Citizens Committee to Screen Coloma Coordinator Hopefuls Recall Vote Decision Due This Week
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HGAb k SONS 145 3PRINGPORT, MI 49284 music See P«g*ii THE TRI-CITY RECORD25 Vol. 105 - NO. 11 RED ARROW EDITION OF THE WATERVLIET RECORD, COLOMA COURIER & HARTFORD NEWS March 15,1989 Coloma wins pageant trophy 28 applicants so far Julie Starbuck Citizens committee to screen is the new Coloma coordinator hopefuls Blossomtime By Lynn Attila Three Coloma City residents have crease in salary from $4.25 per hour been accepted by Mayor Marvin to $5.00 per hour and a time increase Queen, 1989 Taylor to screen applicants for the from 4 hours per day to 5 hours per By Lynn Attila controversial position of City Coor- day. Julie Ann Starbuck, the reigning dinator. The action took place at the Miss Baroda, was crowned Miss Commission's regular meeting Blossomtime for 1989 before a March 13 and follows on the heels of capacity crowd in the Lakeshore OLO one of the hottest debates facing the High School auditorium Monday City since the mass resignation of T evening. A tri-city beauty, Terl Sue the Coloma Joint Fire Department Voogd, this year's representative members last year. from Hartford, was chosen as one of Gordon Noack, William 'Bill' Recall vote the ten semifinalists in the exciting Smith, and Sharon Dewey will have competition. the duty of reviewing each applica- The community of Coloma took tion for the newly-created position first-place honors for its pageant, and narrowing the selection down to decision due 'Wishing on a Star/ presented on a few choice candidates, according February 5 in the Coloma High to Taylor. The committee will then School auditorium. Coloma co- present the most-qualified ap- this week 1989 MISS BLOSSOMTIME... chairman Joyce Tutton said Coloma plicants to the Commission for its Julie Ann Starbuck, Miss Baroda, has won "Honorable Mention" By Lynn Attila scrutiny. The Commission will make was named Miss Blossomtime ?0L0 Agitated Coloma City residents the final decision on who they will Monday night. u who stormed out of the February 27 hire to fill the top spot. regular meeting of the Coloma City Commissioner Anita Hirsch said Commission have made good on 28 applications for the position have their promise to "start a recall." been sent to City Hall to date. ST. PATS DAY CELEBRATION PLANNED...Dr. James Galles, 1988 recipient St. Joseph attorney Andrew J. The Commission approved eight of the Maxine Brule Award, will be the official Grand Marshal for Coioma's Burch is drawing up recall petitions motions during Its February 27 Pay hikes ok'd ninth annual SL Patricks Day Parade slated for Saturday, March 18. The to be submitted to the County meeting to streamline municipal parade will feature at least 70 units and promises to be the best ever. For a Clerk's office later this week, accor- operations by eliminating the post of lineup, 10K Run information, and St Pafs Day specials tum to page 16. ding to organizer Vicki Cox. The peti- for employees Public Works Coordinator and form- (photo by Lynn Attila) tions target City Mayor Marvin Taylor ing a new position of City Coor- and commissioners Anita Hirsch, dinator despite citizen uproar. Near- and officials of TOP HONORS...Coloma Queen Con- George Postelli and Peter Mestre for HBA opposes police cutbacks ly fifty Irate voters stormed out of Ci- test co-chairmen Jim Polashak and the recall action. ty Hall when they felt the Commis- Joyce Tutton proudly display the Cox, a former City Commissioner Watervliet Twp. sion was ignoring their requests. The first-place trophy awarded to the and longtime City resident, said the By Bob Lohr New Police Contract eyed upheaval has culminated In recall community of Coloma for the Most action was being taken against the The Watervliet Township Board, at petitions being prepared for three Outstanding Blossomtime Contest four municipal leaders because of its regular monthly business meet- commissioners as well as the mayor. The local pageant was sponsored by "their total Inability to listen to the ing, has voted all Township employ- by Hartford City Council The Commission approved the the Coloma Lions and Lioness clubs. people* She said she anticipates no ees pay hikes, to be included in the following eight motions: (photo by Lynn Attila) Bf Phyflts Bii#chner For several years the City has difficulty In getting the 108 signa- 1989-90 budget and to take effect on •The position of Public Works Ralph Stelter, representing the been spending more than It Is taking tures required for each petition. She April 1 of this year. awards for several years but this was : Coordinator will be eliminated as of Hartford Business Association, told