REGULAR IRONWOOD CITY COMMISSION MEETING - On Monday, March 22, 2010 a series of  Public Hearings are scheduled beginning at 4:35 PM and ending at 5:25 PM. The Regular Meeting of the City Commission is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM at the Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

According to the agenda, the following Public Hearings are scheduled:

4:35 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment considering Inter Local Agreement for the establishment of the Western Upper Peninsula Revolving Loan Fund Consortium. 3. Close Public Hearing.

4:45 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on the City of Ironwood Revolving Loan Fund request from Entrée Companions/ Mike Farney in the amount of $60,000. 3. Close Public Hearing.

4:50 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on the City of Ironwood Revolving Loan Fund request from the City of Ironwood (Purchase of Historic Ironwood Theatre Front Concourse), Not to Exceed $50,000. 3. Close Public Hearing.

4:55 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for purchasing and installing a new children’s play structure to be located at Norrie Park. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:00 PM -  1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on a grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for a project that includes resurfacing the existing two tennis courts, constructing a third tennis court and adding lighting to one court at Patterson Park. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:05 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on Resolution #10-002, a Resolution determining the property located at 120 May Street is a public hazard or nuisance and consider condemnation. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:10 PM -  1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on Resolution #10-003, a Resolution determining the property located at 450 Houk Street is a public hazard or nuisance and consider condemnation. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:15 PM -  1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on Resolution #10-004, a Resolution determining the property located at 316 West Ayer Street is a public hazard or nuisance and consider condemnation. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:20 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on Resolution #10-005, a Resolution determining the property located at 600 Stevens Street is a public hazard or nuisance and consider condemnation. 3. Close Public Hearing.

5:25 PM - 1. Open Public Hearing. 2. Public Hearing: To hear comment on Resolution #10-006, a Resolution determining the property located at 80 Thomas Street is a public hazard or nuisance and consider condemnation. 3. Close Public Hearing.

Here is the agenda for the March 22, 2010 meeting, as provided by the City:

5:30 PM - Regular Meeting of the Ironwood City Commission.

A. Regular Meeting Called to Order. Opening Prayer. Pledge of Allegiance. 

B. Recording of the Roll.

C. Approval of the Consent Agenda.* All items with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the City Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of those items unless a Commission member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the General Order of Business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

*1) Approval of Minutes – March 8th Regular City Commission Meeting.
*2) Review and Place on File. a) Ironwood Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 3rd.
*3) Approve Sale of : a) American Legion Auxiliary “Poppy Days” – May 20 & 21, 2010. b) American Legion “Flag Day” – June 11 & 12, 2010.
*4) Authorizing advertisement to purchase of a new police vehicle and fire related equipment with a USDA Grant.
*5) Approve Grant Application for Qualified Voter File’s Electronic Poll Book, Laptop & Accessories Purchase and authorize City Clerk to sign same.
*6) Consider Resolutions #10-012 - #10-015 Scheduling Public Hearings for Monday, April 12th to hear comment relative to the condemnation of the following structures:

a) 914 Washington Street – 5:10 P.M.
b) 479 E. Houk Street – 5:15 P.M.
c) 816 E. Ayer Street – 5:20 P.M.
d) 818 E. Ayer Street – 5:25 P.M.

D. Receive and Place on File from the Finance Director. 1. Statement of Revenue & Expenditures. 2. Monthly Cash Reports.

E. Approval of the Agenda.

F. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items on the Agenda. (Three Minute Limit).

G. AUDIENCE: Betsy Wesselhoft, Marcy Kusz & Others. (RE: Youth Summit).

OLD BUSINESS

H. Consider approving Inter Local Agreement for the establishment of the Western Upper Peninsula Revolving Loan Fund Consortium.

I. Consider approving City of Ironwood Revolving Loan Fund request from Entrée Companions/Mike Farney in the amount of $60,000.

J. Consider approving City of Ironwood Revolving Loan Fund request from the City of Ironwood EDC (Historic Ironwood Theatre Front Concourse), Not to Exceed $50,000.

