FALL 2004

Click Here for Article	Library Information
	Senior Neighbors
	Historical
	Mayor
	Police News
	Storm Water
	Treasurer's Information
	Clerk's Office
	Public Works

LIBRARY INFORMATION

NEWS FROM THE KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY

Grandville Library Amphitheatre – A great place to relax with a good book

This summer the library added outside seating in the library’s amphitheatre. The six café tables that were purchased make the amphitheatre a great place to sit and relax, read, or enjoy a quick lunch. Flowerpots were also purchased to brighten the area. Grandville Library Board members planted the flowers, with supplies donated by Pakmail.

Michigan’s Ghostly Lights

Tuesday, October 19^th at 7:00 PM

Lighthouses are a captivating topic, but especially when they are said to be haunted. Join Dianna Stampfler of the West Michigan Tourist Association in this slide presentation on lighthouse ghost stories. Please call the library at 647-3890 to register for this program.

Learn to Crochet!

Crochet Basics

Monday, November 8^th at 7:00 PM

Marilyn Postema will teach adult beginners basic crochet techniques. Crochet supplies and yarn are provided. Participation is limited. Call the library at 647-3890 to register for this program.

Friends of the Grandville Library Used Book Sale

October 8-18^th

The Friends are cleaning house with their annual “Stuff a Bag” sale. Stuff a bag full of used books for one low price.

Mother/Daughter Book Discussion

Thursday, October 21^st at 7:00 PM

Mothers and daughters (age 12 and older) are invited to read a book together and join us at the library for refreshments and lots of good book talking. Pick up copies of the

featured title at the checkout desk.

SpongeBob SquarePants

Saturday, November 13^th at 1:30 PM

So strange, so unique, so…spongy. Deep down in the Pacific Ocean, in the subterranean city of Bikini Bottom, lives a square yellow sea sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. Dive into your library and soak up a true SpongeBob adventure! This program is for ages 6 and up and registration if required. Call your library to register at 647-3890.

Library Closed for Carpet Installation

Beginning Monday, December 13^th the library will be closed for two weeks for new carpet installation. The library will re-open with a fresh new look on Monday, December 27^th.

SENIOR NEIGHBORS

Lots of fun for all ages! Area seniors invite you to two grand community events at the Grandville Senior Neighbors Center located off Prairie on Division. “An Enchanted Evening” is the theme for the night of Tuesday, October 26^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and includes trick or treat stations, a spectacular magic show, live music, and snacks. Dress up in your favorite costume or just come as you are! As always, there will be the ever popular cakewalk and build your own sundaes. There will be harvest time games for kids of all ages, music, dancing, and opportunities for trick or treat. Santa, himself, will be here Tuesday, December 14^th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for “A Hometown Christmas” at the senior center. The night will include live holiday music, along with games and activities for kids of all ages. Remember, there is never a cover charge for the Family Fun Nights at the Grandville Senior Center. Your community’s very active older adults will be your gracious hosts, and look forward to meeting you!

HISTORICAL COMMISSION

August 11, 2004

Your Historical Commission has been busy with many projects. We have been copying old documents onto non-acid paper and filing them. We also have been working with donated pictures. We are putting them in non-acid sleeves for future preservation. We have many old and new pictures that pertain to the City of Grandville and its residents. If we should have a picture that you may be interested in, we can provide a scanned copy at a reasonable cost.

There is a new souvenir drinking glass, with an old Grandville picture on it, available. The Bend in the River book is still available and can be purchased in our Museum. The Museum is open the first Thursday of each month from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and is located in the lower level of City Hall. The Museum is also open by request.

Our #10 Schoolhouse located in Heritage Park will be open on October 16, 2004 from 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We would like to invite you to join the Historical Commission. Our meetings are held the third Monday of the month at 7:00 P.M. in the lower level of City Hall. Please feel free to come and see what we are all about.

