Tag Archives: City of Wyoming

With city and commercial cooperation, grand opening of 28 West Place more than ribbon-cutting 

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Local Business, ,
At the ribbon cutting, from left, Megan Sall, City of Wyoming assistant city manager and Downtown Development Authority director; Bob O’Callaghan, President of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce; Joshua Weiner, CEO Meyer C. Weiner Company; Tom Swoish, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust; and Matthew McDade, Meyer C. Weiner Company. (Supplied/City of Wyoming)

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The 28 West Place parking lot and sidewalks were a buzz of activity Saturday, Oct. 21, when the business-focused City of Wyoming and its business partners held the official grand reopening of the shopping center once known as Wyoming Village Mall.

 

But there was much more of a crowd going into and out of several businesses than there are watching the usual ribbon-cutting — and that was just fine with everybody getting their pictures. Making the shopping center much more attractive and easier to access was what their efforts were all about.

 

“The last time we had a grand opening here was 1978, when we had renovated the shopping center,” Joshua T. Weiner, of mall owner Meyer C. Weiner Company, said to WKTV Journal. “It has been from 1978 until now, really, that this shopping center had gone through a major transformation.”

The mall first opened in 1962, when it was called Southland Plaza. It was dedicated to Weiner’s grandfather, Harry, “who was a haberdasher on Ionia Street in Grand Rapids, who predicted the growth of this area,” Weiner said.

 

And over the years, through good times and not-so-good times, businesses have come and gone from the location, but Weiner said two things remained constant.

 

“The one constant, of Wyoming and this particular location, on Michael Avenue (SW), is 28th Street,” he said. “28th Street has always had great traffic, great volumes, and has made this location a viable one for over 50 years. The demographics have changed, in the marketplace, over that time, and in order to meet the needs of the marketplace we’ve had to change with those times in terms of the merchants who are here and the development we have. We think we have done that.

 

“The other constant has been a close working relationship with the City of Wyoming itself. The founding fathers — and founding mothers — of Wyoming, both the elected officials and the professional staff, have worked with us hand-in-glove over the years. And (did so) this particular public-private partnership, of putting in 28 West Place, the street.”

 

A key part of the redevelopment of the center was the city purchasing land and putting in a special street  — 28 West Place Street — to allow better access to the businesses.

 

“Back in (20)08 I first got involved in this, when Carol Sheets was mayor, and we started to talk about it,” Sam Bolt, Wyoming Mayor Pro Tem, said to WKTV Journal. “When the developers wanted to get onboard, at that point, we had it pretty well laid out as to what we wanted.

 

Overview of the new 2 West Place with the 28 West Street.

“When the mall decided they wanted to go ahead with it, we bought the property … to get the street in,” Bolt said. “Last year at this time we got the street in, now we are breaking ground on it. It is just a beautiful project. It has revitalized this area. I think we have added 20,000 square feet to the mall already.”

 

28 West Place Street bisects the mall’s property to connect 28th Street to Michael Avenue. The new road is part of the City of Wyoming’s master plan to transform its downtown area into a pedestrian friendly oasis of shopping, dining, entertainment and housing, according to the city.

 

The public-private partnership to help redevelop 28th Street is in keeping with the city’s business-friendly outlook.

 

“Today we have a mindset, in the city, that we want to work with developers and retail people to revitalize the area,” Bolt said. “We work with them, not stand in their way, trying to make it a one-stop-shop, so that when they come in with a project that they want to do, they don’t have to talk to 10 different people, they talk to one person. They get their questions answered, and we go forward. … We know they have money on the line, and every day a project is not going forward is costing them dollars.”

 

The Oct. 21 with a ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening celebration was hosted by the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce as well as the Downtown Development Authority.

 

In partnership with the city, the Meyer C. Weiner Company has completed construction of its multi-million dollar redevelopment on this mall property, according to the city. In 2016, work began to demolish approximately 58,000 square feet of vacant, obsolete building space. Construction began in 2017 to add 20,000 square feet of new energy efficient building space and two out-lot buildings of approximately 11,000 square feet, along with significant property improvements to upgrade the existing retail center and its surface parking lot.

 

Since the changes took place, three new tenants have moved in: CSL Plasma, Mr. Alan’s clothing store, and Simply 10 clothing store. Additional space is available for lease, including another 5,500-square-foot pad building with visibility along 28th Street.

 

Wyoming partners with local hospital for National Drug Take Back event

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, ,

The City of Wyoming and Metro Health-University of Michigan Health will help area households dispose of unused medications safely and properly on Saturday, Oct. 28.

 

The City of Wyoming and Metro Health again will partner to provide a Drug Take Back service between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Area residents are encouraged to bring unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to the main lobby of Metro Health Hospital, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW or to Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW, both located in Wyoming.

 

Wyoming Public Safety officers will be on hand to anonymously accept medications, including controlled substances, with no questions asked. A pharmacist from Metro Health will be available throughout the event to answer questions about medications. Mercury thermometers may also be exchanged for a new digital thermometer from the City of Wyoming and Metro Health.

 

Growing concern over pharmaceutical pollution in waterways and prescription drug abuse has led cities nationwide to develop drug take back programs. The West Michigan Drug Take Back program is a joint effort between local pharmacies, law enforcement, wastewater treatment facilities and government agencies to provide residents with safe, convenient access to proper medicine disposal. Medications collected in West Michigan are transported to Kent County’s Waste to Energy Facility, where they are incinerated.

 

Metro Health and the City of Wyoming partner twice a year to provide this service to the community. In April, the Drug Take Back Day event took in 652 pounds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and 25 mercury thermometers.

 

The City of Wyoming also offers a prescription drug drop-off service 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, also at its Public Safety offices in Wyoming.

 

According to the West Michigan Take Back Meds, 20 percent to 60 percent of prescription medications go unused and are eventually disposed. A 2002 analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey of 139 streams across 30 states found that 80 percent of waterways tested had measurable concentrations of prescription and nonprescription drugs, steroids and reproductive hormones. For more on West Michigan Take Back Meds, visit www.wmtakebackmeds.com.

The Rapid seeks a 1.47 millage renewal to keep buses running through Kentwood, Wyoming

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In Focus today is Michael Bulthuis of The Rapid public transit system. The Rapid, on November 7, will be asking for renewal of the system’s current 1.47 mil local property tax millage. (WKTV)

By Hannah Haviland, WKTV Editorial Assistant

news@wktv.org

 

At the upcoming Nov. 7 election, residents of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood are being asked to consider a 1.47 millage rate so that The Rapid can continue serving these cities along with four other municipalities in the greater Grand Rapids area.

 

The millage request, which is listed as the Interurban Transit Partnership Board Transit Millage Ballot Proposal 2018-2019 on the Nov. 7 ballot, is not an increase, but rather would replace the current Rapid millage of 1.47 mills which is set to expire in July of 2018.

 

According to information supplied by The Rapid, for a $100,000 home with a taxable value of $50,000, the homeowner would continue to pay around $73.50 a year for the millage. The millage, which has been active for the past seven years, is about a third of The Rapid’s total budget of $44 million, covering about $15.5 million. The majority of the rest of the budget comes from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s local bus operating assistance and passenger fares.

 

Because the millage makes up such a large percentage of The Rapids’ operational expenses, without the renewal, most of the fixed route services that the millage helps fund would not be be able to operate, according to The Rapid Marketing and Communications Director Michael Bulthuis, who sat down to talk about the millage in a recent WKTV Journal: In Focus segment.

 

 

“Most of our riders are using the bus at least once a week, if not every day, for a work related activity,” Bulthuis said. “If you consider that we have between 11 to 12 million rides every year, 80 percent of those rides are work related trips.”

 

Each of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood have nine Rapid routes not counting the Silver Line. These are among the 22 routes that would potentially be shut down if the millage doesn’t pass.

 

“You would start to see service cuts, frankly, because you’re not getting that $15.5 million in millage funding,” Bulthuis said. “That millage funding also helps leverage state funding so you’re losing millions of dollars in state funding as well.”

 

The millage has been active for the last seven years, and if it passes, will continue at the same rate of 1.47 for twelve more years. If, however, it doesn’t pass, all of The Rapids’ normal bus routes would cease. The Rapid would only be able to operate on a contractual basis for entities that would entirely cover the cost of its service. Go!Bus, the service for the elderly and disabled, would also be drastically decreased, putting people in that demographic at risk of missing doctor’s appointments or other needed services.

 

The millage funds are only used for everyday expenses such as wages for employees, fuel, tires, and other essential needs. It is not used for other projects such as new buses, buildings, or project construction. The Silver Line, which operates along Division Avenue connecting downtown Grand Rapids to the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, would also not be affected since it is funded by state and federal grants.

