|
|
|
G.C.C. Seeks Voter
Support |
|
 |
| Ironwood - September 30, 2009 The
Gogebic Community College Board of
Trustees met Tuesday afternoon for it
regular monthly meeting. Many items of
discussion were slowed down or stalled
due to the failure of the Michigan
Legislature to enact a 2009-2010
Education Budget. The same ineptness of
the legislature that has placed our
local K-12 schools in financial peril is
having a chilling effect on our
Community Colleges as well. G.C.C. is
having to postpone important decisions
waiting to hear what there operating
revenues will be for the year.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the
case may be, our area has experience in
dealing with adversity. The
administrators of G.C.C. have been
installing cost saving measures for
years. In fact, just this year the
college has instituted a critical and
intensive energy savings analysis and
has begun implementing cost cutting
conservation measures. The institution
has been providing our students with a
high quality, no frills, and affordable
college education for a long time. |
|
 |
| Diane Oliver (above right) and
Nicole Rowe (above left) was present at the
meeting to present the Snowflake
Aquatics Annual Report. The program has
been very successful in raising
additional revenues for the operation of
the swimming pool located at the
Lindquist Center.
Last year the group raised twenty
thousand dollars for operating the pool
The group not only collects fees for the
pool’s operation, but also holds
fundraising events such as the recent
Tri-Athalon.
Ironwoodinfo
covered the event which was a
fun filled day that not only raised
needed funds, but was good for the body
and mind as well.
The Snowflakes are planning another
event this winter which will feature a
challenging cross country ski segment.
The Snowflakes are holding a fundraiser
diner at Manny’s on October 10th.
From 4:30pm to 8:30pm. A great way to
get good meal and support a worthy cause
at the same time.
The report also included a wish list
of items needing repair or updating,
including lane markers and painting the
pool. The board expressed their great
appriciation to the group and voted to
share the cost of the pool lane markers,
and will make other fixes as funds
become available. It was believed that
the least disruptive and best time to
paint the pool would be in the summer.
In the meantime a plan will be drawn up
for the project. |
 |
| During the meeting the board
discussed the current opening for
director of the Lindquist Center. Bob
Jacquart, Board Chairman, suggested that
college possibly look for someone that
could turn the center into a profitable
venture. While everyone one had ideas
relative to the position, it was
apparent that everyone was thinking
along the same terms. While there is
revenue potential at the facility, the
institution does not want to adversely
affect local businesses.
While the news or lack there of from
Lansing is not encouraging, other fiscal
matters are not doing too badly. Since
the administrative change in D.C., the
college has seen a significant increase
in PELL GRANTS. Which makes a college
education more affordable. Last year the
college received 1.1 million dollars in
grant funds. This semester alone, the
college has received 1.4 million dollars
in Pell Grants. A No Child Left Behind
program that can actually works! |
|
 |
| At last night’s meeting the Board
passed a resolution for the 2009 millage
request to be submitted to the Gogebic
County Equalization Department. For
2009, the total millage rate of 2.7131
mills will be levied upon property
located within the College district,
which is exactly the same as 2008’s
rate. College President, Jim
Lorenson provided the board with a
preview of a presentation that will seek
voter approval of a Millage Renewal
that will be on the November ballot.
We are not presenting the presentation
at this time as we will be reporting on
this measure in great detail. For the
moment we want to let our readers know
that the Millage is not a new or
additional millage, but a renewal of an
existing one. The funding is important
not only to Ironwood residents but to
those residing in the entire region. It
is not only important that the millage
be renewed, it is vital. It deserves our
over-whelming support.
In addition to the Ironwood campus,
the college also operated a satellite
location in the Huron Centre in
Houghton, MI which is coupled with the
Michigan Works office. The current space
serves a large number of Allied Health
programs and is running out of space.
