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Carp Lake
Board
Meets in Special Session |
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Carp Lake Township - December 3, 2008
The Township Board met in special session this
evening in order to address items requiring
immediate attention.
The installation of Christmas Lighting was put on
hold due to what was believed to be an expired
Certificate of Insurance. Newly elected Township
Supervisor Tim Rivera was ready to offer an
alternate plan to get the lighting job completed.
However, John Ray spoke to Rivera and the board,
assuring them that he had Liability Insurance in
place and would order a a certificate tomorrow as
well as having the township added as an additional
insured. Ray also said that he would sign a Hold
Harmless Clause releasing the Township from all
liability with the project. The board agreed with
Ray's proposal and the lighting project will now go
forward.
Another item on the agenda pertained to a pump that
recently failed at a lift station. It took over a
week to receive a replacement. As a result Tim
Rivera suggested that they seriously consider having
a replacement pump on the shelf ready to go if a
similar situation should arise. The board authorized
Tim to get a the old pump rebuilt if the cost was
$2,000 or less. If the cost were to exceed $2,000
then Tim was authorized to purchase a new pump which
is expected to cost $3,200.
A discussion emanated under the Public Comments of
the Agenda regarding the flooding of the Ice Arena.
Tonight will be the third night of flooding with
many more to go. It was suggested that the Township
approach the Water Authority to see if they could
get a break on the one time water usage. The City of
Ironwood recently enacted an "Event" rate which
provides for one time events such as the Snowmobile
Olympics . It was pointed out that skating at White
Pine is free including skate rentals. Skating is
opened to everyone regardless of residency.
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Trail Tales |
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| IRONWOOD - Dec 4, 2008 Immediately
following the heated snowmobile meeting Monday
night, the Parks and Recreation Committee convened
what could only be described as the antithesis of
the earlier meeting. The meeting was slowed down and
stuck in neutral as the committee members spent at
least thirty minutes staring at a map with what will
hopefully become some of Ironwood's vast trail
system. |
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These same committee members have
been staring at the same map and pointing to the
same trails for months. It's a good thing summer is
10 months away.
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With all the time that has been
spent on this project you would think that the P&R
would be ready to finally present a final plan to
their Siamese cousins on the Planning and Zoning
board. Hmmm.
Jackie Powers a member of the P&Z spoke to the
trailblazers and told them that their presentation
would require more work. She told them where their
plan needed to be improved. Jackie also brought
along booklets regarding trail projects outside of
our area. |
| Trail Size ??
Protection for Kids??
Police Patrols??
Available Emergency Aid???
City Liability ???? |
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| One interesting item discussed at
the meeting was the liability that will be
associated with the new trail system. Committeeman
John Wyssling felt that the city could be assuming
some liability exposure inherent with the trails.
Ken Hazel an outspoken advocate of the trail system
fluffed Wyssling comments off by stating releases
could be signed. Really now? |
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Cost Estimates
$0-$200,000 |
Ken Hazel spent the night telling this reporter how
the system would be built and maintained by
volunteers, and that the system would cost the
taxpayers nothing. If that were the case why was
there a discussion on obtaining grant money. It was
stated that the system could cost up to $200,000.
The city has already looked into one possible grant
source only to find out that the trail plan was
ineligible for the grant.
As to the trails not costing taxpayers anything.
Well that's not true at all. The trail system yet to
approved has already cost the city taxpayers
thousands of dollars in lost tax revenues.
Interesting to note that with all the appearances of
preparation not one person on the committee was able
to tell me how many miles long the trail would be.
Turns out that it will be somewhere around twenty
five miles in length, approximately 60% as long as
the city's road system.
On a lighter note Sam Davey earlier in the evening
told us that the snowmobile usage on city streets
was for the benefit of residents not snowbirds.
Later at the P&R he suggested that the old city land
fill site could be used as a dog park. We have to
wonder how the model airplane club would like that.
No problem, there are 2000 volunteers just waiting
to do their thing.
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Not on Our
Streets! |
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Ironwood - December 2, 2008
A proposal to open most city streets to snowmobiles
drew little support at a public hearing held Monday
Evening at the Memorial Building.
Last night an informational meeting was held at
Ironwood's Memorial for the purpose of legitimizing
snowmobile usage of the city streets. We say
legitimize because we all know that snowmobiles
currently use our streets even though it is illegal
under current ordinances.