K. Consider approving grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for purchasing and installing a new children’s play structure to be located at Norrie Park.

L. Consider approving grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for a project that includes resurfacing the existing two tennis courts, constructing a third tennis court and adding lighting to one court at Patterson Park.

M. Consider Resolution #10-002 determining property at 120 May Street a public or nuisance and consider condemnation.

N. Consider Resolution #10-003 determining property at 450 Houk Street a public or nuisance and consider condemnation.

O. Consider Resolution #10-004 determining property at 316 W. Ayer Street a public or nuisance and consider condemnation.

P. Consider Resolution #10-005 determining property at 600 Stevens Street a public or nuisance and consider condemnation.

Q. Consider Resolution #10-006 determining property at 80 Thomas Street a public or nuisance and consider condemnation.

R. Discuss and Consider authorizing advertisement to purchase of a new police vehicle and fire related equipment with a USDA Grant.

NEW BUSINESS

S. Discuss and Consider ATV use on Trail #2.

T. Discuss and Consider Authorizing Advertisement for bids for new watermain construction on Greenbush between Margaret Street and Jackson Road.

U. Discuss and Consider Resolution #10-011 adopting METLIFE Section 457 (b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

V. Discuss and Consider awarding lowest bid to Miller-Bradford for a new Case Loader 821E with Henke plow wing combo in the amount of $201,125 and authorize Julie Frederickson, Finance Director to secure financing.

W. Discuss and Consider authorizing submittal of “Letter of Intent” for Gogebic County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Grant.

X. Manager’s Report.

Y. Other Matters (Five Minute Limit).

Z. Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Items not on the Agenda (Five Minute Limit).

AA. Adjournment.

10th GEAR JETTRIDE DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE - On Monday, March 22, beginning at 6:00 PM, the 10th Gear JettRide: 3800 Miles to a Cure documentary will be shown at the Olde Suffolk Ale House, 125 South Suffolk Street, Downtown Ironwood. It will be the Upper Peninsula Premiere of this award winning documentary of the 2007 JettRide. Come early for food and drinks at 6:00 PM, with the film being shown at 7:00 PM.

FRIENDS OF THE MINERS MEMORIAL HERITAGE PARK MEETING - The March FMMHP meeting will be held on the 4th Tuesday of March: Tuesday, March 23. The meeting will be held from 7:00 PM until 8:15 PM in Room B25 of the Jacob Solen Business Center at Gogebic Community College. Selection for our group's President and Historian will be made. The planning committee's work of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park will be reviewed. Hope you can attend.

HOSPICE TELECONFERENCE - Regional Hospice Services, Gogebic County MSU Extension, and Iron County UW-Extension will join together later this month to present the Hospice Foundation of America’s 17th annual Living With Grief teleconference.

This year’s topic focuses on “Cancer and End-of-Life Care.” The teleconference will address care options related to cancer diagnoses as well as loss and grief reactions for patients, families and professional caregivers. The teleconference will also examine psychosocial aspects of cancer, pain management, and ethical issues related to the disease.

The teleconference will take place on Wednesday, March 24, 2010, from 12:15 PM - 3:30 PM in the county board room of the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley. There is no cost to attend, but preregistration is encouraged by calling Regional Hospice at (906) 932-7076 or MSU Extension at 663-4045 or toll-free at 1-888-MSUE-4-MI (Gogebic).