 

The WKTV Journal: In Focus episode including the discussion about The Rapid millage, and a discussion with Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Reeder on his district’s millage request, will air twice this week on WKTV channels but all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Ribbon cutting celebrates redevelopment of former Wyoming Village Mall to 28 West Place

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

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Just a month short of the four-year mark when the City of Wyoming first introduced the concept of 28 West, city officials will gather with city leaders and business representatives to celebrate the the project that lead to the completion of the first half of the road.

 

This Saturday, Oct. 21, there will be a ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening celebration of the 28 West Place, formerly Wyoming Village Mall, at 1:30 p.m. with additional events to follow. The ribbon cutting ceremony is hosted by the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce.

 

“This is a hallmark change in the corridor here that we have been hoping for a number of years…” said Mayor Jack Poll.

 

The 28 West sign located in front of the former Studio 28 property. Construction for the 28 West project will actually start just east on the Wyoming Mall property.

In 2013, the City of Wyoming adopted a plan for the reimagine of the south side of 28th Street between Clyde Park and Burlingame avenues in to a mixed-use town center utilizing form-based code, which provides flexibility to developers. A key element to the 28 West concept was the construction of a curving slip street which would become the center’s new “main street.” The street was designed to run from the south side of 28th Street across from Hook Avenue to Jenkins Avenue, which runs next to the former Klingman/Rogers Department Store building. Because the plan involved demolition of buildings on privately held property, city officials knew it would take some time to get all parties on board with the plan.

 

Jumping forward to 2016 when Meyer C. Weiner Company, which owns 28 West Place, approached the city about renovation plans for the mall property which was originally developed in 1962 and known as Southland Mall. Those plans included 20,000 square feet of new entry efficient building space and two out-lot buildings of approximately 11,000 square feet, long with significant property improvements to upgrade the existing retail center and its surface parking lot.

 

Seeing the opportunity to move forward with the 28 West Street plan, the City of Wyoming officials entered into a $1.6 million agreement with Meyer C. Weiner Company so as to move forward with the first phase of the 28 West Street project from Hook Avenue to Michael Avenue. This past week, the City Council finalized some of the details by placing an all-the-way stop sign at the 28 West Place service drive along the west side of the mall.

 

“We are excited to commemorate this first stage of redevelopment,” said Megan Sall, assistant city manager and Downtown Development Authority director. “There are so many opportunities inherent in this area and we’re pleased to have a partner in Meyer C. Weiner Company as we set the stage for future growth.”

 

Overview of the new 2 West Place with the 28 West Street.

Matthew McDade, chief operating officer for the Meyer C. Weiner Company, also points to partnerships as being key to this project’s success. “The Meyer C. Weiner Company would like to thank all the staff and officials at the City of Wyoming who worked extremely hard to make this redevelopment possible, along with the stakeholders for the successful completion of this project.”

 

As the renovation project got underway, Mr. Alan’s, a clothing store, leased a 5,400-square-foot out-lot building and opened in June. Other new tenants include CSL Plasma which opened in April, and Simply 10, a clothing store, is expected to opening late October. The current tenants of 28 West Place also include a Save-A-Lot, DollarTree, Payless Shoes, and the children’s consignment store Once Upon a Child.

 

28 West Place retailers will be hosting a series of events from 2 – 4 p.m. which include the Grand Rapids Drive’s mascot Buckets, signed Red Wings photos, face-painting for kids, a live remote with 95.7 WLHT and WKTV also will be there as well.

Wyoming gets ready for 14th Annual Pumpkin Path

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,
About 6,000 children, parents, and grandparents attended the Wyoming Pumpkin Path last year.

It’s time to get the kids together and pull out your favorite costume because Pumpkin Path is right around the corner!

 

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the 14th annual Pumpkin Path – a free event for kids and families on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The event will be held from 4-6 p.m. Local businesses, clubs and organizations will host spaces along the path and will hand out candy, coupons and other goodies.

 

“Pumpkin Path was created to be a fun, safe, family-friendly event for the fall, providing an alternative to traditional Halloween events,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming.  “Pumpkin Path gives families the perfect opportunity to interact with neighborhood businesses while enjoying the outdoors, Lamar Park and the beauty of the fall season.”

 

Not only should children expect to receive treats, they should also look forward to a DJ and dancing, jumping in the bounce house and games. Participants are welcome to come in costume or in regular clothes.

 

At last year’s Pumpkin Path event, 65 local businesses and organizations and more than 6,000 children, parents, grandparents and friends attended.

Intersection of 56th and Ivanrest scheduled to get traffic signal

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A 56th Street reconstruction project includes adding a traffic signal to the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Within a year, the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue will have a traffic light.

 

At its regular Monday night meeting, the Wyoming City Council moved forward on improvements for 56th Avenue – which includes the new traffic signal – by formally accepting the agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the reconstruction project.

 

The project, which is scheduled to start in July of 2018, will include the widening of 56th Street for the addition of a third lane along with sidewalk on the south side and the widening of the bike path on the north side, said Wyoming Public Works Director Bill Dooley during the Monday night council meeting.

 

“Probably the most key to the people out there right now is that we are going to signalize the intersection at 56th and Ivanrest and that was called for in that report for that development over there at Wilson and 56th Street as well,” Dooley said. The intersection is currently a four-way stop. The development Dooley is referring to is the PUD project the Granger Group has been developing and which has met with much opposition from residents. The Wyomig City Council has table that project to November

 

“We wanted to start this year [on 56th Street] but it took longer to get the right-a-ways for the project which have been acquired now,” Dooley said. “We normally would start first thing next spring but Maple Hill Golf Course has a big 40-year celebration and they asked us if we could wait until that is complete which will take place in June. So we will be starting right around the first of July.”

 

The construction costs are estimated at about $2.4 million which includes the city’s portion of $630,500. Dooley note that the cost does not include the city’s engineering and other expenses, which will bring the total project to about $3 million. The city will pay for its portion of construction costs out of its Capital Improvement Fund.

 

Because there are federal monies involved in the project, MDOT will handling the biding process, Dooley said, adding that the project will be put out for bid this fall.

 

Library Sidewalk

 

The Wyoming City Council also accepted a bid for the construction of a concrete sidewalk and lighting to replace an existing dirt path that residents have been taking to get to the KDL Wyoming Branch campus at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The project was awarded to Weick Bros., Inc, for $44,209.25, which was higher than the planned budget for the project as safety lighting was added to it.

 

Currently residents east of the library from the Herman Avenue area have been using a dirt trail to reach the facility. With increase use of the trail, it was determined to improve the pathway and safety of residents with concrete and additional lighting, according to Mayor Jack Poll.

 

The Wyoming City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Train derailment causes rerouting on 36th Street

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,

 

Wyoming Public Safety

The train was four cars long and at least two cars derailed.  Officials are reporting that there are no hazardous substances on the train.

 

According to an update from Wyoming Department of Public Safety, the engine was pushing three rail cars that derailed.

 

The engine is still on the tracks. The reason that the rail cars derailed was due to a safety mechanism that was put on the tracks for rail workers further up the line. According to the report, the safety mechanism is designed to derail the cars to protect the workers. This is much like a “lock out” tag system used by electrical or mechanical engineers / maintenance workers so that machines don’t start up while they are performing maintenance work. Police said the system did exactly what it was designed to do.  Officials said they have been told that normally these derailers are placed a little further down the line so that if cars are derailed they don’t block the roadway.

 

There has been a report of one minor injury reported (sprained ankle) to one railroad worker.

 

Currently 36th Street is blocked at Buchanan Avenue SW on the east end and it will be blocked at Clay Avenue on the west end while the rail cars are taken care of.  Also all vehicles that take the north bound off ramp from 131 to 36th Street will be directed to the west. Drivers are being encouraged to find alternative routes.

 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety said it does not have an anticipated time that the roadway will open. Officials said barricades will be in place to assist with traffic control.

Wyoming resident steps down from city service after 45 years

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,

 

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

When Wyoming resident Lyle Converse received a letter of his pending reappointment to the city’s Officers Compensation Commission, it was then that he realized “I just wasn’t sure I could do another seven years.”

 

It was then that the 91-year-old decided to retire from public service having served on various city boards and commissions for 45 years.

 

“Well certainly on behalf of a very grateful city, thank you for your many years of service,” said Mayor Jack Poll during the Sept. 18 Wyoming City Council meeting where Converse was honored for his years of service. “As long as I have been mayor, I have always ended every letter that I sent out and other things to ‘be involved, be informed” and certainly you are the epitome of being involved and being informed.”

 

Lyle Converse when he ran for Wyomig City Council

Poll noted that Converse brought so much knowledge to the several boards he served which included the city’s Officers Compensation Commission, the Economic Development Corporation, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the Planning Commission.

