WKTV Newscast: Kentwood’s 50th celebration continues
Tag Archives: City of Wyoming
Local high school sports schedule: March 27-30
Looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to? Here is your weekly list.
Monday, March 27
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian
South Haven @ South Christian – DH
Girls Soccer
Jenison @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Hopkins
Tuesday, March 28
Boys/Girls Track
Godwin Heights @ Aquinas College – Aquinas Track & Field Challenge
South Christian @ Aquinas College – Aquinas Track & Field Challenge
Wyoming Lee @ Unity Christian
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
Girls Soccer
Comstock Park @ Godwin Heights
Kenowa Hills @ Wyoming
Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Middleville T-K
Boys Baseball
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park
Wyoming @ Caledonia
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
South Christian @ Grandville
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Caledonia
Girls Water Polo
Jenison @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Lakeview
Wednesday, March 29
Boys Baseball
Holland @ Godwin Heights – DH
South Christian @ West Ottawa
Girls Softball
Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights – Scrimmage
South Christian @ West Ottawa
Girls Soccer
Wyoming Lee @ Ravenna
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville
Plainwell @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
Byron Center @ Wyoming
Thursday, March 30
Boys Baseball
Zion Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Soccer
Zion Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming public safety personnel, civilians honored at ceremony
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Wyoming Department of Public Safety Director James Carmody, addressing a standing-room-only crowd at the department’s annual award ceremony late last month, made clear his feelings on the role his police and fire personnel have in the Wyoming community.
“Tonight you will hear stories of unselfish acts of bravery, generosity, compassion and guy-wrenching determination,” Carmody said at the Feb. 23 event at the Wyoming Senior Center. “The events we speak of tonight are just a few of the many thousands of times that our men and women step into the breach of danger and work to keep our city a safe and comfortable place to live, work and play.”
While the evening honored all of the long list of winners of Certificates of Merit, Certificates of Achievement, Life Saving Awards and individual and unit commendations, the highlights of the evening were the five personnel who gained special honors. (See complete list here.)
Ofc. Carmen Morales was honored as Officer of the Year, Firefighter Lance Bowman was recognized as Firefighter of the Year, Milt Zaagman was honored as Civilian of the Year, and Det. D.J. VerHage and Firefighter Brad Dornbos each received the Chiefs Award of Professional Excellence.
Each of the five had their stories told and, afterword talking with WKTV, reacted to their awards.
Officer of the Year
Ofc. Morales has been with the department for more than 20 years, serving as a patrol officer, a detective and now in the warrant unit. She has been a long-serving member of the peer support group and awards boards. Carmody, in supplied material, described her as “passionate about bringing justice to the victims of crime and believes in the dignity of all. Her unwavering commitment to professional policing, her fellow officers and the community makes her someone we can all be proud to represent us as our Officer of the Year.”
The award “means a lot to me,” Ofc. Morales said. “Number One: I was chosen from my peers. … I have been with the city of Wyoming for 25 years, so I have dedicated myself to this department for 25 years, even though I consider them my family. It means a job well done, for me. I have been in so many units in this department, that I have to say I am glad I was chosen for this award and not for one specific thing I have done for the city of Wyoming but for a collaboration of things.”
“Tonight’s special honorees have been recognized by their peers, this is a peer-driven process,” Carmody said of the award process. “The awards you see tonight are recommended and voted on by their peers.”
Firefighter of the Year
Firefighter Bowman has served as the director of the Wyoming Public Safety Fire Divisions Quarter Master Program since its creation in 2014. He is responsible for providing clothing and equipment for full-time, part-time, dual trained and on call firefighters. Of Bowman, Carmody said, in supplied material: “We commend him for his bravery and thank him for his service. His commitment to the department and his continued display of courage in emergencies serves as an exemplary role model for his peers.”
“I am very pleased to accept this award from my peers that I work with everyday,” Bowman said.
Civilian of the Year
Zaagman, a building maintenance worker for the City of Wyoming, has served the community for over 40 years and remains an integral part of keeping the department operating successfully. “Milt defines responsibility,” a release by the Pubic Safety Department stated. “He is often seen before the sunrises and on days off shoveling the sidewalks or sweeping leaves from garages, according to a peer panel evaluation. He is highly respected among his peers. His name is synonymous with kindness, respect, service and selflessness throughout the department.”
“I have 41 years with the City of Wyoming, with the police department,” Zaagman said. “Back in the ’60s, when I was in the military, I understood exactly what a brotherhood and sisterhood was, and I have felt accepted and felt that same thing with all these years with the Wyoming police department.”
Chiefs Awards of Professional Excellence
Dornbos, the fire divisions emergency medical technician coordinator, established a mutually supportive relationship with Metro Health. This partnership led to a $10,000 grant, which allowed the department to purchase advanced medical equipment and fund the training of their full-time firefighters as EMTs. “Brads dedication to improved service has been instrumental in enabling our department to save more lives,” Carmody said in supplied material. “The ability to provide improved services to our residents and our community is because of his hard work.”
