Tag Archives: City of Wyoming

Monte Pride next up for Wyoming Concerts in the Park

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,
Monte Pride is set to perform July 19 at the Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (Supplied)

By John Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Singer/songwriter Monte Pride has been inspired by some of music’s greats, including Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt and John Prine.

But he loves our Michigan musical heroes, too, saying artists such as Chris Bathgate, May Erlewine, Timothy Monger and Joshua Davis have been equally as important.

The music of Chris Bathgate, for example, is “unmistakable.”

“The atmosphere and ambience he creates in his songs, it’s … inspiring to my songwriting and song production,” Pride said.

From Erlewine’s “stage presence” and “strong sense of purpose and intention in her songs” to Davis’s guitar playing style have been inspirational to him.

He added that Monger’s songwriting, as well “creative branding and visuals he creates for promotion” also have made an impact on him.

“His song ‘Sleepless’ has become one of my favorites to cover in the last few years… I’ll likely share my version of it on Tuesday!”

By “Tuesday,” Pride is referring to his show as part of Wyoming’s weekly concert series, which is at 7 p.m. July 19 at Lamar Park. Admission is free.

The Tuesday night series continues through Aug. 2. See the list of shows below. All will be recorded and aired on WKTV.

A mellow approach

A 2014 graduate of Okemo High School, just east of Lansing, Pride said he’s looking forward to showcasing his original music.

Monte Pride is a folk singer-songwriter and finger-style guitarist from Lansing. (Supplied)

“I really enjoy having the opportunity to present original music, alongside my take on covers that work with my sound,” he said in an email to WKTV Journal.

“Over the years, I’ve leaned into my mellow approach to performance and song interpretation, always hoping to give folks something soothing that might help heal. I’ve also been expanding my sound into more ambient territory, incorporating it here and there to complement and serve the songs.”

Pride first dabbled into music when he played “Criminals” by The Tallest Man on Earth at his high school talent show, then ”began performing locally after that, having gained confidence in my voice and a taste for sharing music with people.”

He kept playing while attending Michigan State University, releasing two EPs in 2014 and 2015, and finally his first full length album in 2016.

“After college I began traveling more and performing in cities throughout Michigan and the Midwest, releasing my latest album ‘Even in Absence’ in 2020,” he said.

“The pandemic forced me into a much needed hiatus, but I returned to performing with a new appreciation for all of it in Summer 2021.”

Happy to be performing

Those who attend his show on Tuesday can expect “a mellow, soothing evening of fingerstyle guitar and folk songs.”

“I’ll be sharing a handful of original songs along with ‘60s, ‘70s and contemporary folk covers,” he added.

Most of all, he’s just excited to perform outdoors.

“I love being able to feel the energy of the environment and crowd. It’s always special to hear birds, other wildlife, and even street noise when performing,” he said.

“It always feels like collaboration. Last Summer at an outdoor show I was playing one of my tunes called ‘Michigan’s Song.’ There’s a line that says, ‘I heard a robin’s call yesterday in the morning…’ As I was singing it, a robin flew over and sang with me.”

Pride’s “Even in Absence” was released mid-pandemic in August of 2020, which he said “presents healing songs to remind that experience, relationships, lives, their love and light persist, ‘Even In Absence.’

Learn more about Pride at montepridemusic.com.

Rest of the series

Wyoming Concerts in Park 2022 are all at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park. Admission is free. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.

Concerts Lineup

July 19 – Monte Pride – Folk 

July 26 – Bernadette Kathryn – Country 

August 2 – Grupo Latin – Latin Soul (13 piece band)

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

July is busy with food trucks, music, and more

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

How’s the summer treating you?

I’ve been enjoying the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City with fireworks, concerts and cherries, of course.

If you still want to make the trip up north, the festival continues with many activities like the cherry pie eating contest, and the big Cherry Royale Parade at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. The remaining concerts feature 1964 The Tribute on Thursday (July 7), ZZ Top on Friday (July 8) and Boyz II Men on Saturday (July 9). Learn more at cherryfestival.org.

What are you doing this weekend?

If you’re staying close to home, here is my Top 5 of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here we go!

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” Barn Theatre

Summer is a great time to take in a play. Whether it’s community theater or a Broadway touring musical, you can usually find something taking place in the region. One unique destination is the Barn Theatre School in Augusta, about 50 miles south and just east of Kalamazoo. In its 76th season, the school’s advanced theater training program promotes the concept that artists, performers, designers, technicians, stage managers, and everyone should have broadly based experiences through an apprentice program. And each summer they put on a variety of shows where the students produce every aspect of the experience. They are parking attendants, ushers and even the bartenders. Along with celebrity guest actors, the school has also featured future stars such as Jennifer Garner, Dana Delany, Lauren Graham and many more. My lovely wife Pam and I recently saw the first show of the season, “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers,” a musical based on the classic MGM 1954 film about settlers in 1850 Oregon. The show was great, but so was the whole experience of a show set in a barn. Get a pizza or drink before the show or stay after each performance for a special “Shed Bar Show” where the actors and guest actors come to entertain in the Rehearsal Bar. Advance reservations are encouraged for those productions. Performances of “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” continue through Sunday (July 10). More details at barntheatreschool.org/events. Some of the other shows this season: “Cinderella,” “GroundHog Day,” “Rock of Ages,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Misery,” “Escanaba in da Moonlight” and “Doubt.”

4. LAUP Fiesta, Holland

Another great weekend destination is Holland for the annual LAUP Fiesta at the Holland Civic Center. It always features great food, car show, and Latino musical acts. There will be activities for children, a bar for adults and mercado (artisan market). It always ends with a big baile (dance). The party begins at noon. Check out the festival’s Facebook Event page for more information.

Food Truck Friday at Riverside Park

3. Food Truck Friday, Riverside Park

Have you been out to the popular “Food Truck Fridays” at Riverside Park this summer? Every week from 5-9 p.m. (through Sept. 2) you can expect anywhere from 12-17 food trucks. In its 6th season on the north side of Grand Rapids you can expect some of the area’s best-loved food trucks, as well as new ones, too. New this year is a Frequent Fridays Card that will offer you the chance to win prizes based on how many FTF you frequent. More details at https://www.facebook.com/GR8FoodTruckFridays/.

Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park return Tuesday, July 12. (WKTV)

2. Randy McAllister, Lamar Park

Blues and Soul artist Randy McAllister will headline the next Wyoming Concerts in the Park show, which takes place each week at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Admission is free. The remaining shows include folk artist Monty Pride (July 19), country singer Bernadette Kathryn (July 26) and 13-piece Latin soul band Grupo Latin (Aug. 2) More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page. Can’t make it to the show? You can still enjoy the bands by watching WKTV-Channel 25 for the weekly airings at 5 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. More info at wktv.org/concerts.

READ: Wyoming Concerts in the Park return this summer

1. Downtown Concerts

It’s another busy weekend in downtown Grand Rapids:

Death Cab for Cutie, the popular indie band from the early 2000s is back on the road and releasing a new album this fall. You can check them out Friday (July 8) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids. Ticket information at livenation.com.

The Doobie Brothers, the legendary band from the ‘70s and ‘80s, are on their 50th anniversary tour with Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons and John McFee on the road together for the first time in nearly 25 years. The band has sold nearly 50 million albums worldwide. The show is at 7:30 p.m.Sunday (July 10) at Van Andel Arena. Fans can expect to hear “Listen To The Music,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Long Train Running,” “Black Water,” “What A Fool Believes,” “China Grove,” “Minute By Minute,” “It Keeps You Runnin’,” “Jesus Is Just Alright With Me” and many more. More details at vanandelarena.com.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Voters turn down city proposals, pass Wyoming Public Schools bond millage renewal

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Election, , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Voters turned down an income tax for the City of Wyoming.

Wyoming voters voted down a proposed income tax for the city while renewing a $24.9 million bond proposal for Wyoming Public Schools.

About 16 percent of the city’s 55,999 registered voters came out for the special election that was yesterday. The city had two proposals on the ballot. The first was an income tax that would be up to 1 percent for city residents and up to .5 percent for non-residents such as commuters who work in the city. In the second proposal, the city was seeking to reduce the city property tax by about 58 percent, from around 12 mills to 5. Both proposals had to pass to take effect.

The first proposal of an income tax was defeated by 6,055 no votes to 2,824 yes votes. The second proposal to reduce city property tax received 5,381 yes votes to 3,474 no votes. Because the two proposals were tied together, if one failed the other automatically failed as well.

The city estimated that the proposals would have generated about $6 million in revenue for the city. City Council said it planned to put $3.3 million toward its fire department to added 27 firefighters, doubling the current staffing from 27 to 54. About $2.1 million would have been used to add 13 police officers and a crime analyst to the city’s police department with the remaining $600,000 for capital improvement needs for the city’s parks.

The approved $24.9 million bond renewal will go toward renovations at Wyoming Junior High School.

Wyoming Public Schools

A purple and white message in both English and Spanish on the Wyoming Public Schools Facebook page thanked the district’s voters for renewing a $24.9 million bond. The money is earmarked for renovations at the Wyoming Junior High School, which is the oldest building in the district. Formerly Wyoming Park High School, the oldest portion of the building dates back to 1926. There were additions in 1957, 1959, and 1979.

About 16 percent of the district’s 27,188 votes came out with 2,066 voting yes and 1,930 voting no.

The approved bond will be added to about $11 million in renovations already planned for the school, including more than $3 million in major upgrades to Dan Heintzelman Fine Arts Center. The $11 million comes from a 2017 bond issue.

Renovations and improvements to the junior high to be funded by the bond renewal include: modern learning environments; new furnitures; an integrated technology; adequate lab spaces and equipment; improved air quality replacement of failing building systems (such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical) to become energy efficient and meet modern building codes; and site improvements to traffic flow, aging parking lots, and athletic facilities.

