Republic Township Newsletter
May/June 2007
http://www.republicmichigan.com
906-376-8827
WHAT IS THE REAL STORY?
Any resident with a computer and access to the internet now has the ability at their fingertips to find out what is happening throughout the township. In your web browser simply type in http://www.republicmichigan.com and click on whatever word you are interested in.
Are you wondering what the Planning Commission did? As soon as the meetings are over, the Planning Commission secretary types up the minutes and sends them electronically. They are on the web page within days.
Want to know what the agenda for the Township meeting will be? Check out the web page. The minutes are there also.
The Board wants this site to be an active picture of our community, informative and changing constantly. We want you, the public, to use this site, both for information, and to provide information. Rummage sale coming up? Takes but a minute to type that up and forward it. Group activity? The same. Send information to republicsupervisor@miuplink.com or vskogman@miuplink.com and we will forward it. One of the requirements set by the Board is, submissions have to go through one of the designated webmasters, which are those two people.
The Board is very grateful to Fred Nannestad for developing and maintaining the web site for us. Any data we forward to him is usually on the web page within the next day or two. Working with Nathan Lyle, UP WebMaestro, he has put together our window for the world that allows visitors or prospective newcomers a chance to learn about us. The window is also there for you.
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SEPARATE TRASH PICKUPS
What the Township will ick up during the normal spring trash collection will change this year.
We have contracted with Keweenaw Scrap, Tire and Metal hold a big item pickup the week of July 17th. A resident wanting to have a pickup will call our Hall, and be put on the list. The company will pick up all scrap metal, batteries, tires, computers and are paying $50 for vehicles. Disposal cost for the tires is $1.50 each. Refrigerant items, $5.00 each, paid at the Twp Hall in advance. Then, all the resident has to do is put these items at the end of their driveway, just like normal garbage pickup. Vehicles to be disposed of will be marked with paint in a special way, to prevent mistakes. They will not pick up wood, plastic, furniture or fiberglass.
Beginning the first week in June, we will schedule our part of the annual pickup. The same arrangements have to be made, paying for tickets at the hall, etc., but the Township will only pick up wood, plastic, furniture, and fiberglass during our portion of the pickup.
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CEMETERY STONES
A professional cemetery stone cleaning service is working in the Republic cemetery for various customers, refurbishing the tombstones.
Pictures are on display in the Township Hall entryway, showing before and after of the stones already completed.
Contact Faye or Vickie for referral to Mr. Munson.
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SUPERVISOR’S CORNER
The Board has decided to try cleaning the sidewalks in North and South Republic witha power broom, because of the large number of vacant lots whose owners are not maintaining the walkway in front of their property. Several additional summer students have been hired to handle this, and other maintenance needs that have been accumulating.
There will be several pieces of sidewalk repaired in North Republic, in front of the Township Hall, and in front of the Summer Place, as soon as scheduling can be coordinated with the party doing the work. During that time, expect parking restrictions in front of both buildings.
Several people were concerned about the amount of water in the two lowland areas below the Township T. V. Tower, questioning if the water main might have broken under the railroad grade. The higher water level is caused by a broken beaver dam, which flooded that area.
The primary sewage lift station in North Republic was repaired last month. The front of the building had settled 2 ½ inches, tilting the top of the front wall toward the street; and splitting the sidewalls. Of safety concern was the possibility it was stretching the 220 power cables in the switch panels on the South wall of the building. A contractor mud-jacked the front back up into place, and then filled the void under the building floor with a stabilizing mixture. There is a potential we might have to inject additional support under the stabilizing footings, because we knlw the subsurface material is partially soft swamp.
While it’s really too soon to get people excited, the Board does want to make the public aware that the main topic at our educational conference was the turning over of several of the jobs of the Township to the County. The Speaker of the State House and Senate are both agreeing that they want Assessing, Tax Collection and Elections done on the County level. The Governor is not talking about the situation, but her chief of staff has told the Michigan Township’s Association people that he agrees totally with the two Speaker. Of these, the Michigan Township’s Association expects the Assessing has a decent chance of being shifted to the Counties, if they will take it. As one Treasurer said at that Conference, when some of the Township Treasurers gave up the summer tax collection to their Counties, it started the slippery slope of erosion of power for the Townships. This, of course, is all building out of a turf war in Southeastern Michigan (from where both Speakers, and the Governor come from) and the entire state is being painted with the same brush, with no cost studies being done, or thoughts of disenfranchising rural people. You will probably hear much more about this soon.
