Search narrows to two in Imlay
IMLAY CITY —
The search for a new city manager to succeed Amy Planck has narrowed to a pair of condidates.
Following a round of interviews on Sunday, city commissioners reduced their list of final- ists to Jeffrey Zittel of Clio and D. Wayne O’Neal of Clawson. The city is still awaiting background checks and more infor- mation about each candi- date.
Planck, who retires on June 30, said a formal decision will likely be announced by the city commission on June 1.
‘Frenzy’ takes hold in Almont
ALMONT — In
conjunction with the Almont Downtown Development Authority’s 3rd Annual Spring Fling, more than 50 residents will host garage sales during this weekend’s (May 22-23) Garage Sale Frenzy.
In brief . . . Biosolid debate heats up
Michigan DNRE officials hear compelling arguments at public hearing on proposed ordinance to limit use
By Maria Brown
Tri-City Times Assistant Editor
GOODLAND TWP. —
Registration money collected from “Frenzy” participants will help support the upcoming Almont Homecoming Celebration, to take place August 13-15.
Veterans welcome
TRI-CITY AREA
—All veterans are invit- ed to attend a Memorial Day Breakfast at no charge hosted by the Imlay City
Auxiliary on May 31 from 7:30-9 a.m.
VFW
The breakfast will take place at the VFW Post located behind the Tri-City Times offices.
Poppy sales slated
ALMONT — The
Almont American Legion Auxiliary will host its annual poppy sales to raise funds for veteran’s causes on May 20-22.
New heights
IMLAY CITY — A
Blueberry Festival ban- ner went into space with the Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on Fri., May 14.
Temporary traffic signal is in place at intersection of Dryden and Glover roads, a detour route while repairs are made to M-53.
Detour work set to begin
Imlay City’s Blueberry Festival is a member of the Michigan Festivals and Events Association that pro- motes Michigan’s ‘Out of this World’ Festivals, fairs and events includ- ing the Blueberry Festival, slated for August 6-7.
Plant sale
DRYDEN — The
Dryden Historical Society is hosting a plant sale this Sat., May 22 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Historical Museum downtown.
The sale features perennial plant divisions from members’ gardens and from the museum gardens. Aquilt raffle is slated
for 2 p.m.
By Maria Brown
Tri-City Times Assistant Editor
ALMONT TWP. —
Look for preliminary detour work to begin on M-53 near Hollow Corners Road this week.
ule may be delayed if we encounter inclement weath- er,” said MDOT’s Armando Lopez Jr.
According to an Michigan Department of Transportation press release, daytime shoulder and lane closures are possible as crews put up signage for the detour route.
Delivery of equipment and materials will likely start on Monday, May 24. On June 2, Dan’s Excavating, Inc. will begin working on the east side of the box culvert, with- out any traffic disruption. Around June 14, the road will be closed to all traffic for a ten day period so that the box culvert can be replaced. “This aggressive sched-
“If we do encounter rain during the closure of M-53, the detour may be have to be in effect longer.”
Plans call for the entire project to be completed by August 14.
The signed detour routes will divert truck traffic to the west (I-69, M-24 and Dryden Rd.) while all other traffic will be diverted to the east: (Dryden Rd., Glover Rd., Imlay City Rd.) Plans call for a temporary light to be set up at Dryden and Glover roads. The box culvert at the Belle River collapsed last August following heavy rains, subsequently causing a sinkhole to form on the east shoulder of M-53.
Within six weeks, the town- ship should learn if their attempt at regulating biosolid applications was a success. Comments were taken from dozens of people at a May 12 public hearing and now, the Department of Natural Resources Environment (DNRE) has 45 days to issue a detailed opinion on the township’s proposed ordi- nance which primarily seeks to create setbacks on land application of biosolids. Biosolids is a common term for treated sewage sludge. “Goodland Township is unique and should be treated as such,” township attorney Brian Garner said of the 2,500 acres of muck fields that grow fresh market crops. Seepage of biosolids from neighboring farming opera- tions could be detrimental to their crops, they believe. “We don’t want the stig- ma that comes with ecoli. That would lead to a gigantic loss of revenues to this coun- ty and state,” Garner said. Those in favor of the ordi- nance spoke most often of health concerns and better oversight.
Leafy greens grower
Doug Van Dyk said the indus- try has barely recovered from the 2006 ecoli in spinach scare and, as a result, are heavily restricting them- selves.
Planning commission
chair Bob Van Den Berg said the township wants to be
proactive instead of reactive. In the event of a crisis, there will be litigation and “people going out of business,” he said.
Grower and township board member Norm Tanis said the frustration comes from not having any local control over where biosolid applications are made, noting that one approved site is near the Mill Creek.
