Coloma Twp. Police Future Depends on Nov. Millage Vote "Jaws" Free Car
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HOriG i SONS 145 3PRINGPORT, MI 49284 History of area families to be Coloma School Board says 'NO' Tribute to veterans planned published by Historical Society to state tax reform resolutions at Michigan Library in Lansing see page 3 see page 7 see page 8 THE TRI-CITY RECORD so* Vol. 108 - No. 42 RED ARROW EDITION OF THE WATERVLIET RECORD, COLOMA COURIER & HARTFORD NEWS October 14,1992 Voted down in August Coloma Twp. Police future depends on Nov. millage vote By Melissa Polfus The Coloma Township Police Once again, the purpose of raising proximately $285,000 will come Department could be in big trouble the millage was to provide relief to from the millage. If the millage if the 2.85 police millage request the general fund. The money spend does not pass, the general fund will does not pass in the November elec- out of the general fund on the police not be able to support the whole tion. It could mean trimming down department could be spent on other $300,000 takes to run the police the already tight budget to the point Township projects. force. of near nonexistence for the police The proposed millage has been This would mean reducing police department. controversial since its defeat in the department personnel to two full- The Township Police Department August primary. After its defeat, time and possibly no part-time of- was formed in 1969 to meet the the Board conducted an extensive ficers.' There will be no money for needs of the growing community. public opinion study to decide equipment replacement and upkeep. Most police calls would Upon its formation, the police force whether or not to place the millage was funded by the Township's on the November ballot. The results have to be answered by the Berrien general funds. But as the depart- of the study showed that the people County Sheriff's Department. This ment grew, more money was need- of Coloma Township would turn would mean longer response time to ed to support the increasing costs of down the millage a second time. answering emergency calls. equipment, patrol cars, and man- Because of this study, the Board It would not only affect Coloma Township but also the surrounding MAN INJURED IN SINGLE CAR CRASH...One man received minor injuries in this single car accident Fri- power. voted against placing the millage on areas as well. Coloma Township day night. Watervliet Fire Department's "Jaws of Life" was called in to extricate him from the wreck. In 1980, the first police millage the November ballot. was passed to provide relief to the After this decision was announc- assists many of the local police departments and emergency general fund. ed, many citizens protested. Charges sought against driver & passenger The police department now in- Because of public pressures, the teams. But, with only two officers, they would no longer be able to pro- cludes five full-time and seven part- Board held a special meeting and time officers. This year's operating unanimously voted to place the vide assistance to Coloma City, "Jaws" free car crash victim budget was $318,000; $190,000 was millage on the ballot. WatervUet City, or Hagar Shore provided by the general fund and Now that the public has a second area 'fire departments and am- By Mike Leith cupants, with one apparently trap- vehicle which was southbound. The the existing 1.85 police millage chance to support its police depart- bulance calls. "We would do as much as we Charges will be brought against ped in the vehicle. vehicle went off the right side of the made up the balance. ment, there is still speculation and could with a reduced force," says two men involved in a single car ac- The Watervliet Fire Department road and after the car crested a hill When the 2.30 sewer millage was doubt as to whether or not the Coloma Township Police Chief Phil cident that occurred Saturday even- was called in and used its "Jaws of the driver overcorrected, sending it dropped, the Township Board voted millage will be passed. ing on Bainbridge Center Road, into a group of trees on the east side Out of over a $300,000 budget, ap- Cottier. life" extraction tool to free the to raise the pohce millage to 2.85. What the Township hopes to south of Watervliet. man. He was then taken to Com- of the road, according to Har- According to trooper Steve Har- shberger. Charges of OUIL will be stress is that even with the hike in munity Hospital in Watervliet by the police millage, the taxpayers shberger of the St. Joseph State Medic 1 ambulance, where he was sought against Warren. Police Post, police