350 mK f«pr»y QServinx The Lowell Area for over 100 Years ^ SPftl HGl' QIf f r w ICH. '•f J •> fl. The Lowell Ledger Volume 21, Issue 13 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since IS93 Wednesday, February 7,1996 Communication lines tied together regarding fire department issues By Marc Popiolek Conlrihuiinx Writer In an elTori lodevelop beiiercomnuini- calion between local municipaliiics. in re- gard to lire departmcnl issues, the Ver«!ennes Township Board has appointed township clerk Man Stone and treasurer Jean I lol l man to the Fire Advisory Council. "The only way we knew about issues in the township was when we got the bill. " V said Stone. "We don't have any specilic issues to discuss: all we want to do is add some communication between us. Lowell Township and the cit\ ol Lowell." The advisor\ council includes repre- sentati\es trom the city; Fire Chiel I rank Martin: and Dick I luver, trom Lowell Town- ship. Huver said the council has been to- gether lor several years, but only met u hen the lire department had issues to discuss, such as the purchasing ot*ei|uipmeni. "It's nood to meet and Ihjiire out what is needed in one. two. or l ive \ ears dou n the road." Huver said. "We never kneu what the tire department was planning until we go! the bill." Huver and tou nship clerk Carol \\ ells said the t ire department also gave the coun- cil a "nood year or more" notice when u C- V "Play On!" came to purchasing equipment. Play On! A comedy by Rick Abbot will be presented by the Lowell Area Arts Council in the Lowell High School Performing Arts Stone is hoping the council can meet ( enter at S p.m. this I hursday through Saturday, Feb. 8-10. On Thursday, tickets are S4 for senior citizens and students,and $5 for more than just when an issue pops up. adults. Tickets on Friday and Saturday are $7. Tickets \nll be sold at the door. For more information call the LAAC at 897-8545. Fire, cont'd., pg. 8 il Vergennes Township School board and administration hear spruces up senior opposition to seven-block format By Thad Kraus the seven-block schedule." Barnella said. there was only going to be center with funds Lowell Ledger Editor Joe Barnella does not op- The Lowell resident also two seminars with each one pose the block style, but does points out that there are four lasting 87 minutes. By Marc Popiolek Lowell resident Linda oppose what is being sug- computer classes and one "Under the seven-block Conlrihuling Writer Taber has called the possible gested by Lowell administra- computer terminal. formal, there will be four implementation of a seven- tors and staff. " If every kid with a prob- seminars a week (each last ing Lowell's Senior Neighbors Center will have a new block schedule an "experi- His problems lie with the lem in their computer class 55 minutes), giving each stu- look come this summer, thanks to Vergennes Township. ment" with kids" education. seminar period or what walks into the lab during semi- dent more of an opportunity." The Vergennes Township Board agreed to allocate Lowell superintendent Barnella calls the "miracle" nar. there won't be enough Vashaw said. "Under the cur- $10,000 in Community Development Block Gram funds Bert Bleke called that charge hour. computers for all of them." rent system, if a student has to (CDBG) to the Senior Neighbor Center in order to install "ridiculous." "The teachers "Simple logistics say it Barnella said. "Then you have ride the bus and can't stay new windows, paint the inside and install new carpeting. and administration of this won't work. 1 want to see a nothing more than a study after school, he/she has no "We're thrilled to death." said Sue Simmonds. director school district have worked schedule that shows me where hall/' opportunity." Vashaw said. of the center, located at 314 S. Hudson. "They were very, hard and long in researching the students are at all times." High school principal The high school princi- very thoughtful to include us in their plans." Scott Vashaw said it will not pal noted that the seminaralso Simmonds said the center serves a large number of be a study hall. He said that gives the school an opportu- seniors in Vergennes Township through their home meal Difference in booster pump when the eight block sched- nity to address the needs of program, trips and other various programs. station treatment makes for ule was initially discussed. "A lot of Vergennes residents come in. even though Block, cont'd, pg. 8 we're located in the city of Lowell." she said. varying water rate calculations The allocation is part of Vergennes $33,000 in unpro- grammed CDBG funds to be dispersed in July. By Thad Kraus and