MAYOR'S NOTE

Let me begin by expressing my thanks to the Grandville Park & Recreation Board for putting together another great 4^th of July Celebration. Each year the celebration continues to gain in popularity. The crowds along the parade route this year were estimated in excess of 50,000. What a great way to begin the celebration. The evening concert with music provided by Family Tradition was certainly a great presentation. Their rendition of God Bless America at the same time the fireworks began will be long remembered. A special word of thanks to Rivertown Crossings Mall, Meijer, Outback and the City of Grandville for sponsoring the annual fireworks display. As many people have shared with me, it was the best ever!!

As I indicated in the summer newsletter the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has undertaken the updating of our Downtown Master Plan. Those findings will be shared with our DDA Board in the very near future and we look forward to sharing the results at the time of our next newsletter.

While the DDA Master Plan is underway a similar project has been undertaken by the Grandville Park & Recreation Board. A Master Plan Committee has met on several occasions and our consultant is in the process of gathering information. There will be ample opportunity for community involvement and we will be providing proper notice of our forthcoming visioning sessions. I certainly encourage all of our citizens to participate in these forums.

I know I speak for the entire Council when we express our thanks to all of you for patience and understanding as we move forward with substantial improvements to Wilson Avenue, Ivanrest and many of our local streets. The next several months will be busy ones but with a little luck and cooperation from the weather man, the projects should be completed by late fall.

In the next several months you will also see the construction of new restroom facilities at Calvin Crest Park along with the irrigation system at Heritage Park. The improvements at Heritage will be welcomed by our AYSO soccer program. We will also be partnering with the Little League in the updating of several of the Little League fields.

I would like to extend a welcome to our newest restaurant, ON THE BORDER and we look forward to that ribbon cutting in the months ahead. Work also continues on the medical buildings and Stampers Federal Credit Union in the Cora Office Center. A warm welcome to these new businesses.

Be sure to mark your calendars to indicate that the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Monday, December 6^th at 7:00pm at the Grandville Library. This is another of our great traditions and always marks the official beginning of our Christmas Season.

It was a great summer – we sure enjoyed all the amenities of GRANDVILLE. As we move into the fall season we extend our best wishes for successful football seasons for the SQUIRES and the DAWGS – ENJOY!

GRANDVILLE POLICE BEAT

The Independence Day celebration this year was held on July 5, 2004. The weather was perfect and the event attracted what had to be a record turnout. Grandville officers assisted with the many activities throughout the day and evening. In spite of the large turnout, there were no problems reported.

The Grandville Police Department recorded its first homicide in eleven years when officers responded to an emergency call at an apartment on Chicago Drive. Officers were assisted at the scene by officers from the Wyoming Police Department, forensic investigators from the Michigan State Police, and investigators from the Kent County Medical Examiners Office. After a thorough investigation, the death was ruled a justifiable homicide by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.

National Night Out was observed on August 3, 2004. Grandville Police and Fire Personnel, accompanied by a United States Army soldier driving a Humvee, visited seven block parties. The parties were very well attended by residents of the blocks. This is a great opportunity for people to meet their neighbors. Even McGruff the crime dog went along for the good time.

The Grandville Public Schools received a homeland security grant for emergency management planning. Two days of training were held at the Grandville High School. The grant provided funding to bring John McNall, of Bowmac, Inc. to provide the training. Bowmac is nationally recognized for its emergency management training programs. This training was particularly effective because it brought together with the school personnel, members from law enforcement, the fire service, medical personnel, and other people that have a role in emergency responses.

PROTECTING OUR STORM WATER SYSTEM

The quality of our storm water and ways that we all can protect and improve it will be a regular topic for newsletter items from the Department of Public works. In the Spring 2004 edition, we provided some general information regarding our efforts to comply with the Phase II storm water regulations adopted by the State of Michigan. The topic for this article, and those to come, will focus on a specific area of concern. Disposal of household hazardous waste is the subject for this newsletter.

