Tri-County Citizen

NEWS BRIEFS


KILDEE ANNOUNCES MOBILE OFFICE HOURS – Congressman Dan Kildee, chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus, has announced mobile office hours throughout the Fifth Congressional District to offer services and direct support to his constituents. Congressman Kildee’s staff will travel across mid-Michigan to meet with constituents and answer questions regarding Social Security benefits, immigration visas or passports, veterans’ benefits, unemployment benefits or eligibility for other federal programs. Congressman Kildee’s staff is also available to travel to meet constituents where they are by scheduling an appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (810) 238-8627. Congressman Kildee’s Flint office remains open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saginaw County mobile office hours are on the last Thursday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saginaw County Government Center, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Room 215, Saginaw. Additionally, constituents can contact Congressman Kildee directly through his website, dankildee. house.gov/.

HORN ANNOUNCES OFFICE HOURS IN BIRCH RUN – State Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) has announced that office hours have been scheduled for the 32nd Senate District on Friday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Birch Run Chamber of Commerce, 7971 Main St., Birch Run. The senator will be available to answer questions and provide information and assistance, as well as take suggestions on issues affecting communities and businesses in the district. No appointments are necessary. For more information or to contact Horn, visit www.SenatorKenHorn.com or call (517) 373- 1760.

CHESANING VILLAGE COLLECTING TAXES – The 2021 Village of Chesaning taxes may be paid at the village office, 218 N. Front St., in the following ways: To the treasurer from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 30, Aug. 13 and 27, Sept. 10 and on the last day, Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.; in the office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or by mail, returning bottom portion of the tax statement with check or money order payable to Chesaning Village Treasurer, 218 N. Front St., Suite A, Chesaning, MI 48616. To receive a receipt when paying by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The deadline for paying taxes without penalty is Sept. 14.

MINIATURE THERAPY HORSE CONSIDERED – During its Tuesday, July 20 meeting, the Chesaning Village Council was asked to consider a request from Catherine Moore to keep a miniature horse as a therapy animal on her property at 1003 Brady St. Village Administrator Troy Feltman informed the council the lot is 0.19 acres. He told the council there is Michigan case law that would support Moore’s request. Feltman was clear that the welfare of the animal needs to be considered. He recommends consulting the State of Michigan relative to the Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPS) standards. “I am not going to support someone neglecting an animal,” he said. Councilman Keith Wenzel agreed, asking, “Does the animal have the space it needs when it’s not walked?” Feltman said, “The village attorney recommended checking on GAAMPS. In the meantime, the status quo stays. Case law prohibits us from doing anything at this time.”

LOOSE DOGS CAUSING PROBLEMS – During the Tuesday, July 20 meeting of the Chesaning Village Council, an unidentified woman informed the council that she cannot walk her dog without getting attacked by other dogs in the village. Council president Matthew Hoover said, “You’ve got to let us know.” The woman asked, “Does the village do anything?” Hoover responded, “We were recently in court for the same thing.” Councilwoman Tina Powell said, “We take it very seriously.” Code enforcement officer Gene Parker said, “Get pictures, call 911.” He explained that if someone just puts it on Facebook, he can’t do anything; it’s a waste of time. It needs to be reported. “If you see a dog loose, call 911, get photos,” he said.

FALSE ALARM FEE SCHEDULE SET – On Tuesday, July 20, the Chesaning Village Council set up the penalty fee schedule for false alarms in accordance with the cost recovery ordinance #2021-01 that was adopted on Feb. 16. It was explained that false alarms cost the village time and money. The Chesaning-Brady Fire Department requested the cost recovery ordinance due to the high frequency of false alarms in the community. The ordinance helps the police and fire departments recover costs from responding to false alarms and gives owners of the alarm systems incentive for making repairs quickly. Feltman explained that ordinance was already adopted earlier in the yar, the council just needed to adopt the fee structure. Councilman Keith Wenzel proposed that the fee structure be set up on a per year basis with no charge for the first false alarm, $250 fee for the second false alarm, $500 for the third false alarm and an additional $100 per occurrence for each subsequent false alarm. The fees go into effect immediately with the adoption of the fee schedule.

STREET IMPROVEMENTS TO START – Chesaning Village Councilman Phil Larner reported during the Tuesday, July 20 council meeting that the 2021 street improvements are expected to start within the next couple of weeks. Village Administrator Troy Feltman believes contractors will start with work on Clark Street and progress from there. In his report to the village council, Feltman said, “In keeping with our commitment to the voters, we have continued to use asset management principles to guide investments in our street system. In this approach to the management of streets, it is vital that yearly, incremental treatments are deployed to enhance the life of the street segments.” The village has partnered with the Saginaw County Road Commission to sealcoat several good sections of streets to stretch out their lifecycle. “Preventative maintenance is a central theme in our asset management plan for the long-term health/condition of the street system. I appreciate the efforts of the road commission to assist local units in driving down the cost per square foot for this type of service,” Feltman said. It was reported that Champagne & Marx has started the watermain installation on Clark Street.

SHOWBOAT PLAYSCAPE DELAYED – Many in the Village of Chesaning are anxiously waiting for the new play structure at Showboat Park. During the Tuesday, July 20 meeting of the Chesaning Village Council, Village Administrator Troy Feltman reported the playscape has been delayed until August. The new basketball hoops are also on backorder. “We’ve got the same backups as the rest of the nation,” Feltman said.

CHESANING AIRPORT STAYING BUSY – Chesaning Village Councilman Keith Wenzel reported that the Chesaning Sports Plane Association served close to 500 people for its Dawn Patrol Breakfasts on Sunday, July 11. The group hosted a craft show July 17 and 18. It’s next two events include aircraft. Those are scheduled for Aug. 14, 15 and Sept. 11.

COOK RESIGNS FROM MONTROSE TWP. BOARD – During the Montrose Township Board’s Tuesday, July 20 meeting, trustee Gerald (Jerry) Cook announced his resignation. He explained that he is moving out of the township to move closer to work. Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer aid, “I’m sorry to see you go.” He thanked Cook for his service to the township.

MONTROSE MOSQUITOS DISCUSSED – During the Tuesday, July 20 meeting of the Montrose Township Board, Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer reported the mosquito abatement service, APM, is spraying as much as it can for mosquitos. He explained the spring was fairly dry and it was easy to keep up. But after the heavy rains, mosquitos were hatching like crazy; it was so bad they couldn’t keep up. The township has received calls from angry residents. Emmendorfer said, “They’ve only got so many employees. By the time they train more, the mosquito population will have decreased.”

BASKETBALL COURTS NEARLY COMPLETE – During the Tuesday, July 20 meeting of the Montrose Township Board, Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer reported that the new parking lot and basketball courts at Barber Memorial Park are nearly finished. The cement companies are so busy, it’s been hard to get them back to finish the courts, he said. Emmendorfer expects them to be done about a week before the Montrose Blueberry Festival.