SsUwhv^ihk.CJ^dbn.Qhsta^ShtaL 1856 118th year 28 Pages ST JOHNS, MICHIGAN 48879 Volume 15 August 9,1973 by Laurie Kipp VanSickle replied he wouldn't accept County News Writer the test because it was not done professionally. BATH--U looks like Township The test in question consisted of l Supervisor Roy VanSickle is going to water sample drawn from a swimming have to resign. After much prodding area in the lake, which was pictured in from a few Park Lake residents at the State Journal. Monday night's township meeting, the An angered Fisk retorted, "There board voted to go along with the was just as much truth in that as your recently circulated petitions requesting statement, Buster." a public apology or resignation from VanSickle told him the board has VanSickle. tried their best to get authorities to test The petitions were circulated by Park Lake, and that the Mid-Michigan angry residents who took issue to Health Department has begun testing, VanSickle's statement to the State but require a period of weeks to get an Journal in June that Park Lake is', accurate finding. polluted. Virginia Zeeb, who serves on the Richard Whited, a township resident, health department board, offered to first wanted to know how the board felt "try to expedite things." She also about the story, and then inquired what suggested the township send the they were doing with the petitions department a letter instead of calling, which were presented at the last stating exactly what they want done so meeting. the department will know why they are Whited was told that nothing is being requesting a series of tests done with them since they were only, Mrs Zeeb will report her findings to received as a matter of record. Clerk Burnett and Treasurer Woodruff, Clerk June Burnett explained the Another resident spoke up and "run around" she received from both wanted to know why VanSickle had not the Department of Natural Resources "done anything" if he knew of 2 homes and the State Health Department when dumping sewage in the lake. she tried to follow through with the board's request that Park Lake be re- VanSickle replied, "I don't have the tested. power to do anything. The sewer is "I called the State Health Dept," she blamed on VanSickle. The state or­ said, "And they told me it was the dered it, not VanSickle." responsibility of the county." She noted Trustee John Snider commented, that when she called the county, they "I've stuck both feet in my mouth said it was the responsibility of the several times. .and I've had to back­ state. water a lot of times. I don't know how Burnett declared that the DNR and Roy feels about it. I can't do it for him." both Health Departments "won't touch Treasurer Woodruff's motion was it (pollution testing) because it's too hot then seconded by Carleton VanSickle an issue*" requested a roll call vote. Treasurer Thomas Woodruff con­ Trustee Snider abstained from tacted the sanitanum for the Mid- voting. Carleton voted to agree with the Michigan Health Dept, and was told petitions' request, as did Woodruff and they would come out to the lake last Burnett. Trustee Richard Bragdon week to begin testing. Woodruff voiced the only no vote. Trustee reported that the sanitarian said testing Richard Morrill was absent from the -wOuld-take- at least a month. meeting. * >~ *"« **-* ~-- ' Again Whited demanded action from In response, VanSickle told the the board on the petitions. Trustee board, "I will not be apologising. By Daniel Carleton said he felt VanSickle virtue of those papers" (the DNR's should apologize. report of 1970) Bath was ordered to put in a sewer. If sewage and disease don't Woodruff said, "I kinda feel the same have an association, I will apologize." way," and moved that the board concur Following a recess Gerald Shepard with the petitions. told those present, "Don't put all the Students involved in the Job-O-Youth recently tackled quite a project for themselves. In order to save the city of St When VanSickle asked what he blame on Roy. There have been Johns some money as well as make a little for themselves, 10 area youths have taken down 85 street signs for sanding, meant, Woodruff stated, "You should changes in sanitarians (since Shepard straightening and repainting. About 40 of the signs have been put back up so far. Pictured here (from left) working on the apologize or resign." was Township Supervisor). The State signs are Randy Bellant, Rick Reliant and Rob Warr. Park Lake resident Melvin Fisk leaves the Health Dept hanging." expressed his disgust with the lack of Fisk told VanSickle, "You're going at action from the Health Dept. .it the wrong way." He went on to say Major chains claim "If we can't get the county or state in VanSickle's statement to the press is