As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. But a South Haven Safety Survey, conducted by Western Michigan University between October 2019 through January 2020, received more than 700 responses and found that fewer than half 44% -- of respondents definitely or somewhat supported returning lifeguards to the city. As lakeshore residents brace for the impending arrival of fall, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is adding a new and intimate performance series to its roster of events to accompany the change of season. Reagan, who is from Muskegon, worked in Iron Mountain in 2008 as a Downtown Development Authority director and Main Street manager. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. At some point in the recent past, our insurance carrier has helped us understand that theyre more of a liability than they are a help, he said. Professional Management The purpose of MME is to foster and encourage the personal and professional development of its members in order that they may better serve their communities and to promote, encourage, and preserve high ethical standards for municipal executives. Its always been in the back of my head that Id really like to support the cause of getting lifeguards in my hometown just all those unnecessary deaths, Sartini said. The council approved paying Steckel the remaining 25 percent of the city manager wages $202 per week, or an estimated $1,414 total plus a car allowance for her seven weeks as acting city manager. Shay will replace former deputy county administrator Keith Van Beek, who became Hollands city manager earlier this year. Instead of lifeguards, Lake Michigan communities have instituted a variety of lifesaving measures primarily the posting of rip current warning signs, making life rings and life jackets available, and using a warning flag system. City Manager Mitch Foster said the city has posted the position on multiple sources with an application deadline of Sept. 20. Entering into week three, hes learning many aspects of the community. You have to have eyes on the water in real time, he said. I am very passionate about sustainable cities and people may not like the conversation but we are going to have to have them if we are going to be economically solvent over the next couple of generations. He is from Big Rapids. The impact of the vehicle caused the pole to snap and lean on top of power lines. Although Steckel was offered to be paid her regular salary as assistant to the city manager plus the difference between her salary and the city managers wages, she chose instead to be paid her salary and just 75 percent of the difference in wages. The committees are personnel and finance, public safety and utilities, building and licenses, and cemetery, parks, recreation and waterfront. Its critical because those communities have an obligation to protect tourists, many of them out-of-towners with no knowledge of the lakes power, he said. The Ludington City Council on Monday will vote on adopting a proposed ordinance that would formally establish and define the duties of the citys four standing committees. He received a bachelors degree in business administration and management from Ferris State University. Hard to say, said Schillachi, who was a beach captain for about five of the years he worked as a lifeguard between 2000-09. MCSO ACTIVITY REPORT FOR THE WEEKEND OF 07/20/2018 thru 07/22/2018: 07/20 @ 6:45 AM Car/Deer crash, no injury, US10 west of Tuttle (Custer Township), 07/20 @ 7:10 AM Car/Deer crash, no injury, US31 north of Chauvez (Pere Marquette Township), West Shore Art Fair returns for golden anniversary Saturday at Rotary Park. In the public comment period, resident Tom Rotta criticized the council for paying Steckel retroactively, since prior to starting the work, she had agreed to the wages. Piers can create dangerous currents and, without barriers on most of them, provide an inviting opportunity for a stroll to unsuspecting visitors four of whom were swept off piers into the water and drowned this year. Emergency call stations, information kiosks, social media posts, lifejackets and life rings are other safety measures Olson mentioned in an email to MLive. First responders, local fire and police departments and power companies were busy Tuesday night responding to various calls across Mason County following a severe thunderstorm. BY MiBiz Staff Friday, June 08, 2018 01:37pm. He is also glad to be back in west Michigan, and specifically Mason County, where he grew up. Sentinel reporter Mitchell Boatman contributed to this report. They need to protect their visitors, Benjamin said. The 2018 Ludington Gus Macker 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament has extended the registration deadline to June 3, 2018. HAMLIN TWP. She had been at the lake with a 4-year-old she managed to get to a sand bar before disappearing about 75 feet outside of the marked swim zone, he said. City Hall Hours. We dont have a clear mandate on what the city should do, South Haven Interim Manager Kate Hosier said. ArtPrize 2018 is in full swing in Grand Rapids through Oct. 7 and several Ludington natives are showcasing their own unique pieces of art for