Dear Editor,

I am amused to see the Legal Notice that Sand Lake Village Clerk, Judy Howard, put in the Cedar Springs Post. She explains the Moratorium on all aspects of Medical Marijuana in the Village.
When people complain regarding visible marijuana use in the downtown City Park Clerk Howard tells them that the marijuana use is hard to discipline and so the City officials and Village Police do not take notice.
In good weather the doors to the Fire Station are open and in front of it a group of Police and Fire & Rescue personnel have chairs and some stand around for most of each day, unless they receive the infrequent call. One only has to visit the ice cream store to see the group of people in the park gazebo and the police and fire & rescue facing them.
My amusement comes from knowing people who have complained, what Clerk Howard has told them, and the fact that the Village has such high hopes when their Police are incapable of doing anything about the really illegal marijuana. Theft of materials while the library was being built was clearly not dealt with either. Also evident in Clerk Howard’s Legal Notice is that she cannot spell the word marijuana.

Sand Lake Resident
Beth Williams

Dear Editor,
A special man that lived his life in Cedar Springs has passed on. Mike Holton has left this town a better place. Mike and Alice have been so gracious in their gifts to this town. The new track at Skinner Field, the crosswalk from school to Morley Park, new computers for our scholars, paving the roads in Elmwood cemetery and many other kindnesses that they have given us. Mike was proud of his children that they raised and so are we.  Mike Holten was a hard working self made success that young people can learn from. I was and am proud to know him.

Steve Horowitz,
Cedar Springs

I am very sorry to learn of Niel’s passing. Here is my personal tribute to a very good man.
When I came to Cedar Springs City Hall in 1991, Niels was the first person to stop by my office and welcome me to the city. During my 5 year stint in Cedar, Niels was a true mentor and what I appreciated the most was his calming demeanor. We lost a legend. God bless Niels’ family.

Frank Walsh, City Manager
St. Joseph, MI
Cedar Springs City Manager 1992-96

I remember when I first met Niels & Edna, in July 1974. I was fresh out of graduate school and came to Cedar Springs to start the Adult, Community Education and Recreation Program. One of the first challenges I encountered was letting the community know about all the new opportunities available through its school system. I visited The Clipper offices on Main Street to find out what it would cost to have them print our newsletter.  And, as they say, the rest is history.
Niels gave me a price for printing our newsletter. Remember, this was my first encounter with “real world” business prices…I had sticker shock! And then Niels made me a remarkable offer for a small town businessman—he said he’d help save our district money by having me assist with the layout of the newsletter! I had never done anything like this before, but was willing to give it a try. He showed me how to use the typesetter. It printed long strips of words that were then pasted on to big layout sheets. Nothing like computer-generated newspapers of today. I was amazed at the huge machines and detailed work that was hidden behind the front office wall of this wonderful little newspaper! We published many newsletters in this manner until the new school program was well-established and financially secure. I then bowed out and left the printing work to the true experts.
This was the first of many, many generous gestures I witnessed Niels extend to our schools and community. He was a selfless and dedicated community servant. He set the example of a true believer in all that was good and hopeful. His legacy continues…

Lovingly & Respectfully Submitted,
Claudia Mabie, Solon Township

It is sad to know that we recently lost one of our special citizens, Niels Andersen. Niels was such a soft spoken man. You could tell he was so intelligent when you spoke with him. It was as if you were talking to “Mister Rogers” from the TV PBS show “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.” Cedar Springs was Mister Andersen’s neighborhood. Cedar Springs isn’t Mayberry but Niels and Edna still chose it as a pleasant place to bring and raise their children. Niels and Edna kept the local history updated by running two of the local newspapers which have been so vital to document the lives and activities of Cedar Springs. Niels and Edna were so active in the Cedar Springs Historical Society adn saw their dream of a museum become a nice addition to our town.

Niels and Edna’s house was one of the first experimental homes using solar energy. They would open their doors and let school children tour their house and therefore inspiring another generation of creative people.

Niels is gone but not forgotten.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor and Mister Andersen was one.

Steve Horowitz,

Cedar Springs resident

Impressive Pageant

I just wanted to than the Red Flannel Pageant Board, judges, participants, organizers,m and everyone else who worked together to make this event so extraordinary. I was against my daughter participating as I believed the pageant was for families that are well known in the community, or connected to the festival in some other way. Being a working mom that has difficulty being invilved, I did not hink my daughter would have a chance, and I did not want her judged unfairly.

The reality was that all the judges were intentionally neutral, and the planning committee went to great lengths to help everyone to have an even start. The girls were coached and prepared for the pageant. They presented themsleves poised and graceful. While I watched the eveing unfold, I thought: “There is no way the judges could make a decision on these young ladies. They better have ten crowns back there for these beautiful girls.”

Nonetheless, they did make a decision and the three winners were prepped for their big week. As a mother of one of these ladies, I was oriented to what was going to happen in the next year. Again, I was pleasantly surprised at how professinal the pageant was. I feel a great deal of Red Flannel pride, because the Red Flannel festival board has hosted and supported this event.

I gess I am writing this letter also to the parents of girls who may have the dream to be Red flannel Queen in the future. I encourage any parent to allow their daughter to get involved. the whole process was uplifting and self estemm building. There was camaraderie between the girls and whatever the outcome, I think this pageant is a wonderful opportunity for young ladies.