Seventeen people showed up for the meeting of which
six were concerned citizens. The remainder of the
audience included five reporters, and a
representative from the Sheriff's Department, which
left a roomful of city employees and committee
people.
Not one citizen spoke up in favor of the proposal
which would allow snowmobiles . The fact that not
one snowmobile advocate was on hand to support the
plan was puzzling. Later in the meeting this
reporter asked why McLeod was not on the list of
prohibited streets? It turns out a "sub-committee"
held a private meeting with snowmobile advocates at
which the details of the clandestine plan were
formulated.
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At last night's meeting the citizens
against snowmobiles weren't secretive about their
feelings. They were very outspoken against the idea
of allowing twelve year olds running around
unsupervised on snowmobiles on neighborhood streets.
Interestingly, the opponents of the plan came from
all points within the city, every neighborhood being
represented. Opponents listed off a litany of
reasons why the scheme should not go forward. Of
course those reasons are obvious to most everyone,
they include, noise and smoke emissions, safety at
intersections due to high banks of snow kids walking
and playing on narrowed winter roadways Steve Frank
brought up the problem of seeing these small but
fast machines when backing out of a driveway. Which
brought up a discussion on liability and insurance
coverages much to the chagrin of the city employees.
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| above - Joe
Potinsky voiced many reasons why the proposed
ordinance change should be dropped. |
On hand at the meeting was a representative from
the Sheriff's Department to answer questions about
the proposal. Right from the outset of the meeting
the attendees told the Sheriff's deputy they weren't
interested in what Bessemer or Wakefield do with
respect to snowmobiles. That they live in Ironwood,
because snowmobiles are prohibited on their streets
and that they retired here for "quiet enjoyment".
The current city administration has inadequately
funded the city's Public Safety Dept. thus
limiting the manpower that would be available to
protect the citizenry from the additional dangers
associated with the proposed ordinance change. |
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Speaking on behalf of the Parks and
Recreational Sub-Committee, a local Motel owner
stated that this ordinance was for the benefit of
the town's citizens not out-of-towners.
The proposed scheme will now go to the Planning and
Zoning which meets Wednesday at 5:30pm in the
Memorial Building. Also on the docket will be a
proposal to allow a fourth auto-parts store from
California to build on the old Hardee's site. This
meeting will certainly challenge the integrity of
the P and Z committee. |
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A
Thanksgiving Safety Message
from Chief Ken Jacobson, IVFD |
Cooking
Thanksgiving Day fires in residential structures
cause more property damage and claim more lives
than residential structure fires on other days.
The increase is troubling as it applies mostly
to cooking fires in family homes. In 2005,
cooking fires were involved in roughly 1,300
reported home structure fires on Thanksgiving –
that’s almost three times the daily average.
It is easy to get wrapped up in entertaining
guests, but it is important to monitor meal
preparations since most cooking fires start when
cooking is left unattended.
Another of the recent culprits for the increase
of cooking fires during holidays is the turkey
fryer. Turkey fryers use a substantial quantity
of cooking oil at high temperatures, and many
units currently available for use pose a
significant tipping danger. The use of turkey
fryers by consumers can lead to devastating
burns, other injuries and the destruction of
property. |
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The following safe cooking tips
can help to make your holiday dinner safe and
enjoyable:
Always use cooking equipment tested and approved
by a recognized testing facility.
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying,
grilling or broiling food. If you leave the
kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the
stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders,
towels or curtains - away from your stovetop.
Have a "kid-free zone" of at least 3 feet around
the stove and areas where hot food or drink is
prepared or carried.
Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled
sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle
onto stove burners and catch fire.
Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a
scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is
heated.
Always keep an oven mitt and lid nearby when
you're cooking. If a small grease fire starts in
a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the
flames by carefully sliding the lid over the
pan. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid
until it is completely cool.
If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and
keep the door closed to prevent flames from
burning you and your clothing. Have the oven
serviced before you use it again.
Source: NFPA
Turkey Fryer Safety
Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can
save your life!
For safety's sake, buy a fried turkey from a
grocery store, specialty food store, or
restaurant instead of frying it yourself. If you
decide to fry a turkey, follow these tips to
prevent fires and injuries:
Place the turkey fryer on a level surface, in an
open area away from homes, fences, sheds, and
other structures.
