, ,PD«W,CV^' 60 77 P°EA.STJOBOAHM^ ,>«I 4*727 50 cents EAS Vol. 6 No. 4 Wednesday, October 22,1997 East Jordan, Michigan U*ga*—SifoYLidi*. Jt*._Adk-~i^LAl .^^,,,..^ ,,.,1 .1/,¾¾1¾^. .- ,^-.¾. ¢..¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾ The first year hasn't been dull for David White Last November, David White made a five- "I came in in the perfect situation," White if anything needs to be done, the business and year commitment to East Jordan. A year later, he said. "I didn't know anybody. 1 had no back­ industry leaders jump in and help out, he said. doesn't forsee having any problem living up to ground (in East Jordan). I had direction from the "To the extent I've seen it here in East Jor­ JL X MTJL that promise. city commission on what had to be done. I didn't dan, that's very unique and very special to the White became acting administrator in Au­ care about the past. There was enough present community." gust last year when he was working on starting and future to deal with, 1 didn't need to worry For the city's part, the development of an up a governmental consulting business. His job about the past." Industrial Park which has been in the conceptual at Society Bank had been eliminated and he was Various groups in East Jordan were Mages for more than 25 years, and improvements in the office of the Michigan Municipal League "fictionalized," White said. Different groups had in the city's infrastructure are sure signs of the at the right time to hear about Hast Jordan's need stopped communicating because of misinterpre­ commission's commitment to make East Jordan for an acting administrator. tations or comments taken out of context. But a place where existing businesses will slay and "I had no intention of applying for the (long- what he quickly learned was that all of these dif­ new businesses will'locale, bringing new fami­ term) position at that time," White said. But, with ferent groups wanted the same thing: To move lies along with them. encouragement from staff and council members, East Jordan forward. "Hast Jordan's a town ready to turn the cor­ and a few too many trips on Chicago's subway White doesn't give himself credit tor getting ner." White said. while interviewing there, White threw his hat into people talking again, but he said today, just one There are many areas to be improved upon the ring about a week before the application dead­ year later, city government, the chamber of com­ in East Jordan. White said, citing the water and HOURS line. And he doesn't regret it. merce, residents and industry all are rolling up sewer systems as an example. The city's goal is MONDAY - FRIDAY Although White stepped in at a time when their sleeves and working as a team for the ad­ to accomplish these improvements for those who '• 8AM-5PM the city commission had just fired its administra­ vancement of East Jordan. have already made a commitment to East Jordan, tor, Carolyn Sutter, after a lengthy and unpleas­ "One thing I'm finding in Fast Jordan, that I and to provide opportunities for newcomers as ant battle, he didn't let that recent history bother haven't found to a larger degree in other cities, is David White has been pleasantly surprised with the support him. support from business and industry." While said. Please see DAVID WHITE on page 16 the city receives from business and industry. New tech at a director GLANCE comes Celebrating on board the season School district, with music East Jordan will host its Iron Works will Fall Band Concert Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. The concert will feature share position the seventh and eighth grade The East Jordan Board of Edu­ bands, jazz ensemble, cation implemented one more facet percussion ensembles and of its strategic plan Monday by hir­ soloists. Admission is a SI ing a director of technology to over­ donation to the school's see the growing technology network music program. Children throughout the school system. attending the concert dressed Rob Billideau. formerly with the in a Halloween costume will school's computer consultant, receive a treat. Computerland, was hired to support The following day. the 270 networked PCs in the district, bagpiper Lyman Williams as well as the voice mail system and will present a bagpipe master video network. He will work part- class for East Jordan's time with the school and part-time seventh and eighth grade with East Jordan Iron Works. bands. Between the school and the Williams, a retired foundry, Billideau will have the teacher, lives in Traverse equivalent of a full-time job with City and plays for the benefits. Traverse City Pipe Band. Computerland always did an Leading the way During the summer, he excellentjob, Hansen said, but it was teaches nature exploration not on site every day. "We need to East Jordan runners Chris Bearden and Mark Penzien set the pace at last Wednesday's conference meet and lead classes at the Intcrlochen provide more direct support to the the team to victory. Penzien won the race and right behind him was Bearden. Other East Jordan runners in the lead Arts Camp. faculty and staff and students by giv­ pack are Micah Middaugh, Charlie Hague and Kevin Penzien. The cross country team heads to the regionals this ing them access to the troubleshoot­ Saturday at Benzie Central. ing expertise the "tech' director can give us," he said. Girl Scouts Hansen relates the technology support needs of the school to pop holding pop corn popping. Each problem pops at Arts Council gets ready for Holiday Fair a different time, he said. "Every day can drive there will be a little glitch in some­ If you haven't begun your Christmas purchase throughout the day, for wares such as to the show each year because they can gel good The East Jordan Senior thing that needs to be fixed." shopping yet, Nov. 8 is a great time to get pottery, children's wooden furniture, hand­ value for the money spent, she explained. "The Girl Scout troop will have a Billideau will be available daily to started. crafted clothing, jewelry and more, will earn consumer continues to come back because of the pop can and Glen's slip address software, hardware and in­ The Jordan River Arts Council's seventh additional raffle tickets. high quality of the merchandise available." drive on Saturday, Oct. 25. frastructure issues throughout the annual Holiday Fair provides an opportunity to Barbara Worgess. who co-chairs the event Worgess said. Members of the troop will school. scratch a few items off your list, collect new with high school art teacher Pat Tinney. said Equally popular as the crafts themselves, pick up the items at homes The agreement to share a staff holiday decorating ideas, and sample some of the several new artists are taking part this year, Worgess said, is the full luncheon menu and in the East Jordan area on member with the Iron Works made finest gourmet treats. including one who displays hand-decorated, gourmet desserts offered throughout the day. The that day. the director of technology position The juried fine arts and crafts show is from simulated cakes. Although nol meant for Arts Council prepares the menu which annually Proceeds will be used affordable for the school and attrac­ 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the East Jordan High School. consuming, the "cakes" are so beautifully delights the palates of show-goers. to fund a trip in June. For tive to the candidates who applied, More than 60 artists will participate in this decorated they look good enough lo eal. Worgess Shopping parents also have the option of more information call Hansen said. Billideau is expected to annual fund-raiser for the Arts Council. said. utilizing the Children's Entertainment Center. Connie Roberts at 536- begin work Nov. 3. He will work at For a donation at the door, each visitor will As the buying public has come to expect, the For a small fee, children can work on a craft item 7195. the foundry in the morning and spend receive a raffle ticket for hourly drawings of gift show will feature a good mix of artistic cre­ to take home while Mom and Dad peruse the the afternoons at the school. items donated by participating artists. Each ations. Worgess said. Hundreds of people return show. Making it official About 350 people left footprints on the welcome mat at East Jordan's new middle school during last Wednesday's dedication ceremony. And according to superintendent Chip Hansen, that's not all they left. "We got tremendous feedback from community members who visited," he said. "It was a marvelous dedication and a lovely ceremony." Visitors enjoyed music provided by the eighth-grade band, brief comments from school board president Mary Jason, Hansen, and middle school principal Shirley Bishop. A new school district video was shown, after which everyone was invited to tour the new facility and have refreshments in the commons area. The new middle school houses about 300 students in grades six, seven and eight, features 110 computers for students, and total construction costs totaled $4,109,500. At right, Herb Griffin, American Legion member and longtime past East Jordan school board member, presented a U.S. Flag to Mary Jason. In addition to the flag, Local American Legion Post 227 donated a Architect Bob Stow of GBKB Associates handed the keys for flagpole for the new school.