 

“You have served our city wonderfully well but all good things have to come to an end,” Poll said. “Your years of service will always be remembered fondly and we appreciate everything you’ve done.”

 

For which Converse than received a standing ovation from the crowd. “I never get standing ovations and you were never mayor for crying out load,” Poll said with a chuckle to Converse.

 

“Well, I ran for the seat once,” Converse responded. It was through the urging of some friends that Converse ran for the Wyoming City Council in 1969. Converse would not win but he was appointed to the Economic Development Corporation which later became part of the Brownfield Development Authority.

 

Lyle Converse with his wife

Converse came to Grand Rapids in the 1940s on a GI Bill to attend Davenport College. Earl Robson, who owned Robson Department Store on Division Avenue, was looking for a sales person, so Converse took the job with the intention of getting his feet wet in sales for a year and moving on. Converse stayed, eventually taking over the store and finally closing it in 1993.

 

“When Lyle recently turn in his resignation from the Officers Compensation Committee, the city clerk looked at his past history with our community and realized that he had served the city faithfully for 45 years,” said Wyoming Assistant City Manager Megan Sall. “He was one of the founding fathers of the commission.”

 

And while Converse may have founded the Officers Compensation Committee, he is more well known for coming up with the idea of the Wyoming Rodeo which was operated out of Lamar Park for almost 25 years. He also served in the South Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, which at the time was a branch of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, according Converse.

 

Poll said the city has a number of openings available on various commissions and boards. For more information contact the Wyoming City Clerk’s Office at 616-530-7296.

 

Serving the community, according to Converse, is an important part of being in that community.

 

“It’s rewarding,” he said. “You meet a lot of people. You help promote the city.

 

“For myself, if I was to do it over again, I think I would probably do the same thing. Overall you get more out of it than what you give and I think we should all give back to our community for what the community does for us.”

Kentwood landfill update, Wyoming councilor Postema on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus 

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Dar Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, visits the set of WKTV Journal: In Focus. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with the Kent County official leading methane mitigation efforts at the closed Kentwood landfill — and the free testing available to property owners around the site.  And, in the second in a series of interviews with Wyoming’s new city councilors, WKTV’s Ken Norris also talks with Rob Postema on his first few months on the job.

 

The new episode will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Sept. 22. Along with all episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus, the new interviews are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

 

In the interview with Darwin J. “Dar” Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works, he told WKTV that while about 150 property owners within 1,500-feet of the landfill’s western boundary are eligible for free on-site testing for methane, so far, only eight of the property owners have had their homes tested.

 

“We coordinate it, and then a local engineering firm — Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber — they actually come in and do the testing,” Baas said. “They have a form and a system that they use. Takes about an hour. It is very non-intrusive. For those that have had the testing done, they have been very pleased with how quickly we are in and out. And how well it goes.”

 

At the time of the interview, none of the tests had come back positive. The county is the point agency on the closed Kentwood landfill and methane mitigation efforts. Recently, the county announced expanded mitigation efforts.

 

In the interview with Postema, he talked about his long history in the city, including a stint as a member of the city’s planning commission.

 

Wyoming City Councilor Rob Postema. (WKTV)

“Planning commission is a good lead-in to being on city council,” he said. “You get involved with meeting with a lot of the citizens, at some of the public meetings, and you really get a good feel for how city government works. … But what you are really not prepared for is some of the other issues that they deal with, the non-zoning issues. I’ve had a great experience, so far, everybody views city council as ‘Its a team’.”

 

Postema, who was elected last year to represent the City’s Third Ward, grew up in Wyoming, attended Lee and South Christian high schools, graduated from Calvin College, and now works with his father and brother at an architectural and engineering firm in the city.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will started airing on Tuesday, Sept. 12, and will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Visit here for a YouTube video of the episode

 

Wyoming Police asks public’s help in locating missing Wyoming woman

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, ,
Ana Marie Carrillo

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety continues to investigate the disappearance of Ana Marie Carrillo of Wyoming.

 

Carrillo, a 35-year-old Hispanic female was expected at an address in Wyoming on Sunday but never arrived.  Her vehicle was located in a business parking lot near 40th and Clyde Park Avenue.  Carrillo is described as 5’2”, 140, brown hair and brown eyes.  She was last seen wearing a white Aeropostle sweater, gray sweatpants and white shoes.

 

According to the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, at this time officers have no reason to suspect foul play but her lack of contact with friends and family without explanation is unexpected and unexplained.

 

Ana Marie Carrillo

In a statement today, officers said that the investigative staff is actively working this case with interviews and following up on any tips from. Friends and family still have not heard from Carrillo and are still appealing to the public to assist us with attempting to local her, according to police.

 

Anyone with information about Carrillo or her whereabouts are asked to call the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

WKTV Labor Day programming offers concerts all day long

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Recreation, WKTV Projects,
Music of all sorts came to the stage this summer as part of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series. (City of Wyoming)

WKTV Staff

 

Tune in to WKTV Channel 25 on Labor Day, Sept. 4, for our all-day “Concerts In The Park” special.  We will air the entire Wyoming Concerts In The Park series, featuring the bands in order of their appearance. Relive all the fun and excitement of the summer series starting at 9:30 a.m. and running all day long.

 

The concert times and performers are as follows:

9:30 a.m.  — Detroit Circus

11 a.m. — Shelagh Brown Band

12:35 p.m . — Sweet J Band

1:55 p.m. — Brena Band

4 p.m. — Michatucky

5:30 p.m. — 6 Pack

7:15 p.m. — Toppermost

8:50 p.m. —  Union Guns

10:25 p.m. — Tejano Sound Band

 

For a complete list of programming, visit WKTV.org and hit the programming guide tab.

 

New Wyoming city councilor Postler visits ‘WKTV Journal: In Focus’

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Politics, ,
Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected in last fall’s election, on the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected to represent the city’s 2nd Ward in last fall’s election.

 

Also on the program is a discussion with a Kent County Department of Health official detailing why vaccinations are important — and required by law — for young children, but also important for teenagers and even college-age youth.

 

In Postler’s interview, she talks about how life has changed for her a year after she “dreamed” about being a student who won a city council election, but also her learning curve during the first months on the job and how the city is moving to become more of a place for young persons like herself to call home.

 

“Honestly the vast majority of it (my life) is still the same: I am still a student at Grand Valley (State University), still work at Costco, but now I am living the dream,” Postler said to WKTV’s Ken Norris. “It has been mostly a lot of learning so far, as you might expect. Other than that I am still the same person, I just have a lot more responsibility than I had a few months ago.”

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., with this episode running through Aug. 31, on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

Check out the entire video.

 

Wyoming’s Tree Amigos, KSSN and Wyoming Public School partner on community orchard at West Elementary

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,

The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, also known as The Tree Amigos, is partnering with Wyoming Public Schools and Kent School Services Network to plant the Beverly Bryan Community Orchard on the West Elementary school grounds. To get the project going, Tree Commission Vice President Greg Bryan donated $5,000 for the orchard, named in memory of his late wife. Bryan also donated an additional $5,000 for the commission’s street tree program. Additional funding has been pledged as well.

 

Originally, the partners had agreed to begin planting fruit trees next spring. However, when Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator Ben Johnson  contacted West Elementary KSSN liaison Erika VanDyke with the opportunity to rescue apple trees from a lot to be cleared for housing, the Amigos jumped into action. On Saturday, Aug. 26, the commission members hope to assemble a group of volunteers to dig up 12 trees and replant them at the school.

 

The orchard will provide opportunities for children to learn about where their food comes from through hands-on experience planting, tending and harvesting the orchard. It will also expand academic opportunities in various areas of study through Arbor Day Foundation curricula. As the school has a very high free and reduced lunch rate, the orchard will increase food insecurity by providing fresh fruit and berries for students and families. Students will be able to eat the fruit as snacks and with lunch during the school day and take fruit home to supplement their family diets.

 

“When Erika and I first met to discuss how the tree commission and West Elementary could partner on a project, we decided that an orchard would involve parents and students in a fun, healthy school project,” said Tree Commission Chair Stelle Slootmaker.  “We also plan on sharing the harvest with nearby neighbors as a means of growing community. And of course, these trees will also increase the City of Wyoming’s tree canopy, the commission’s major goal.”

 

If you’d like to help rescue the apple trees and plant the orchard, please email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.

 

For information on The Tree Amigos, like The Tree Amigos on Facebook or email TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.

Ready for high school sports? WKTV and its volunteers hit the road starting this week

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Projects,
WKTV will not only cover new Wyoming High School football coach Irvin Sigler first game, we will offer an exclusive interview with him. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

You want local high school sports in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas? Community television WKTV, and its high school sports crew and volunteers, have you covered this fall season and throughout the year.

