is opposed to the legislation and is asking for townships to take a stand. The Chesaning Township Board discussed the issue, but decided they want more information. Trustee Pete Hemgesberg said he believes the road money should be turned over to the townships; but that is not one of the options offered by the legislation. The township board agreed to table the issue until they receive more information.