It is safe to assume that everyone knows that the disposal of household hazardous wastes, such as paint, pesticides, waste oil, etc. needs to be carried out in an environmentally safe manner. This means that dumping them down a floor drain or into a catch basin out in the street is not acceptable. In fact, most of the time it is illegal.

So how does a homeowner safely dispose of these small quantities of unwanted substances? Grandville residents have available a variety of means with which to accomplish this goal. The resource to use is the Kent County Department of Public Works. Their publication, “Guide to Waste Management Options and Alternatives,” provides information on the what, when, where, how and why of waste disposal for a variety of items including household hazardous waste. For a copy of this publication, or to obtain information contained in it, contact us at the City of Grandville Public Works Department. If we all properly dispose of our household hazardous wastes, we will be carrying out one of the actions that will protect our storm water system. Thanks for your help.

TREASURER'S OFFICE

UTILITY BILLS – NEW MAILING ADDRESS

The Treasurer’s Office will implement a mailing address change for Utility Bill payments beginning October 1st. This change will send all Utility Bill payments directly to our new Bank One post office lockbox in Detroit. Customers are encouraged to utilize the new mailing address as Bank One’s payment processing technology provides faster crediting of your payment and is much more cost effective for the City. Please be sure that you place the return receipt into the new window envelope so that the return address shows through the window.

We will continue to accept payments at the Treasurer’s Office during regular office hours and the City’s payment drop box, located in the parking lot directly in front of City Hall, can be used at any time.

TAX AND ASSESSING INFORMATION

Tax and Assessing information is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Merely log on to the City’s web site at: cityofgrandville.com and use the Quick Link to Tax and Assessing.

The Treasurer’s Office is here to assist you in any way that we can. Please call if you have any questions.

Tom Guinther, Treasurer / Finance Director - 530-4970

Tammy Butler, Asst. Fin. Director - 257-5101 Ruthann Fenske, Dep. Treasurer – 530-4971

Kathy Peot, Utility Billing – 530-4973 Lynne Sytsma, Accounts Payable – 530-4972

CLERK'S OFFICE

Did you know the workers at the precincts are voters from the Grandville area hired to work at elections? It is a long day but it gives you an opportunity to see the people from the area and earn some extra money. If you are interested in serving your community and are a registered voter, please contact the Clerk’s office to receive an application to be an election worker.

This is an important year for elections and the Presidential Election will be held November 2, 2004. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on that date.

In order to vote in an election in Michigan, you must be registered to vote for at least 30 days prior to an election. October 4, 2004 is the last date you can register before the November 2 Presidential Election and to register to vote in Michigan you must be:

· a citizen of the United States

· you are a resident of the State of Michigan and will be at least a 30 day resident of the city or township where you are applying to register to vote

· at least 18 years of age by election day

An ID card will be sent to the voter indicating their polling location.

If you move into a new city or township, you must re-register; or your registration must be updated if you move within the city of your current registration. The change may be made at the same time your driver’s license is changed.

Voters can access information on their voter registration status, find the location and get directions to their polling place, and preview their ballot by visiting http://www.publius.org .

Absent voter ballots are available for all elections. This is a means of providing voters with a convenient method of casting a ballot when they are unable to attend the polls on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are:

· age 60 years or older

· unable to vote without assistance at the polls

· expecting to be out of town on election day

· in jail awaiting arraignment or trial

· unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons

· appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence

If you are eligible to receive an absentee ballot, call the City Clerk’s Office at 724-1906 for a ballot application. The City Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, October 30, 2004 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to issue absentee ballots. This is the last time you may request an absentee ballot and take it with you. You have until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to complete and return the ballot to the clerk’s office.

The law provides the voter an opportunity to make a “late” absent voter ballot request. “Late” absent voter ballot requests may be made up to 4:00 p.m. on the day before the election. Once a completed application is submitted by the voter, an absent voter ballot is immediately issued to the voter. The voter may not take the ballot out of the clerk’s office. It must be voted in the clerk’s office and returned to the clerk.

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2, 2004!!