Never place the fryer on a wooden deck or porch
or in a garage or carport.
Leave at least 2 feet between the fryer and the
propane tank.
Keep the fryer in full view at all times.
Keep children and pets away from the fryer.
Check the oil temperature often. If you see
smoke coming from the oil, turn off the gas
right away.
Completely thaw and dry the turkey before
frying. Adding a partially frozen or wet turkey
to the pot makes the oil splatter a lot, causing
a fire or explosion hazard.
Cover bare skin before adding or removing food
from the fryer.
Raise and lower food slowly to avoid splattering
or spilling oil.
Use the right amount of oil. To find out how
much oil to use, read the fryer's instructions,
or:
Place the turkey in the pot.
Fill with water until the turkey is covered by ½
inch of water.
Remove the turkey and pat dry.
Mark the water level in the pot.
Dump the water, dry the pot, and fill oil to the
level marked.
If the fryer catches fire, call 911 right away.
Do not try to put it out with water.
Turkey Fryer Fire Facts
Cooking fires peak on Thanksgiving Day.
Between 1998 and 2005, the Consumer Product
Safety Commission had 112 reports of fires or
burns related to turkey fryers.
Most fires from turkey fryers occur while the
oil is being heated, before the turkey is added.
Contact with hot oil can cause serious burns.
One final note, don't be afraid to call 911! If
you're not sure, be safe and call. I can speak
for all firefighters when I say we'd much rather
be called and not needed than needed and not
called or called too late.Here's hoping we
have a safe holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Ken Jacobson, Chief
Ironwood Vol. Fire Dept.
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Grade "B"
Spaghetti Western |
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Plays
at Township Hall |
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| Ironwood Township - November 25, 2008
Yesterday's meeting of the Ironwood Charter
Township resembled a grade "B" Spaghetti Western.
Sore losers from last summer's election came to
town dressed as a lynch mob. Luckily for the newly
installed board of trustees the mob came with
empty guns and empty minds. We've all seen those
westerns where someone in the crowd is blaming
someone for a crime and stands behind the crowd
yelling lynch them, lynch them. Well that was the
role played by Peggy Krohn who usually plays the
role of one of the Unfriendly Friend$ of the
Library. Peggy as you know,has been writing some
absurd letters to the Daily Glob recently. She showed up
with a mob Monday hoping to cast a cloud on the
current Budget Process. She brought along Jim
Simmons another sore loser from this summer's
election.
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Before I go any further let me assure you
that I'm totally aware of the fact that it was
Dean Krohn who ran for office and was handily
beaten, not Peggy or was it? Last night's
performance gave reason to believe that Peggy
would have been behind the scenes pulling the
strings while hubby danced the tune. Talk about
a Honey Do List! While Peggy was behind the
scenes last night passing notes around like an
unruly school child, Simmons was on stage doing
the dancing.
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Simmons took the floor and asked frivolous
rhetorical questions designed to do nothing more
than embarrass and annoy those who beat his
butt last August.
Simmons tiresome oratory continued past his
three minute limit until this writer called time
out.
He was quite annoyed that I mentioned the three
minute limit and I was quite annoyed that he
was:
1) consuming all the oxygen in the room and
2) his rhetorical questions, hype and innuendo
were insulting my brain's gray cells.
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With that most of the nonsense from the
Library gang ceased until later when the budget
workshop resumed.
These negative people are part of the library
gang who tried to take over the township board
just as their Siamese cousins in the city did
last fall. The Siamese twins aren't joined at
the hip, their joined at the brain. Ever since
the Unfriendly Friend$ of the Library took over
the city government the unfriendly'$ irrational
and untrained behavior has caused the city's
fortunes to go deep south. Having lost their
battle to extort more library funds from the
township board they immediately sought out other
Imo Limos to take over the township board.
Obviously Dean Krohn, Ken Simmons and one other
candidate were to be their new stooges.
They if elected would in turn reopen the library
negotiations and pay unjustly higher fees to an
over-indulgent library board. Fortunately the
voters of the Township saw through the charade
and turned back the would be treasury raiders.
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Unfortunately, some otherwise innocent
township residents were duped into thinking that
Krohn's letter to the editor was truly about
salaries, when in fact it was part of a grand
plan for the library gang to separate the
township taxpayers from their money.