received a call at Police added that Michael Snow, will still be facing a .21 overall treated and released. reduction. Current millages total 9:44 p.m. of a single car personal in- PoUce believe that James War- 21, a passenger and the owner of the Yes votes urged for road, jury accident on Bainbridge Center vehicle, was not injured and will be 6.97 mills. With the elimination of ren, 20, of Benton Harbor, the 2.30 sewer millage, the proposed Road just south of Carmody Road. Michigan, was the driver of the charged with allowing an intox- Upon their arrival police icated person to drive his vehicle, library & ambulance tax millages total 6.76. discovered two adult male oc- no no-fault insurance, and improper Other proposed millages include use of registration. a 1.00 ambulance, a 1.50 road The state police were assisted by by Watervliet Township repair, and a .65 fire mill. To be used on sidewalk parade Coloma Township, Watervliet City, Will Coloma Township voters con- and the Berrien County Sheriff's operations. tinue to support their pohce depart- The Watervliet Township Board ment? That remains to be seen in Department. has issued a prepared statement Township Supervisor Robert the November election. But if they Trick or treat bags The accident remains under in- urging voters to support three mill Morlock, in issuing the statement at do not, they will have to prepare vestigation. issues that were narrowly defeated the Board meeting Monday night, said, "We didn't do a good job of themselves for reduced police force in the August primary. Those which will not be able to serve the millages were for ambulance ser- telling the people how important donated by Boosters public as it has in the past. vice, road maintenance, and library this (the millages) is, and they were defeated. I've felt bad about that." The Board's statement, in its en- for all Watervliet tirety, follows: Watervliet Township has 3 pro- posals on the November ballot elementary students which would effect 1993-1996 taxes. The Road and Library proposals Anti-abortion By Lori Harris Cramer High School athletes. are to replace expired millages. The Watervliet School Board ac- Also accepted at the School Board The new millage request is for Am- Life Chain set cepted the donation of Halloween meeting on Monday was a donation bulance Service, which currently treat bags from the Watervliet of a new flag for the football field. costs the Township about $28,500 for Watervliet Athletic Boosters at the Monday, This donation by the Watervliet per year. A combined special October 12, Board meeting. The VFW is a gift given to replace the assessment for 1993 to support these bags will be passed out to all worn flag now in use on the football three crucial services is 1.4 mills or this Sunday elementary school children as part field. $1.40 for each $1000 of State Equaliz- of school Halloween parties and Mrs. Diane Janke, South School ed Valuation. On Sunday, October 25, many may be used for collecting treats at Principal, said McGruff the Crime Watervliet Township Board Christians and their clergy will line the annual downtown Watervliet Dog will be coming to South School recently voted to reduce the 1992 the sidewalks of Main Street at Red trick or treating held by the during the week of October 19 to Sewer millage from 2 mills to 1 mill Arrow and M-140 in Watervliet to Watervliet Business Association on give children a presentation on of State Equalized Value. The re- form a "Life Chain." Friday, October 30, from 3-5 p.m. crime prevention and safety. Janke maining one mill on Sewer will be This stand of solidarity by . According to Athletic Boosters also spoke about upcoming Pioneer dropped on 1993 taxes as the sewer Watervliet area Christians will be representative Kay Britenfeld, the Day to be held at South School on bonds will be paid off in April. The made to communicate that "Abor- boosters felt it would be a nice way b 1993 total tax millage on special tion is gravely wrong and that local to show the parents and Athletic hclude neriod costu^? dresshlg HALLOWEEN IS COMING...Watervllet High School students presented trick or ba s donated the assessments will amount to an in- churches oppose the killing of Boosters supporters that the S Dioneer Sk^and waft ^ 8 ^ Watervliet Athletic Boosters to Mrs. Diane Janke, South School Principal. Pictured are: (back row, from the crease of only .4 of one mill on the preborn children, as well as the ex- boosters are for the benefit of the SEV over 1992 if the three proposals ploitation of their mothers by the elementary children as well as the aemonsirauons. ieft) Amy Zandarski, Nic Watson, Mrs.