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Cannon Twp. chosen for state wetlands program
Cannon Township has been chosen to be part of the Wetlands Local Assistance Pilot Program through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE). The goal of the pilot program is to increase the efficiency of the wetland permitting process through local and state resources in order to protect the wetlands of the state.
The township is one of only three entities chosen by the state to participate in the pilot program. The other two entities chosen are Michigan Association of Conservation Districts on behalf of Calhoun, Delta and Muskegon County Conservation Districts and the Thumb Land Conservancy of St. Clair County.
Cannon Township Watershed Administrative Assistant Kim Sapkowski applied for the program in December 2009. She was notified of the township’s acceptance into the program on February 23, 2010.
“Cannon Township has been a state leader in watershed conservation,” said Sapkowski. “Participating in this pilot project will allow the township to partner with the state of Michigan to not only streamline the wetland permitting process, but to educate our citizens about wetlands and the importance of protecting them. It is our goal to show other communities that local wetlands protection can be done.”
The township’s Wetlands Ordinance protects wetlands in Cannon Township that are less than five acres. This is important, because the MDNRE only regulates wetlands that are more than five acres in size and/or are adjacent to a body of water.
“Wetlands control flooding, filter storm water run-off, recharge groundwater [drinking water], and provide habitat for Michigan’s native plants and animals,” commented Sapkowski. “Wetlands are one of the most complex ecosystems in the world; most of a wetland’s function and ecosystem goes unseen by humans, but is nonetheless very important.”
MDRNE’s Amy Lounds is preparing the final outline of the program, which will run until October 1, 2012.
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Waltzing worries away popular at ambulance station
Guy Fransisco is a former professional dancer trained by Patrick Swayze’s mother, Patricia. Here he helps one of the dancers perfect a move.
Thirteen-year-old Tessa Paul-Cox didn’t really want to go to the free dance classes her mother Sandra has been enjoying so much, but once she arrived, she saw many others were having a great time.
Sandra and Tessa were two of about 30 people who showed up on an off-day practice session on Tuesday, November 24. Rockford Ambulance offered the classes as a way to give back to the community and pass the time in a healthy way.
Su Grey is a paramedic and one of the instructors of the program. She couldn’t be more enthusiastic, either during the classes or about them.
“Our phones were ringing off the hook,” she said, when the nonprofit company announced the start of the classes. She said so many people signed up for the six-week course that the ambulance staff had to schedule two classes to accommodate everyone.
Nancy Popma, who works for Cannon Township, said she learns something new every class, and the steps are easy to master. Milissa Soderstrom also works for the township. She said the two show their co-workers the new moves they learn each week.
“We go back to work the next day and show the girls at the office,” she said. “It’s almost like our whole office is learning.”
People don’t need dance background to participate, and don’t have to be couples. Grey said plenty of people show up by themselves and the ambulance staff step in as partners.
First Rockford Ambulance volunteered to teach local first responders dance moves as a fun way to fill up the hours at the ambulance station, where the staff puts in long days. The program went over so well they decided to invite the public in as well.
Chuck Premer, emergency medical technician and instructor, joked that if an emergency should occur requiring the staff to leave, class will be canceled. “And if someone has a medical issue during the class, at least they are in a good place for it.”
Grey is pleased that a wide variety of participants have signed up. Margaret and Don Smith were having a great time during the practice session. “We’ve learned to dip and swing. There is a lot of rhythm, even if I have too much feet,” Don said.
“It’s fun. We are really enjoying it,” Margaret added. “It’s fabulous to invite the community to just come here and dance. It’s excellent exercise. I don’t have to go home and ride my exercise bike.”
The pair said communities benefit greatly from a program like this, which gets neighbors out to meet each other. They commend Rockford Ambulance for their efforts and generosity of time.
Mother and son team Carol Erickson and Nik, 8, enjoyed the time together learning new moves they can show off with at the next mother and son dance. The Roguewood Elementary School student was having fun and the pair were improving their dance skills. “At first I didn’t think he’d do it,” Carol noted. “He goes to the mother/son dances with me, too.”
In addition to Rockford-area participants, the classes drew a surprise. Los Angeles-trained Guy Fransisco and wife Cheryl were whirling through the room. The former professional dancer was trained by Patsie Swayze, Patrick Swayze’s mother. He taught in Los Angeles and is proficient in jazz, ballet, tap, modern dance and pretty much the “whole kaboodle” in the field of dance. They showed up to have a pleasant evening, and both helped out as impromptu instructors.
It’s great for a relationship,” Guy said. “It brings you together. Dance does that. It’s physical touching, an intimate form of communication that is different than word communication.” The now Grand Rapids resident highly recommends dance to anyone.
Grey said the lessons have been so popular she believes they will offer them again in 2010, and may include other forms of dance. Those interested should contact Rockford Ambulance at (616) 866-0724 to find out more.
“They really need to be congratulated for doing this,” said Margaret. “I can’t say enough for them.”
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Patrol extended in Cannon Twp. through Sept. 7
by MITCH HARVATIN
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department (KCSD) and Cannon Township have teamed up to fight crime overnight. Cannon Township has hired the KCSD to patrol extra hours after township officials saw a growth in crime productivity, especially in the Lake Bella Vista area.