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| Former county treasurer Sharon Hallberg of
Ironwood Township attended the regular meeting
and budget workshop. Hallberg stated that she
was concerned because of the state of the
economy. Krohn made a weak defense of her
dubious letter to the editor. Do you suppose
these concerned naysayers would feel the same
way if the extra money was going to the library
instead of the people who help make the township
run so well? These concerned citizens should
live in the city where their taxes would be
twice what they are in the township.
We bet these guys even go to church on Sunday!
End Part 1
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North
American Finnish Literature
at Finlandia U. |
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| Hnacock - November 20, 2008
This evening Dr.
Beth Virtanen, Ph.D. (pictured above) delivered a lecture pertaining
to generational attitudes expressed in Finnish
North American Literature. Dr.Virtanen's lecture
included a look into the generational
differences in North American Finlanders and the
continuance of those differences into the
literature of those generational authors. Dr.
Virtanen is currently writing an anthology on
North American Finnish Literature and last
night's lecture was a preview of that anthology.
This was an exceptional lecture in that someone
such as my self, an Italian-American, could
enjoy and learn from. I found it very
interesting in that what Dr. Virtanen describes
as social changes in first second and third
generation Finns also applied to immigrant
Italians and their offspring. I am sure it would
also hold true for other nationalities as well.
We have reproduced the entire power point
presentation along with an audio of the entire 1
hour lecture. The file is quite large and may
take some time to download however, it will be
well worthwhile to listen to the lecture. |
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above
Journal of Finnish Studies which contain
Virtanen writings
below are published books written by Dr.
Virtanen |
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| You may enjoy this lecture in its entirety
as IronwoodInfo has recorded the entire lecture.
Click to read more |
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An Evening
of Music and Comedy |
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HANCOCK - An Evening of
Finnish Comedy and Music will took place Friday, November 21st at the Finlandia University Finnish
American Heritage Center, Hancock.
Event proceeds will go to help Finlandia nursing and
human services students travel to Helsinki this
spring to learn about health care and social
services in Finland.
The benefit event featured the Finnish-American
comedy trio, Nyt Naura (Now Laugh).
The Suomalainen Sisters: Upper Peninsula natives
Linda Kyro, and Kris Kyro. The third
member of the group Sherry Saarinen, was ill and
was unable to perform. Sherry was replaced
by Kris's husband, Glen Johnson. The group
comes from Chassel.
The hilarious comedy, Finnish music, and poetry
of Nyt Naura has been featured at many Finnish
and Scandinavian festivals, including
performances at several annual FinnFest events.
Thes group share the funny side of
growing up Finnish in the Upper Peninsula, while
acknowledging that sorrow can sometimes be found
nipping at the heels of happiness.
Local musician Melvin Kangas performed two
wonderful musical numbers at the event playing
the kantele.Kangas
was followed by
music from Oren Tikkanen, Pasi Lautala, David Bezotte,
Matthew Durocher and Coleman Segal.
Read More and enjoy video and audio of this
performance
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SoHo
Artist Exhibit
Opens in Hancock |
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HANCOCK - November 20th, 2008
The opening of SoHo Fiber
Artist Desiree Koslin took place tonight at the
Finlandia University Gallery, located at the
Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.
The exhibit which is
entitled "InSight: Views of the Finnish
Landscape" will be open from Novemebr 20th
through January 6th, 2009. |
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The exhibit opened this
evening with a reception for the artist which
was followed by a talk and a question and answer
session with the audience. There was a large
audience presence this evening and many
photographers on hand for this opening.
Koslin spoke highly of the Finlandia students
that she worked with Wednesday and Thursday.
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Koslin recently exhibited her work in several solo
exhibits in New York City at the SOHO20 Chelsea
Gallery and participated in the Annual Open Studios
for SoHo Artist Studios in New York.
Read
More and view the Artist's Exhibit |
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Smurfit-Stone to Lay Off
150 Employees |
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ONTONAGON -- The Smurfit-Stone mill in
Ontonagon is shutting down operations for 38
days beginning next Monday.
About 150 employees will be out of work from
November 24 through the end of the year.
A company spokesman confirmed that the weakening
market conditions are the reason behind the
production shutdown. There's no word yet on how
the cutback will impact those supplying logs to
the mill.
A small group of employees will continue to work
in other areas of the mill operation.