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Many people were surprised several weeks ago when they received a letter from the assessing department asking them to fill out a Personal Residency Exemption form. Whenever the County asks for backup data on PRE’s, the assessing department has to provide it and we initially thought just a few were missing. We had no idea how many of the forms were, but it seems we couldn’t provide the requested data far more often than we could. So we reviewed the files. The forms that existed in our files were crossed off the County’s master PRE list, and a letter was sent to those missing. The return pile is 3 ½ inches high on the desk, and they all aren’t in yet. This is just another example of how badly the mess was in the assessing department. And, unfortunately, we are being used in some circles in Lansing as one of the classic examples of why assessing should be moved from the Townships and given to the Counties. We’re working to reverse that image, and are trusting it’s not too late. Time will tell, shortly.
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THANK YOU
I want to give a special thank you to Jordan Wixtrom and Tyler Thompson for going to the assistance of my mom, Lorraine, when she had fallen and was lying on the front porch.
Jordan stayed with her, while Tyler made sure the ambulance was called.
Thank you for the comfort the two of you gave my mom.
Nancy Wenberg
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THANK YOU
Dear Friends, Family and Community,
I want to give heartfelt thanks to all of you who signed petitions, made phone calls, helped out at the benefit with food, donations, music,set up and clean up, cards, money, prayers and thoughts.
Thank you, hugs, Barb Koski and Girls
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HYDRANT FLUSHING
By now, most of the hydrants will probably have been flushed. The Board authorized the flushing process at their meeting on the 15th. Once the notices were posted. We could begin the flushing.
The Board is sorry for the inconvenience this caused many people in the villages. While it’s nice to receive assurances that the water is safe to drink, that doesn’t make a person feel better when a load of white clothes are stained during the wash cycle. And when a fire emergency forces the fire department to fill up at the Emergency Services building to save time, rather than to run to the Waste Water facility, it is especially frustrating to the folks living on M-95., whose low lying water mains are natural settling points.
We will work out some kind of inspection agreement with Roberts Filter company for the future. While we can’t prevent a part from breaking, we can prevent situations like the air-bubbler jets calcifying and degrading the efficiency of the system.
We are also going to figure out additional flushing inits that can clean the low lying lines, such as along M-95, as much as possible.
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COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE
There will be a community-wide garage sale on August 11th and 12th from 9 to 5 each day.
To register your garage sale, to be put on the Township Map, contact:
Olga Williams, 376-2139
Carol Nicholas, 376-8233
Mary Lou Martin, 376-2335
Duane Oja, 376-8468
Deadline to register is July 9th .
Contact these same people if you are interested in displaying your crafts and wares, as well as provide music, for the fall festival September 15th.
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TRANSFER STATION DATES
June 16th
July 21st
August 18th
September 15th
October 13th
October 20th.
The transfer station is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on those days.
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Notes from the Community Planning Meeting held April 11, 2007.
Rita Hodgins-Van Neste opened the meeting, and asked for a report from each of the committees.
The Town Square Committee reported that the Township’s 5 year recreation plan had been updated and approved by the DNR, which qualifies the Township for Recreation Grants.
The two grant applications had been submitted for the new Town Square. The Road Commission has agreed to help, and the one DOT enhancement grant had been submitted in their name. The expected calendar of approval for both grants is late Sept. or early October.
Chuck reported that CCI had expressed an interest in having a permanent display in the new town square pavilion.
Gary reported that three local artists had also offered to do murals depicting the Ore Heritage in the new structure.
Additional public hearings will be held to formulate the final design of the pavilion structure.
Chuck Hurst reported for the Wetlands Committee. The CCI grant for the wetlands enhancement was approved by the CCI Board in March. The township will receive $5,000 per year for two years to be used for infrastructure construction, such as board walks, etc.. CCI is planning to amend their easement agreements with the DEQ. The Planning Group will propose improvements to the Wetlands, such as board walks, rest rooms, viewing platforms, etc. John Crady is working with the Audubon Society doing a census of the avian species. It is expected that Rock hound groups, and trail hiking groups will also be asked to inventory the area. Chuck explained the viewing areas on the map, and the various gate accesses to the property. CCI has requested data on the placement of the various trails, all of which will be non-motorized. Their environmentalist will be here to review the information after the weather improves. That environmentalist will also make recommendations to all parties.