The adjoining area has become available
for rent and is large enough for two
multi-purpose classrooms. The Board of
Trustees approved a three-year lease
with Moyle Retail Centers LLC for
monthly rental as well as remodeling
costs for the classroom area.
James Klingforth, Ironwood, was hired
for a part-time instructional position
in the Business Division. He has over 25
years experience in the graphic
communications industry, as well as
management and supervisory experience. A
previous adjunct faculty member for GCC,
he has also taught for the
Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School
District. Klingforth’s current course
load is within the Graphic
Communications and Video Game Design
curriculums. |
| |
|
Bessemer
Expecting
Enrollment Increase |
|
 |
| Bessemer - October 28, 2009 The
Bessemer School Board Chairman, Tim France, congratulated the
administration, teachers and other staff members for the great job
that they are doing. Tim’s remarks followed an evening of good news
regarding the success of the district to grow and provide programs
during what otherwise considered tough times.
Last nigh the board discussed the recent television coverage of
the district by Channel Six, WLUCTV Marquette. The station became
aware of the Bessemer’s recent successes and decided to a feature
story about the district.
The official enrollment figures will not be know until "count
day", which is this Wednesday. It is believed the the school
district will once again shown an enrollment increase.
One of the bright spots in the District is the success of the
Kindergarten program. Bessemer has all day Kindergarten. This year
the district decided to offer two kindergarten classes in lieu of
one as it has done in the past. As a result, the district picked up
10 additional students.
The Bessemer District has gained the high ground woth respect to
the schools of choice program. More students are entering the
district than there are students leaving the district.
School Administrator Mark Johnson told the board that the new
students entering the B.A.S. are different from those in the past.
In the past such students sometimes came due to problems at their
prior district. Today Bessemer is attracting students with higher
academic achievement.
The district has been have greater success in providing more
classes for students who are otherwise considered home schooled. |
| |
|
 |
| Bessemer - September 30, 2009
While Bessemer School Board was
discussing future funding of sports
within the district, the Bessemer
Speedgirls were engaging Ironwood and
Wakefield-Marenisco in a Triangular
Volleyball Meet. |
| |
|
Water
Stops Flowing at Mobile Home Park |
|
 |
| September 29,
2009 The Township Board of Trustees
declined to consider restoring water
service to the Lake Road Mobile Home
Park. The board considered a request by
a few residents to provide the service
until they leave the park, which is
presumably at the end of October. The
board while being sympathetic to the
park residents could go along with the
request due to the uncertainty of future
water leaks. The outstanding water bill
of approximately $12,000 is due to a
history of pipe leaks.
The township turned off the water
service at 10:00 am Monday morning.
Pictured above are Township employees
Mike Bastman and Nick Basso turning off
the the water at the Lake Road Mobile
Home Park. |
|
 |
| Marvin Winberg
from Wilcox Engineering appeared before
the board last night to give an update
on the Lake Road Wastewater Project.
There were concerns that the project was
falling behind schedule. According to
Winberg, most of the time so far has
been used in obtaining easements for the
USDA which is funding the project. He
stated however, that the project will
move along more rapidly from this time
forward. The bids for the project will
likely go out in November and will be
contracts let out in January or
February. The Jessieville Water
project in the city is already a year
behind schedule appearently for the same
reasons.
The board passed a wastewater project
budget. The board also passed a rate
resolution. Both of the aforementioned
were required by the USDA..
Both the Township Board and the City
Council passed Inter-Local Wastewater
agreements. |
| |
|
Dave Traczyk
Addresses Hurley Lioness |
|
 |
| photo and story submitted by Maggie Callaham
Hurley - September 28, 2009
Pat Kangas, President of the Hurley Area
Lioness Club, met recently with Dave Traczyk,
President of the Hurley Lions Club. Dave Traczyk
spoke to the Lioness members about the Lions
Club District Convention which will be held in
Hurley in April, 2010. The planning meeting held
at Squeaks was to discuss shared duties for the
upcoming convention.
|
| |
|
|
