IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - The Recreation/Cultural/Life Enrichment Committee was unable to hold its scheduled meeting yesterday evening because it failed to draw a quorum. The following members of the Committee were present: Annette Burchell; Erik Lytwyniuk; Sam Davey; and Marion True. The following members were absent: David Peite; Joe Karius; Scott Stephens; Laura Thomas; and John Wyssling. Representing the City at the meeting were: Dan Petersen, Community Development Director and Scott Erickson, City Manager. Representing the press were: Chronicle Photographer, Steve Frank and yours truly. There were no citizens present.

Because a quorum could not be met, no action could be taken at last night's meeting. The minutes of the June 02, 2008 meeting could not be approved. Renaming the Committee was discussed, but no formal action could be taken.

Dan Petersen said the name of the Committee was long and cumbersome. He said he has a hard time remembering the name, and he feels the name isn't accurate anyway. The primary purpose of the Committee is to oversee the City's park system. The City doesn't have a "recreation" system, and attempts at cultural and life enrichment are not really handled through the Committee. Most of the members of the Committee agreed with Petersen. Concerns centered around what the Charter says, and what the history of the name involved. The issue will be discussed and decided at a future meeting.

Sam Davey gave a report on the Walking Trail through the Cemetery. Davey told the Committee that the City Commission approved the Walking Trail at the last City Commission Meeting/Public Hearing. He pointed out that nobody showed up to complain, so the Commission unanimously approved the project. He suggested organizing a "work bee" to clear brush and establish a formal trail. Davey said he had contacted Jim Saari of Saari Signs to make trail markers. He told the Committee that Saari hasn't gotten back to him with a cost quote, so, he said he will track him down to get the information.

This reporter reminded the Committee that there are other local sign companies capable of making the signs. To be fair the City needs to give Rapid Grafiks a chance to bid on the signs.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The City of Ironwood, when it is convenient to the powers that be, claim that equality and fairness are of the utmost importance. Oddly, however, when push comes to shove, they rarely practice what they preach. When the DIDA decided to produce Wayfinder Signs, only one local sign company was approached for a bid -- Saari Signs. A bid was also sought from a national company, but Rapid Graphiks was not given an opportunity to bid. Joe Karius, DIDA member and publisher of the Globe recommended that the DIDA accept Saari's bid. Jim Saari used to work for the Globe. I am not saying that Saari doesn't do good work. I think his work is exceptional, however, I don't believe it is fair or proper not to give EVERY locally licensed sign company an opportunity to bid on ANY project where the City needs signage.

When Steve Frank proposed the historic plaques for downtown Ironwood, he got a quote from Rapid Grafiks. He reasoned that, since no one ever offered Rapid Grafiks an opportunity to bid on the Wayfinder signs that it would be fair to give the historic plaques contract to Rapid Grafiks. After all, they are a licensed sign company in the City, and they donated all of the graphics and detailing of the Fire Department's refurbished ladder truck to the City. Joe Karius immediately objected to the fact that Saari Signs didn't get an opportunity to bid on the job. Frank was told to seek a bid from Saari Signs -- after Rapid Grafiks had already given a quote. Jim Saari underbid Rapid Grafiks on the plaques and was ultimately awarded the contract.

Now the Recreation/Cultural/Life Enrichment Committee needs trail signs. Once again, Rapid Grafiks is left out of the bidding process. Nobody is objecting to the fact that Saari Signs is the only local sign contractor to ever get work out of the City. What happened to the competitive bidding process?

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, at last night's meeting Annette Burchell proposed that the Committee ask the Globe to do a write up on Longyear Park to get the word out that it is a nice place for kids and families to hang out. It was said that the Globe won't send a reporter to do a story, but if one were to write the copy themselves; take the photos; and submit their project to the Globe they "might" publish it. This is the "official media of the City! Each and every year the City pays over $8,000 to the Globe for advertising, yet they would have to jump through hoops to get free promotion. The Chronicle gladly agreed to do a story on the park. The Chronicle receives no revenue from the City and has never charged any non-profit for ad space.)

Davey said that fifty 4"x6" iconic hiking signs will initially be ordered along with fifty 2"x4" arrows that will direct the trail users where to go. Five "No Dogs Allowed" cemetery signs will also be ordered.

Seeking easements for use of private property along the trail were discussed, and it was decided that Dan Petersen should approach the property owners to seek permission. Scott Erickson suggested that a date be set for the "work bee" to start cutting the trail. He said it would be good to set a date so that he can let the paper know. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Of course, the Chronicle would never be notified... after all look at the coverage the Globe had of this meeting -- and its publisher is on the Committee!)

When Erickson pressed Davey for a date for the work bee, Davey said he would be gone for two weeks, and jokingly he stated, "Anytime in those two weeks would be fine!" Davey said he would be leaving Sunday for two weeks. It was agreed that the work bee would begin at 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 02, 2008, and that volunteers should meet at the Cemetery north-boundary gate. He suggested that volunteers should bring handsaws, snippers, and other cutting implements. Erickson suggested contacting the Boy Scouts and other area volunteer groups for assistance.

Burchell suggested getting community service people through John Begalle to help clear the trail.

A town hall meeting was set August 13, 2008, at 6:00 PM to discuss trails and parks.

Sam Davey and Dan Petersen briefly discussed the park bus tour the City took. Davey suggested that the smaller parks be "adopted" by neighbors to start cutting costs. Neighbors could take turns mowing and maintaining the smaller parks to save the City money. It beats the alternative of closing the sites completely. (This idea was originally brought up at a budget hearing by Steve Frank and myself. It got a lukewarm reception, at best. That, of course, is because Steve Frank and myself are "naysayers;" "anti-Ironwood;" "non-patriotic;" and "against progress!")

Before adjourning, the Committee briefly discussed the Park and Trail plan and its incorporation into the County-wide plan being developed by U.P. Engineering; the Norrie Park Dam and the status of that project; and grant applications. Dan Petersen handed out an article that showed a Free Community Event - Trail Building School being held in Copper Harbor. He suggested that Ironwood could someday do the same.

Steve Frank and Sam Davey briefly described geocaching to the Committee when it was proposed that the trail could be used for that purpose to encourage tourism. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value. Today, well over 800,000 geocaches are registered on various websites devoted to the pastime. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Jim Albert