DOWNTOWN IRONWOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DIDA) - The regular monthly meeting of the DIDA has been scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2010, beginning at 8:00 AM in the Women’s Club Room on the 2nd Floor of the Municipal Memorial Building, Ironwood, Michigan. Items on the agenda include:  (1) Call to Order; (2) Recording of the Roll; (3) Consider approval of the February 25, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes; (4) Approval of the Docket; (5) Citizens wishing to address the Authority on Agenda Items (3 Minute Limit); (6) Discussion on Re-instating TIF District; (7) Discussion on Implementing the Blueprint Plan – Section “Business Development Actions”; (7a) Update on Action Plan; (8) Discuss and Consider Action on Advertising for Person to Water the Hanging Flower Baskets for 2010; (8a) Authorize sending letters for Flower Basket Donations ($35). (9) Discuss and Consider Action on Pocket Park Maintenance Contract; (10) Review and Consider Action on 2010/2011 Budget; (11) Discuss and Consider Action on Advertising in the 2010/2011 Ironwood Chamber Adventure Guide; (12) Update on Downtown Brochures; (13) Citizens wishing to address the Authority on items not on the Agenda (3 Minute Limit); (14) Other Business; and (15) Adjournment.

ADVANCED BEEKEEPING WORKSHOP - An Advanced Beekeeping workshop will be held on  Saturday, March 27th at the Ewen-Trout School, 144 Airport Road, Ewen, from 10 am to 4:30 PM EST. $25 for adults, $15 for youth 12-18 years old includes lunch. Contact the Ontonagon County MSU Extension at 906-884-4386 or email msue66@msu.edu.

RELAY COMMITTEE'S FIRST TEAM CAPTAIN'S MEETING- The Relay Committee of the Gogebic Range Relay for Life will be holding the first team captain’s meeting on Monday, March 29 at 6:30 PM at the Comfort Inn in Ironwood, for those returning from previous years and those interested in starting a new team.

All interested people are invited to attend.

FRIENDS OF THE IRONWOOD CARNEGIE LIBRARY PLANNING MEETING - On Saturday, April 10, 2010, at 10:00 AM the Friends of the Ironwood Carnegie Library will be holding a Planning meeting at the Ironwood Carnegie Library at 235 East Aurora Street, Ironwood, Michigan. 

Members of the Friends of the Ironwood Carnegie Library are invited to attend. 

IRONWOOD'S MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY - The City of Ironwood will be conducting a “Make a Difference Day”, done in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce. On Saturday, May 8th, 8:00 AM at the Depot Building, people meet and adopt an area of town to essentially clean up, and rid it of winter garbage. It is a spring cleaning for the city. All interested people are encouraged to participate to "Make a Difference" in our community.

IRONWOOD'S SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY - Saturday, May 15th at 8:00 AM is Spring Clean-Up Day, where Ironwood residents and property owners can come and dump their unwanted items at the site across from Northwoods Auto on Ayer Street in downtown Ironwood. This is not for household garbage; rather, items like old dressers, old furniture, no longer used appliances, waste and scrap metal, junk, and things of this nature.

CIVIC CENTER BOARD SEEKING COMMITTEE MEMBERS & IDEAS - The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center Board is seeking individulas to serve on 1 of 2 committees that are currently being organized. Those committees are Building, Maintenance, and Capital Improvements. The other committee is Marketing and Promotional.

Interested parties should contact the Ironwood City Clerk, Karen Gullan at (906) 932-5050. The Civic Center Board is also looking to the public for entertainment or facility use ideas.

Suggestions can be sent to the following address: City of Ironwood; c/o Pat O'Donnell Civic Center; 213 South Marquette Street; Ironwood, MI 49938.

HOUSING REHABILITATION NOW AVAILABLE - Housing rehabilitation funds are still available for homeowners located in the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) District. The NPP District is bordered by the WI-Central Railroad/Pabst Street to to the North, Lawrence Street to the West, Vaughn Street to the South and Lake Street to the East. For more information on qualifying requirements, please contact Jane Bowman, (906) 932-5050 Ext. 125 in the Community Development Office between the hours of 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

BOARD MEMBERS WANTED - Citizens interested in serving the Ironwood community as a member of the following boards: (1) The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) - Board member to fill an unexpired term (Must be a resident of Downtown Ironwood); and(2) Carnegie Library Student Board Member - (Must be under 18 years of age.)

Board applications can be obtained from the Ironwood City Clerk's Office, Memorial Building or on the City website at www.cityofironwood.org.