Work on the junior high, which is locate dat 2125 Wrenwood St. SW, is scheduled to start in the summer of 2023. 

High end lighting and furniture manufacturer adds second facility in Wyoming area

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Brooklyn, NY-based Roll & Hill is know for its lighting and furniture design. (Photo by Sarah Elliott)
With the addition of Alexis Manufacturing, Roll & Hill added furniture to its line in 2020. (Photo by Sarah Elliott)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that high-end lighting and furniture company Roll & Hill will be opening a second location in the City of Wyoming at 6192 Valduga Dr. SW. The $1.5 million capital investment will add 50 jobs.

Founded in 2010 by Jason Miller, Roll & Hill is a design-minded furniture and lighting company based in Brooklyn, New York. Each Roll & Hill piece is made one at a time by hand. The company expanded into furniture and in 2020 acquired Alexis Manufacturing, which was founded by father and son Ivan and Norman Alexis in 1946. By combining Alexis’ 75-year history of producing complex wood components and wooden seating with its design sensibility, Roll & Hill has produced, according to experts in the field, a timeless, high-quality collection of furniture. in 1974, Alexis was bought by Hekman Furniture Company and then later acquired by Howard Miller Clock Company.


Looking to enter the furniture mark, Roll&Hill purchased Alexis Manufacturing because by purchasing the company, “we’ll be able to enter the furniture category in a much shorter ramp-up time.” according to Miller, who is the creative director and CEO of Roll & Hill. However, Roll & Hill had to find a location for the company as its former home had been sold. The company worked with The Right Place and City of Wyoming to open its first production facility, located at 5765 Clay Ave. SW., and has steadily increased its presence in the region since the initial expansion.

“As Roll & Hill continues to expand, the City of Wyoming remains an excellent location for our growth,” said Roll & Hill Creative Director and CEO Jason Miller. “Our experience opening our first location in Wyoming was exceptional, and we’re looking forward to establishing our second. We’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and their partners at the City of Wyoming and MEDC for their partnership and collaborative support as we invest in our local production facilities.”

In 2020, Roll & Hill acquired Alexis Manufacturing and entered into the furniture industry. (Photo by Jonathan Allen)

The new location at Valduga Drive will house production of the company’s lighting. The site has visibility from M-6 and east of Burlingame Avenue. The building is under construction with Roll & Hill scheduled to move in June of this year.

The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region rather than out-of-state locations. With the approval of a $300,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, the MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund. West Michigan Works! and Grand Rapids Community College will also be supporting the project with a workforce training package.

 

“We are extremely excited with the announcement of this expansion, which will bring 50 lighting and furniture manufacturing jobs to our City,” said Wyoming Director of Planning and Economic Development Nicole Hofert. “We look forward to the continued investment in the City of Wyoming, our residents and community members.”

May 3rd Wyoming proposals bring non-residents to help with police and fire

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Local Business, Our Cities, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

This May, City of Wyoming residents have the opportunity to raise more than $6 million for the city while lowering their property taxes through the approval of two proposals.

City residents will head to the polls on May 3 to vote on an income tax of up to 1 percent for residents and up to .5 percent for non-residents. According to the U.S. Census, about 34,400 non-residents work in the City of Wyoming, using the city’s roads and other amenities. With the passage of the income tax, a non-resident earning $60,000 would pay about $232 income tax to the City of Wyoming. City officials estimate that if all non-residents pay the income tax that would be an additional $6 million in revenue for the city.

A second proposal would reduce the city property millage more than half for city residents and business owners. For an individual who earns $60,000 living at a home with a taxable value of $100,000, the combined income tax and reduction of property tax would result in about a $226 in savings. Those savings could be more depending on the number of people living in the home.

Retirees may see substantial savings especially if their income is from social security and pensions which are not subject to income taxes. So a retiree in this situation would receive the property tax reduction which on a house with a taxable value of $100,000 would be a savings of about $690.

According to city officials, the main purpose of the proposals, which are tied together meaning both must past, is to shift the equity so that that non-residents using the city’s roads and services are contributing to the costs.

 

With the annual $6 million generated from the income tax revenue received from non-residents, the city plans to put $3.3 million toward its fire department to hire 27 additional firefighters; $2.1 million toward its police department for 13 additional police officers and 1 crime analyst; and $600,000 annually toward upgrade of the city’s parks, many of which are 25 years or older. 

A piece of track at downtown GVSU connects to Wyoming’s past

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Local History, Our Cities, Recreation, West Michigan, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Realtor Sam Wilson added a large roof and benches to his Wyoming Park office for the comfort of local residents (and potential buyers) waiting for the next interurban car. (Wyoming Historical Commission)

Recently, Grand Valley State University commemorated remnants of the interurban railway tracks on its downtown campus, rails that once connected to a station in the City of Wyoming that served as a key connector for those wishing to travel to the lakeshore or Kalamazoo.

Started in 1901, the electric transportation system, called the Grand Rapids, Holland, and Chicago Railway, started with a line to Holland and in the following year, 1902, added a Muskegon line. Delayed by politics, the line to Kalamazoo was completed in 1915 by the Michigan Railway Company. Passengers of the interurban could make the decision of if they were heading west or south at a station near Lee Street and Grandville Avenue (now Chicago Drive), located in the City of Wyoming.

“It was located by the old Kelvinator building,” said David Britten, who is with the Wyoming Historical Commission. This made sense since the home appliance manufacturer would open its doors in 1914 with the interurban providing an easy way for residents to get to the plant for work.

There were several stops in the City of Wyoming. If you took the route toward Holland, the interurban would stop at Beverly Hills, Wyoming Park, and Elmbrook neighborhoods. Businessmen took advantage of those route stops to promote bungalow-style homes, spurring growth within the City of Wyoming. Take the interurban to Kalamazoo, which ran along side Divisions Avenue, and it would stop on 50th Avenue in the Kelloggsville neighborhood and  54th Street before heading on to Cutlerville as the train made its way to Kalamazoo. Today Consumer’s Energy power lines follow the old Kalamazoo route.

An ad for the Elmbrook community located between Porter and 28th Street west Byron Center Avenue. (The Street Railways of Grand Rapids by Carl Bajema and Tom maas)

Britten said you can see the interurban route through a Google map overview, but that little remains of the actual tracks.

“In many places, they just paved right over the tracks,” he said, adding the tracks would have run behind the current Godfrey-Lee athletic fields. Some years ago, owners of the property dug up the remaining tracks and pieces, which Britten said he did salvage a few items.

But the tracks contained within a brick inlay on the Mount Vernon pedestrian pathway on GVSU’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, are more than likely the last stretch of any interurban tracks in West Michigan, according to a GVSU historian.

The exhibit placed above the tracks uses images and text to explain the interurban system and its impact on the region. The piece also gives related historical context for the time, such as how the Grand River was a “working waterfront.” According to Britten, the interurban would travel across the now cement bridge that is a pedestrian crossing for residents to and from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. From there it would make its way south along Grandville Avenue, passing through the car holding area that is now where Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus is located.

At the heart of the commemorative project is a core narrative that is important to the community, said Nathan Kemler, GVSU director of Galleries and Collections, who helped lead the effort to create and install the piece.

The remaining interurban track is contained within a brick inlay on the Mount Vernon pedestrian pathway on the Grand Valley State University’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus. (GVSU)

“One reason this project is so impactful is that it was an early sustainable transportation method that was rooted in equity,” said Kemler of the themes captured in the exhibit that is part of the GVSU Art Gallery. “Anybody could ride the Interurban, and it would take you into the city or outside of it to Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, or farms.”

Kemler noted that someone could take the Interurban from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan, then board a steam ship for Chicago, and it was all done through electric power.

Learning about the prevalence of such green technology long ago is eye-opening for students, said Matthew Daley, GVSU professor of history, who was the key researcher on the project.

“Students are stunned that there was this huge integrated network of electric freight and passenger service that then tied into a citywide network of street cars,” Daley said. “You could take an interurban that produced no soot, no dirt, and at some point on West Michigan lines reach over 70 mph.”

In fact, reporters who road the Kalamazoo route noted that the train could cover 47 miles between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in 44 minutes, according to the book “The Street Railways of Grand Rapids,” by Carl Bajema and Tom Mass.

“It ran really well until Americans discovered in the 1920s that they liked cars,” Daley said.

A GVSU employee puts the finishing touches on the outdoor exhibit about the interurban which is now located at Grand Valley State University’s downtown Pew Campus. (GVSU)

The paving of roads would help to establish the American car industry. By 1926, the Grand Rapids, Holland and Chicago Railway was sold at auction. Britten noted that in 1927, the United Suburban Railway was organized to restore car service from Jenison to Grand Rapids.

 

“It was called the shortest track with the most stockholders,” Britten said with a laugh. The seven miles of track had 700 stockholders. The United Suburban Railway would last until about 1932.

Daley and Kemler both said the story of the interurban gives important insight into fleeting economic conditions, how people come together, the environmental impact on the Grand River and how the community has evolved.

“This is about the changing landscape of Grand Rapids itself and understanding this location before the Grand Valley campus was here and before downtown was revitalized,” Kemler said.

There are no markers in Wyoming of the former interurban, which Britten said it would be nice if a marker was placed. There is only a small portion of the interurban that is part of the walking/bike trail Oxford Trail, which is in Grand Rapids. The Oxford Trail does cross over the old swing bridge the interurban once used, according to Britten.

Wyoming City Council honors longtime public servant, Harold Voorhees

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming,
Mayor Jack Poll reads the proclamation thanking Harold Voorhees for his service as a Kent County commissioner. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Harold Voorhees

At its Monday council meeting, the Wyoming City Council recognized the two decades of contributions from former Kent County commissioner Harold Voorhees.

