Military service logos added to Coloma Park... Page 3 GOOD Hartford H.S. senior class photo and honors... Page 6 LUCK & Skylar is Press Box Player of the Week... Page 12 GOODBYE Watervliet School Board honors retirees... Page 14 MIKE Hartford Board of Education approves contracts... Page 14 ...Page 3 YOUR LAST Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday CHANCE Mostly Cloudy Thunderstorms Thunderstorms Partly Cloudy Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy PM Showers Hi 79 - Lo 63 Hi 81 - Lo 65 Hi 85 Lo 69 Hi 90 - Lo 72 Hi 87 - Lo 67 Hi 80 - Lo 65 Hi 79 - Lo 66 SWEETEST STRAWBERRY TO ENTER 20% chance 50% chance 30% chance 10% chance 20% chance 20% chance 40% chance BABY Colton Runge and his precipitation precipitation precipitation precipitation precipitation precipitation precipitation momma Jenna Runge at the 2018 TOP POP Hometown Service...Hometown Pride M-F 7-5, Sat. 8-Noon Hartford Strawberry Festival. 6603 Red Arrow Hwy. See all the results and CONTEST... We're a local, family-owned business - the money you spend here, stays Coloma more photos on Page 7 PAGE 7 468-3128 here - in the communities we serve! Visit us at BigCLumber.com and follow us on Facebook The Hometown Paper for Coloma-Hartford-Watervliet 463-6397 E-mail [email protected] E-edition tricityrecord.com TRI-CITYEst. 1882 Vol. 136 Issue #24 June RECORD 14, 2018 Seventy-five Cents R.I.P. Stuart Thurlow THEY REIGN! After a rainout moved the MHSAA Division 3 regional championship softball game to Lakeshore on Sunday, from Buchanan on Saturday, Coloma recorded a 5-1 victory over Constantine for the title. Next up for the Lady Comets was their state quarter-finals game, held Tuesday at Davenport University against Stanton Central Montcalm which they won in five innings by a score of 14-0. See Press Box starting on Page 12 for more sports news & photos. New Watervliet City Manager and Clerk in place but not without debate; Commission votes to “opt out” of marijuana issue By Annette Christie The motion also included direction to The Watervliet City Commission con- the Personnel Committee to begin the firmed the clerk and selected the city contract negotiations with Dotson. manager at their Tuesday, June 12 R. Tyler Dotson is currently the Direc- meeting but not without debate and tor of the Downtown Development Au- even “no” votes from Mayor Dave thority and Economic Development Brinker and Commissioner Larry Hehl. Department in Blissfield, Michigan. PASSING UNDER THE AERIAL LADDERS… “Granddaddy” the an- It was during the review of the depart- He has experience as a campaign man- tique Coloma Fire Truck proudly carries the casket of Stuart Thurlow mental reports that the debate began ager, with school boards, and has through downtown Coloma following the funeral ceremony for Capt. Thur- with Brinker questioning the statement served on a Brownfield Redevelop- low. His obituary is on Page 8. in the City Manager’s report where it ment Authority and a Local District Fi- Many local fire and law enforcement departments came together on Sun- said that he had hired a City Clerk fol- Clerk Manager nance Authority. He has a Masters of day, June 10 to help the North Berrien Fire Rescue Department honor re- lowing the closure of the application Townsend Dotson Public Administration degree. tired Captain Stuart Thurlow who passed away on June 6, 2018. Thurlow acceptance period on June 1. To placate those in doubt, a motion In his resume he states that he is ener- was dedicated to serving the Coloma community and surrounding area for The City Manager’s Report stated that was made to confirm the City Clerk’s getic, persuasive, and a results-focused over 30 years as a firefighter and police officer. on Monday, June 11, 2018, City Man- selection of Townsend. It passed but leader. He is a lifelong learner with a (TCR photo by Christina Gelder) ager Michael Uskiewicz appointed not unanimously. Brinker and Hehl passion for best practices and goal set- Christa Townsend to the City Clerk po- said no. Hehl chose to address the new ting. He is experienced in strategic sition with a salary of $35,360. He rec- clerk before he voted stating that he did communications and political/ govern- ommended a review after six months. not know her and basically was saying mental processes. Bainbridge Twp. approves Uskiewicz had proceeded with putting that he did not trust the recommenda- Budget discussion Townsend in City Hall as a temporary tion of both Uskiewicz and Marvin, the A public hearing was held on the two demolitions and one office assistant following a special very people who work in the office 2018-2019 proposed budget. Audience meeting held May 23. every day. member Bob Becker asked how the She started at City Hall the