INSIDE THE LEDGER The funds are part of a federal program to allocate Marc Popiofek believes the capital costs of money for projects that benefit the community or low Low ell Ledger the east and west water booster Rezoning given for apartment, income families. pump stations should he in- Other projects receiving funds include the North Kent City and township calcu- cluded as a part of a system Transit Service and the Vergennes Historical Society. lations tor setting water rates that all users pay for. Lowell stuns Hudsonville, The township had a total of $52,200 in CDBG tunds to for the year differed by ap- The city believes that the allocate for the 1996 year. proximately $9,000. eastside water pump station P^-IK "We looked where we could use the funds and Jean Or the difference between should be a non-integrated (Hoffman, township treasurer) thought the senior center integrated system costs and a system cost, payable entirely Sweetheart Swirl Pictures, would be a good place to allocate the money, said Mari non-integrated system cost. PS-21 Senior funds, cont'd., pg. 8 Lowell CharterTownship Water rate, cont'd, pg. 8 ho l.invcll l.cdjicr-Wednosdav, Fehruarv 7, 19%-Page 2 The Lowell Ledger-Wednesday, February 7, im-Page 3 mother of Kristina. Anna and tive member of Shepherd of ROTH (WIKIAND) (James) Brown, Ionia Billy Buschle. She is also sur- the Hills Lutheran Church in Marion E, Roth (Wieland). McCaul, Todd (Lori) vived by her brother Richard Tucson. AZ. Services were aged 61. of Green Valley. AZ. Lenneman; 24 grandchildren; (Gail) Wieland and sister-in- held Monday. Memorial at- OBITUARIES formerly ot Alma. Ml. ie- one brother: four sisters: sev- law Sharon Wieland. She was tributions may be made to turned peaeelully to the 1 .oul. eral in-laws, nieces and neph- preceded in death by her fa- ShepherdoftheHills Lutheran Monday. January 29. 1996. ews. Funeral Services were ther Emerson Wieland. step- Church, 8799 N. Northern BKN(;sr()N - Dylan Jon brothers and four sisters. Fu- She was the loving wife of juiiilijjjL TOWAr TALK held Monday at the Roth-Gerst Benesion. aeed 7 inonihs.our father Walter Wieland, brother Tucson, AZ. 85704. Arrange- w w neral Services will be held Chapel, Mr. Aaron Steffen.ol William Roth;devoted mother eiti from CioJ. wcm home to Earl Wieland. mother Leona ments by O' Brien-Eggebeen- Do you think Governor John Engler will be asked to be vice president and it he is, Wednesvlav (today)at 11 a.m. the Apostolic Christian to Pamela and Martin Buschle. ihe (Mecious arms of Jesus on Wieland. Marion was an ac- Gerst. could you support him? at the Church of the Na/arene Church of Alto, officiating. Gina Roth and Michael and Siuulax. Jan. 2S. 19%. Dylan •{. w ith Rev. Kirk Starkweather Arrangements by Roth-Gerst, Betty Roth: beloved grand- m. is waitmii in heaven io he officiating. interment 1 A) WCll. • joincJ h\ his parems. Da\ kl Oak wood Cemetery. Contri- m and Joanne Bengsion of butions toGreaterGrand Rap- Jonison: broiherZachary: sis- ids Hospice Excellence grants to schools now supporting tcr Kaiilyn; graiulparcnis \\ ra\ aiul Carolyn Bengsion KFTCHAM - Zilpha J. Hi of niklsonviile. Jan Rohcn education improvement in 36 states Ketcham. aged 93. died Raul (>areia Roy Rood "Busier** and Susan Bomers cut Goals 2000 funding to upgrading teacher skills to * Wednesday. January 31.1996. Classrooms from Rhode teaching the basics, raising wm Yes, and I think I could I have no idea if he will he Lowell: iircai-grandparenis getting more computers uuhe She was preceded in death by Island to Oregon and Texas to academic standards, improv- $310 million. support him. asked. However. I could not Tagee and Jane Bengsion of Local school improve- classroom, I've seen funds for her husband. Earl Ketcham; Minnesota are raising aca- ing student achievement and \ support him. Rock ford. IL. Clara Long of grandchildren Suzanne and demic standards, expanding preparing students lor careers ment plans to help students Goals 2000 helpenergi/eedu- Leaf River. IL. Polly A. Warren. She is survived by the use of technology, pro- in the workplace. reach high standards of ex- cational improvements across Bomers of Rock ford, and her daughter Wanda moting greater parental and In a break with the old cellence and discipline are de- our country," Riley said. Frances M. Hoo\ er of Grand Stinchcomb of Lowell; step- community involvement and top-down approach to gov- veloped with broad-based par- "When you raise expectations Rapids. Also surviving are son John B. (Margaret) better preparing teachers ernment. schools and state re- ent. teacher and community and standards, students and main loving aunis.