“We see a spike in calls during the summer time, and they will drop in September,” said Lieutenant Scott Brown of the KCSD.
Brown added, “The citizens need to help us out. They need to close their garage doors at night. They need to make sure they lock their cars, their windows, their houses and, if they are financially able to, they need to keep their lights on outside overnight. They need to make it difficult for someone to rob their house.” He goes on to say that minors usually break in to garages to steal alcohol from refrigerators.
Cannon Township taxpayers are paying $13,327.36 to keep an extra officer in the township between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m., not just patrolling Lake Bella Vista, which Brown clearly addressed. “If we receive a call somewhere else in that township, we go,” he said.
According to a press packet from Cannon Township Clerk Bonnie Blackledge, the KCSD conducted 76 property checks/foot patrols, 50 traffic stops, 10 general assigned complaints, nine suspicious persons/situations, four minors in possession of alcohol, one drug violation and one drunk-driving arrests between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on just two days, May 22 and June 30. Other than conducting regular traffic stops, the KCSD responded to vandalism calls, larceny from an auto, stalking, alcohol-minor in possession, and registered sex offender contact all in section nine, which is primarily Lake Bella Vista.
The KCSD assigns one officer to Cannon Township until 4 a.m. four days a week. The other three days a week, the KCSD patrols until midnight. On the days they are not patrolling or it’s past midnight, the KCSD’s district car patrols a wide area of northern Kent County, not just Cannon Township, but will respond to calls in the township.
Brown wants to make sure residents in Lake Bella Vista know that if they see a crime in progress to call 9-1-1. If it’s not an emergency, call the KCSD’s non-emergency number at (616) 336-3113. You may use the Silent Observer tip-line at (616) 774-2345 or you can “Text a Tip” to CRIMES with “TIP138.”
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NEW TRAILS PROPOSED—Cannon Township Board members (l–r) Trustee Dick Davies, Trustee Deb Diepenhorst, Clerk Bonnie Blackledge, Supervisor Peter MacGregor, Trustee Rob McBrien and Trustee Steve Grimm decide to hear more about the proposed non-motorized sidewalks/trails.
Meeting set August 6 for more information
by MITCH HARVATIN
Cannon Township officials decided Monday night that they want to hear more about the proposal of putting two non-motorized sidewalks/trails starting at Myers Lake toward Cannon Farms and along M-44 near Bostwick Lake.
Both projects would feature poles (railings) and hydrants. The contractor would also design the trail so it doesn’t draw puddles when it rains for a long period of time.
The Myers Lake proposal is estimated to cost $12,100. The Bostwick Lake project is estimated to cost around $22,100.
Township Clerk Bonnie Blackledge is for the project, but Township Trustee Steve Grimm said, “It’s a lot of money for a straight sidewalk.”
Township Supervisor Peter MacGregor stepped in and said that the construction workers “will have to move a green box and a telephone pole.”
Blackledge will hold an informational meeting for anyone who would like more information about these two projects on August 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cannon Township offices, 6878 Belding Road. The engineer of the project will also attend the meeting.
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Cannon Town Square in foreclosure
The proposed Cannon Town Square development on which Ric’s Food Center sits-and not much else-is in the process of foreclosure. Independent Bank will likely become the owner of the property, and is asking Cannon Township to reduce the amount of the bank line of credit against infrastructure requirements.
According to Supervisor Pete MacGregor, the development will “plug and play” for anyone in a position to start building on the site. The infrastructure-roads, sewer, curbs, etc.,-are complete, with the exception of rain gardens.
“Everyone loves Ric’s,” MacGregor said. “This board very much wants Ric’s to be successful. When they went in, they expected a whole community to be built around them and those would be their customers. That didn’t happen. They are an island.”
MacGregor said the Planned Unit Development at the northwest intersection of Myers Lake Road and Belding Road is slated for 85 single homes, town homes, retail and office. A bank, cafe and restaurant were already approved and one of those businesses could build tomorrow.
The proposed development was also slated to boast a clubhouse and park. As it stands, anyone who purchases the development would have to adhere to the conditions of the original PUD. “They can come back and ask for changes,” MacGregor said.
The Town Square was designed to be a walkable, neighbor-friendly community. Original developers, Tol Companies Incorporated, planned to have a mix of residential and commercial-a mini-town where residents could virtually do all their shopping without driving their cars.
Robert Tol said in December of 2007 that he believed the public was ready for the project, based on the principals of New Urbanism. That concept features walkability, connectivity mixed-use diversity and the theory that people enjoy a pedestrian-friendly design.
The project was pushed back by years with changes and negotiation with the township. By the time they were able to build and sell residential and commercial spaces, the economy had tanked.
Now the 40-acre center is undeveloped except for the Ric’s Food Center. MacGregor hopes that won’t be the case in the long-term.
“I’d love a developer to drive by and say, ‘Wow! This is an opportunity,’ “ he said. “I want this to be a beautiful, vivacious, thriving corner. I want it done and done right.”
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