250 too Y The Lowell Ledger Volume 17, Issue 39 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday, August 11,1993 Cracked cafeteria A 59-year family tradition walls further strain school's The Kent County 4-H Youth Fair opened Monday By Thad Kraus H. The 4-H Fair represented the hands. The 4-H Extension financial picture Lowell Ledger Editor Learning Center represented the head, volunteers represented For 59 years it's been a family tradition. Grandparents, the heart, with funds going toward volunteer training and parents and children, who have spent the youthful years of recognition, and help was represented by campaign expenses their lives participating in 4-H, gathered for the tradition- rich and program development opening ceremonies Monday night. "Need will determine where the funds are distributed to," The head, heart, hands and health of the Kent County 4-H Smith said. were all nourished by the early, successful work of the first The Kent County 4-H Youth Fair's opening ceremonies annual 4-H Fund Raising Committee. were highhghted by the coronation of its 1993 Youth Fair Rob Woodrick, Vice President of D&W and a member of Queen and Court. the first annual 4-H Fund Raising Committee in Kent County, Renee Nugent was crowned the 1993 Fair Queen. Mem- presented Ron Wenger, President of the Kent County Youth bers of her court were Rebecca Oliver, Lori Van Otteren and Agricultural Association with a check for $8,000 Monday Jennifer Brown. night during the opening ceremonies. A touching tribute to the late Congressman, Paul Henry, "The money will all be put back into the Fair so it can was presented by Kent County Extension Director Dr. Bill continue to grow and get better," Wenger said. Harrison. "It was once said that a super man carries himself by Sandy Smith, a 4-H Youth Agent, in charge of fund-raising lifting others to great heights," lie explained. "Paul Henry did activities, said the fund-raiser will be a year-long event. "To that" this point we've raised $30,000, but our goal is $ 154,000, so we Herb Phelps, Vice President Michigan Fairs and Exhibits have a long way to go," she said. "We wanted to distribute the Association, also remembered the work and dedication of the money to help show people how far we've come." late Jim Phillips, a familiar and helpful face with the 4-H Fair The funds were distributed throughout the four areas of 4- for a number of years. &€tr Hopping * start to Fair k Due to the cracked walls in the Runciman Approximately gymnasium cafeteria. City officials blocked a portion 300 area youths of Monroe Street with snow fence. participated in Fox By Thad Kraus IT's "Field Days" on Lowell Ledger Editor Monday at the Fair To say the Runciman Elementary School isn't what its grounds. Emceeing cracked up to be, would be making light of a serious the event was situation. As if the financing cloud hanging over schools isn't Miranda. enough, Lowell learned last week that the cracks in the north, south and west walls of the Runciman gymnasium merce Pcrson-of-the-Year is August 31. will render the physical education and cafeteria facility Along Main Street Send nominations to: P.O. Box 224 Lowell. Ml. useless for at least part, if not all, of the 1993-94 school year. Costs to rebuild the entire roof and reconstruct the SENIOR NEIGHBORS FUNDRAISER north* south and east walls is estimated at $350,000. The Lowell Senior Neighbors will hold a bake goods, crafts Furthermore, Lowell City Manager Dave Pasqualesaid and Yard sale Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13 from 9 because of the potential danger the crack on the west wall a.m.to 5 p.m. The sale will be held on South Hudson Street presents, the sidewalk area by the gym wall and a portion across from the fairgrounds. of Monroe Street was blockcd off with snow fence. The snow fence extends 25-30 feet from the base of the LHS CLASS OF *83 REUNION gymnasium wall. Lowell High School class of '83 invitations have been "Even with the snow fencc extending out onto a portion mailed. If you haven't received one or have the address for any of Monroe Street, there will still be enough room for two- of the classmates listed, please call Patty Reagan-Wade 897- way traffic," Pasqualc said. NEIGHBORS WHO CARE WILL HOLD HEADLEE 6147. Originally it was thought that Monroe would be barri- INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS Angie Dibble, Steve Barley, Steve Butts, Brenda Dieble, caded between Avery and High Street, but because it is not Lisa Erb, Linda Groen, Kathy Huver, Don Johnson, Brian known when or what the school plans on doing, that plan "Neighbors Who Care" arc organizing a concerted effort to McCready, Sally Morse, Rob Perrin, Tammy Phillips. Mike was scrapped. make the public aware of the important upcoming Headlee Snyder, Arnie Teerling, Allen Thompson, Sherri Welch and Cracks in the north and south walls were repaired over election on Tuesday, Aug. 24. It is the committee's desire to Tyler Wright. 