Olga Williams reported for the Community Activities committee. The committee has become a subcommittee of the Historical Society. They have changed the name of the gardening club to the Heritage Gardens, to tie in with the overall theme of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.
The committee has updated the list of community crafters. They presently have about 50 on the list. They also have some musicians, artists and home based businesses. A brochure listing all of the above will be prepared for June 25th, for handout during the Republic Festival.
The committee has planned a community rummage sale for August 11th and 12th. The Oasis in South Republic has been reserved for concession sales for that weekend. The committee is discussing a handout brochure map showing the location of any sale participants.
The Fall Festival is planned for Sept. 15th. They may consider combining this with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony opening the Republic Wetlands. It was also suggested that the Historical Society hold their proposed Potato Festival at the same time.
Fundraising containers have been put out in the community to raise funds for a gazebo for the Heritage Garden. The containers are shaped like little gazebos. A storage shed is also planned for the garden.
The committee also has ordered 300 plants, trees, shrubs and ground cover for the new garden. They have also ordered lilacs to sell, which should be available late May, early June.
Unfortunately, scheduling prohibited the reporters for the sign/entrance committee from attending.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 6th
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2006 Water Quality Report for REPUBLIC TOWNSHIP.
Because of the format and graph used, the report is not available on this web site.
A written copy of the report may be obtained by calling Clerk Ms. Vickie Skogman, 906-376-8827.
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PASCOE HOUSE MUSEUM SUMMER HOURS
Opening on Memorial Day, Monday May 28th, 2007, 1:00—3:00 P.M.
Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00—3:00 P.M. Also by appointment
Please call:
Mary Lou Martin 376-2335
LaVerne Antilla 376-2258
Ethel Valenzio 376-2332
Elaine Niemi 376-2609
Marcy Rankinen 376-2345
The Republic Area Historical Society will have a 1950’s display at the Museum all summer.
If you nave any interesting or typical ‘50’s items for the display and are willing to donate or loan them, please call one of the above members. We still need items, even small things like knick-knacks, tablecloths, etc.
HISTORICIAL SOCIETY COMING EVENTS:
FESTIVAL DAY JUNE 30TH.
Photographs and Family Histories Display at the Township hall, 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Also open on Sunday from Noon to 4:00 P.M.
Museum also open on Festival Day from 1:00—3:00 P.M.
Please bring your family history and photographs to the Township Hall on our set-up day, Thursday June 28th.
JULY GARDEN PARTY with music and strawberry shortcake—at the Museum.
No specific date set, but will probably be later in July. Watch for posters.
AUGUST CEMETERY TOUR. Tour the cemetery with us, and stop at specific sites along the way to find out more about some of the important and interesting people from our past, such as the Peter Pascoes, Father Martin Fox, James Dower, etc. We will have pages to hand out. End the tour with light refreshments. Watch for posters.
SEPTEMBER POTATO FEST, in conjunction with the Fall Fest. Feast on a baked potato with the fixings as you enjoy all of the crafts, activities and events of Fall Fest. We plan to serve in the Township Hall.
WE WILL BE SELLING REVISED TELEPHONE BOOKS, (AREA 376-) AGAIN FOR $5.00. THEY WILL INCLUDE ADDRESSES.
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FESTIVAL NEWS
Plans for the June 30th Festival have been set by the Committee.
We encourage businesses, churches and individuals to enter the parade which starts at 10:00 by calling Bob Bengston at 376-8130.
We have a number of things planned for the children to do, including inflatable slide, moon walk, velcro wall, paint ball, splash tank, etc. There will be something for all ages.
Music is planned for the day, including local talent. Concerts are scheduled by the Negaunee City Band and the Ishpeming Blue Notes. We may also have a few “surprise” musicians that will jam with Glenn at 3:00 P.M.
This will be our 7th annual car show. There are many vintage renovated cars and trucks in our area, and we would encourage you to enter them in the parade and car show. For more information of the car show; please contact Al Mattila at 376-2409.
Interested crafters and food vendors, please contact Kathy Johnson at 376-2612.
The firemen will be holding their duck race fundraiser at 4:00 P.M., with the winners announced at 5:00 P.M.
We would encourage everyone to invite friends and relatives to come out and celebrate with us. This will be a “FAMILY FUN FILLED DAY”.
