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On Tuesday, May 2, Fraser voters will decide whether to approve a bond measure to pay for new upgrades and repairs to things such as the aging parking lots at Fraser Public School buildings.
File photo provided by Kristin Ledford
Fraser residents to vote on bond measure
FRASER — On Tuesday, May 2, voters in Fraser will get to vote on a bond proposal for Fraser Public Schools.
The school district is asking permission to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $59 million for the purpose of remodeling, equipping, reequipping, furnishing or refurnishing school buildings to enhance health, safety, security and energy conservation.
“Right now, a lot of our buildings have mechanical and parking lot issues,” Superintendent Carrie Wozniak said in February. “Our top priority is replacing the mechanical units that need repair, like heating and cooling units, so the buildings are properly heated, ventilated and so forth. The next major issue is safety. We know a lot of people in the community are concerned about school security in general, and we want to ensure we are continuing to address those concerns.”
The district plans to take the bond money out in two phases to hopefully reduce the amount of interest they would need to pay back on the bond. Wozniak stressed that the bond will be paid back through the taxes already being levied so there will be no increase in what residents are paying, if the bond is passed.
Candice Miller recognized by Michigan Recreation & Park Association
MACOMB COUNTY — The Michigan Recreation & Park Association has honored Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller with its “Local Elected Official Award” for her years of efforts to improve the quality of life for Michigan residents through parks and recreation promotion.
“This was an unexpected honor, and I’m very grateful,” Miller said in a statement. “Throughout my career in public service, I’ve always tried to think about quality of life and how we can improve the quality of life for everyone. Even though I might be the one getting the award, members of the association deserve awards for all the things they do for the quality of life for our folks throughout Michigan, each and every day.”
Miller’s work toward public parks projects includes securing funds for the Freedom Trail hiking and biking path along Metropolitan Parkway and a focus on improving water quality for boaters and anglers through maintaining and improving sewer infrastructure.
“From my perspective, what is so impressive is Candice’s will and drive to get things accomplished, utilizing all of her available resources to do so,” said Kyle Langlois, Sterling Heights parks and recreation director and chairman of the MParks Public Policy Committee. “Her ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to work together for a common purpose is second to none, and she should be viewed as nothing less than a model for other county public works operations to emulate.”
The Local Elected Official Award was announced recently at the MParks Conference and Trade Show and was presented to Miller at the April 13 meeting of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority’s Board of Commissioners, held at the Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center.
Macomb Charitable Foundation yard art sale begins
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Those looking to add to their yard’s decor this summer are in luck, as the Macomb Charitable Foundation is opening its 6th annual summer yard art sale this May.
Running from May 11 to Labor Day, the organization will sell handmade art pieces to support its mission of helping homeless and impoverished children in Macomb County. Funds raised by the organization go to paying for clothing, personal care items, food and housing.
“All money that comes in from fundraisers goes directly to the children,” said Dianne Wetzel, of the MCF. “With our yard art, we don’t take any money for any of the supplies. We provide ourselves all of the supplies for the yard art so that the money that comes in from the sales, all of that goes directly to the charity.”
The sale will take place at Schramm’s Farm, 21701 24 Mile Road, in Macomb Township, located west of Card Road. Schramm’s Farm is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
CMPL hosting walk-in events this May
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Those looking for no-hassle fun this May can find it at the Clinton-Macomb Public Library with multiple walk-in events.
The Chippewa Valley Schools Festival of the Arts returns to the Main Library will be showcasing the artwork of the district’s K-12 art students from April 28 to May 5 for all to see during library operating hours. The main branch will host a “Star Wars” celebration at 5:30 p.m. on May 4 featuring a Jedi Academy obstacle source, Stormtroopers and more. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 6, teens in grades 6-12 can pick up a free comic book and make comic-themed items. At 2 p.m. on May 7 at the main branch, Hubbell Street Jazz will play a free concert.
The North Branch will host events throughout May, with teens being invited to make resin bookmarks at 6 p.m. on May 8. At 3 p.m. on May 22, historian and architect Bruce Allen Kopytek will talk about the history of the Hudson’s department store company, the rise of founder Joseph L. Hudson, the culinary delights of Hudson’s restaurants and everything in between.
For more events and registration information, visit cmpl.org.
DNR says to watch for fish winterkills
MICHIGAN — As the last chills of winter thaw away, lakes and rivers might take on a morbid sight.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people to be aware of seasonal “fish kills,” though deceased turtles, frogs, toads, crayfish and other water life will surface as part of the usual winter die-off.
“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division research manager. “As the season changes, it can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality.”
Ice freezing over water cuts off feeding sources for fish, stressing them and using up oxygen reserves.
“Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for air at holes in the ice and often ends with large numbers of dead fish that bloat as the water warms,” Whelan said. “Dead fish and other aquatic life may appear fuzzy because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death. The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and other dead aquatic animals under the ice.”
The public is welcome to report fish kills using the Eyes in the Field website. Such reports are valuable to the DNR’s ability to manage the state’s aquatic resources. If you suspect a fish kill is due to unnatural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan’s Pollution Emergency Alert System at (800) 292-4706. For more information on fish kills in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.
Macomb County honors dispatchers
MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, as part of “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week,” thanked county dispatchers for their service via a video message.
“Dispatchers are oftentimes the first of the first responders the public has contact with,” Hackel said in a statement. “They are essential in connecting the public with our police, fire and EMS personnel. Although this is the nationally recognized week, I want all dispatchers to know they are appreciated each and every day for the incredible work they perform.”
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham also shared positive words for the county’s 911 dispatchers.
“Our dispatchers are highly trained and dedicated to their profession,” Wickersham said. “The unknown exists every time they answer a 911 call or an officer’s radio transmission. Our dispatchers are caring, compassionate and care for the safety of our citizens and the first responders who serve them. I thank all public safety dispatchers for a job well done.”