The Smurfit-Stone plant is a container board
mill, making paper that makes corrugated
packaging material. |
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Library
Seeking Funds |
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Ironwood - November 19, 2008
The Carnegie library board met in regular
session yesterday. The board spent most of the
day reviewing proposed changes to the library
by-laws and policy manual. These were first
readings and no action by the board was
necessary other than expressing their opinions
on the changes. Noren spoke to the proposed
changes which spoke to the Open Meetings Act.
As, would be expected the Mayor misinformed the
board to aspects of the law. The Michigan
Attorney General's website speaks directly to
the OMA as it relates to state libraries.
Mrs. Erickson announced that next week on
November 25th, there will be a small celebration
commemorating the 173rd birthday of Andrew
Carnegie. She also told the board that she would
be the Grand Marshal of this year's Jack Frost
Parade.
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| Carnegie
Librarian, Elaine Ercikson will be the Grand
Marshall of this year's Jack Frost Parade |
The financial report was the
center of much discussion. First, an expense
charge against the capitol improvement fund was
questioned as no one one the board knew what
this charge was about. Mrs. Erickson will check
with the city treasurer for further details. It
is not unusual for the library to be running
deficits at this point in the fiscal year. Much
of the library's income comes at the end of the
fiscal year when the penal fines are received
from the state.
The board also discussed what was considered an
overdue payment from the Ironwood Township. Mrs
Erickson told the board that she had sent a
letter to the township requesting the fees. A
follow up letter or invoice was to be sent by
the librarian.
Ironwoodinfo contacted the Township Treasurer,
Jyl Olson. Jyl advised that the 2008 payment had
already been made. The Township's fiscal year
begins December 1st. whereas, the city's fiscal
year begins July 1st. The payment that the cash
strapped library is looking for will be payable
sometime before July 1st, 2009. Last spring when
the library was in negotiations with the
township Noren misinformed the library board
as to the size of township's general fund.
Perhaps he was unaware of the fiscal year dates
associated with the township budget.
You may recall that when his attempt to sway
board opinion with the incorrect information he
then threaten the board three or more times
regarding the funding of the Library.
Everyone including the city council ignored the
mayor's rhetoric.
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You're Invited to a Party! |
The Ironwood Carnegie
Library is holding a party today at 4:00pm .
Everyone is invited! |
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Andrew Carnegie was born in
Dunfermline, Scotland, on November 25, 1835. The
son of a weaver, he came with his family to the
United States in 1848 and settled in Allegheny,
Pennsylvania. At age thirteen, Carnegie went to
work as a bobbin boy in a cotton mill. He then
moved rapidly through a succession of jobs with
Western Union and the Pennsylvania Railroad. In
1865, he resigned to establish his own business
enterprises and eventually organized the
Carnegie Steel Company, which launched the steel
industry in Pittsburgh. At age sixty-five, he
sold the company to J. P. Morgan for $480
million and devoted the rest of his life to his
philanthropic activities and writing, including
his autobiography.
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But Andrew Carnegie saw wealth as a “sacred
trust” whereby millionaires should give away
their fortunes to advance society. He first
published this view in is 1889 article “Wealth,”
which soon became the “Gospel of Wealth.” Those
who died rich, he wrote, died disgraced.
Carnegie accelerated his philanthropic
activities during the 1890s, but devoted his
full attention to dispersing his fortune after
leaving the steel business.
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Here in the United States,
Carnegie is most associated with libraries.
Carnegie saw free public libraries as the
foundation to progress in the republic, calling
them “temples of democracy.” His funding built
some 1,700 libraries in some 1,400 communities
in the United States alone, and another 1,200
all through the English-speaking world.
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The Carnegie Foundation endowed the
Ironwood Carnegie Library with $17,000, April
21, 1900. Today, that same $17,000 adjusted for
inflation would be worth $372,000
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From 1900 through 1918 the
Carnegie Foundation issued 53 grants in Michigan
totaling $1,655,950. Today 25 of those libraries
are still in use as libraries, 21 are being used
for other purposes and 7 of the Carnegie
libraries have been demolished.
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IronwoodInfo.com is a Michigan,
Non-Profit Media Corporation |
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Contact IronwoodInfo.com |
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email:
mail@ironwoodinfo.com
snail mail: P.O. Box 305 Ironwood, MI 49938
Telephone
Ironwood: 906-932-1402
Ontonagon: 906-885-5683
Fax
906-884-2544 |
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