No Parking on Ironwood City Streets - October 31 to April 1 - 2:00 AM to 7:00 AM - Vehicles must not be parked on City right-of-way, for the safety of your vehicles, park inside your property line.

Vehicles found parked in violation of this notice will be towed away at the owner's expense and subject to fine. The City will not be liable for any damage to cars illegally parked.

Robert J. Erspamer
Ironwood Public Safety Director 

We will gladly post your want ads here. All you need to do is email them to classifieds@superiorchronicle.com. For best results, include at least one clear digital photo of the item or items you are selling. Ads must have contact information such as a telephone number, email address, or physical address. All that we ask is that you contact us as soon as you no longer need to have the ad posted!

FOR SALE: AQUARIUMS from 2 1/2 to 55 gallon, pumps, power filters, heaters, etc. Contact: theboysinirwd@hotmail.com, Scott Warren at (906) 932-0796.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT - Downtown Ironwood: 668 square feet of office space for rent in the Coleman Engineering Building, downtown Ironwood. Parking lot, handicap entrance, convenient to downtown. For more information call (906) 932-5048.

A Sad Day In Ironwood (March 20, 2010)

Congratulations to the Ironwood School Board for making one of the biggest mistakes in history. Choosing Tim Kolesar as the next superintendent is unbelievable.

My first question is why did the board go out and hire a firm to help with the search when I believe they were going to choose Kolesar to begin with? Big waste of money here. Then this firm gives the advice to the board that whatever decision they make it should be unanimous. Well a 4-3 vote is hardly unanimous.

Oh wait, maybe I'm wrong as I was one of those underprivileged kids on free lunch who isn't up to the standards of reading and writing. Way to put your foot in your mouth here Kolesar. There are many parents I have overheard over the years that said they will "NEVER" send there children to an Ironwood school because of Kolesar.

He once told me to my face quote; ”You will never amount to anything anyhow, you're one of those Norrie kids." I will never forget this as long as I live. This sure sounds like someone I'd like to have running the school district. I know one thing for sure, if I ever have children I will "NEVER" send them to Ironwood as long as Tim Kolesar is in charge.

Donald J. Peterson
Ironwood Class of '91

Incumbents Don't Deserve Our Votes (March 20, 2010)

The incumbents that are currently serving us in Lansing and Washington do not deserve to be elected. They are the ones responsible for the mess we are currently going through. They have done nothing for us. I think it is time for a complete overhaul of our reps. Any new independent candidates with no ties to the democrat or republican party will get my vote. It's time for a "Tea Party".

Disgusted with Incumbents

Are Poor Kids Dumb or Are Our Schools Failing? (March 20, 2010)

I read the article on the front page of the Globe Friday March 19th 2010. This article was the newspaper's attempt to explain to Ironwood residents why the school has failed at educating the students. The scores from the MEAP, Michigan Education Assessment Program, were a catastrophe.

So the Globe went on to explain the reason. There are too many economically disadvantaged students in Ironwood's schools. This claim is repeated 11 different times in this single article.

So, the inference is of course that poor kids are dumb. Therefore it is not the fault of the teachers or administration that Ironwood schools have completely failed our children.

Strange how Bessemer did just fine with this same test. Their student learning is so far ahead of Ironwood schools that it almost looks like nothing at all is happening in the Ironwood classrooms except a continuous recess for the teachers.

So, the Globe has made it clear that we need not change how are children are educated in Ironwood. Everything is just fine. There are just too many dumb kids.

This article by Annette Manwell is an insult to the intelligence of every Ironwood citizen. It is also an insult to our school children. Is there anyone out there who wants to defend Annette's NO BLAME aritcle?

Insulted In Ironwood

Beware of Lawyers Who Are Only Out for Their Best Interests (March 19, 2010)

I wrote a letter similar to this to the Daily Globe, but they never printed it. One of your readers suggested I write to you.

This is a warning to all of you. If you are unfortunate enough to need a lawyer, my advice is to go out of the area to hire a firm. I wouldn't want to hear anyone had an experience like mine.