 

Starting this week — Thursday, Aug. 24, when the Holland “Dutch” visit Wyoming High School for a football open season clash with the Wolves — WKTV will travel around the area for  football and other fall sports coverage — including soccer, swimming, water polo and even youth equestrian.

 

“High school sports, youth sports, are a big part of our community,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV community television. “And we not only get viewership for our sports programing, we also get many volunteers to help us provide this programming.”

 

Football game coverage will include WKTV volunteers Mark Bergsma on play-by-play and Ron Schultz on color commentary. (By the way, it is easy to volunteer for sports and other programs at WKTV. See related story here.)

 

The first part of WKTV’s fall football schedule, after this week, includes White Cloud at Wyoming Lee on Aug. 31, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights on Sept. 8, Grand Rapids Christian at South Christian (at E. Kentwood) on Sept. 15, Grandville at East Kentwood on Sept. 22, and Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights on Sept. 29. Coverage games throughout October and into the state playoffs will be determined later so we can cover the most important games to the local area.

 

Football games will be cable rebroadcast the night of the game at 10:30 p.m. on WKTV LiveWire 24 (GRTV, Grand Rapids; BCTV, Byron Center; WCET, Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville; and RCTV, Rockford). They will also be rebroadcast on WKTV Channel 25 on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

 

Above and beyond our coverage of football games, WKTV also has two special shows available on YouTube: an interview with new Wyoming head football coach Irvin Sigler is available at the end of this story,  and an extensive OK Silver football conference preview co-produced and hosted by volunteer Rob Gee will be presented next week prior to coverage of the Wyoming Lee game.

 

In addition to football coverage, WKTV’s sports crews are tentatively scheduled cover youth equestrian on Sept. 9 at the Barry County Expo Center in Hastings; girls swimming on Oct. 5 at East Kentwood; boys water polo on Sept. 16 at the Falcon Tourney at East Kentwood, and on Oct. 14 at East Kentwood; and boys soccer on Sept. 25 when local rivals South Christian and East Kentwood take the field at East Kentwood.

 

For a complete schedule of local high school sports action each week, WKTV volunteer sports director Mike Moll writes a weekly listing, usually posted on WKTVjournal.org/sports each Monday. See the latest one here.

 

Wyoming City Council approves income tax feasibility study after debate, opposition

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Local Business,
The Wyoming City Council’s Aug. 21 meeting was held at the green space outside the Metro Health-University of Michigan medical facility, and with WKTV cameras present. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

On a night when weather threatened to shorten the Wyoming City Council’s final outdoor meeting of the summer, and the council breezed through its agenda, a motion to spend $15,000 on a feasibility study of a possible city income tax took the most time and offered the only open debate.

 

At its Monday, Aug. 21 meeting, held at the green space outside the Metro Health-University of Michigan medical facility off Byron Center Avenue and with WKTV cameras present, the council eventually approved a proposal from Great Lakes Economic Consulting for the study.

 

“We want to do what is right for the City of Wyoming,” Mayor Jack Poll said in introducing the agenda item. “The cities of Walker and Grand Rapids do have these income taxes, so we are just going to look at it. We are not deciding on anything.”

 

Any city income tax proposal would need to be put before the voters. The city conducted a study several years ago and decided not to proceed with any action.

 

“But in the last seven years there has been quite a change in our community,” Poll said. “And that dictates (that it is) time we look at this also.”

 

City leaders in both Wyoming and Kentwood have expressed concern with the current state-dictated funding system for cities, and that future shortfalls in funding could lead to the need for cutbacks in city services or increases in property tax millage or other enhanced funding options, including the possibility of a city income tax.

 

The final vote was 5-1, with councilor Kent Vanderwood in opposition and councilor William VerHulst absent.

 

“I have some concerns about this,” Vanderwood said. “We did not do it the last time, and  how serious are we? Do we want to spend $15,000 on the study, or should we be applying that to something else, more important than a study that we may not implement.”

 

While several other councilors offered support but expressed concerns about the possible impact of an income tax on new and old businesses in the city, and impact on property taxes, Councilor Marissa Postler summarized the city’s quandary of any new tax plan.

 

“When you ask anybody, in general, in theory, ‘Do you want to pay taxes?’ They are going to say ‘No’,” Postler said. “My point in this is (we need) to get enough information where we can present it to them, if we needed to, in a way where we have more, I guess, compelling information, compelling evidence that, if it comes to that point, if we   talk about doing this, we have the information that will help us make that case.”

 

The council meetings are broadcast live on WKTV 26 Mondays at 7 p.m. and repeat on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. The first and third Mondays are actual council meetings and the second Monday is a work session. The schedule can be found at wktv.org Programming Government Access 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com).

 

The rest of the council’s agenda was passed as recommended. For the complete agenda of the meeting, visit the city’s website page here.

 

Kent County health official visits WKTV, talks vaccinations for youth, college kids

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, , ,
Mary Wisinski, Immunization Program Supervisor for the Kent County Health Department, on the set of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” with host Ken Norris. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with a Kent County Department of Health official detailing why vaccinations are important — and required by law — for young children, but also important for teenagers and even college-age youth.

 

Also on this week’s show is a discussion with Wyoming City Councilor Marissa Postler, who at the age of 23 was elected to represent the city’s 2nd Ward in last fall’s election.

 

The timeliness of the discussion on vaccinations is not only that August is National Immunizations Month, with this week specifically prompting awareness of vaccinations for preteens and teens to “ensure a healthy future with vaccines”, but also because local public and private schools are in the process of opening the school year.

 

“Every state has different requirements, ours are written into our public health code,” Mary Wisinski, a registered nurse and Immunization Program Supervisor for the Kent County Health Department, said in a discussion with WKTV’s Ken Norris. “The importance is, if we don’t keep vaccinating, we call it ‘herd immunity’, we will see a resurgence of these vaccine-preventable diseases.”

 

Wisinski not only stresses the importance of vaccinations for kids but also for high school and college-age youth.

 

“Also recommended is a booster shot for meningitis at age 16,” she said. “We want those kids to be protected the last two years of high school and when they go off to college.”

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” newest program will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 22. The program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., through Aug. 31, on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

The YouTube segment with Mary Wisinski is shown here.

Granger Group changes plans after Wyoming planning commission decision, public opposition

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Hard News, Local Business,
A city map showing area in question in the southeast corner of 56th Street and Wilson Avenue.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Following a contentious meeting, attended by about 100 persons in opposition to a development plan proposed by the Granger Group for the city’s southwest side, the Wyoming City Planning Commission recommended that the Wyoming City Council deny a rezoning request associated with the development.

 

The vote Tuesday, Aug. 15, was 4-3 with two commissioners absent. The City Council is currently scheduled to take up the issue at its Sept. 5 meeting.

 

The issue may be a moot point, however, as after the meeting, the Granger Group announced it will change its plans in response to community mood.

 

“We respect the neighbors, we respect the City of Wyoming … we thought we had a better plan,” Gary Granger, President and CEO of Granger Group said to WKTV on Thursday, Aug. 17. “The neighbors said ‘No’ and so we have to stick with our original plan.

 

“We have an original PUD (Planned Unit Development) … a clear PUD that was approved in 2000,” he said. “We will go back to that plan. We still have additional land that we will be dealing with in the future.”

 

City Planner Tim Cochran said Thursday that Granger had not yet withdrawn the rezoning proposal.

 

The specific rezoning request, according to the agenda report of the planning commission meeting, was to rezone 98.4 acres from currently approved zoning status to low density planned unit development status. The properties include 66.9 acres zoned estate residential, 9.5 acres of general business, 15.7 of local business and 6.3 of restricted office.

 

The properties, generally located in the southeast corner of 56th Street and Wilson Avenue, are 3928 56th Street, 3952 56th Street, 5700 Wilson Avenue, 5850 Wilson Avenue, 5950 Wilson Avenue, 5972 Wilson Avenue, 5988 Wilson Avenue, 6002 Wilson Avenue, 6010 Wilson Avenue, and 6030 Wilson Avenue.

 

According to a city planning department rezoning synopsis given to the planning commission, the “proposed rezoning area is primarily agricultural fields” and if rezoned would “accommodate a mixed use development. The rezoning covers eleven separate properties. The rezoning would combine these properties with the adjoining Rivertown Valley Planned Unit Development to create a total PUD of 211.2 acres to be rebranded as The Reserve.”

 

According to the city planning department report, there are currently 131 single family lots within a Rivertown Valley development. The Reserve at Rivertown development, if approved, would add 185 additional single family lots, 370 apartments and about 3.5 acres of commercial area.

 

It is the combination of an existing PUD with a proposed PUD — and the possibility of as many as 370 rental apartments being created — which has led local single-family homeowner to oppose Granger’s plans, according to a press release from a citizens group.