Voorhees, who had been involved in public service from the late 1980s, retired from public service in 2020 when he decided not to seek re-election as a Kent County commissioner.

Wyoming Council member Kent Vanderwood said he remembers when Voorhees came to him about running for the state legislature in 1986.

“He did not win that election, but he went on to serve on the city council, as mayor and eventually as state representative,” Vanderwood said. “Harold is the reason I am sitting here tonight.”

Voorhees was elected to the Wyoming City Council in 1987 and two years later, he was elected mayor. He resigned his position as mayor in 1992 to serve as the 77th District State House representative, which he did for three terms from 1993-1998. In 2000, Voorhees was elected as the 8th District Kent County commissioner and served on the commission for 20 years.

At Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Jack Poll read a proclamation thanking Voorhees for his years of service as a Kent County commissioner. Poll noted that Voorhees’s wife, Joanne, also has served in various public positions, including replacing her husband as the 77th District State House representative in 1998 as well as serving on the city council.

“We appreciate what you have done for this community, you have been leaders,” Poll said.

“Thank you Mayor Poll and council members, and City Manager Curtis Holt,” Voorhees said. “What a wonderful Christmas gift to be together with family and friends in a familiar venue of government…I thank each of you for your time, your talents and what you do for our city and we can always be proud putting up the Wyoming flag. This is a great place to be.”

Mayor Jack Poll with Harold and Joanne Voorhees as Monday’s Wyoming City Council meeting. (WKTV)

Wyoming Tree Commission looking for volunteers to help plant

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Environment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, , ,
Tree Commissioner Estelle Slootmaker holding the tree. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.staff

The Wyoming Tree Commission is looking for a few more people to help with tree plantings this weekend and next.

Plantings are set for the morning of Oct. 2 and 16, which are both Saturdays. For more information on helping, email treeamigoswyoming@gmail.com.

Recently, the Tree Commission received a DTE Energy Tree Planting Grant of $3,000. With an additional $1,000 from the commission’s funds, was able to purchase about 25 8-foot and 10-foot trees. More than a dozen residents have signed up to receive a tree. The trees are free to residents but they are required to help plant it and commit to maintaining the tree.

The city’s recently revised Master Plan calls for the city to set a tree canopy goal. the Tree Commission recommendation was a goal of 40%, the same goal as many cities have set such as the City of Grand Rapids. Currently, Wyoming has an approximate tree canopy of 13.5%, as determined by an iTree survey that looks at aerial photographs. 

The Tree Amigos is a volunteer City of Wyoming commission seeking to improve the city’s overall tree canopy. They meet every second Monday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. 

U.S. Navy sailor from Wyoming pictured in action on USS Theodore Roosevelt

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Local Faces, Travel, Veterans, WKTV Projects, , , ,
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Conner D. Blake)

(Do you have a photo of a Kentwood or Wyoming native serving in the military? WKTV journal would love to get the photo and a brief description. Send it to ken@WKTV.org)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In this photo supplied by the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Zachary Coleman, originally from Wyoming, Mich., signals to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) from the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during a replenishment-at-sea on Jan. 22.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in the Pacific Ocean.

As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed fleet, with its approximate 50-70 ships and submarines, 140 aircraft, and 20,000 Sailors in the area of operations at any given time, 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific area of operations to foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict alongside 35 other maritime nations and partners, according to the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy, according to the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach.

Wyoming Community Foundation announces 2020 grant recipients

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Wyoming Community Foundation Chair Greg Kings sits down with Host Faith Morgan to talk about the foundations work in 2020

By Faith Morgan
WKTV Intern

Persevering through a pandemic, school systems and nonprofit organizations in Wyoming sought financial support. The Wyoming Community Foundation stepped in to help provide relief aid to some of these organizations in addition to their annual grant recipients.

This past summer, the foundation provided $5,000 evenly split among two nonprofits for hunger relief/food bank support: Family Network of Wyoming and United Church Outreach Ministries. Karrie Brown, executive director of development for Family Network of Wyoming, said her organization would be using the funds to create a mini-shopping during their pantry experience. UCOM will use its $2,500 to provide affordable access to nutritious locally grown produce.

“In terms of our funding, we saw a definite increase in the amount of organizations who are looking for funding,” said Wyoming Community Foundation Chair Greg King. “We had a lot of nonprofit organizations reaching out asking for input, and for funding especially with COVID-19.”

This year the foundation received 14 grant applications in comparison to the 10 applications received in 2019, 11 in 2018, and seven in 2017.

 

The 2020 grant recipients:

  • Affinity Mentoring – $2,000 to transition to virtual mentoring in order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and provide equitable access to academic, relational support to students.
  • Feeding America West Michigan – $2,000 to support three Mobile Food Pantries, which provide food assistance for the Wyoming community.
  • HOPE Gardens – $600 to expand Team 21 in-class garden curricula and after school programming to Godfrey Elementary and Lee Middle Schools.
  • SLD Read – $500 to provide tutoring services, including assessments and individual tutoring, to address educational difficulties as a result of school closures.
  • United Church Outreach Ministry – $2,500 to provide affordable access to nutritious locally grown produce.
  • Godwin Heights Public Schools – $1,500 to support the Lower Elementary Sensory Walk at West Godwin Elementary.

Another need is volunteers to join the The Wyoming Community Foundation’s board and its Youth Advisory Committee which oversees grant-making for organizations that benefit Wyomig youth.

If you are interested in joining the Wyoming Community Foundation board or looking for more information you can visit grfoundation.org/wyoming

The Wyoming Community Foundation is a regional affiliate of Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Annually the organization selects grant recipients. Applicants for these grants must be nonprofit organizations that are based in the Wyoming area or are doing work to make necessary improvements in the Wyoming community.

Traffic Tuesday: The fines for texting and driving

3-bottom, City of Wyoming

By Officer Jenni Eby
City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety

Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the question will be posted on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is currently participating in enhanced distracted driving enforcement – so this’s week’s question is about distracted driving! Did you know that texting while driving tickets get more expensive if you get more than one? For first time offenders, the ticket is a civil infraction and a $100 fine. A second offense is also a civil infraction, but the fine is increased. How much does someone pay for a second offense texting while driving ticket?

  1. $150
  2. $200
  3. $250
  4. $500



Check back on Thursday to learn the correct answer.

We the People 2020 General Election: Wyoming City Council

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

There are three seats that the City of Wyoming residents will be voting on at the Nov. 3 general election with only one race have more than one candidate.

With Wyoming Council member at-large Dan Burrill’s decision not to seek re-election, there are two newcomers running for the council member at-large seat: Rob Arnoys and John Fitzgerald.

Council member at-large

Rob Arnoys – Candidate

Occupation:  Banker – SVP Retail Banking

Why did you decide to run for the at-large council seat for the City of Wyoming?

I have always been active in the community with a passion to make a contribution and serve. I have been involved in the City on committees and as a Planning Commissioner for Wyoming for the past 10-plus years and feel called to run for this seat on Council.  I am a life long resident of the City of Wyoming and am both passionate about this city and have good knowledge of our history. I feel my experience with the City, my financial background, leadership skills and ability to collaborate will serve well as a council member. The city is going through rapid change and my experience as an executive leader can help us strategically navigate so that we continue to be a great place to live, raise a family and work!

What are a couple of issues you would like to focus on if elected and why?

I feel the city is very well run and is one of the best places to live. My objective is that we continue to make Wyoming the best city in Michigan. If elected, here are my key focuses:

1. Public safety –  Our residents and constituents deserve to live in a safe and secure environment. In order to accomplish this we need to support our public safety team and show them our appreciation.

2. Fiscal responsibility – Our city does a great job of administering our budget. My background in finance will assist in the process to insure that we are stewards of the dollars our residents have entrusted the city.  We are to maximize our benefits while wisely prioritizing our limited and valuable budget.

3. Represent our residents – As an at-large council candidate, I have knocked on well over a thousand doors and have had great conversations to make sure I hear what the citizens are seeing and needing. I vow to be available and visible in our community so that I can appropriately represent the interests of our residents.

John Fitzgerald – Candidate

Occupation: Commercial Insurance Broker

Why did you decide to run for the at-large council seat for the City of Wyoming?

I chose to run for this seat because I firmly believe and expect that local government should be the most accessible and truly representative level of government. So many critical areas of day-to-day life for Wyoming residents are impacted by the Council’s duties including infrastructure, tax rates, public safety, parks and wellness services, and community development. In order for each of these areas to be most effectively, efficiently, and equitably delivered, we need Council Members willing to listen to and learn from the experiences of residents to better respond to the needs, challenges, and expectations of community members. I pledge to be an objective, honest, and accountable public servant for all residents of Wyoming.

What are a couple of issues you would like to focus on if elected and why?

Wyoming has a number of areas of concern for residents which I will address during my term. First, I will examine strategic land use for both residential and commercial development. Housing development must be prioritized in order to attract new residents, as well as considering varying housing options for those wishing to downsize, who have varying financial resources, or those with accessibility needs wishing to remain in Wyoming.  Second, public safety and the well-being of our community shall remain a priority. I support our public safety departments, and I will strive to have the city invest in services which proactively manage crime, allowing police and fire to more directly dedicate resources to critical areas of emergency response and community policing. Finally, I will work to strategically develop a plan to revitalize our business community and commercial districts. We must attract a robust and diverse business community with quality pay structures to effectively operate in our city, capitalizing on the economic growth in the region.

2nd and 3rd Ward Council Seats

Two of the council seats have candidates running unopposed. Marissa Postler is seeking a second term to represent the city’s 2nd Ward. The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward Council area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits.

Also seeking his second term is Rob Postema, who is currently serving as the 3rd Ward Council member. The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward Council area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its western border is Burlingame Avenue.