I had a local lawyer and firm who, for a lack of a better term, "raped me good!"

Don't ever hire a firm or lawyer without doing a check on their background. Be careful! Don't just pick one that is available. Do research. Find the most honest one.

If you have a problem with a lawyer or firm in the area, don't waste your time trying to get another local firm to help you. They will take your name and number and never even have the decency to call and decline! As the old saying goes, "Birds of a feather stick together," even if the lawyer isn't one of the "good old boys."

Don't even think the laws or lawyers are fair and balanced. Their own self interests come first!

If you are a woman alone, they take even more advantage of you. Don't keep checking on them, they will take all they can. Don't trust that they will have your best interest in mind. The only interest they have in mind is their own.

D. M. Roberts Ironwood, MI

For more information, or to file a complaint, contact the State Bar of Michigan, 306 Townsend Street, Lansing, Michigan  48993 or call toll free (800) 968-1442. You can also visit the website for the State Bar of Michigan at http://www.michbar.org/.

Disclose All Names or Don't Disclose Any (March 19, 2010)

Does your name, position (job), or standing in the community make a difference? I believe it does. Certain people's names make the Daily Globe police reports while others don't. Why is that? Can a person request his name be omitted? Does the Globe decide whose reports to print? To be fair all names should be printed or none at all.

Noticing the Obvious

A Special Thanks to Those Who Helped Adopted Dog (March 18, 2010)

A few of you may have heard of our new puppy. A few weeks ago we adopted, from the H.O.P.E. Animal Center in Ironwood, "Sisu," the dog that was featured on WLUC TV-6, and here! She was approximately 10-weeks-old when we drove to pick her up. Her story is quite sad: she was found when she was 8-weeks-old in the parking lot of the Walmart in Ironwood. She was a small, Siberian Husky puppy missing part of her right front paw and part of her right back leg and could not walk. She was lucky to find herself at H.O.P.E.

The staff at H.O.P.E. took phenomenal care of her and found two foster Moms to tend to her needs. Her first foster Mom said that Sisu was unable to walk when they found her and would defecate on herself; she resembled a stone, and they had to consider putting her down. With much love, patience and some gentle training, Sisu turned into a puppy!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the community that have shown that they are truly devoted to the well-being of others, even if they are canine or feline. Thank you to the staff of Wright & Filippis, especially Joe, for making Sisu a prosthetic leg (oh man, can she run!). Dr. Tim Hunt and the staff of Bayshore Vet Clinic for making sure that everything is okay. WLUC TV-6 for featuring animals that need homes and, finally, the H.O.P.E. Animal Shelter in Ironwood, Michigan. The love and care the "lost" animals get is amazing. Special thanks and love go to the Jeske and France families -- Sisu's foster families; we are honored to know them.

The DuFay Family Russell, Angela, Andrew, Sarah and Sisu

Skatepark a Good Thing, But Who's Enforcing the Rules? (March 15, 2010)

Whomever, Today we noticed that the Skateboard Park was opened with about a dozen young people there, most with boards. We watched for a minute or two and I couldn't help noticing that the sign said: skating at your own risk! Beneath it read: helmet and pads required. Not a one had a helmet, a couple with shorts on didn't have knee pads and they all had on tee shirts, you guessed it nothing on the elbows. They did some pretty neat things and it's a good thing for Ironwood to have it available, considering all the difficulties that led to what's presently there. Here's the poser. For the sign with the rules, is this going to be like with the ATV and Snowmobile traffic on city streets? If I remember, that's at the discretion of Public Safety. Or, will it be like the Blight Ordinance, Rat on your neighbor? It must be a liability thing.

Scott Warren
Ironwood MI

Another Perspective on Daylight Saving Time (March 13, 2010)

Here is one perspective on the reality behind Day Light Saving time. You can listen to the broadcast or read the transcript. Pretty fascinating and surprising (or maybe not!).

Leah Gramith

EDITOR'S NOTE: The link above directs you to National Public Radio's All Things Considered. In the program host Melissa Block talks with Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time.