 

According to the citizens group’s press release, the residents are concerned about “370 apartments being constructed in their backyards … (being) forced into a home owners association with no disclosure in purchase agreements … the impact that 370 new rental units would have on the local schools (this part of Wyoming the school district is the City of Grandville) … (and) Granger’s plan to use an old traffic study from 2014. We believe that the study is outdated and a new study by the City of Wyoming needs to be conducted.”

 

The community group also said in the press release that it has hired a lawyer, Kevin Keenan of Wheeler Upham, to represent them.

 

Chamber’s August WKTV Government Matters meeting mixes city-to-federal voices

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, , ,
City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, second from right, was one of several government officials at this month’s Chamber Government Matters meeting. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meetings brings together government leaders of all levels and a spectrum of topics, but often those attending the meeting — or watching WKTV’s rebroadcasts of the meeting — are given the rare opportunity to hear a wide-range of government voices on a single subject.

 

“There are really two things going on,” City of Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley told WKTV following the Aug. 14 meeting. “One is just to know what is going on at all the different government levels. I learn a lot just sitting with our leaders … The second is when there is a common problem, we hear about what other levels of government are trying to do to solve this problem. When we can come together … to do something, that is always good.”

 

Among the multi-level government discussions topics at the meeting were local and state work to control prescription opioid drug abuse, Great Lakes environment protection, and the funding crunch coming to local cities due to state funding policies.

The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other State of Michigan and federal elected officials. The next meeting will be Sept. 11 at Wyoming City Hall.

 

The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Cable Channel 25. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktv.viebit.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.

 

Two Wyoming employees attain international professional designation

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Firefighter Bradley Dornbos

By Mark Easterly

Wyoming Department of Public Safety

 

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce that two employees have successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Chief Training Officer” (CTO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on July 26, 2017, to confer the designations upon Wyoming’s Fire Lieutenant Dennis VanTassell and Firefighter Bradley Dornbos. VanTassell and Dornbos have become two of only 104 CTOs nationwide.

 

The Designation Program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan.

 

Captain Dennis VanTassell

The CTO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all of the organization’s stringent criteria. Achieving this designation signifies the commitment that VanTassell and Dornbos have made to their careers in the fire and emergency services.

 

This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct.

 

The Commission on Professional Credentialing, an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE) administers the Designation Program. The CPC consists of individuals from academia, federal and local government, and the fire and emergency medical services profession. To learn more about CPC, visit www.cpse.org.

City of Wyoming Inspections Department to implement online permitting

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The City of Wyoming Community Services Inspections Department will offer the ability to apply for permits online starting Sept. 5. The service, facilitated by the AccessMyGov.com website, will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will provide a convenient method for residents and contractors to apply for various permits.

 

Currently, residents and contractors must apply for permits in person at the Inspections Department at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St SW or through the mail. Following implementation of the new system, individuals seeking plumbing, mechanical or electrical permits will be able to apply directly online at any time of day using their computers or mobile devices. Common activities that require permits of these types include replacements of water heaters, furnaces, mast repairs, electrical service upgrades, additional plumbing fixtures and underground sprinkling. Permits that require detailed plans to be submitted as well as building permits are not eligible for this service and must still be applied for in person.

 

“We are excited to offer this online service as we know it will help save time and expense for local residents and contractors,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services for the City of Wyoming. “There is a lot of construction activity in the city and we want to facilitate growth in whatever ways we can.”

 

The Inspections Department will be holding two open houses at their office in Wyoming City Hall to train interested participants on the new system: Thursday, Aug. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. Computers will be available for use and participants are also welcome to bring their own devices. For those unable to attend an open house, a step by step registration guide and video tutorial will be available on the City website beginning August 14, 2017.

 

For more information, visit the City website at www.wyomingmi.gov. Follow the City on Twitter @WyomingCityHall and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming.

Wyoming City Council officially receives more than $500,000 for Ideal Park improvements

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , , , , ,
Proposed restoration by P.M. Blough Incorporated.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

At its Monday night regular council meeting, the Wyoming City Council accepted more than a half a million dollars from the Department of Natural Resources Natural Resources Trust Fund.

 

The city first applied for the fund in March of 2016 with it taking about a year and half for the state to release the funding, said the city’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt at the Aug. 7 council meeting. Rynbrandt said the funds were officially released on July 14 when the Governor signed the authorization.

 

The grant, totaling $508,300, is a 63 percent match to the city’s $300,000. The total $808,300 along with an additional $68,150 for capital outlay will be used for improvements at Ideal Park, which was severely impacted by two tornados, one in 2014 and a second one in 2016. The 2014 tornado caused extensive damage which included the lost of the park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and a majority of the trees.

 

The money will cover the first phase of reconstruction for the park, which is located at 5843 Crippen Ave SW. Included in the plan is the construction of a shelter, playground and basketball court, reforestation, traffic control improvements for vehicle and pedestrian safety, and non-motorized trail improvements including the establishment of a trail head and improved connection to the Inter-ubran trail and Kent County trail system.

 

Upgrading lights to LED

 

Also at the Aug. 7 council meeting, the City of Wyoming Council approved the expense of $253,000 to upgrade 1,081 Cobra Head street light fixtures from mercury vapor and high pressure sodium to LED.

 

The city actually has more than 4,422 existing Consumer Energy mercury-vapor and high-pressure-sodium street lights that the city is looking to upgrade to LED light fixtures. The main reason for this, according to a report from the city’s Director of Public Works William D. Dooley, is that it would reduce energy usage which is a benefit to the environment and a cost savings to the city.

 

Of the existing lights, most are the Cobra Head lights totaling about 3,391. The total cost to replace all the Cobra Head lights is about $1.4 million or an average of $410 per light. The new LED fixture will reduce the energy use by an estimated 64 percent and save Wyoming approximately $300,000 a year. According to Dooley’s report, the city would recoup the cost of the replacements in less than five years. The cost for upgrading these lights to LED reflects a large discount from Consumers Energy because the company can avoid its scheduled upgrade.

 

In April, the City Council had decided to move forward to upgrade the Cobra Head lights to LED fixtures. The replacement will be done in four phases. At the Monday night meeting, the council approved the expense for the first phase of about $253,000.

 

The first area to receive the upgrade will be the northwest section of the city, from about north of 36th Street and west of Burlingame Avenue.

 

The Wyoming City Council meets the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The Aug. 21 meeting will be on the lawn at the Metro Health Village.  The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

Residents take up the call, heading out to meet their neighbors during National Night Out

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Area mayors and law enforcement officials gather for the Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It was a race against the clock for Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody: more than a dozen neighborhoods hosting National Night Out events and his mission was to visit them all within a three-hour time period.

 

By 8 p.m., Carmody admitted as he left the Cross Creek Green Condos, where they honored him for being named the top Michigan Police Chief by the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs, he probably would not make it to them all.

 

For Carmody and many officials from both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, the day started off at the annual Consumers Energy kick off for National Night Out. Starting at 5:30 a.m. yesterday, Consumers Energy had two of its large trucks with extended buckets 75 feet above U.S.  131 to help draw attention to the national event designed to encourage residents to get out and meet their neighbors.

 

Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody

Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll were part of a group of governmental leaders and law enforcement officials on had from six different communities in Kent County for the early morning event. Also in attendance was Carmody and Kentwood Police Chief Tom Hillen. A proclamation was read and Consumer Energy employees handed out LEDs to those driving by the Consumers Energy office at 4000 Clay Ave. SW in Wyoming.

 

“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for the annual event, but during every day of the year to keep our communities cross Michigan safe,” said Consumer Energy Vice President of Electric Operations Guy Packard. “This event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention and helps provide citizens the tools they need to stay safe at home and in their neighborhoods.”

 

For 34 years, communities across the nation participate in National Night Out. Created by the National Association of Town Watch, the annual event, which always takes place on the first Tuesday in August, is designed to build relations between neighbors and local law and safety personal as a way to help deter crime.

 

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley

“National Night Out is a way to get everybody together,” said Kentwood Police Sgt. James Connell, who was at the Kentwood community-wide event at Woodland Mall. “It’s a way to get neighbors out of their houses and talk with their neighbors.  A lot of people don’t know their neighbors anymore as we’ve gotten kind of closed off.”

 

Many of the activities were in the evening including the City of Wyoming’s last Concert in the Park series at Lamar Park which featured a variety of activities and the country band Union Guns.

 

For more about National Night Out, make sure to check out WKTV Channel 26 for a special report on the event.

 

K.D. Norris contributed to this story.

Turn your porch light on and join your neighbors for National Night Out

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Turn your porch light on and come out and meet your neighbors.

 

It is a simple action and one for the past 33 years has been the mantra of National Night Out — this year Aug. 1 — a nationwide movement created by the National Association of Town watch to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Always the first Tuesday in August, the event has evolved to neighborhoods hosting block parties, festival, parades, cookouts and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personal, exhibits and much more.