Even though I tried to talk my daughter out of participating. I am pleased that she has more sense than I do on this matter. Thank you again, Red Flannel Board. You continue to do a wonderful job on this festival, the pageant, and all that you do to support this town.

Sincerely,
Sally L. Nulph,
Nelson Township

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday, September 1, a friend and myself were out for our evening walk when we stopped to admire the Veterans Park Memorial. We were very saddened to see that Mr. Timothy Brown’s dog tags were missing from the monument, which was just dedicated on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

I attended the dedication on Saturday and was personally very touched, as I’m sure many who attended were. I walked away that day very thankful for all veterans who have served in order for us to live as we do today.

It disturbs me greatly that an individual took it upon themselves to remove the dog tags of a fallen veteran. This action shows a level of disrespect that is beyond my understanding. Those dog tags are a symbol of a very brave young man who gave his life for every citizen of the United States.

I personally would like to request to the individual who removed the dog tags to honor Mr. Timothy Brown, his family, and all fallen veterans and replace what you have so disrespectfully removed.
Christine Fahl, Cedar Springs

Michigan forgot pro-life roots in election

I was disheartened over the recent pri­mary election results. We, the people of Michigan, finally received an opportunity to vote for a pro-life governor. There were three candidates running in the Repub­lican primary who had a strong pro-life stand: Pete Hoekstra, Mike Cox and Mike Bouchard. But what did we do? We chose the only Republican candidate who does not believe in the importance of the pro-life issue.

We have strayed from our long-time, firmly held belief that “all men … are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights … Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Instead, we have made the economy our most important issue, to the neglect of being a voice for the precious, defenseless infant in the womb who deserves these same rights.

May God forgive us and help us to remember that what is of utmost impor­tance to Him must also be of utmost importance to us.
Marsha Underwood
Cedar Springs native, now of Zeeland

Thank you

To the Editor,

The residents and staff at Metron of Cedar Springs would like to thank the community and all the businesses for contributions and/or sponsorships given to benefit our Annual Family Fun Day held on Saturday, August 7, 2010.

I would also like to thank all the staff and families of Metron of Cedar Springs who made this a fun time for all.

Sincerely,
Billie Vanderlaan
Community Relations Coordinator

I encourage your vote for Peter MacGregor, Republican, for the 73rd House District in the Primary Election.  Knowing Peter for many years, I am absolutely convinced that he will make an excellent legislator.

As a former small business owner, Peter has knowledge of the issues facing businesses in Michigan. He will work to develop legislation that will foster the growth of businesses in this state.

Peter shows community involvement by being an active member in organizations such as the Lion’s Club, heading up local fundraising events such as Volley for Mitchell, and coaching Little League sports. He has direct knowledge of the issues facing education since his wife works for the Rockford system and his children attend there.

MacGregor currently holds the office of Cannon Township Supervisor. Under his leadership, we have adopted a balanced budget and worked to cut expenses while continuing to provide services to the community. I believe that his experience at the local level will enable him to bring these skills to the state legislature.

Your vote in the Primary Election on August 3rd will have a tremendous impact on the future of the state and Peter MacGregor is the obvious choice!

The Villagers of Sand Lake are in a situation that could have been avoided had petitioners brought their concerns to the Village Council first. Because the petitioners failed to do this, we have to decide to remain incorporated or to disincorporate, without having a chance to find out what it will truly mean to us.

Many people who signed the petition were deceived and wanted to have their signatures taken off the petition. Some people who signed have grievances over their assessments, taxes, sewer, water, police, ordinances, or don’t want to be told what to do by anyone.

If we disincorporate, the Nelson Township Board will represent us, and they won’t advocate for us. I’ve heard they don’t want to take us on. We need to preserve our local government, our “voice”, and community. Information about what will happen is speculative, confusing, misleading, and has been “spun” to support petitioners’ personal agendas.

I want true and accurate information. Some things we don’t and won’t know unless we enter into disincorporation, including how long it will take – maybe two years? It will mean that many valued services to Villagers will be changed to reflect Nelson Township’s plan for us. Nelson Township will become our governing body, and the taxes we pay will be spent according to the priorities set by the township – not our Village.

If we’re disincorporated, there will no longer be a council or committees to plan specifically for Sand Lake Village’s future. Legal fees for the disincorporation will have to be paid  for directly to the township. The road debt of 3.95 mills will have to be paid through a special assessment or debt retirement millage, if the township decides to pay it off sooner. The same applies to our water well debt.

Operation of our sewer and water system will be more expensive. Response time to sewer/water emergencies and storm damage clean up will be slower. Availability and access to police, fire, and rescue services will change. Kent County Sheriff’s Deputies will provide all police coverage with no time to patrol regularly, watch speeding, or handle other problems and crimes that occur here. There’s no plan as to how fire and rescue coverage would work or whether our fire station will even be occupied and operating.

Our Village Cemetery, Salisbury Park, the White Pine Trail Park, summer mowing, brush and leaf pick up, plowing and snow removal, and any other services our current DPW provides will be discontinued, scaled back, contracted out, or we’ll have to pay for these services ourselves instead.

I think that our Incorporated Village of Sand Lake gives us all a greater “voice” in getting our local needs, wants, and concerns met. Petitioners never gave the Villagers the opportunity to find out what disincorporation will truly mean to us all in the future. Once we disincorporate, it will be virtually impossible to go back.