Wyoming’s Trick or Treat Trail is full, but city to offer online Halloween fun

3-bottom, City of Wyoming,
This year’s Trick or Treat will be a drive thru this year. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Unfortunately the spots for this year’s City of Wyoming Trick or Treat Trail have been filled but residents will still have the opportunity to participate in some online Halloween fun through the Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Due to social distancing guidelines, the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department decided to make its annual Trick or Treat Trail a drive-thru this year, according to Cory Stamps, special events and marketing programmer for the City of Wyoming.

 

“We put out information about the drive-thru Trick or Treat Trail and within about two weeks it was full,” Stamps said, adding that the city is planning for about 500 children. Children had to be pre-register to receive a treat bag.

 

Vendors who normally attend the event were asked to donate what they would normally handout during the event. The items collected were used to make the goodie bags. 

Those participating at the Oct. 10 event will drive into Lamar Park to pick up their treats. 

Stamps said the city plans to have several activities available for people via its Facebook and Instagram pages 

Wyoming police hopes video will encourage people to come forward about double homicide

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“I’ll give you some food,” said Elmer Geovany Lopez Toi as he hands a McDonald’s bag to two homeless men sitting on steps. “I like to help people.,” Toi said to the two men he met in August as he hands them money and more food.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is hoping that by releasing the five-minute video, found on Toi’s phone, residents will see Toi’s act of humility and kindness and it will encourage someone in the community to come forward and help solve his murder.

Toi, 20, along with Santos Padilla Banegas, 16, were shot Sept. 16. The two were both shot while walking along Division Avenue near Wilbur Street. The area is north of 44th Street. For an early release, police said they believe the vehicle involved in the shooting could be a dark-colored 2010-11 GMC Acadia.

Police said they believe the Acadia had multiple occupants and was last seen headed south on Jefferson Avenue from Wilbur Street. Officers arrived to find the Banegas and Toi near the road. Toi was pronounced dead at the scene and Banegas died later at Metro Health Hospital from his injuries.

Since then, the Wyoming Public Safety detectives have been working diligently to develop information and follow leads in the double homicide, according to a release from the department.

It was during the investigation, detectives discovered the video on Toi’s phone. According to detectives, the video does not appear to be directly relevant to the investigation, but by sharing the video the department hopes it “will serve as a reminder of the humanity and tragedy of this case.”

“We share this video with our community for two reasons,” said Capt. James Maguffee in a release to the media. “First, it seems right to share a story of a resident of the City of Wyoming, victimized in a horrible crime, engaged in an act of humility and kindness. We expect our community will be moved in the way we were when we saw this video. Second, these sorts of crimes are often solved, and justice served, when citizens with the right piece of information come forward.

According to police sources, Toi was an immigrant to the United States with no family in the area. Through the investigation, there has been no indication thus far that suggest either Banegas or Toi were involved in criminal acts or engaged in behavior that might have invited the violence inflicted on them. 

Anyone with information about the case are encouraged to call the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7335 or, if they wish to remain anonymous, Silent Observer at 616-774-2345. A donor has matched the initial cash reward and it now stands at $5,000.

Wyoming schedules open houses for residents to view, comment on master plan

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

To give its residents an opportunity to view and comment on its new master plan, the City of Wyoming will be hosting eight open houses across the city.

 

In August, the Wyoming City Council voted to open the 63-day public comment period for the community-driven master plan, Wyoming [re]imagined. City Planner Nicole Hofert said with the social distance requirements due to COVID-19, city officials decided to offer a series of outdoor public events where residents would be able to review the plan.

The 18-month master plan process continues to involve Wyoming residents, businesses, employees of businesses, developers, and stakeholders who are guiding the content and priorities of the plan. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

The four-day event starts Monday, Sept. 28 at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., city staff will be on had to discuss the new master plan with the event also featuring the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s K-9 unit. The rest of the schedule is as follows:

  • Monday, Sept. 28, at Lemery Park, 4050 Byron Center Ave. SW, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s Bicycle Unit
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29,  at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, from 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Marquette Park, 1251 Marquette SW, from 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW, from 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson SW, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will feature the Wyoming Department of Public Safety’s K-9 unit.
  • Thursday, Oct. 1, at Ideal Park, 5843 Crippen SW, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Thursday. Oct. 1, at Gezon Park (north side), 1940 52nd St. SW, from 4 to 6 p.m.


All events are open to the public and require attendees to follow COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, including face coverings and physical distancing.

“We received input from the community and it formed the foundation of the plan. Our community knows Wyoming and what it wants for our future. They want to see things like affordable housing options and flourishing economic development and parks,” Mayor Jack Poll said in a recent release about the events. “Please join us at one of our open houses. You will have a chance to learn about the plan and provide us with the necessary feedback we need for a successful master plan.”

At the open house events, community members have another chance to provide input after the draft master plan was intentionally developed with community voice and needs at the forefront. The 18-month process continues to involve Wyoming residents, businesses, employees of businesses, developers, and stakeholders who are guiding the content and priorities of the plan. Each section of the draft plan details what community stakeholders and residents want to see in Wyoming’s future and how the collective vision will be implemented. Upon final approval, the master plan will guide how the City will develop over the next 15 to 20 years.

To view the draft plan and provide feedback, visit www.wyomingmi.gov/reimagined.

Got stuff to dump, recycle? Options are becoming available

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,
Video of Kent County Dump. (Mike Boorsma)
Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

“Hmm, how to purge when you can’t donate, garage sale, and somethings are weird to post on Facebook Marketplace,” a friend posted on her Facebook page.

During the few months of quarantine, I have seen a lot of people, including my own family, cleaning out whether it be the garage, the entire house, or cleaning up the lawn. And now that we may come to the end of the trail — maybe — the question is what to do with all this stuff?

“We’ve seen a lot more stuff coming from the residential area,” said Russ Boersma, general manager for Arrowaste, of collection during the lockdown. Arrowaste is a garbage and trash removal company located in Jenison. “On the flip side of that is that we have seen a lot less from the commercial areas.”

He added that it depends on the commercial route as some of those routes do include apartments.

And most waste haulers like Arrowaste have tried to be accommodating about the extra refuse. Boersma has encouraged customers to leave the lid open with a couple of bags on top.

Arrowaste trucks, like most in the trash haul business, are automated with the driver not having to leave the vehicle to remove trash. An arm comes out of the truck and lifts the waste container upside down so the contents fall into the truck. Boersma said it is up to each hauler’s discretion if they feel comfortable about picking up items that are placed next to the trash container.

“I tell people that if they have a couple of extra bags, they can use leave the lid open and stack the bags on top,” Boersma said, adding that Arrowaste did open its yard waste program in April, which runs through November.

Sticks, yes; Stones, no

According to state law, yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings, must not be mixed in with garbage and many communities, such as the City of Kentwood, do not allow the burning of yard waste. To help residents, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming offer yard waste drop off options free to cities’ respective residents.

At the end of April, the City of Wyoming opened its Yard Waste Drop-Off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW. There are social distancing guidelines in place with addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, ,7) may drop off on Monday and Wednesday and those with addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8), may drop off on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are open to all residents. The hours for the site are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. One thing to remember, if it does not come from the yard naturally, it is not accepted at the Wyoming Yard Waste Drop-Off.

Also remember to bring your ID as the site is monitored.

The City of Kentwood will be opening its brush and leaf drop-offs sites June 6. The sites are located at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breont Ave. SE. The sites will be open for about a month, closing on July 11.

The brush drop-off site will accept brush, sticks, tree limbs and logs. Materials not accepted are plastic bags, trash, dirt, concrete, asphalt, tires, rocks, stones, construction materials, and glass or metal. The leaf drop-off site will accept loose leaves and grass clippings. 

But what to do about that old sofa?

Jill Wallace, Goodwill ow West Michigan’s chief marketing and communications officer, can also attest to the fact that people have been spring cleaning. The first few weeks of the statewide shutdown and most of the Goodwill locations had items stacked in its donation area, all of which the organization had to have hauled away.

“During that time period we were closed and were not accepting items,” Wallace said. “It was so sad because we were really going to need those once we did reopen.”

For the past several weeks, Goodwill of West Michigan has been working to reopen stores. Currently the Kentwood and Wyoming locations remain closed but the organization has open drop off in several areas such as Allendale, Cedar Springs, and Coopersville, according to the organization’s website.

Those planning to donate are ask to do so during business hours, which are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m .Tuesday — Saturday. Because there is a touch-less system in place and all items will be stored for 72 hours, Goodwill is asking that donors bag and box their times and then place the donations inside the provided carts. Many of the stores are not accepting large furniture items right now. For specific details on what is being accepted, call the the individual stores.

Many Wyoming and Kentwood residents have the opportunity during the spring to rid themselves of unwanted trash and junk through community clean-up days. Due to the governor’s State Home, Stay Safe executive order, both cities were forced to delay the popular community events.

The City of Kentwood moved its annual Community Clean-Up Day to June 6. It will run from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. Residents must have picture identification to bring items to the event and according to city officials, there will be social distancing guidelines to follow.

The City of Wyoming moved its Community Clean-Up Day to the fall, Oct. 6. The popular annual event will be at Grand Rapids First, 2100 44th Street and run from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Residents must provide proof of residency which can be a photo ID or a utility or credit card statement.

If you are really desperate to get rid of items, there is always the South Kent Landfill located at 10300 S. Kent Dr. SW. The landfill is open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle

The Kent County Recycling Center reopened at the beginning of May. This includes curbside recycling services that come to Kent County Recycling Center to be sorted and the residential Recycling Drop-Off Stations. The North Kent Recycling & Waste Center opens 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. for solid waste disposal and residential drop-off recycling services.

Also the county’s SafeChem program has resumed regular hours as of May 18 but the SafeSharps and SafeMeds programs are still closed.