 

This year, both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming will have numerous events and activities taking place during the Aug. 1 National Night Out event with police officers, firefighters and city leaders out in full force to meet with residents and show support of the annual community building event.

 

Both communities will kick off the day’s activities with the Consumers Energy Kick Off from 5:30 – 8 a.m. at the company’s service center located at 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Both Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley will be in attendances along with Kentwood Police Chief Thomas Hillen and Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody and representatives from the cities of Walker and Grand Rapids.

 

Last year’s Consumers Energy kick off event for National Night Out.

City of Kentwood National Night Out Activities

The Kentwood Police Department has once again partnered with Woodland Mall and Celebration! Cinema for a daytime event from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the outdoor courtyard between Celebration! Cinema and Barnes & Noble and also inside the mall near the North Face store. Residents can come to meet with Kentwood police and firefighters and their vehicles, enjoy prizes, games and free popcorn, and there are reports that McGruff the Crime Dog will be making an appearance.

 

“For the past 50, Kentwood has shown over and over again that we’re really about helping each other through community involvement,” Mayor Stephen Kelley said. “City leadership is looking forward to continuing our community relationship with Kentwood residents through block parties, cookouts and other events on Aug. 1.

 

“Fostering a better community starts with open communication. We’re excited that National Night Out provides that open communication we find so essential.”

 

Various neighborhoods will host community activities in the evening.

Most of the neighborhood activities will be taking place from 6 – 8 p.m. There are about 13 community gatherings planned with police, firefighters, and city officials planning to fan out and visit each one. Those gaterhings include Christ Community Church, 2400 Forest Hill Ave. SE from 6 – 8 p.m . which will include games and a slip ’n’ slide and South United Methodist Church, 4500 Division Ave. SW near Ridgewood Street, from 6 – 8 p.m.

 

“Our officers really look forward to National Night Out,” said Police Chief Thomas Hillen. “It really energizes our officers and residents because of the open communication. We enjoy listening to citizens and issues important to them. The day allows us to get to the root of the community to build those open lines of communication that are vital to keeping our city safe.”

 

City of Wyoming National Night Out Activities

 

Wyoming City officials are estimating there will be 14 neighborhood-hosted events along with the last Concerts in the Park being dedicated to National Night Out activities. Starting at 7 p.m. in Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW, Concerts in the Park will including a night of family fun and the music of country band Union Guns.

 

Wyoming firefighters help some local children cool off during last year’s National Night Out.

“National Night Out is always a great opportunity for residents in Wyoming and around the Country to get out and meet new neighbors, or reconnect with the old,” Carmody said. “It is also an opportunity to reaffirm our community’s commitment by joining together to keep our neighborhoods safe by keeping a watchful eye on each other.”

 

Major Jack Poll said, during a recent city council meeting, that city officials will be working to make as many of the neighborhood events as possible. Rolling Hills Neighborhood Watch will host a bike parade to kick off its event at 6:30 p.m. near 2523 Oak View SW. Other Wyoming National Night Out Block Parties include:

Grace Bible College died just west of Clyde Park on 26th Street, 4- 6 p.m.

Taft Avenue near 2860 Taft Ave, 5- 8 p.m.

Rogers Lane Neighborhood Watch near Old Rogers Lane Elementary, 2929 Rogers Lane, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

South Godwin Neighborhood Association at Southlanw Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE, 6 – 8 p.m.

Ferrand Estates, at the club house located at 4528 Halifax Ave. SW, 6 – 8 p.m.

Riverview Condos at the club house at 3325 Scenic River Dr., 6 – 8 p.m.

Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch at Oriole Park, 1380 42nd St. SW, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

43rd Street in the 2400 block of 43rd Street, 6:30 – 9 p.m.

 

Other National Night Out Actives

Outside of the Kentwood and Wyoming areas, there are several other National Night Out events.

 

The South Kent National Night Out will be from 4 – 8 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE. Communities in the Kent County Sheriff’s Department’s South Kent area, such as Byron, Gaines, Caledonia and Bowne townships, are invited to meet the local first responders who service their communities. The event will include demonstrations by the K-9 Unit, vehicle extraction demonstrations, the Kent County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, children ID packets, a bounce house and dunk tank.

 

The Salvation Army Kroc Center, in partnership with the Garfield Park Neighborhood Association, will host activities from  5 to 8:30 p.m. This free event feature family fun activities such as slip ‘n’ slide rides, games, and community resources. Concessions will be available for purchase. Local police and fire units, along with American Medical Response (AMR) will also be on hand to interact with families in attendance. Garfield Park Neighborhood Association will be handing out information to visitors as well.

 

“The Grand Rapids Kroc Center is honored to be a host site for National Night Out,” said Lieutenant Bill Brutto, senior officer for The Salvation Army Kroc Center. “We always want to continue working toward unity and reconciliation in our city, and special events like this are a good way to bring people together.”

 

The Salvation Army Kroc Center event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or lightning. Visit GrKrocCenter.org or call 616-588-7200 for more information on the Kroc Center event.

Three communities come together for annual clean up of Buck Creek

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Tires — 22 to be exact — along mental signage and other trash was just some of the items Martha Stout Vermeulen remembers pulling from the Buck Creek during the first clean up.

 

Now in its fourth year, the Buck Creek Clean Up is an annual event when residents of Grandville, Wyoming, and Kentwood roll up their sleeves — with a few donning waiters — and spend a Saturday morning, Aug. 5, cleaning up a portion of Buck Creek which travels through the three cities as it makes its way to the Grand River.

 

The event starts at 8 a.m. at Wyoming’s Lemry Park, 4050 Byron Center Ave. SW, with a light breakfast provided by Biggby Coffee, and Marge’s Donut Den, and orientation that includes free t-shirts. Participants will head out in teams to look for trash and other foreign objects along a variety of Buck Creek locations.

 

“Last year, from the communities of Wyoming and Grandvile we pulled 80 bags of trash,” said Vermeulen, who serves as the president of the Friends of Buck Creek. The Friends of Buck Creek and Schrems Trout Unlimited host the annual clean up.

 

Buck Creek, which is about 20 miles long starting in Allegan County, is a cold water stream which holds a viable trout population, all of which is rare to find in an urban setting. For that reason, Schrems Trout Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds have highlighted Buck Creek as a threatened stream in need of protection. Two years ago, Schrems Trout Unlimited was awarded a $25,000 grant to assess the water quality in the Buck Creek watershed.

 

“It was warming,” Vermeulen said. “There was just ignorance as to what was going. There was a lot of fertilizers draining into the creek and other pollutants.”

 

The area focused on through the clean up efforts has improved with Vermeulen noting that there is trout in that portion of the creek where in other sections the water has become too warm for any fish.

 

But Vermeulen, who comes from an environmentally-conscious family and lives near Buck Creek, said the greater success has been helping people really care about their environment and their resources so much that they help to protect it.

 

“Recently, there was a Grandville school teacher who has students go to Buck Creek and do some testing and discussions,”Vermeulen said. “They then built a rain garden for the school parking lot.”

 

Vermeulen added there is all kinds of things people can do throughout the year to help the creek from adding trees to help shade it to construction a rain garden, which helps to absorb rain runoff that may carry pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and other plants.

 

There is also helping to pitch and care for Buck Creek by removing trash and other items that should not be in the creek.

 

For more information on the Buck Creek Clean Up, visit swmtu.org. For Friends of the Buck Creek, find the group on Facebook or email Vermeulen at erma00@sbcglobal.net. The clean up is from 8 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, starting at Charles Lemery Park, 4050 Byron Center Ave. SW. For those who volunteer on Saturday, lunch will be provided at Grandville’s Osgood Brewing.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll ready to ride for this year’s Bike Night with the Mayor

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
Mayor Jack Poll

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

With last year’s announcement of the City of Wyoming’s Bike Night with the Mayor, Mayor Jack Poll thought it would be a good idea if he got a bike to participate in the event.

 

“So I went out to [Mayor Pro-Tem Sam] Bolt here who is the king of cyclists and he told me just what bike to buy,” Poll said during a recent City Council meeting. “So I bought that bike and I rode those two miles. Now this year will be mile three and four put on that new bike.”

 

Due to the success of last year’s Bike Night with the Mayor, the city will be hosting its second Bike Night with the Mayor on Thursday, Aug. 10. The event will start at Monelli’s Italian Grill and Sports Bar, 5675 Byron Center Ave. SW, at 7 p.m. The group will travel north on the Kent Trails for about two miles. Along the way, bike lights, ice cream and other prizes will be handed out.

 

“So grease those tires on that bike and come out and take a little bike ride with me,” Poll said.