there," he declared, "Let's get the the reason "everybody's so worked up- federal." not the sewer." County Commissioner, Gerald VanSickle replied, "They're one in Shepard, noted that the township board the same." cannot direct the county Board of Health to test the lake, but it may "ask" (SEE PAGE 10A) them. Norman Woolfe, who instigated the Four chosen Grand Rapids-Fort Wayne division of supply of other meats, he said, is Kroger has been forced to lay off petitions, requested statements from By Laurie Kipp Kroger food Stores, confirmed that so adequate. approximately 400 workers in its 13 the rest of the trustees. "The people County News Writer far as the supermarket is concerned, But noted that last week the company meatfabricattngplants. But hinted that want to know how you feel," he stated. to run in the shortage is real and is critical. was only able to purchase about half its further layoffs may become necessary. Trustee Richard Bragdon told Woolfe Supermarkets in this area are facing "The cattle simply are not being normal requirements, and blamed the On July 30, Kroger was notified of the "you're pretty hard to get a hold of," ' a drastic shortage of beef which could brought to market," he said. He added shortage on economic controls which closing of 30 large packing plants which and added that he had also been unable tity election soon lead to the disappearance of some that Kroger is doing everything continued ceiling prices on beef until normally supply its beef needs. Those to reach the Park Lake committee's co- cuts from store meat, and in some humanly possible to obtain an adequate Sept 12. Ceiling prices on other meats which remain open, Burt said, are chairman. cases, no beef at all. supply of beef for customers. Kroger's were removed July 18. operating on a part-time basis. Woolfe retorted that his phone ST JOHNS -- Four candidates were David Burt, vice nresirient of the Burt sees no immediate relief in sight number is in the book, and that the co- chosen by a light St Johns voter turnout 1 "since the entire marketing system has chairman is on vacation. Once again he Tuesday to run for election to the City been disrupted by economic controls." pushed for a decision from the board. Commission in the November election. He further speculated that the longer Clerk Burnett said she was waiting Challenger John Arehart topped the, Here's schedule of events ceiling prices remain on beef, the for test results, and would call for an balloting with 362 votes, followed by Dr greater the price hike will be. ., apology if verification is received that James Grost with 303, Gerald Wilcox Frank Malott, vice president and the lake is not polluted. with 246 and Jeanne Rand with 231. general manager of Michigan's IGA "I feel his statementwas wrong," she Grost and Rand are incumbent stores, also blamed high prices and added. "It wasn't in good taste" an 'of commissioners. for 1973 County AM Fair chronic shortages of beef on economic the top of his head' type of thing." Cecil Smith and Raymond Kentfield controls. Fisk interjected that the lake passed were eliminated as candidates in the He noted that IGA is experiencing a a Michigan Health Dept test that he told Tuesday Primary. Smith received 215 shortage of all cuts of beef since they the board about at their last meeting. votes with Kentfield receiving 121. Moniiay;Augi:( Pool for 4-H members with passes 9 am Judging of clothing, knitting, receive meat directly from packers and 9 am-noon Deadline1 for all exhibits available at Fair Office crochet, ceramics, photography, distribute it themselves to the stores. ofcept flowers, vegetables, dogs, 4 pm Poultry judging electrical, tractor, snowmobile, ( 6:30 pm Judging leisure education small engines, Family living, Vet "Packers simply aren't slaughtering pony and ftnghsh horses Science, Basic Plant Science, and shipping to us," he stated. 10 am Wt».'?ni horse show (cake decorating, painting and drawing and crafts) Creative Writing, Weather, IGA is currently receiving 40 percent 10 am Judt/'ng of senior and com­ Recreation, Safety and Lanscape of their normal shipments, and is im­ mercial vegetable project exhibits 0:30 pm Judging of litter barrels. porting beef from Canada in an effort to *?&&^ivtd&i 1 pm Judging of crops* woodworking, 6:30 pm.4-H All Star softball game, 9 am Judging of swine, followed by keep customers happy. Foods for Fun, Today's Girl, Young White League, City Park sheep and beef 7 pm Judging of Leathercraft, pony 9 am Bicycle Rodeo Malott predicts the shortage will end Chef, Food and People, Exploring pulling contest -- lightweight and 10 am Judging of English Horse, pony as soon as the federal government ends Foods, Preservation and Outdoor heavyweight, horse arena.