City of Wyoming releases Memorial Day video

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming cancelled its traditional Memorial Day program, instead releasing a Memorial Day video featuring staff singing “God Bless America.”

“Things are different this year,” said Mayor Jack Poll in the video. “We have traditionally always met at Veterans Memorial Park on this great day in our city to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives for our country.

“But today, these recent events we are a part of today, I am here in my office but my thoughts are still the same and this is what a privilege we have to live in a country that is free and that we have all the freedoms that we have to enjoy, especially today we can think of that.”

Wyoming keeps its Memorial Day tradition with a video twist

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
While it will not be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony, the City of Wyoming still plans to honor those who have served. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

One of the longest traditions in the City of Wyoming has been the annual Memorial Day ceremony to  honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Even with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the governor’s extended Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the city plans to continue that tradition, according to staff. The event is just going to be a little different.

The annual ceremony, usually at the City of Wyoming’s Veterans Memorial Garden, has been cancelled. Instead, city leaders and staff are working to put together a prerecorded mashup video with members from the city singing.

“As home to the Michigan Army National Guard Grand Valley Guard Armory, the American Legion Roger B. Chaffee Post, with many of our residents having served in the military, the City of Wyoming has a long tradition of holding Memorial Day as an important day of remembrance,” stated Mayor Jack Poll. “It is important for our community to come together to honor the sacrifices of our blue star families.”

The video is scheduled to be posted on the City of Wyoming’s Facebook page around Memorial Day weekend and make sure to check out the WKTV Journal page, which will be featuring the video all day Memorial Day.

This year, Memorial Day is May 25. Memorial day, usually observed on the last Monday in May, originally honored those who were lost during the fighting of the Civil War. it has evolved over the years to include all American military personal who died in any of the wars. Most communities, such as the City of Wyoming, have marked the day with special parades and ceremonies.

Memorial Day weekend is usually the official start of summer as it is a three-day weekend for most people. However, this year, with the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order extended to May 28 – the Thursday after Memorial Day – most people probably will be celebrating at home. 

Metro Health Farm Market, others set to open as scheduled

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,
The Metro Health Farm Market is set to open on May 14. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled.

“We’re very excited,” said Metro Health Farm Market Manager Michelle Rademacher. The Metro Health Farm Market is scheduled to open May 14 and run until Oct. 8 at the Metro Health Village, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW. The market is on Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine.

“There has been a lot of planning for this to take place so as to follow all of the stipulations for COVID-19,” Rademacher said.

Farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state but even with this classification comes limitations with only food vendors able to sell at the markets. Like many of the area farmers markets, the Metro Health Farm Market and the Kentwood Farmers Market will be following Center for Disease Control and Michigan Farmers Market Association COVID-19 guidelines.

Along with only essential items such as food being offered, vendors will be six feet apart and required to wear masks. Patrons will be encouraged to wear masks and to leave their personal shopping bags at home.

“There is going to be less out with vendors restocking,” Rademacher said. “Hopefully customers will say, ‘I would like three corn, one lettuce,’ and the vendor will pick and bag the items so as to reduce the amount of touching the items.”

“Everybody loves to pick up a tomato to see if it is the perfect one for their meal,” said Fulton Street Farmers Market Assistant Manager Dana Eardley. Being open year around, the Fulton Street Farmers Market, 1145 Fulton St. SE, was able to gradually institute procedures for social distancing and reduction in contact. This included a policy that only the the vendors are allowed to touch food and produce.

The Fulton Street Farmers Market had its official main (summer) season opening this past weekend, where the hours were increased to 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through October. From November to April the market is only open for a few hours on Saturday.

Area farmers markets have been deemed essential by the state with vendors only able to offer food items such as diary, meat, and produce. (Free Domain)

Kentwood Farmers Market

To encourage vendors to follow the guidelines, the Kentwood Farmers Market is offering a Vendor Scholarship, which will cover 100 percent of the vendor fees. To qualify for the scholarship, a vendor who sells food products, needs to demonstrate a commitment to customer safety such as offering pre-packaged items or pick-up.

The Kentwood Farmers Market returns for its sixth season, June 4 and running through Aug. 27. The market will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in front of Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. For more information on the Kentwood Farmers Market or the Vendor Scholarship, visit the market’s website. 

Get It and Go

The implementation of customer counts with the Fulton Street Farmers Market only being able to allow 66 customers in the market at onetime did prove to be a challenge. The market was required to close off all its side entrances and increase its volunteers to get the customer counts along with help at the handicap entrance, Eardley said.

“The market is a place that people come to stroll or have a family outing, letting the smells and produce call to them as to what they might want to add to their meals,” Eardley said. “We have had to really make a shift in having people get in and get their food and leave.”

Advance planning is encouraged with the Fulton Street Farmers Market instituting a “roll call” on its Facebook of vendors planning to be at the market so shoppers could plan.

 

The Metro Health Farm Market also will have traffic arrows to direct the market flow and some of its entrance points will be closed but there are no plans to track the number of people in the market.

“There is some fear that a farmers market can turn into a social gathering, “Rademacher said. “Hopefully people will follow social distancing guidelines and only send one person from a family to help with the crowd control.

Rademacher added staff will be keeping an eye on the first day to see if adjustments need to be made.

Making Their Dollars Count

Eardley remarked that attendance for opening weekend was lower than usually, but she did have good news for other farmers markets.

“Some of our vendors have told us that they have had record-breaking sales,” she said. “So while the volume was down, those who were coming are very serious about making their dollars count toward the local food farmers and not the big box stores.”

Rademacher concurred with Eardley, saying “I think people are acknowledging that farmers are small businesses and spending local wherever they can.”

What About Non-Food Items?

Most markets usually have a mix of food and non-food items. Fulton Street Farmers Market also has an artist market on Sundays starting in June. Because crafters and non-food vendors do not fall under the essential category, for now they will not be at the markets. Both Radamacher and Eardley said they remain hopeful that as guidelines change, non-essential vendors will be able to be added.

High voter turnout leads to good news for Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
City of Wyoming offered curbside voting. City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg said they had about 40 people cast votes at city hall on May 5. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It was a good morning for every school district in Kent County that had a millage or bond issue in yesterday’s election — they all passed including Kelloggsville’s request for a 1.0 mill sinking fund and Godwin Heights $13.9 million bond request.

The May 5 election was the first time in the state’s history that was totally absentee ballot. All registered voters within school districts with a proposal were mailed absentee applications and local municipalities had voting stations — and in the case of the City of Wyoming, curbside voting — set up on the day of the election.

“We saw a higher turnout then we normally see for a special election,” said Wyoming City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg, who added that there was about a 14 percent turnout for the May 5 special election with the city usually having about a four to six percent turnout for similar elections.

VandenBerg said there could be a number of factors that contributed to the increase such as absentee applications were direct mailed and since people were home, they had more time to complete the ballot. 


“We really weren’t sure what to expect,” VandenBerg said, adding that the entire process went very well. Most of the voting did happen through the mail, with about 40 voters come to city hall to vote, she said.

Playground at Southeast Elementary will benefit from the recently approved 1.0 mill sinking fund. (WKTV)

For the May 5 election, Kelloggsville sought a 1.0 mill sinking fund request over 10 years to help with technology and safety improvements and the repair and construction of school buildings. In the first year, the district would receive $371,073 with West Elementary slated to receive the first round of funding for new carpet, lockers, playground upgrades and repaving the parking lot. Over the next 10 years, about every building within the district would benefit from the sinking fund by receiving roof replacements, classroom updates and parking lot repaving.

Kelloggsville encompasses a portion of the City of Wyoming and the City of Kentwood. With about 15.54 percent of the 8,307 registered voters within the district voting, the measure passed 710 to 576.

“We want to say ‘Thank You’ to our community,” said Eric Alcorn, Kelloggsville’s auxiliary services director. “We truly appreciate the trust they have in us even in these trying times. This is really exciting for our kids, parents, staff, community, and everyone connected to Kelloggsville. The passing of the sinking fund will allow us to make the necessary improvements in our classrooms and facilities throughout the district. We look forward to seeing the results of the annual improvements for the years to come.”

Godwin Heights Public Schools sought a $13.9 million bond proposal for structural, technological, and transportation upgrades. The bond would not increase taxes but would extend the current millage rate and constitute the second phase of a vision that started with a bond proposal approved by voters in 2015, according to a School News Network article.

Godwin Heights is in the City of Wyoming. With about 13.69 percent of its 8,130 register voters voting, the bond proposal passed, 653 to 457.

Will there be absentee voting in the fall? That is something the state will have to decide. (WKTV)

The City of Wyoming also has a small portion of voters in the Byron Center Public Schools, which was seeking a bond proposal. With one of the highest turnouts, 37.82 percent of its 20,252 registered voters, the proposal passed 4,805 to 2,830. Interestingly, according to the Kent County election results, none of the 10 City of Wyoming registered voters voted in the May 5 special election.

 

As to whether the absentee balloting should be done for August and November, which has been mentioned by state leaders, VandenBerg said that the fall elections are a different scale. In the special election, the city was dealing with about 12,000 voters, she said, adding that in the August and November elections, the number of voters is more than 52,000. 

“I think there are elements from this election that are worth looking at but as to whether the fall elections should be absentee will be guided by decisions from others,” VandenBerg said. 

Wyoming opens Yard Waste Drop-Off site, social distancing guidelines in effect

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,
The City of Wyoming has a yard waste disposal site for its residents. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

There have been a few nice days these past couple of weeks and the weekend at least is looking dry, which means that many residents might be heading outside to do some lawn work. Good news if you are in the City of Wyoming: the city has opened its Yard Waste Drop-Off Site, located 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW.

