City of Ironwood's Daily News Source

"In a Nutshell - Good Job!"

Wakefield – September 21, 2009 The Wakefield Marenisco School Board received some good news last evening. Carl Ahonen, an associate at Joki, Makela and Pollack P.L.L.C. gave a summary report as to the findings of the 2008-2009 audit. The General Fund surplus increased nearly 10 % over the previous school year. The ending year balance was approximately $691,000 up from $623,000 the previous year. Mr. Ahohen told the board that there were no detrimental findings in the audit whatsoever and the findings were good across all school fund balances. Ahonen said “In a Nutshell, Good Job!”
	Photo left: Carl Ahonen, an associate at Joki, Makela and Pollack P.L.L.C.
The board was also advised that the district will be required to have an additional audit completed for the federal government. This new audit is now required as the W/M School District received more than $500,000 in federal funding last year. Superintendent Cathy Shamion advised the board of an emergency preparedness and safety assessment performed by Jim Loeper and a representative of the State Police. The inspection seeks out ways in which to make the school building more safe and the school administration more prepared for and emergency situation. The full report is being prepared and is expected to be ready for the next board meeting. One high note was that the new kitchen facility was found to be a very safe environment. Cathy also told the board about on going preparedness for the flu season. She has been in touch with representatives of the Western U.P. Health District and as a result of those contacts, she has prepared a letter to be given to the parents of the school district. Matt Spets, School Principal advised the board that everything is going quite well and that there hasn’t been any negative feedback on recent policy changes effecting cell phones nor the change in the closed campus. Teachers have volunteered to watch over the cafeteria during the lunch periods. One teacher is donating a ping pong table to be used during lunch. They are looking into other things to keep the kids occupied during lunch. There are two assemblies scheduled in the near future. One will be Friday, September 25, 2009 at 2:30 PM. When two members of the Harlem Wizards will visit the school. The Wizards visit was arranged with the Ewen-Trout Creek School District, which will have another Wizard-ETC basketball game on the 25th. Matt Spets has also arranged for a visit by Rich Weiber, bicycle stunt show, which will occur during an assembly October 15th. In the only personnel matter the board unanimously voted to hire Mrs. Jean White to fill the vacant Junior Class Advisor Position. The board voted to accept the bid by Wayne Nasi for the re-roofing of the Gymnasium roof and the roof on the third floor. The bid was in the amount of $62,200. The work is scheduled to begin October 1st. In October the school board meeting is moving to the Marenisco Town Hall. The meeting will be Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:00PM. The board also voted to move the April meeting to Marenisco. That meeting will also be on a Wednesday, April 21, 2010.

Local Finlanders Attend
2009 "Finn Fun Day "

Ishpeming - 2009

The shown brightly Saturday as Finlanders from the local area traveled to Ishpeming Saturday to attend what is called the first "Finn Fun Day" . . Whether it will or not become annual event didn't detract from the fact that this was a truly a "fun day".

The event was sponsored by The League of Finnish-American Societies U.P. Chapter and Finlandia Foundation affiliate. The entire event was free to the public.

Several workshops were given during the day

MPSC Schedules Consumer Forum in Marquette

For Release: 09/18/2009

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) will host a consumer forum in Marquette in September, one of a series of seven forums to be held around the state. The forums are designed to give consumers the latest information on electric and natural gas rates for the winter and the status of local and long distance telephone service.

"As winter approaches, we want to help Michigan utility customers prepare for the higher heating bills that come with Michigan's cold weather. Customers need to be aware of conservation actions they can take and assistance programs that are available to them," said Commission Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu. "We welcome the opportunity to meet customers face to face to share information and listen to their comments and concerns on any utility matters of interest to them."

One of the MPSC's three members - Chairman Isiogu, Commissioner Monica Martinez, or Commissioner Steven A. Transeth - will be at each forum to discuss these issues, explain how the Commission makes decisions, and listen to questions and comments regarding utility service.

The Marquette forum will be held at City Hall in the Commission Chambers, 300 West Baraga Avenue, on Thursday, September 24, starting at 6:00 PM.

City Water Woes Continue

Ramsey - September 18, 2009

The Gogebic Range Water Authority met last evening to discuss the recent developments surrounding the aged city pipe that lays in the pathway of the new Township Water System.

Contractor Tom Schneller has voiced concerns over the condition of the ancient city water lines. He feels that they pose a potential safety issue for his workers and sub-contractors.

Tom stated that it would cost slightly more than $300,000 to replace the city relic, if it were replaced now when the brand new township lines were being installed. If the city has to replace them in the future it will cost over $1,000,000.

The Gogebic Range Water Authority currently holds the franchise right to the water system. The City of Ironwood would now have to obtain the Gogebic Range Water Authority's permission to install new lines within the Township.

Last night the GRWA voted to install two water lines in lieu of one. The second line could be leased to the city in the future, as the need arises. The GRWA has enough revenues available to make the addition.

The unreliability of the city lines was proven over and over again last winter, with one pipe failure after another.

Several years ago, the city has been ordered by the State of Michigan to install a backup line from the well field to the city system. In an attempt to avoid the expense of the new backup lines the city ordered the Township off the city water system.

Which brings to where we are today. The township will have its own water system, which means a loss of annual revenues in excess of $160,000 Hurley also will have its own water system shortly. That will result in an additional loss of annual revenues of over a quarter of a million dollars. A total revenue loss that amounts to over $400,000 annually. A revenue loss that must be made up by the current water users in the city, who will still be left holding the bag for the cost of upkeep of the city’s aged water system.