Comments for River Country Journal

Comment on New sod at Sweetland Stadium in Constantine by S.J.

S.J. — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:54:31 +0000

Another little bit of history is this…………..Head Football Coach Shawn Griffith’s Great Grandfather, Sam VanNess, Helped Build The Original Sweetland Field.

Comment on 1st Annual Art Auction & Party set for May 18th at Unibrow Gallery by Art Guild

Art Guild — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:05:32 +0000

The party was great! A big turnout, food, wine, lots of good conversation – and the auction was fun, too. Lots of folks went happily home with little 6×4 “postcard” artworks. Thanks so much to Unibrow Art Gallery for being our host!

Comment on St. Joseph County Historical Society to tour Nottawa Stone School by Julia Ballman

Julia Ballman — Sun, 19 May 2013 02:49:32 +0000

Can’t wait to see the old school. It still looks great.

Comment on SMC interested in using industrial arts room at Constantine High School by A. Birdsall

A. Birdsall — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:49:23 +0000

Last week reps from Glen Oaks College visited Constantine High School with the same idea Southwestern had….. a program utilizing the industrial arts room. It’s encouraging when two colleges are interested! The Industrial Arts teacher Dale Wentela said recently if you’ve a degree in an industrial arts related area, you can get a job!

Comment on The Cycles of Earth – May 18, 2013 by Bruce Snook

Bruce Snook — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:35:04 +0000

Lovely column!

Comment on Lockport Township Board approves fire protection proposal from City of Three Rivers Fire Department by Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:14:00 +0000

I know most insurance companies do not use the ISO rating, but mine does. As for FACTS, YOU haven’t rec’d all of the documentation you talk about. LT is in it’s 3RD YEAR of contracting services. Year #1 was $65,000, Year #2 $80,000, Year #3 $80,000. So, the initial increase was 19%, But, thanks for trying to discredit me.

Comment on Lockport Township Board approves fire protection proposal from City of Three Rivers Fire Department by concerned person

concerned person — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:24:18 +0000

Well Izzie since you are attemping to state facts the FPFD is in a two year contract currently with Lockport year #1 $80,000 year # 2 $80,000. Please correct my math if I am wrong but I come up with a big fat 0% increase. You spoke highly of trfd ISO rating if you do a little homework most insurance companys do not use ISO ratings any longer.I suppose I could spend more time educating you as to the facts and yes I said FACTS but it appears that it would be a waste of time. Please do your research as I have done and you may be suprised, all the documentation is available for you to view.

Comment on Additional expenses anticipated to maintain sewer line between Constantine and Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant by Let's be fair

Let's be fair — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:38:47 +0000

I see this as a benefit to the residence and not so much a necessity for the village. If they want the buffer–OK, I’m sure the village would be OK with planting an arrangement of shrubs on the village parcel. I don’t see this being beneficial to the village for them to give away a portion of property for $1 that they paid a handsome sum for in its entirety from the folks that are buying some of it back for $1. In the end the property owners come out ahead on this and I don’t see the necessity of such a buffer for the village as much as it would be desirable for the residence, and in the end it enhances the residence property value by getting additional property for $1 that is worth a bit more than that. So what is the true value of the property vs the $1 plus the administrative and legal time……then ask yourself what is the village getting for that in return and why is it such a need compared to other priorities.

I tend to agree with Ruth’s proposed alternatives on this …most of which could have got us to the same result without giving property away for pennies on the dollar to what we paid for it plus administrative time and legal fees.

Comment on Additional expenses anticipated to maintain sewer line between Constantine and Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant by Ruth Strawser

Ruth Strawser — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:54:29 +0000

If the purpose of the proposed sale is to provide an aesthetic buffer between the residence and the Village offices and their current lot size is insufficient for such, a simple solution might be for the Village to plant the shrubs and trees as a property buffer as they do at Riverview Park/Cullifer property line. If the Village feels they cannot justify the cost of a plant buffer, the Zimonts could donate the plants to the Village. Since the Zimonts are anticipating such landscape costs, it would not be an unplanned financial hardship. I am sure all parties could agree on acceptable plant choices. If the DPW is unavailable to plant the buffer, surely there would be volunteers as there has been for other Village landscape projects. And the Village would be spared any legal and administrative paperwork.

Comment on Lockport Township Board approves fire protection proposal from City of Three Rivers Fire Department by Izzie Stevens

Izzie Stevens — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:23:27 +0000

How the ISO rating is calculated is not my concern. I heard it was mentioned to FPFD to present a proposal…no one has heard anything. As for costs, FPFD has increased the contract an average of 12% per yr. since contracting services to the Township.