Due to social distancing, the hours will follow similar to the city’s snow plowing days. Those with addresses ending in an an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7) may drop off on Monday and Wednesday and those with addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) may drop off on Tuesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday will be open to all residents. The hours for the site are from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Only 15 cars will be allowed in the area at one time. Staff is asking everyone to be patient as the new guidelines may cause some delays in getting into the drop-off area.

Also, those coming to the site must wear a mask and have proof of residency such as a valid photo ID or a city water/sewer bill, property tax bill or tax assessment. 

Items should be sorted and placed in the correct pile. There is a leaves and grass pile for leaves, plants, flowers, and grass clippings and a brush pile for sticks, branches, bushes, and stumps less than three-feet in diameter. 

Leaf and plastic bags are not accepted, so if you bring them, you must leave with them. Also not accepted is sod, dirt, rock, stones, sand, RR ties, treated wood, fencing, shingles, concrete, asphalt, furniture, carpet, glass, garbage, scrap metal, appliance, paint, and chemicals. Basically, if it does not grow on the lawn, it is not welcomed.

To enter the Yard Waste Drop-Off Site, you must make a right turn from the north bound lane of Burlingame Avenue. At the guard shack, show your proof of residency. You should wear a mask and stay six-feet apart from other people. To exit, you will need to make a right-hand turn on to Burlingame Avenue.

For more information, visit the City of Wyoming’s Yard Waste Drop-Off Site page. 

May 5 local school funding vote in Wyoming, Kentwood to be a ballot process unlike any other

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Election, Going Local, Health, WKTV Projects, , , , ,
A sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall informs people intending to drop off absentee ballots for the May 5 local school district funding votes. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Michigan’s, and so both Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s, voting process for the upcoming May 5 local school funding proposals may — or may not — be foreshadowing how the hugely important 2020 election cycle will  play out in August if not also in November.

But one thing for sure, the Kent County voting process, put in place in the aftermath of current COVID-19 restrictions and Michigan Secretary of State directives, will be unlike any the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices have ever seen.

The bottom line, according to the Kent County Elections Office, is that registered voters within the precinct boundaries of two local school districts with funding measure requests — Kelloggsville Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools — should have automatically received absentee ballot applications.

(For more information on the Kelloggsville Public School District funding request, see a WKTV story. For more information on the Godwin Heights Public Schools funding request, see a story by our media partner School News Network.)

While applying for absentee ballots, and using them, is the “preferred” voting means May 5, “each jurisdiction is required to have one polling place open where individuals can vote in-person,” Robert J. Macomber, Kent County Chief Deputy County Clerk,  said to WKTV. “It won’t be a typical polling place as it would operate on election day normally.

“Anyone who walk-in on election day will be given a ballot and an envelope to put it in and it will be grouped in for counting with those that voted absentee prior to election day.  It’s essentially in-person absentee voting.”

And it is up to local clerks, such as the city clerks of Wyoming and Kentwood, to receive and county the absentee ballots on election day — including the ones dropped off at or walked into the clerk’s on that day.

A voting day unlike any other

This voting process “is certainly different, because all ballots will be processed as an absentee ballot,” Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic said to WKTV, whose office has posted specific May 5 voting process information on the city’s website.

And while both Wyoming City Clerk Kelli A. VandenBerg and Kasunic will be busy on that day counting ballots, VandenBerg also hopes to have few people actually needing to walk in to register and/or vote.

“We have seen a steady stream of ballot requests and a return of voted ballots,” VandenBerg said to WKTV. “While ‘day of’ voting is an option, we are strongly encouraging voters use the absentee process as much as possible.

And extension of the existing City of Wyoming drop off (and usually drive-up) city business customer convenience, the city clerk will now collect absentee ballots via a drop box. (WKTV)

“We have received guidance from the (state) Bureau of Elections and we continue to working closely with both county and city staff to ensure we have a safe election for voters and workers. … Anyone entering a public building will need to have a mask, so we will be prepared to address that. One feature we look forward to is a new drop box that will allow voters to drop off ballots without having to leave their vehicle.”

VandenBerg also pointed out that “While some voters have experience with absentee voting, this concept is new to many others. I often hear concerns from voters about whether absentee ballots are counted.  And absentee ballots are absolutely counted. They are not held in case there is a tie, they are counted each and every time.

For Spanish language voters, a sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall. (WKTV)

“Also, I would ask that voters have patience if they do need to visit city hall on election day. My staff and I want to help any and all voters who wish to vote, but we also want to do so while maintaining safety for everyone.”

She also urged voters to check their registration status at mi.gov/vote, where they can verify registration, view a sample ballot and check the status of their absentee request.

Highlights of Kentwood’s voting process includes confirming that “All registered voters in Precincts 1-4-5 (Kelloggsville Schools) have been mailed an application for an absentee ballot,” according to the city website page.

Also, the registration process, if absentee ballot requests were not received, include the person wishing to register prior to the May 5 election day should make an appointment at the city clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

In person voting — dropping off absentee ballots — and voter registration on May 5 will be at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE, with the office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After registration, voters will be given absentee ballots to fill out and hand back — but “in person interaction will be conducted in adherence to social distancing and health safety measures,” according to the city website page.

Wyoming closes offices, only essential staff reports

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

With the governor’s stay-at-home order, the City of Wyoming buildings and offices have closed as of March 23. Only essential staff are reporting to their work sites, according to the city’s website, wyomingmi.gov.

Essential services include police, fire, emergency medical, water, sewer, and public works. The city has implemented aggressive cleaning regimes and eliminated overlapping schedules as protective measures for first responders. 

Emergencies Services

Call 911

Police Non-Emergency Services 

Call 616-530-7300

Police Non-Emergency Services

Call 616-530-7314.

Email dpsrecords@wyomingmi.gov

These include: FOIA Requests, Accident Reports, Firearm Permit Applications, and SOR Registration

Much of the city’s remaining staff will continue to work from home if they are able. The city provides a number of online resources and services. Staff will continue to monitor responses to contact forms, emails, and phone calls.

Those unable to find the information they are looking for may use the city’s contact form or call 616-530-7226.

Limited Public Meetings

The City of Wyoming will be limiting public meetings to only take what actions are necessary. Most of the city’s scheduled public meetings have been canceled. Check the city’s website for a specific meeting.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order allowing public meetings to take place digitally.  We encourage everyone to submit written public comments instead of attending meetings to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Bot the City Council and Planning Commission meetings are streamed live on Facebook and WKTV local channels. Members of the public are encouraged to view City Council meetings from home. For the City Council meetings, residents may submit public comments in writing through the City Clerk’s Office webform. For the Planning Commission meetings, residents may submit public comment in writing to planning_info@wyomingmi.gov.

For both meetings, members of the public who are in attendance should follow social distancing and sit away from others. The City Council and the Planning Commission will limit public comments to one and a half (1.5) minutes per person.



62-A District Court and Kent County

Last week, the 62-A District Court announced there would be no in-person, public access to the facility. Residents are encouraged to pay tickets and check records online. Filings may be mailed to the 62-A District Court, 2650 DeHoop Ave. SW, Wyoming MI 49509. 

Many of the Kent County buildings have closed to the public including the County Clerk’s Office and the Treasurer’s Office. 

For up-to-date information about the City of Wyoming visit wyomingmi.gov. The city also has a page on its website dedicated to coronavirus information www.wyoming.gov/covid.

City of Wyoming closes senior center

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The Wyoming Senior Center will be closed through April 6. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The City of Wyoming recently announced that as a preventive measure, it has closed the Wyoming Senior Center and cancelled all events at the Senior Center until April 6.

As of now, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, in the City of Wyoming, according to a state from city officials. The closing of the Wyoming Senior Center is a proactive measure to help proved the spread of COVID-19 in populations at high risk of getting very sick. This includes older adults and people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lug disease.

City officials will evaluate the current state of COVID-19 as more information is available.

Remember, before attending any event, make sure to call or check the appropriate website before heading out. To check on City of Wyoming activities, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Wyoming City Council accepts $1.3 million bid for Jackson Park project

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The adopted master plan for Jackson Park. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

With the Wyoming City Council’s awarding of a $1.3 million bid, area residents will have a new splashpad, playground, and restroom at Jackson Park.

At last night’s regular council meeting, the Wyoming City Council accepted a bid from Katerberg Verhage, Inc. for the development project at Jackson Park, which is located at 1331 33rd St. SW.

Jackson Park is approximately 22 acres. It resides in a densely populated residential area of the City of Wyoming which is primarily made up of single‐family homes. A large green space in the center of the park provides for storm water storage for the neighborhoods.

A key to the development design was resident input, according to city staff. The City Council approved the design on April 20, 2009. Along with the splashpad, playground and restroom, this phase of the project also features the construction of shelter, security lighting, and new parking lot and access road from Robin Avenue.

“We’re excited to bring the ideas of residents to reality. The redevelopment of Jackson Park has been highly anticipated by area residents in this densely populated area of our community,” said Mayor Jack Poll.

A key element to the redesign of Jackson Park was resident input. (Supplied)

“Our initial goal was to begin Jackson Park’s development in 2015, however the economy and mother nature had different plans,” said the City of Wyoming Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “Project funding was delayed as a result of effects of the foreclosure crisis, and then having to make difficult choices for our park system’s capital and maintenance needs following tornadoes and flooding, required us to prioritize the redevelopment of Ideal Park over Jackson Park. Now, with Ideal Park well under construction, and having obtained funding, we can bring these much sought after improvements to the Jackson Park.”

Funding for the project is being provided through the City’s Capital Projects Revolving Fund, with staff support through the City’s dedicated Parks and Recreation Operational millage.

 

“We are grateful to our residents for their support as we continue to offer some of the best parks in West Michigan, right in their backyard,” Poll said.