11 years ago according to Lowell Superintendent Fritz deliver as many community presentations as possible, be- Esch. tween now and Aug. 24, to help the community understand the ALTO-LOWELL "KIDS ONLY" BASKETBALL 'The crack reappeared this past spring. The repair importance of this election and explain the financial needs of 3 ON 3 TOURNAMENT broke further apart and widened this spring," he explained. the district. 'The problem appears to be excessive weight of the roof on If you are a member of a community organization or a A 3 on 3 basketball tournament is planned for the Alto Fall the frame of the wall.M school district resident willing to organize a presentation for Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11, next to Kountry Korners Store The excess weight has been created because the built up your group or in your home, please call Marsha Wilcox at 897- in Alto. tar and stone on the roof leaks. Also, welds between the 8949. Dick Korb, or Carol Briggs at 897-8415 as soon as The tournament is open to boys and girls ages 9-13. Fee is ceiling and walls have rusted out. possible. $44 per team. Awards will be presented to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Ironically, the Runciman roofis the only one that hasn't places. Each player receives a t-shirt. Deadline is Monday. been re-done under the existing energy and maintenance CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOMINATIONS Aug. 16. Cracked walls, cont'd., pg. 8 The deadline for nominations for The Chamber of Com- Main St, cont'd., pg. 8 The Lowell ledger-Wednesday, August II, I993-Pa»!e 3 The Lowell Ledger-Wednesday, August 11, IW-Page 2 Senate Republicans hit the road to OBITUARIES gather input on education reform TOWN TALK KOTZMANN - Frank officiating. There will he no * Kotzmann. aged 89. of funeral home visitation. Me- Highlighting Michigan's hearing what the people have them for the challenges of the agreed thus far to hold hear- Was justice served in the sentencing of the Los Angeles Lowell, died August 7.1993. morial contributions may be historic opportunity to rebuild to say is the best way to get 21st. ccntury." ings in the thumb area, north- He was preceded in death by made to Lowell Senior Neigh- its education system. Senate the ball rolling on education Posthumus appointed ern Michigan, west Michigan police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King? his wife. Geraldine. He is sur- bors. Majority leader Dick reform," Posthumus said. Senators Dan DeGrow (R- and metro Detroit. vived by his daughters. Mrs. Posthumus (R-Allo) an- "This is by far the single most Port Huron), Jack Welbom Public input will he Charles (Linda) Ferguson of SPRAGUE • Marguerite nounced the Senate Republi- important debate the Legisla- (R-Kalamazoo), Michael sought and encouraged, Sprague passed away Satur- Harrisburg. IL Mrs. Roy Dale can caucus will hold state- ture lias faced in several years. Bouchard (R-Birmingham), Posthumussaid. He also noted day, August 7, 11993. She is (Rita) Orr of Eldorado, ILand wide hearings on education We have a golden opportu- Joel Gougeon (R-Bay City) diatfurther notice listing defi- survived by her brother, Mrs. Boh (Dcc) Evearitt of reform. nity to build a first-class and and Joanne Emmons (R-Big nite times and dates is forth- Frederick Wayne Quiggle of Ada.; his grandchildren, Jim The purpose of these hear- innovative education system, Rapids) to coordinate a series coming. (Kim) Watson, Tim and Washington; an aunt. Emma ings will be to gather input and we want the public to of public hearings to be held Elaine Orr, Kris, Malt and Quiggle; several nieces, neph- throughout Michigan by the from citizens across the slate play a role in shaping it. Todd Hutchison Mike Bladzik Amy Evearitt; and great- ews, cousins. Graveside ser- " As we enter into a global Senate Republican Caucus. on what kind of educational It wasn't enough. If they The policemen got what granddaughter Jamie Lea vices were held Tuesday at Although no times and system we need for the future economy, we must provide weren 'tpolicemen they would they deserved. What they did Watson. Memorial Services Cascade Cemetery. Memori- and ways to best pay for it. our children widi a first-class dates have yet been finalized, have gotten a longer sentence. als may be made to Hospice was wrong. were held Tuesday at Thor- "1 believe getting out and education system to prepare Posthumus said the caucus lias napple Evangelical Covenant of Greater Grand Rapids.