Farmer John Morocco said that his carrot crop is put at risk if biosolid residue ends up in waterways that he irri- gates his fields with or in the event of a flood.
Some also complained about the notification process. According to state law, the
biosolid generators
or applicators must notify the township and other govern- ment bodies at least ten days before application and pro- vide monitoring results for the sludge to be applied. DNRE officials said the township can then contact the DNRE if they have concerns. Those who spoke in opposition of the ordinance said the proposal goes too far. Resident Ron McTaggart called it unconstitutional. Rick Guerrero called it a “senseless argument” consid- ering that research has proved biosolids are safe, referring to a federal study of human exposure over a 70 year peri- od, which DNRE officials referenced during the meet- ing.
The township ordinance seeks to create setback requirements for land appli- cation of biosolids—no less
than 750 feet (surface) or 500 feet (injected) application from a residence or surface water; no less than 2,500 feet (surface) or 1,250 feet (inject- ed) from a field with root crops/produce and no less than 3,000 feet (surface) from a municipal well or public water supply.
They also propose restric- tions on slope—no more than four percent for surface appli- cation and no more than eight percent for injected sludge.
Bob Van Den Berg addressed the crowd and DNRE officials at last week’s public hearing.
Page 3-A-TRI-CITY TIMES-MAY 19, 2010
A sizeable crowd turned out for last week’s public hearing on Goodland Township’s proposed sewage sludge/biosolids ordinance. State officials will make a decision on the validity of the ordinance with 45 days.
Teachers opt for retirement
CAPAC —Eleven teach- ers took advantage of a vol- untary severance agreement offered by the school district and are likely eligible for the state’s newly adopted retire- ment incentive package. Peggy Zick, Kayla
Vineyard, Paula Dell, Linda Prendergast, Patricia Osmulski, Dennis Weston, Marlene Sisson, Paul Watt, Ron Kriesch, Bob Abraham and Marilyn Clark will receive a $14,000 one-time payout upon their retirement, effective June 30, 2010. Supt. Jerry Jennex said the figure was based on what the district paid in unemploy- ment to some laid-off teach- ers. He said the district extended the deadline for the severance agreement twice,
in hopes that it would overlap with the state deal, which it did, for about 12 hours on May 14.
This year’s retirement incentive is one of the dis- trict’s most successful in terms of participation. Two
years ago, four teachers took a retirement offer. Five years ago, seven signed on, Jennex said.
Jennex said that there are other teachers in the district who are still eligible for the state’s retirement incentive.
Help support music programs
ALMONT — The Almont Music Boosters are cur- rently drumming up support for the district’s choir and band programs. Boosters will sell tickets for a hand-made quilt (donated by Lisa Burmann) at the May 19 High School Choir Concert, beginning at 7 p.m. They are also seeking donations of used or unwanted cell phones. On June 2, the winner of the quilt will be announced at the Middle School Choir Concert, which begins at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets in advance, talk to any Almont Music Booster member or call Joyce Griffin at 248-628- 7325.
Friday, May 21st
Friday: 5:15, 7:15 & 9:15; Saturday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15 & 9:15 Sunday: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15 & 7:15; Monday thru Thursday: 5:15 & 7:15
SHREK THE FINAL CHAPTER
Friday: 4:45, 7:00 & 9:30; Saturday: 1:00, 3:30, 7:00 & 9:30 Sunday: 1:00, 3:30 & 7:00; Monday thru Thursday: 4:45 & 7:00
IRON MAN 2
ROBIN HOOD
$5.00 Matinees before 6 pm • All Ages - Adults $
(PG-13)
Friday: 4:45, 7:00 & 9:30; Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 & 9:30 Sunday: 1:00, 4:00 & 7:00; Monday thru Thursday: 4:45 & 7:00
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
7.50 • Senior Citizens and 12 & Under $
810/724-0348 • MOVIE LINE
www.imlaycitycinemas.com
Check show times weekly in the Tri-City Times & online at
www.tricitytimes-online.com
CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS!
OUR DELI DEPARTMENT IS OPEN!
COUPON
PHONE:
810-721-7031 BEHIND LUCKY’S IMLAY CITY PLAZA
WE NOW ACCEPT EBT CARDS
HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 8am-8pm & Sun. 9am-6pm
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Kraft Light
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COUPON
FAMILY MARKET DAY
Every Tuesday • 9am to 3 pm
Farmer’s Market
$100
OFF
Any Flat of Flowers or Hanging Basket
6.00
Imlay City Cinemas
(PG-13)
thru Thursday, May 27th
(PG)
Photo by Tom Wearing
Photo by Maria Brown
Photo by Maria Brown
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