Construction will begin this spring, and the park’s grand opening is planned for the summer of 2021. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to mark their calendars to attend the Ideal Park Grand Opening scheduled for Saturday, June 6.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,

Every new experience is unusual. The rest of life is just sleep and committee meetings.

Author John Twelve Hawks


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Honoring the Men in Blue

On Feb. 20, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety recognized several of its officers for the work they did in 2019. The 2019 Officer of the Year is Officer Marcus Donker and 2019 Civilian of the Year is Forensic Science Unit Technician Todd Masula. Congratulations to all the officers in both the police and fire departments. For a complete list of who was honored, click here.

Look Who’s Turning 70

City of Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, named after 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybesma, is hosting a party to mark its 70th anniversary. The event is set to take place at 4 p.m. at the Post, located at 98 52nd St. SE. A meal will follow prepared by the Blue Star Mothers and is $7 per plate. To learn more about the post or who 2nd Lt. Lawrence Sybsema was, click here.


Looking Ahead to August

The City of Kentwood announced this week that it would seek a millage of 0.9 mills on the August ballot. The millage would be for a period of 10 years, which would then be reduced to a perpetual millage of 0.65 mills. The tiered millage would be dedicated solely to construct, operate, maintain and acquire parks, trails and recreation improvements and programs. For more about the millage and how it would be used, click here.

Fun Fact: 48222

If you want to send mail to the those operating the boats on Lake Michigan then the zip code you’ll need is 48222. That is the zip code to the J.W. Westcott II, the only floating post office in the United States. Operating out of Detroit for more than 125 years, the J.W. Westcott delivers mail to the freighters that cross the Great Lakes. It service was so important that after sinking in 2001, it was salvage, refurnished and operates today. The J.W. Westcott, so named after the man who founded the company, has a contract with the postal service through 2021.

Wyoming Community Foundation continues to focus on the needs of its community

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Wyoming Community Foundation Chair Greg King sit-down with WKTV Journal’s Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma to talk about the Wyoming Community Foundation. (WKTV)



By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

For Wyoming’s Oriole Park Elementary, it was getting a set of recycling bins to help with its recycling effort. For the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids , it was supporting its Y Achievers Program to bring it to the middle and high school students at Godwin Heights and Godfrey Lee schools. 

Since 1992, this is the kind of support that the Wyoming Community Foundation has been providing to the City of Wyoming through its two grant programs.

 

“It kind of came about as a group of individuals who came together looking to do community stewardship,” said Greg King, who recently became the chair of the Wyoming Community Foundation. “That there were so many different needs going on in Wyoming, and how could this group help fund and support them going forward.”

A few years ago, the Wyoming Community Foundation helped fund new recycling bins for Wyoming’s Oriole Park Elementary School. (WKTV)

The foundation is an affiliate of the Grand Rapids Foundation which King said the Grand Rapids Community Foundation handles most of the administration details for the Foundation. In fact, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation lists five community affiliate funds that include the communities of Ionia, Hudsonville-Jension, Lowell, Sparta, and Wyoming.

The Wyoming Community Foundation ten-member board, which makes decisions on who will receive grants, is made up of community and City of Wyoming business leaders such as Lillian Vanderveen, owner of Lenger Travel, and Chris Hall, former chair and Inner City Christian Federation community homes initiative manager. 

The Wyoming Community Foundation awards two types of grants, general fund grants and Youth Advisory Committee grants. Currently, the Youth Advisory Committee program is on hiatus for a year as the group looks to revamp the program. King said the plan is to work with schools that have a footprint in the City of Wyoming to identify the issues the youth committee should focus on. Those schools are Wyoming Public Schools, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Kelloggsville Public Schools,

“ [We are] looking at some of the priorities that have changed,” King said. “The priorities that the act [which created the Youth Advisory Committee] had were back from 2016. Things have changed in the past four years. We are looking at getting more input from the schools on what the giving priority should be for our youth.”

Through the foundation’s general fund, the Wyoming Community Foundation did award about $14,000 to six different organizations in 2019. All of the organizations had programs that would directly benefit the City of Wyoming residents, King said. Those groups included Affinity Mentoring, Feeding America Mobile Food Pantries, Junior Achievement, Senior Sing-Along, UCOM’s Eat Healthy, Be Healthy, and the YMCA’s Y Achievers.

Any 501c3 organization that works within the city may apply for a grant. The application process opens in July and ends the second Friday in September. Decisions are announced by Oct. 31. The Youth Advisory Committee grant process usually starts in February. 

King said the Foundation can also serve as a springboard for organizations looking for other funding opportunities or residents looking for volunteer possibilities within the community. In fact, King said the Wyoming Community Foundation is currently looking to expand its board and interested residents can contact the Wyoming Community Foundation through its website, https://www.grfoundation.org/about/regional-affiliates/wyoming, or Facebook page.

Special Valentine’s Day delivery leads to a history lesson about the City of Wyoming

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Faith Hospice volunteer Elaine Martin delivers a handmade card and Valentine’s Day box of chocolates to former Wyoming resident and historian Dorothy Simon-Tibbe. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Dorothy Simon-Tibbe easily admits that she was always better at giving gifts than receiving.

So it should have come as no surprise to the media crew at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods covering the special Valentine’s Day deliveries to patients that the first thing the former Wyoming resident and historian would do with her box of chocolates is open it and offer a piece to everyone.

A Valentine’s Day card that hands in Dorothy Simon-Tibbe’s room. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“I appreciate being remembered,” Dorothy said. And as she passed around the candy, she added “You know I have been very blessed in that I have already received a lot of candy for Valentine’s Day.”

A small table near the doorway to Dorothy’s room has Lindt chocolates and other goodies along with Valentine’s Day notes. Across from where Dorothy sits is a large Valentine’s Day card that hints at her generosity: “No one has a bigger heart than you.”

“The reactions are all different,” said Cheryl Brink. volunteer coordinator for Faith Hospice Trillium Woods, about the annual Valentine’s Day delivery of candy to patients. “There are lots of smiles. Who doesn’t love chocolate?”

Valentine Day’s candies and cards ready for delivery. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

The Valentine’s Day surprise started about four years ago as an anonymous donor wanted to remember a family member and thank Faith Hospice for the care it provided. The person donated the boxes of chocolates and volunteers distributed the candy to Faith Hospice patients at the Trillium Woods, in their individual homes, and other nursing facilities where Faith Hospice oversees care.

The special Valentine’s Day surprise was so well received that every year since an anonymous donor has purchased the chocolates to be distributed to the Faith Hospice patients, which total more than 300.

“It’s just so joyful,” said Elaine Martin who once lived in the Wyoming area but now resides in Shelbyville with her husband. “There is surprise and joy. Some question where the candy came from and why. They usually smile back and sometimes invite you to sit with them for awhile. It’s a happy moment of their day.”

Upon receiving the candy, Dorothy immediately invited Elaine to sit with her and chat.

“You are probably going to say that Dorothy talked and talked and talked,” she said with a laugh, but being a former Wyoming historian and a “Wyominite” for most of her life (Dorothy originally came from the Traverse City area) had had a lot of stories to share.

Former Wyoming resident and historian Dorothy Simon-Tibbe and Faith Hospice volunteer Elaine Martin look over one of the Wyoming history books that Dorothy helped wrote. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)


She talked about her time as writer for the Southkent Advocate which lead to her getting involved with her beloved City of Wyoming. She showed off the two City of Wyoming history books she helped write “Wilderness to Wyoming” and “A City of Wyoming: A History,” along with a book she wrote for her family “Hoe Your Own Row.” She had stories of being on the city’s Planning Commission and other city committees and that “I knew every mayor and city council member…at least who was in my age bracket.”

“I have had such an incredible life,” Dorothy said. “As I look at the end of life, I am not bother by it at all. I married two wonderful husbands, had five wonderful children by birth, three foster children, 19 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.”

As Elaine gets ready to leave, she gives Dorothy hug, thanks her for sharing and tells Dorothy that she will definitely have to pick up one of Dorothy’s books as she is curious about the area she once lived in.

“It’s more than just the candy,” Elaine said as she readies the candy cart for the next deliveries. “It is someone is thinking about me.”

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,

People in north Michigan are not different at all from people in southern Alabama. Trust me, someone who’s spent a lot of time in both places. They’re all hardworking, simple people.

Musician Kid Rock


By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Two for the price of one

The 28th Street Metro Cruise organizers announced this week that Woodland Mall will be a second main event spot for the 2020 28th Street Metro Cruise. The new location, which will be open only on Aug. 22, will feature a wide array of collector, sports, and antique cars along with other activities. Of course the main event will remain at Rogers Plaza and will include many of the activities that are popular at the 28th Street Metro Cruise. For more information, click here.

Tag teaming against cancer

Stating Jan. 1, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Mercy Health and Michigan Medicine launched the new initiative the Cancer Network of West Michigan. The initiative is designed to integrate cancer care services in West Michigan with the goal of bringing broader access to advanced, state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnosis treatment and support across leading health care institutions. How will this impact patient care? Click here to find out.

Leslie Odom Jr. (Photo by Nathan Johnson)

‘Hamilton!’ Fever

If you did not get a chance to see “Hamilton!” or just did not get enough, the Grand Rapids Symphony has some great news: Leslie Odom, Jr. who originated the role of Aaron Burr in the musical will be performing with the Grand Rapids Symphony in its 2020-21 season. This and the symphony’s Classical Series lineup was announced this week. Don’t miss your shot by clicking here to learn more.

Happy Quasquicentennial!

Mackinac State Historic Parks mark its 125th anniversary this year with lots of celebrating planned throughout the year. Mackinac Island was actually the second national state park, designated in 1875. The park was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895 at the request of then Governor John T. Rich with a condition: that the area remain a state park or the land would revert back to the United States. For more information on the 125th Anniversary activities, visit mackinacparks.com/mackinac125.

