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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. 137 Issue #9 February RECORD 28, 2019 Seventy-five Cents City of Coloma bans commercialBy Nancy Albright on marijuanaMonday, March 11, 2019 at City enoughoperations revenue to pay off the old debt The City of Coloma passed an ordi- Hall, with a Public Hearing to follow and finance the repairs,” he said. If all nance on February 25 prohibiting com- at 7:30 p.m. the municipalities adopt the resolution, mercial marijuana businesses from Sewer plant repairs the contract will be ready for approval setting up shop within city limits. Berrien County Community Develop- at the beginning of April. Violators will be charged with a mu- ment Director Dan Fette explained to Open burn law nicipal infraction and face fines rang- the City Commission at their meeting Coloma resident Sieg Freitag asked ing from $100 to $500 per violation. on Monday, Feb. 25 that in order to the council if they have decided to Fines will accrue each day the viola- proceed with needed improvements to See CITY OF COLOMA tion continues, and offenders will be the Paw Paw Lake Wastewater Plant, continued on Page 6 fined separately for each offense. the plant needs to pay off former debt. Mayor Jim Polashak stressed that the “At this point the plant doesn’t have ordinance applies to commercial oper- the capacity to borrow, so we’re asking ations and prohibits personal growers the municipalities to borrow,” ex- from getting a license to grow mari- plained Fette. He is currently seeking Watervliet NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR… Watervliet resident and new Executive juana on their properties. Medical mar- approval as required by the county Director of the South Haven Center for the Arts Kerry Hagy brings new ijuana is a separate issue. “The state from the City of Coloma, Coloma opportunities to discover, explore and appreciate the arts to South Haven doesn’t know how they’re going to Township, the City of Watervliet and school board and beyond. (TCR photo by Nancy Albright) regulate the marijuana laws yet, it Watervliet Township to help finance could take up to a year,” said Commis- the repairs. selects six sioner Jason Hicks. “This ordinance Each municipality will pay one quarter exists to protect Coloma from the un- of the repair costs, to be reimbursed superintendent Watervliet resident is new known.” going forward. The council approved Any resident wishing to see the Mari- the resolution, and Fette said that he candidates; director at the South Haven juana Ordinance may do so at City Hall anticipates the remaining three munic- during regular business hours. The next ipalities will approve their resolutions Ordinance Meeting will be at 6:45 p.m. as well. “There will be more than schedules Center for the Arts By Nancy Albright organizations and the community to or- The South Haven Center for the Arts ganize more adult workshops that are interviews is moving in new directions thanks to open to anyone who is interested. recently established Executive Director Thanks to Hagy’s collaborations with Hartford Township says March 4-6 Kerry Hagy, who is a resident of Wa- the South Haven Community Founda- tervliet. tion, the South Haven Rotary Club, the Former SHCA Assistant Director Ward 1 Community Action Committee Byno Jon Bisnett new fireformance millage of the HFD. “It is our hope Hagy is a graduate of the Rhode Island and other local organizations, the art Commentary among trustees at the Zoning School of Design and has deep roots in center has been able to fund art classes February 14 monthly township meet- Resident Betty Schlacter appeared to to have a the non-profit world. A Chicago-area and internships for high school stu- ing left no doubt as to their feelings fol- answer a citation of a blighted property native, she employs her creative, edu- dents who plan to pursue a career in the lowing a recent joint meeting with the and after presenting evidence and in- person in place cational and administrative back- arts. Her efforts have also garnered op- city and Hartford Fire Board. Trustees tent that property cleanup is well un- grounds to encourage discovery, erating funds from the Michigan Coun- left that meeting which was called by derway, awaiting clearing of snowfall, exploration and appreciation of the cil for Arts & Cultural Affairs. the city to discuss the 2019-2020 HFD received an extension until June 1 to by July 1.” arts. Hagy and Foundry Hall Board Presi- The Watervliet Board of Education is Operations Budget which the township complete the work. “We’re focusing on exhibitions, art ed- dent Lotte Resek are collaborating to moving forward in the selection of a had already approved, scratching their ucation, strengthening community re- bring more concerts to the SHCA. “We new superintendent. Seventeen educa- heads as the discussion did not address Sheriff’s Department lations and working with area schools are enjoying working with the art cen- tors applied for the position. The the budget per say, but rather issues the Van Buren County Sheriff Deputy and organizations to form lasting con- ter as an additional venue for music Board reviewed the applications and city has as to how to pay its share Rouse reported 45 incidents in the nections and opportunities that will and hope to provide performing arts has invited six educators to be inter- going forward. township including one arrest and four benefit residents of all ages,” said programming for kids and design some viewed. The process has been facili- Township officials agreed in open dis- citations. Hagy. projects involving both music and art,” tated by Dave Killips, Regional cussion that first and foremost they Finance Hagy and the SHCA Exhibitions said Resek. “Kerry is a great addition President of the Michigan Leadership were more than pleased with the grow- Bills were approved in the amount of Committee are focused on presenting to the non-profit community. She Institute. ing roster of firefighters and medical $24,401.07 with nothing remarkable. meaningful displays of art that capti- brings new ideas and an open mind.” first responders. The increased call vol- Fire Department vate and educate audiences and allow The SHCA partners with the South The interviews will be held on March ume as a result of dispatch by Van Fire Chief Rob Harting was on hand local and regional artists to showcase Haven Visitor’s Bureau to bring art to 4, 5 and 6. Two interviews will be held Buren Medical Control is offering to report another busy month with 34 their work. local festivals and other community each evening, with one scheduled at more comprehensive service to citizens calls in the township and 21 in the city. Artist David Baker commented, “As a events like Haven Harvest and Ice 6:30 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m. The in- than ever before. That being said the Of those calls there was one structure board member I have found working Breaker to help draw year-round visi- terviews are open to the public and the township recognizes an increase in fire in the township and 40 medical with Kerry a delight. The enthusiastic tors. public is encouraged to attend. HFD budget with respect to payroll calls combined. response from a number of artists, for “The Visitors Bureau has really devel- All interviews will be held in the and associated costs to the higher call County Commission both the Tales of the Sea and the With oped a strong partnership with the media center at Watervliet High volume is a given mathematical out- Commissioner Mike Chappell visited (re)Purpose exhibitions, was a result of South Haven Center for the Arts. Kerry School. come. to report changes in the county’s trans- Kerry’s marketing strategies.” has been wonderful to work with in “We have always paid and are in a fi- portation administration and announce The SHCA tied a printmaking class to supporting all of our events and activ- The interview schedule is as follows: nancial position to continue to pay our a grant in the amount of $67,000 to the Southwest Michigan Printmakers ities,” said CVB Executive Director Monday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.: Dr. agreed upon 60% of operational costs fund the position of a County Veterans exhibit last summer and taught stu- Scott Reinert. “She’s worked countless Sean Wightman, Dowagiac Middle without burdening our taxpayers with Affairs Officer. dents in the gallery. Watervliet artist hours alongside our team to create School Principal; Monday, March 4 at any additional millage,” said Township New business and board member Carol Myers said, wonderful experiences for our resi- 8:00 p.m.: Kelly Eckhardt, Fennville Clerk Julie Sweet.