Mary Meines, City Clerk

PUBLIC WORKS NEWS

Leaf Pickup

The City of Grandville Leaf Program will begin Monday October 4, 2004. Residents that would like their leaves picked up must put them in City of Grandville leaf bags and place them at their curb. Park vehicles as far away from collection site as possible. Loose leaves are not to be placed in the street due to possible clogging of storm drains and posing a traffic hazard. See below for locations for bag purchasing, schedule for pickup, and schedule for loose leave drop off. Pickup service ends December 7 so be sure you have all leaves disposed of before then.

City leaf bags can be purchased at:

City Hall

Family Fare

D & W

Speedway

They will be available beginning October 1 for $6.00 per bundle of 10 bags

Note: The price for the Grandville leaf bags has increased to $6.00 per bundle of 10 this year in an effort to offset some of the cost of the program.

Curb Side Pickup will begin Monday Oct 4 through Dec. 7.

Monday Pickup South of Buck Creek

Tuesday Pickup North of Buck Creek

This proposed schedule is a general guide and can vary considerably from the actual schedule due to the amount of leaves and weather conditions. Please have your bags at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup date.

Loose leaves may be brought to the dumpsters behind the Grandville Public Works, 4095 White Street. The drop-off site will be open beginning Monday, October 4 through Tuesday, December 7. The drop off site will be open during the following hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Please keep this information handy and mark your calendar for reference during 2004 leaf season.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Winter News

Parking Regulations

Our winter parking ordinance prohibits parking on the public streets or municipally regulated parking lots between the hours of 2:00 AM and 8:00 AM, from December 1, 2004 through the following March 31, 2005.

Snowplowing

The Grandville Department of Public Works is dedicated to keeping your streets well maintained. Remember not to shovel or snow blow into the street. Place your trash container on your driveway between the sidewalk and the curb, not in the street or on the sidewalk. Retrieve your container as soon as possible after pickup. The Public Works Department does not clear driveways and cannot avoid throwing snow back into your driveway when they are clearing streets. Thank you for your patience during our long hard winters.

We also plow a sidewalk school and major street route that accommodates most children walking to school. We again ask, please, keep your trash container off the sidewalk if you are on this route. If you have special landscaping next to the sidewalk it should be marked at the edge of the sidewalk with reflective stakes. Sprinkler heads can also be marked with these reflective stakes.

Potholes

Please report potholes within city limits to the Grandville Department of Public Works at 538-1990. We are allowed 30 days to fill potholes but we make every effort to respond and fill them as soon as we know they exist. Snowy or rainy conditions can cause patched potholes to reoccur without warning. Use care when you see these conditions and contact us so these potholes can be refilled.

Water Service Breaks

The water service line carries water from the water main located in the street to the inside of your home. Plastic water services frequently break in the cold weather. It is usually located in the front yard and should be about 60” underground. Water line leaks are not always evident. Some signs that a leak may exist include the presence of water in the yard or very low water pressure. If you think you have a water service leak call the Department of Public Works. They will check your water service line and give you the phone numbers of licensed plumbers to repair it. Remember the City of Grandville does not pay for leaks or repairs on your water service line only on the water mains in the streets.

Christmas Tree Pickup

Christmas Tree Pickup is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2005 for homes south of Buck Creek and Tuesday, January 11, 2005 for homes north of Buck Creek . Please have your tree at the curb, on top of any existing snow, in plain view on the morning of your pickup day. The city is not responsible for trees placed at the curb after January 10 and 11.

DPW Emergency Response

The Department of Public Works is available to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) call 538-1990. After hours and weekends/holidays call 538-6110.

New Employee

The Department of Public Works welcomes Steve Doornbos, formerly with Wolverine Tractor. Steve, his wife Jill, and their two children, Steven and Heather, live in Grandville. Steve enjoys being outdoors and is an antique tractor enthusiast. We are already pleased with his accomplishments, his input and ideas on the job and his fun personality. He is a great addition to our staff!