Hand2Hand hosts February informational meeting for Wyoming/Kentwood area

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Hand2Hand Executive Director Cheryl Hondred talks about the Hand2Hand program. (Video by WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Hand2Hand, a local children’s food program, will host an informational meeting Thursday, Feb. 27, for area business, church, and school leaders in the Wyoming/Kentwood area.

According to Hand2Hand, there are about 6,619 students in the Wyoming/Kentwood area in need of weekend food. Weekends are the  most vulnerable time for child whose home lacks food resources.

Hand2Hand delivers a bag of food to children for that weekend time. The program parnters with local churches and schools and also engages businesses and individuals to help provide that food. 

The informational meeting for the Wyoming/Kentwood area will be Feb. 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cornerstone Church’s Wyoming campus, 2730 56th St. SW. During the meeting, participants will learn about Hand2Hand and its purpose, hear from Wyoming and Kentwood superintendents about the program, and receive a complimentary lunch.

Those interested in attending the program should RSVP by Feb. 18 to jodi@h2hkids.org or call 616-209-2779.

Wyoming community blood drive set for Feb. 12

3-bottom, City of Wyoming,

A community blood drive has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall Council Chambers, 115 28th St. SW.


Those interested in donating blood at the drive should make sure to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating. Also, participants should plan to bring a photo ID with birth date.

Appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, call 866-642-5662 or visit versiti.org/MI.

Registration now open for spring programs in City of Wyoming

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WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

There are a number of spring programs available through the Wyoming Department of Parks and Recreation Registration is now open for these programs.

One such program is the spring youth soccer program. The program, which is opens children ages 4 to 12, runs April 25 to June 6. For other programs, click here.

There are four ways to register for programs:

Visit www.wyomingmi.gov/PRRegistration

Call 616-530-3164

Mail in form to the appropriate office

Register at the Parks and Recreation office at the City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW

There are scholarships available for those interested in participating in the Parks and Recreation Department youth programs. For a scholarship, click here or call 616-530-361 or email Kenny Westrate at westratk@wyomingmi.gov for more information.

Volunteer coaches are needed for the soccer programs and other activities. For coaching opportunities, email parks_info@wyoming.gov or call 616-530-3164.

Also, dog lovers, the city has a Dog Park, located north of Kimble Stadium at 1414 Nagel St. SW, and has areas for both large and small dogs. the park is equipped with doggy drinking foundation and sand hill. An annual membership is $12 for residents and $24 for non-residents. For a Wyoming Dog Park packet, click here and for a registration form, click here. For more information about the Wyoming Dog Park, email parks_info@wyoming.gov or call 616-530-3164.

Wyoming’s odd/even parking runs through March 31

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

By the City of Wyoming

The City of Wyoming’s odd/even parking ordinance is in effect through March 31. The ordinance helps facilitate the City’s snow plowing operations.

Under the ordinance, residents must park on the side of the street that corresponds with that day’s date. For example, on Feb. 5 cars should be parked on the side of the street with odd-numbered addresses. On Feb. 6 cars should be parked on the side of the street with even-numbered addresses. On a cul-de-sac, parking may occur on even-numbered days.

Cars mus the parked on the correct side of the street from midnight to 7 p.m. From 7 p.m. to midnight, they may be parked on either side. Odd-even parking rules apply to all streets in Wyoming that are not already designated “no parking.”

For questions, please contact the City of Wyoming’s Department of Public Works at 616-530-7260.

Taking the lead: Family Network of Wyoming helps residents, other pantries by coordinating efforts

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, ,
Dale Echavarria talk about the Family Network of Wyoming. (Video by WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

A four-pack of toilet paper. That is one thing that Family Network of Wyoming volunteer Phyllis VanderSloot would love to see each of the organization’s clients walk out with.

“They get one roll of toilet paper for the whole month,” the Byron Center resident said, adding who can last a whole month with one role of toilet paper?

And while the shelves of the Family Network food pantry are well stocked of food items and the freezers, thanks to area businesses, are full, the personal care items like toilet paper, barely at times take up half of a shelf. So the toilet paper is handed out sparingly so as everyone who comes in can get at least a roll.

Dale Echavarria, the retiring co-executive director of Family Network of Wyoming, is the first to admit collecting food is much easier than getting personal care products.

“Unlike food items, personal care products do not have an expiration date and so they can stay on a store shelf for a longer period,” Echavarria said.

Echavarria is grateful for the community support and donations to the Family Network of Wyoming, which comes to the organization in various ways. Local organization such as SpartanNash, Car City, and Shannon Orthodontics bring much needed personal care products and food items to the pantry.

“I remember the first year that Shannon Orthodontics contacted us,” Echavarria said. “They said they had had a food fight with other area dentists and was wonder if they could drop the items off. We were expecting a few boxes and instead had a parade of stocked mini vans.”

Even those in need have contributed back, Echavarria said.

“Recently the Wyoming Wolves had a food drive bringing in more than a 1,000 cans of food,” Echavarria said. “It was moving because some of the families who gave have been or are our clients.”

The fruit and vegetable section in the Family Network of Wyoming. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

What’s in a name?

Because of the name, Family Network, most people think it is a counseling center,” Echavarria said. And while there is some counseling along with a medical supply closet and a Christmas store, the main focus of Family Network is its food pantry.

The former Faith Community Christian Reformed Church at 1029 44th St. SW serves as the headquarters. The worship area is the storage room where volunteers pull items. The entrance way is where residents line up for their monthly supplies. The downstairs serves as offices, meeting area, and storage for the medical supply closet.

The main hub of activity takes place in the the worship area, where food is distributed two days a week to about 10,000 residents yearly in the Wyoming, Grandville, and Jenison areas. Residents are usually assigned a pantry to visit once a month based on where they live, Echavarria said, adding that Family Network will take a person or family in distressed and help them get connected to the right pantry.

Before distributing, the volunteers gather for a brief meeting and prayer and then Echavarria heads to the foyer to talk to the clients. He lets them know of opportunities while seeing if there is anyone new to the pantry or anyone with special needs. From there, one-by-one, the residents meet with staff and volunteers who help fill out food sheets and assist them in shopping.

It takes about a person 30 minutes to make their way from fruits/vegetables to receiving their meat items and selecting bread. Once and while there are extra items such as flowers donated by one of the stores.

“Many of the people who come through here would never have money for flowers,” said Sandy Jenkinson of Wyoming. “So it is a nice treat to be able to give them something like that.”

Family Network of Wyoming brings items out from the food area to a client. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Taking the lead

Family Network of Wyoming is a lead pantry. Echavarria said they saw a need to streamline the process with stores to make it convenient and constant for food pick up or for trucks to drop items that can not be delivered. Family Network then reviews all the food that comes and redistributes it, providing other pantries connections to items they might not be able to get because of location, staffing, or lack of resources.

“We believe there is not a scarcity mentality, it is a team work mentality,” he said.

Nothing is wasted. Fresh produce or dated items not used at Family Network are sent to other area pantries and even items that don’t make the cut for distribution are set aside for area pig and chicken farmers to use as feed.

Volunteers pull food items for clients from the shelves. (Photo by WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Always in Need: Volunteers

“I meant many of the people during a food drive,” said volunteer Burt Ponstein. “Everybody was so nice and friendly that I just called one day to see about volunteering.”

To do all that the Family Network does takes a village, so volunteers are another need for many pantries like the Family Network of Wyoming. About 43 people currently volunteer at Family Network.

“Many of us, well, we’re not 22 anymore,” Echavarria said, adding that as the current group ages out, he is concerned about filling the gaps with new volunteers.

Part of the obstacle is that Family Network of Wyoming is one of the best kept secrets in the area, Echavarria said, referring again to how people keep thinking it is a counseling center. However with a peek through its doors, Echavarria hopes people will see the good it has been doing for the past 15 years.

“We just need people to consider if they can help,” Echavarria said. “It might just be an hour or two, picking up food, helping to organize the pantry. There is something for about every skill level.”

Or it just be just dropping off some personal care products, like toilet paper, on the way to the next destination.

For those who wish to volunteer or donate, go to fntw.org.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood weekend news you ought to know

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , ,

I would really be doing something right, perhaps even important, if I was bringing even a little more compassion into the world through Big Bird. 

Caroll Spinney, the man who brought Big Bird to life



By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Weekend List

The Grand Rapids Symphony’s first 2020 concert of the year is Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. (Supplied)

There is s storm coming? Well strap on those chains because there is lots to do this weekend! The Grand Rapids Symphony performs a classical concert Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. Also the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has opened its latest production, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which runs through Jan. 26 at the theater, 30 N. Division Ave. And LowellArts opened its exhibition “The Art of Change,” at its gallery, 223 E. Main St., Lowell. Click here for more information and tickets.

Now Hiring

If you are interested in working for the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census, well you only have a few more weeks to apply. Since the bureau has not received enough applicants for census positions, it has increased the pay for Michigan, which is now between $14 – $25. In Kent County, it is $25 per hour. For more information about how to apply and the positions available, click here.

For Free?

The holidays are over and so is the excitement of the new family pet you got. Well before you decide to get rid of Fido or Felicity for free, there are a few things you should know, such as do not give any animal away for free and investigate the person who is interest in taking your pet. For more information, click here.

Fun Fact: All Buttoned Up

So if you have every ventured down to Ah-Nab-Awen- Park (you know the park next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum), you might have noticed a large red button with parents either encouraging or discouraging their children to play on it. Well, “Lorie’s Button,” as it is called, was part of a design competition to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial year. It was designed by Hy Zelkowitz and installed during the 1976 Festival of the Arts. The piece is one of the most expensive artworks for the city to maintain because, yes, it was designed for form and function, meaning children can play on it and families are encouraged to take photos. Glad we finally were able to settle that debate.