the festival. But the citizens have demanded them and the risks of not having them are too great. Such was the message of Ludington painter Mary Case as she gave instructions to participants Thursday evening in the Sable Dunes Chapter of the Audubon Societys See and Sketch Michigan Beautiful nature sketching workshop at Ludington State Park. However the township ultimately chose Steve Bulthuis, former executive director of the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, as its new manager in late February. We all know what kind of worker Jackie is, said Planning Commissioner Kaye Holman. We are thrilled to have John Shay join the Ottawa County Team, stated Al Vanderberg, Ottawa County administrator. In New Buffalo, the city council is aware of the liabilities, but listened to the community when it wanted lifeguards after they were eliminated for one season a couple years ago due to budget concerns, said Richards, the city manager there. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Agendas and Meeting Minutes; Community Voice; Current Projects; A lifeguards duty is not to react to an accident, he said. City of Ludington 400 S Harrison Street Ludington, MI 49431 Phone: 231-845-6237 info@ci.ludington.mi.us; Helpful Links. Its to prevent an accident., Bailey said Silver Beach has not had a drowning for I cant remember how many years.. Kozal began working in Ludington in May 2020, replacing Mark Barnett, who retired after serving the city for 19 years. Among those who provided comments on the survey were 25 percent who expressed concern about lifeguard efficacy, 21 percent who referenced individual responsibility and 16 percent who were concerned about liability concerns. He also said he doubted Steckel told the truth about the hours she worked, and said she should have to submit documentation to account for her extra hours. Jared Litwiller, of Ludington, was sworn into his new role as a part-time employee of the city immediately following city councils regular public meeting at City Hall. Phone messages MLive left with a spokeswoman for the authority seeking comment about lifeguard liability were not returned. The candidates include: James Van Ess, supervisor of Tallmadge Charter Township in Ottawa County, Patrick Reagan, city manager of Crystal Falls, and Mitchell Foster, village administrator of Winneconne, Wisc. LUDINGTON Mitch Foster has been on the job as city manager since March 18. Those are questions city officials are pondering as they evaluate a proposed change to Ludingtons zoning, which would allow more short-term rentals renter stays of less than 28 days to be created downtown. Its time we have some serious, frank, and open discussions with the public on what we need to do. Lake Michigan is as dangerous or more dangerous than the ocean because storms come up so quickly, Torregrossa said. Muskegon was just one of many beach towns that decided to forego lifeguards in the last few decades. The citys contract with R. Bogner has an option to renew again for up to three years. Departments. City of Ludington City Manager Jennifer Cleaver Secretary/Treasurer Community Investment Committee Member The Law Office of J. Cleaver, PLLC Brooke Felger Safety Decals Jason Jeffrey West Shore Educational Service District Superintendent Tim Nieboer Community Investment Committee Member House of Flavors Football fans have likely seen Shay on the field, while officiating games for the Michigan High School Athletic Association and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. That proposal, estimated to cost $70,000, eventually was scrapped for lack of funding and concerns of neighbors. Contact 911 immediately upon discovery of an overflow or backup. He is also glad to be back in west Michigan, and specifically Mason County, where he grew up. High 57F. The candidates include: James Van Ess, supervisor of Tallmadge Charter Township in Ottawa County, Patrick Reagan, city manager of Crystal Falls, and Mitchell Foster, village administrator of Winneconne, Wisc. Title: City Manager Phone: 231-845-6237 Email. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. More than 300 people came to the event, each of them donating canned or other non-perishable food, which was given to the Ludington Area Schools Resource Center. It's not his first time serving in a decision-making role, as he spent 15 years as the Ludington city manager after starting his career as the village manager of Almont in Lapeer County. And then there is Michigans unpredictable weather, which can stir up the lake within moments. The City Manager is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the elected City Council. The issue of municipal lifeguard liability is set to be heard by the Michigan Supreme Court. While Ludington has beach officers who patrol the beach, the lack of available lifeguards and training for them as well as liability concerns expressed by the Michigan Municipal Risk Management. Then he saw people frantically trying to swim out into the lake yelling that a girl was missing in the lake, Brusse said. Liability concerns were the reason lifeguards were removed from state park beaches, which havent had them since 1993, according to Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. New members of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, affiliated with far-right group Ottawa Impact, moved to fire Shay during their first meeting Jan. 3 through a last-minute agenda item. Beachgoers dont realize the power of a 4- or 5-foot wave, meteorologist Mark Torregrossa explained in MLives documentary video The Deadliest Great Lake., Out on the ocean, you might have 6-foot waves, but theyre spread apart, Torregrossa said. City of Ludington 400 S Harrison Street Ludington, MI 49431 Phone: 231-845-6237 info@ci.ludington.mi.us; Helpful Links. A search committee will narrow down the candidates. Foster said there are several items he knows he will be facing in the near future. Look closely. In April, the position was vacated by Keith Van Beek, who. WEST OLIVE Ludington city manager John Shay has been hired by Ottawa County to serve as the lakeshore municipalitys deputy administrator. The candidate names were apparently not released to the councilors during that closed session. He estimates he has saved 200 people during the five years hes worked as a lifeguard. He had served as Ludington city manager for 15 years. All three of the top candidates for the position of Ludington city manager have agreed to be interviewed by the city council on Jan. 24, said Interim City Manager Steve Brock. Even though the lifeguards are trained to an acceptable level, theyre still young and the lake is formidable, Richards said. Shay was selected from a pool of 118 applicants, according to a statement from the county. The county waded through 188 applications before selecting Shay for the position. The Ludington City Council on Monday authorized the city to publish its intent to borrow up to $5 million in additional federal bonds to pay for improvements to the citys sewage disposal system, including the waste water treatment plant on Sixth Street and the main pump station at Rath Avenue. Join Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10 a.m. for a hike on the trail starting near the Vince Smith Bridge. Just like if a house is burning, youd expect firefighters would show up. A lot of times people wont be aware theyre in trouble, Sartini said. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). R. Bogner was the lowest bidding contractor at $33 per stump, and was the recommended choice by the Ludington Department of Public Works, since the city has dealt with the contractor for several years, and the stump grinding was considered satisfactory. WYOMING The city of Wyoming announced Monday, April 17, that John Shay will be its next city manager, WOOD TV-8 reports. The Ludington City Council on Monday will vote on approving submitting an application for a $150,000 grant to help finance the proposed splashpad and fishing pier replacement at Copeyon Park. We have a veteran staff at city hall. Hiring a headhunter if necessary to find lifeguards is critical for beach communities, said Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. The grant would be from the Michigan Natural Resources Recreation Passport program, and it must be submitted by April 1 to meet the deadline for the funds to be awarded in 2020. Sonja Blakney of South Haven agrees. City Staff View a directory of city staff and retrieve contact information. At the north end of the park sits a large stone with a plaque inscribed with the words, These elms were planted by the Auxiliary of Edwin H. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that beginning Monday Ludington State Park will begin the annual process of lowering Hamlin Lake to its winter water level. LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) A coal-powered passenger steamship on Lake Michigan that's the last of its kind in the U.S. will stop using coal to fuel its historic engines once its operators settle on an alternate power source. City Council members have the authority and are responsible for passing municipal ordinances and budgets Qualifications City Council members must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18-years of age. Related: South Haven residents push for lifeguards after rash of Lake Michigan drownings. Majestic lions, horses in mid-gallop, massive elephants with piercing dark eyes. Shay was replaced by former GOP congressional candidate John Gibbs. All rights reserved (About Us). Staff Directory. High lake levels have made walking on such breakwalls and pierheads extremely risky at times, but few have anything other than warning signs to keep people off the structures that are mostly controlled by the Corps of Engineers. Study shapes, shadows, lighting. Name Title Email Phone Additional Phone Foster, Mitch City Manager: 231-845-6237 Steckel, Jackie . It is the editors discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. At Silver Beach in St. Joseph, lifeguards make sure everyone is out of the water on red flag days, said Bailey, the Berrien County parks director. The presentation was in connection with a proposed amendment to the citys recycling contract with Republic, which is expected to be addressed at the next council meeting, Biolette said.
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