 

Other events coming up in the City of Wyoming are National Night Out on Aug. 1 with the Concerts in the Parks series concluding with a celebration at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW., and the Buck Creek Clean Up on Aug. 5. For details on the clean up, click here.

Wyoming City Council pleased with turnout at second outdoor meeting

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

As children play at the splash pad and on the playground, the Wyoming City Council hosted its second outdoor meeting for the summer at Southlawn Park.

 

About a dozen residents attended the meeting with many echoing what Pastor Wayne Ondersma, from The Pier Church, said just before giving the invocation.

 

“Thanks for coming to my neighborhood,” Ondersma said.

 

“I have loved seeing all the different folks,” said Council Member Dan Burrill. “I enjoyed the meeting at Lamar Park and I have enjoyed being at Southlawn. Having these meetings has allowed us to see a lot of folks we normally wouldn’t see.”

 

Residents attending the meeting brought up several items of concern for their community including promoting the annual leaf pick up in December more to adding more playground equipment to Southlawn Park. Godwin Heights Board Member Rick Hamilton asked the city to consider transferring the north parking lot area of the Site 36 area to Godwin Heights Public Schools, which would use the area for school parking. If the school had ownership over the lot, it could push for no parking on the neighborhood streets, Hamilton said.

 

Mayor Jack Poll shows the ropes to some young constituents after Monday’s Southlawn Park meeting.

“As any of the fire personal knows, driving a fire truck down through the neighborhood for a fire during a football game is virtual impossible,” Hamilton said, adding that the city has allowed the district to use the parking area and the district has been very grateful for that but he does believe the school could maintain the area better.

 

The council’s regular meeting agenda also included an item that had direct impact on the neighbor, the restoration of the pedestrian bridge just south of Bellevue Street on Division Avenue. Two other pedestrian bridges just south of 36th Street already have undergone the same process. Cost for the restoration is $24,700.

 

Other agenda items included the purchase of seventeen replacement vehicles for the police, parks and public works departments and two law mowers for about $580,955 and the replacement of an electric switchgear at the Water Treatment Plant Low Service Station and Gezon Booster Station at cost of about $2.4 million. The current switchgears have been in service for more than thirty years said Public Works Director Bill Dooley. The switchgears are essential in the operation of the plant with the one at the Water Treatment Plant pumping more than a 100 million gallons a day. Work on the switchgears would be done during the plant’s non-peak season which is the winter months, Dooley said.

 

The council also placed a tentative approval for a preliminary plat approval for Reservoir Ridge located on 56th street near the city’s water tower. Mayor Jack Poll noted that the lots for the plat are some of the largest the city has seen in awhile with plans calling for seven homes to be placed on almost 15 acres with some of the homes having more than an acre of land.

 

“The development of Metro Health has created interest in having larger lots in the area,” Poll said. The council will review the preliminary plat at its next meeting set for Aug. 7.

 

The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at its chambers in Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

 

The last Wyoming Council outdoor summer meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Metro Village, located in front of Metro Health on Byron Center Avenue. For more information about city activities, meetings, and events, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Wyoming’s Carmody named top chief for Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , , ,
Chief James Carmody

Wyoming Public Safety Director James E. Carmody has been recognized as the top police chief of 2016 by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.

 

Carmody, who has more than four decades of law enforcement experience, received the MACP Presidential Citation award at the organization’s annual conference in late June. The Presidential Citation is “awarded for outstanding and extraordinary professional and personal service to the criminal justice system, the law enforcement profession and the MACP” and recognizes “a personal dedication and commitment above and beyond normal professional duties and interactions.”

 

“As a City, we are deeply honored to have Chief Carmody recognized by his peers as the top police chief in Michigan,” said Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt. “He exemplifies professionalism and has a deep commitment to law enforcement, to his officers and staff, and to all the residents of the City of Wyoming.

 

“Since joining us in 2006, Chief Carmody has developed innovative programs that improve our ability to address key issues facing our community while building positive bridges with our citizens. His effective leadership style has earned the respect of all those who work with him.”

 

Carmody began his career as a police officer in Port Huron in 1975, retiring from the force as a deputy chief before moving to Wyoming as police chief. In 2013, he oversaw the creation of a joint Public Safety Department in Wyoming and was made public safety director with responsibilities for police and fire services in this city of nearly 75,000.

 

The MACP award recognizes the 42 years he has served as a police officer, including 24 at an executive level, and his 23 years of active membership with the MACP. Carmody serves on several MACP committees, including chair of the Traffic Safety Committee and a member of the Training & Education and Legislative committees. He was recently selected as the Michigan District 5 MACP executive board alternate representative. In April, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to serve on the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission.

 

“I can’t think of a greater honor than to be recognized by my peers,” Carmody said. “It has, and will continue to be, a team effort as we work collectively to advance our communities and work to provide the best public safety services.”

 

Active professionally, Carmody works with the MACP Executive Development program and has taught dozens of police training, management and leadership classes. He sits on the interview panel for Congressman Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, reviewing high school students who have applied for appointment to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy and the nation’s other military service academies. In January 2016, Carmody represented the MACP and Michigan’s law enforcement community when he attended Pres. Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address in Washington, D.C.

 

Carmody received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and his master’s from University of Michigan. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.

 

Carmody lives in Wyoming with his wife, Ralene.

On the road again: Wyoming City Council hosts meeting at Southlawn Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , , , , , , , ,
The Wyoming City Council at Lamar Park

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

This Monday, July 17, the Wyoming City Council again takes its meeting on the road, this time heading to Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE.

 

“Taking our meetings outside of council chambers provides us with a great opportunity to meet residents and educate them about our decision-making process,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “Their input is critical to our success as a community.”

 

Poll, Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt, and Council Members William VerHulst, Marissa Postler, Robert Postema, Dan Burrill, and Kent Vanderwood and city officials are scheduled to be at the park around 6 p.m. Ice cream also will be served at that time. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. with it being broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26.

 

In June, the council hosting a meeting at Lamar Park with city leaders pleased at the overall turn out. More than half a dozen residents made comments at the end of the meeting from thanking the city for help with such projects as the new light at 44th Street and Burlingame Avenue and working with the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission on the Concerts in the Parks programs to discussing such items as the Paris Accord, a concern over a home being rented out and the condition of West Lake and West Pond.

 

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Councilor Dan Burrill at the June 19 meeting, who added he has enjoyed looking out from the stage, to the sights and sounds of the park.

 

Pastor Wayne Ondersma from The Pier Church is scheduled to give the invocation. The council will follow its normal meeting procedures with Poll explaining each segment, like he does at the regular council meetings. To see the July 17 agenda, click here.

 

The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at its chambers in Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Wyoming to extend drop-off hours and assist residents with storm debris

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

The City of Wyoming’s yard waste drop-off site will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. through Saturday, July 15 to allow for storm damage clean up. The drop-off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, will return to normal hours on Monday, July 17. The site is free to Wyoming residents and they are encouraged to continue assisting with the clean-up efforts.

 

The City will also be performing a city-wide pickup of branches and trunks starting today. All debris must be stacked neatly in the parkway areas between the curb and sidewalk. Homeowners are asked to have this material ready for pickup by Monday, July 17.

 

While this is not a regular service provided by the City, leaders feel it is necessary due to the severity of the storm. “We generally do not provide yard waste pick-up after weather events, unless they are extremely severe in nature such as last year’s tornado. There are extra costs associated with these services, and we always seek to use our resources in the most judicious ways,” said Curtis Holt, City Manager for the City of Wyoming. “Due to the severity of last weekend’s storm we feel we should assist residents to the extent we’re able. Our thanks go out to all of the residents who have already cleaned their properties and brought debris to our yard waste drop-off site. Their efforts are tremendously helpful and we hope they will continue to assist us.”

 

The cleanup effort will be performed by both City staff and contractors. City staff will be removing small piles of debris, while contractors will remove larger piles throughout this week and next. At this time, residents do not need to call Public Works to request pickups.

 

For more information, follow the City on Twitter @WyomingCityHall and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming.

Wyoming’s Michigan Prestain acquired by Lumberman’s

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

Kentwood-based building materials and supply company Lumbermen’s, has acquired Michigan Prestain, a manufacturer of prefinished wood products. The sale involving the local companies was finalized June 9. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The merged entity will produce and distribute products under the “Great American Spaces” brand.

 

Lumbermen’s, located at 4433 Stafford Ave. SE, in Kentwood, and Michigan Prestain have had a successful partnership for nearly two years with Lumbermen’s distributing Michigan Prestain products, including Easy Barnwood.

 

Steve Petersen

Michigan Prestain was founded in 1989 by Greg Troutt. At the time of the acquisition, the company had nearly 30 employees working out of a 66,000-square foot manufacturing facility on Roger B Chaffee Drive in Wyoming. All Michigan Prestain employees will continue to work out of this facility.