In. The consensus of their meeting said there was a lot of community The action took place after the the first time Its contest had been March 31.1989. City Council members at their was to cut payroll from each depart- support for the recall. Board reviewed a survey of fifteen deemed the best out of the thirty par-' •A new position named City regular meeting held Monday, March ment and he said he recommended Public outcry came when the Col- townships In Berrien County of com- ticipating communities. Coordinator will be established as of 13, that It was brought to their atten- that the police contract not be oma City Commission announced parable populations and found that Julie Ann Starbuck is an IS-year- April 1, 1989, to oversee the ad- tion that there may be reductions in renewed. He added that they may lay plans to streamline municipal opera- Watervliet's officials salaries fell old senior at Lakeshore High School ministration of City Hall and Public the police department. He said that off the part-time police officer, may tions by eliminating the position of near or at the bottom of the survey. and Is the daughter of Jack and Mar- Works. The Police Department Is not overall they are pleased with police have to close the police office during Public Works Coordinator and estab- According to the survey, the tha Starbuck, Baroda. The new Miss services and that it is essential to re- the day, and that when a police chief included. lishing a new position of City Coor- Township Supervisor of Watervliet Blossomtime plans to attend Michi- •The new position of City Coor- tain the Z^hour coverage. He said Is hired one full-time officer may be dinator. came in last with an annual salary of gan State University and major In dinator will be advertised In various that "Police protection is crucial for laid off. The department currently Local residents rallied around $6850. Coioma's supervisor came in marketing. newspapers and publications with a the well-being of the City/' Stelter has four full-time officers, one part- Public Works Coordinator Warren at an annual rate of $11,000 per year, Miss New Buffalo, Colleen Coffey, 1 deadline for applications to be continued, "If the budget is suffering time officer, and a clerk/matron. Frye Damon, criticizing the Commission's according to the survey. Lake Town- was selected as this year's first! the police department is not the advised that Staunton had already March 31,1989. plans. The citizens panned "provi- ship, which falls short of Watervliet's runner-up to Miss Blossomtime. She Z •The salary for the City Coor- place to cut back. We can't let cut one employee from the Public sions" being offered to Damon and population, headed the top of the list is a 17-year-old senior at New Buf-i criminals control the City.* Works department and "We may dinator will be between $25,000 and accused the commissioners of not with a $22,000 annual salary for Its falo High School and the daughter of 2 $32,000 plus benefit package. Mayor William Weeden said the have to cut more* being sensitive to "a dedicated City supervisor. Daniel and Sue Coffey, New Buffalo. ^ •The mayor will appoint a com- Crty hasn't decreased anyone in the Frye initiated a motion, which was employee * They pointed out that the The hikes will take the super- Amy Scott, an IS-year-old senlof at' police department at this time. seconded and approved with one mittee of local citizens to screen Commission had waited until long- visor's salary for Watervliet up to Buchanan High School and the Business owner Dorothy Smithley "no" vote, to inform the union candidates. time City Clerk Shirley Eggermont $9,600 per year. Following In line reigning Miss Buchanan, was also asked when the City would be steward that the City wanted to •Warren Damon, current Public retired from her position before It with the hike, the Township Clerk chosen as the second runner-up. getting a police chief and question- renegotiate the police contract. Works Coordinator, will be granted revamped the change from a full- will receive $7,800, up from $6,656 Amy Is the daughter of Richard and ed whether anyone was in charge. Voting "yes" were Frye, Mike Duffy, either of the following options: A. time job to a part-time position. It per year; Sewer Administrator will Janet Scott, Buchanan. Weeden said that they have an Of- Frank Yerington Jr„ and Glen receive severance pay In the amount was suggested to the Commission raise to $8,316 from $7,987; Trea- Miss Hartford for 1989, Terl Sue ficer in Charge, John Gillespie. Wilkens. David Hadley was absent of $6,000 to compensate for health that It should offer the same con- surer moves up to $7,800 from $6,656 Voogd, one of the ten semifinalists, insurance benefits; B.