Tuesday Move forward to the City Manager po- public could comment on the budget if Civil Action on Millburg Dr. following. She then went on to attend sition and an almost exact repeat of the they were not presented it. It was not By Angela Stair provisions of the Bainbridge Township a two-day course on June 7 and 8 for City Commission’s actions. As di- available, there were no other com- The Bainbridge Township Board of Zoning Ordinance. He had exceeded elections. She and Melanie Marvin rected by the May 23 motion of the ments from the audience or the Com- Trustees held their monthly meeting on the allowable time for temporary use both completed the course and were City Commission, Commissioner mission and the public hearing was Monday, June 11 at the Township Hall. of the camper as housing. accredited to proceed with the upcom- Duane Cobb explained that the Person- closed. Problems along Millburg Drive (trailer The letter gave information on how to ing election in August. nel Committee looked at 10 applica- As the resolution was put forth for park area) have been discussed by the reach the Ordinance Enforcement Of- Brinker said that Uskiewicz could not tions and narrowed it down to four. The adopting the 2018-2019 proposed Board and worked on by Ordinance ficer or how to contact the Bainbridge appoint the City Clerk according to the Personnel Committee is comprised of budget, very little discussion was held Enforcement Officer David Dent for an Township Hall to speak with someone City Charter; however, the minutes of Cobb, Commissioner Rick Kinzler, after it was read. The vote of the Com- extended period of time. The Board about the situation. No response of any the May 23 special meeting accurately and Mayor Dave Brinker. By the time mission once again ended up with decided to take action on some issues. kind has been made. Supervisor reflected that Uskiewicz was given the they went to set up interviews, two of Brinker and Hehl voting no. They pro- Township Supervisor Bill Hodge rec- Hodge suggested the Board turn this authority to select someone to help in the four had already accepted other vided no comment or reasoning for ommended the Board approve a reso- problem over to the Township Attorney the office on a temporary basis imme- jobs. Of the two that were being con- their no votes. lution for county demolition to be done to move forward. The Board approved diately and could move forward with sidered at this time, one was the top As the resolution was put forth for ap- at 402 Millburg Drive and 406 Mill- Civil Action is taken to remove burnt the clerk selection following the June standout of the Committee. Commis- proving the amendments to the 2017- burg Drive. Both locations have been trailer at 345 Millburg Drive. 1 application deadline. The minutes of sioner Cobb made the motion that the 2018 budget, Brinker and Hehl once abandoned and neglected. They are an The Board also approved turning over the May 23, 2018 meeting were ap- City hire R. Tyler Dotson for the City again voted no without explanation. eyesore and a danger. Mr. Dent has all legal transactions of the Schrage proved without discussion. Manager position, it was supported by done his best to get this taken care of, Appeal to address variances in their Clerk Dena Yow left her full-time city Commissioner Deah Muth. Adopts Planning Commission Supervisor Hodge said. The Board ap- use permit. A public hearing needs to employment mid-May, leaving the Hehl once again was questioning the recommendation to opt out of proved the resolution with all voting be held. other office employee, Melanie Marvin recommendation of the Personnel medical marijuana yes. Other business to continue her job duties as well as Committee by asking if they were Brinker said that the Commission was The second issue on Millburg Drive is The Board approved the purchase of doing what she could of the Clerk’s po- going to get to interview him. Brinker to vote on the Planning Commission’s at the David Schaffer 345 Millburg new plot maps for the Township at a sition. said the City Commission was the recommendation to opt out of medical Drive address. It actually has two cost of $525. City Manager Michael Uskiewicz said body that was charged with conducting marijuana. He said in a 4-2 tally, they problems. Debris from burned mobile The Board approved the renewal of then that he had interviewed two peo- interviews and making a recommenda- voted to opt out of medical marijuana. home remains on the property. Several three-year appointments to the Plan- ple and one could come in and assist tion. Commissioner Luke Strunk stated Brinker asked for a motion in a posi- re-inspections had been made includ- ning Commission of Melissa Morlock right away in the office.