 

Troutt intends to stay with Lumbermen’s to develop new products and support the combined sales team as the company continues to increase sales with current dealers as well as new networks across the country.

 

Lumbermen’s is 100 percent employee owned and strives to be the first choice of building materials for its customers. The company has 400 employees working at locations across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky.

 

Greg Troutt

Acquisition of Michigan Prestain meets Lumbermen’s strategic vision to diversify its products and offerings, as well as its focus on value-added services in its Building Materials division.

 

“We are thrilled to add Michigan Prestain to our already diverse product offering,” said Steve Petersen, president of Lumbermen’s. “There is a natural synergy between our companies. We’re excited about the growth opportunities and value it will bring to our customers, as well as what it will mean to our employee owners.”

Wyoming lights up the sky with its annual fireworks at Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , ,
The Brena Band

Once again the City of Wyoming gets the West Michigan Fourth of July celebrations started with its annual WY-FI (Wyoming fireworks) event tonight at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

 

The evening, which is part of the city’s Concerts in the Parks series, starts at 7 p.m. and includes two concerts featuring the Sweet J Band and the Brena Band, followed by fireworks at dusk. There also will be giveaways, face painting and food from area restaurants.

 

The Sweet J Band

A familiar foursome, the Sweet J Band has been performing the Greater Grand Rapids for more than 15 years at such venues as the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The group includes Matt Young, lead guitar and vox, Colin Tobin, lead vox and guitar, Matt Kok, bass and xo and Brian V, drums. The group performs music from the sixties to current and covers blues, rock, and soul.

 

The Brena Band also hails from Grand Rapids having performed in and around the area. The group offers a range of musical genres, however, expect to pretty much rock out at tonight’s concert as the group gets everyone ready for the fireworks.

 

The Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, which organizes the Concerts in the Park, recommends attendees be at Lamar Park by 6:30 p.m. There is plenty of parking on-site. The concert and the parking are free.

 

For more information, visit wyomingcec.org.

With first outdoor meeting a success, Wyoming eyeing next one for July

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It was a beautiful night to visit a park, have some ice cream and attend a Wyoming City Council meeting, which is what several people did on Monday evening at Lamar Park.

 

For the first time, the Wyoming City Council moved its meeting outdoors to the park in an effort to connect more with the citizens of Wyoming, according to Mayor Jack Poll. Those who attended were treated to an ice cream.

 

“This is just great,” Poll said from the stage as about the fourth citizen made his way up to the podium to speak. “This is just the type of forum we were hoping for.”

 

More than half a dozen residents made comments at the end of the meeting from thanking the city for help with such projects as the new light at 44th Street and Burlingame Avenue and working with the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission on the Concerts in the Park programs to discussing topics of concern such as the Paris Accord, a concern over a home being rented out, and the condition of West Lake and West Pond.

 

“This is like a dream come true for me,” said Councilor Dan Burrill, who added he has enjoyed looking out from the stage, to the sights and sounds of the park while at the meeting.

 

“It is a great opportunity for us to get into our community,” Poll said, acknowledging that many people don’t always want to head indoors for a meeting, especially on a nice summer day.

 

The council followed its normal meeting procedures, starting at 7 p.m., with Poll explaining each segment, like he does at the regular council meetings. The council went through its regular agenda which included approving tax exemptions for GR 1001, LLC, which is taking over the former Klingman’s/Rogers Department Store and for Advantage Sales & Marketing which is planning to move its operations into the building around the beginning of 2018.

 

The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at its chambers in Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meetings are broadcast live on WKTV Channel 26 and rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

 

The Wyoming City Council will host two more outdoor meetings this summer. The next is scheduled for July 17 at 7 p.m. at Southlawn Park, 4125 Jefferson Ave. SE. For more information about city activities, meetings, and events, visit www.wyomingmi.gov.

Up next for Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park is the Tejano Sound Band

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , ,
The Tejano Sound Band

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park continue on Tuesday, June 20, with the Tejano Sound Band stepping on the Lamar Park stage at 7 p.m.

 

“We are looking forward to being there,” said Mark Garcia who is a member of the group and serves as its general manager during a recent phone call. “We know it is a Tuesday, but it will be a lot fun and we plan to provide some good music.”

 

Tejano music is a style of folk or popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas. With roots in the late 19th century, it became a music genre with a wider audience in the late 20th century due to such artists as Selana, who was often referred to as The Queen of Tejeno.

 

Originally based in Lansing, the Tejano Sound Band was founded by brothers Johnny and Richard Vasquez and brother-in-law Frank Medellin in 1994. The group was quickly embraced by the public and became well-known for its stage presence, hi-tech sound and light show. The band has shared the stage with many artists and bands from Texas and across the country.

 

Today the band consists of Richard and Johnny Vasquez along with Lupe Moreno, AJ Garcia, Bobby Gonzalez, Rolando Revilla, Michael Hiemstra, and Mark Garcia. The group won Vocal Duo of the Year for the 2013 Tejano Music Award for “Pos El Amor de USA Mujer” featuring Ricky Valenz. The Tejano Sound Band is currently working on its fourth album and has recently released a couple of songs from that album.

 

The rest of the Concerts in the Park series includes the popular WY-FI celebration which includes fireworks and features two bands, the Sweet J Band and the Brena Band on June 27. The program takes a break over the week of July 4 and then continues with country group Michatucky July 11 followed by a night of sixties music with The 6 Pak. July 25 is the Beatles tribute band Toppermost with the series wrapping up on Aug. 1 with its National Night Out programing featuring the group Union Guns.

 

For more information on Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park visit wyomingcec.org.

It’s Ladies Night at the Wyoming Outdoor Concert series

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Shelagh Brown

The Wyoming Concerts in the Park continues tonight with a Ladies Night program featuring Kalamazoo-based country group Shelagh Brown Band.

 

The concert is at 7 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. Shelagh Brown will perform country favorites as well as her own highly acclaimed music with her six-piece band.  “Ladies Night” means any lady who attends will be recognized with fun gifts.

 

Coming from a musical family, Brown always had a musical interest performing in choirs since third grade. She did not decide to go into music until she attended Michigan State University and then later transferred to Western Michigan University to pursue musical theater and is where she discovered country music.

 

At tonight’s concert, Brown will perform country tunes from Loretta to Carrie along wth showcasing her own songwriting through her tunes including “Sunflower,” “Friend in You,” and “Best for Me” to name just a few, currently available on iTunes!

 

The Concerts in the Park are every Tuesday evening through Aug. 1 at Lamar Park.

Be amazed, be amused as the Detroit Circus kicks off the Wyoming Concerts in the Park

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , , ,
Josh Wilde of the Detroit Circus. Photo by Donna Macaufey.

A sure sign of summer is Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park which kicks off Tuesday, June 6, with a high-fly affair as the Detroit Circus takes the stage at Wyoming’s Lamar Park.

 

Set for 7 p.m. every Tuesday from June 6 to Aug. 1, the annual Concerts in the Park has become a popular summer tradition in Wyoming. The event, which is organized by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission, provides free family-friendly programming with a host of local and regional talent.

 

Providing family-friendly shows is an important aspect to the Detroit Circus, said Micha Adams, founder and owner of both the Detroit Flyhouse Circus and the Detroit Circus. Started about 10 years ago, the performers include gymnasts, aerialists, and those with a theater background. The 20 members have sought out opportunities to learn from others including Cirque du Soleil. Many now teach at the Detroit Flyhouse Circus while also performing for the Detroit Circus.

 

The company has performed throughout Michigan and travelled outside the state as well. Detroit Circus is the house entertainment at Cobo Arena and have performed at the MGM Casino in Greektown. Area residents might remember them from ArtPrize, where the troupe recently performed.

 

Eric Baker of the Detroit Circus. Photo by splitsugar.com.

“We always say ‘bring a chair so you can use the edge of your seat,’” Adams said during a recent interview with the WKTV Journal.

 

On Tuesday, the Detroit Circus’s Josh Wilde and Eric Baker will be amazing the Concerts in the Park audience with aerobatic feats along with illusion, magic, juggling and object manipulation. The show is very interactive, according to Adams and is non-stop allowing people to come and go.

 

The rest of the Concerts in the Park series line up includes country band Shelagh Brown Band June 13; Tejano Sounds Band June 20; the WY-Fi program celebrating the country’s birthday featuring two pop rock bands, the Sweet J Band and Brena Band June 27; southern rock Michatucky July 11; sixties music band the 6 Pack July 18; the Beatles tribute band July 25 and the National Night Out Celebration with country group Union Guns Aug. 1.

 

Lamar Park is located at 2561 Porter St. SW. For more on the Concerts In the Park, visit the Wyoming Community Enrichment Commission’s website, www.wyomingcec.org or visit the commission’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/WyomingCEC.