“It is an honor to receive the award,” Dornbos said. “It’s definitely a team effort amongst my lieutenant, chief, and our crew that we all work together… it’s a reaffirmation that we’re doing the right thing and moving forward to help the citizens of Wyoming and hopefully save more lives with the upgraded licensure and with the future accreditation coming forward.”
VerHage has served on the department for 24 years and has been forefront on many of its most important criminal cases. “Detective VerHage has been a top candidate of this award many times, but this year was his year,” Carmody said in supplied material. “Each day he embodies our values of honor, courage, duty and trust through his determination and dedication.”
“It is very humbling. The chief was very gracious, by what he said,” VerHage said. “I am very thankful and grateful for my coworkers, everybody I get to work with. This is a team effort and anything that I did is only possible because of my coworkers and everybody that helps out with every case. Every complaint, everything that comes into the police department from our civilians, to all of our police officers, detectives, and the admin as well. It’s very nice what he said and very gracious and there’s many many more deserving of this award, so, thank you.”
For more information on the City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety, visit the city’s new website at wyomingmi.gov .
Game on: WKTV’s featured game for Friday, March 10
WKTV Staff
This week WKTV’s featured Friday night high school sports event will be the finals of the boys MHSAA Basketball Basketball District 50 tournament at Wyoming Godwin Heights.
In Monday opening-round games, tournament host Godwin Heights had an easy time in a 80-32 win over West Michigan Aviation Academy, and (in WKTV’s covered feature game) Wyoming Kellogsville scored a 87-49 win over Kentwood’s Grand River Prep.
Tonight (Thursday, March 9) games will find Kellogsville (now 18-3) trying to avoid the upset by Wyoming-Lee (10-10) in the 6 p.m. game. Then Godwin Heights (20-1) will face off with Grand Rapids South Christian (10-10) at 8 p.m.
The winners of those games will play Friday, with WKTV cameras on hand, for the District title and a berth in the Region 11 Regional Tournament next week.
Th game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/
DVDs and Blue-Rays of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org
Wyoming parks and rec adult softball spring leagues now registering
WKTV Staff
The deadline is looming for signing up for the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department’s spring-season adult soft-pitch softball leagues, which includes both coed and men’s leagues.
Registration deadline for adult softball leagues is Thursday, March 16.
The coed league will play Mondays and Fridays while the men’s league will play Mondays and Thursdays. These are both 10-game leagues with a $475 cost per team. An additional men’s league, running Mondays and Tuesdays, will be a 12-game league and with a $525 cost per team. They will all include a single-elimination tournament at the end of regular season.
For more information, or to register your team, please contact recreation programmer Kenny Westrate at 616.530.3164 or westratek@wyomingmi.gov.
For more information about other Parks and Recreation special events or programs, please visit www.wyomingmi.gov.
Wyoming’s Hoop Heaven Basketball Academy announces youth programs
WKTV Staff
Wyoming’s Hoop Heaven Basketball Academy recently announced several youth basketball programs, including a March 11 trial event of its Travel Ball League Play and the Saturday afternoon Biddy Ball program starting in April.
Hoop Heaven events are held at the Elevation Church, 2141B Porter St. SW. The program’s mission, according to supplied material, is “Pursuing gospel transformation and leadership development in Wyoming area youth through the game of basketball.”
The Travel Ball League Play event on March 11 will start at 1 p.m. and is for both boys and girls grades 3-12. The cost of tryout is $5 per players and you must pre-register. For registration and more information on this event contact Phyllis Harder at 616-498-1128, email her at phyllis@elevationhoopheaven.org or visit their website at elevationhoopheaven.org or visit them on Facebook at /hoopheavenbasketballacademy
The Biddy Ball program will run April 15 through May 13 and is open to both boys and girls K-2nd grade. Both friend (of teams) and entire team requests will be considered. The cost if $55 per child, with partial scholarships available, which includes a t-shirt. For more information contact Eric Vandyke at 616-272-6244, email him at ericvandyke15@gmail.com or visit elevationhoopheaven.com .
Running with the Wolves; Wyoming high inducts five into its athletic Hall of Fame
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
When cross-town athletic rivals Wyoming Park and Rogers high schools combined to form the current Wyoming High School, two athletic traditions were combined and a new one was born.
That shared past and unified present was honored early this month as five one-time students athletes were inducted into the Wyoming High School athletic Hall of Fame.
The ceremony was held Feb. 10, between home boys and girls basketball games. Those inducted included Andy Vavere, Laura Erdmans Readle, Doug Chappell, Kim Blouw Norden and Eric Taylor.
For many of the inductees, it was not only night to be honored but to remember high school athletic careers and experiences still remembered fondly — including one where cross-town athletic competition led to a union of a different kind.
Andy Vavere, Rogers High Class of 1980, was not only a standout football, basketball and baseball athlete — highlighted by the basketball team’s deep runs into the state tournament in 1979 and 1980 — but he also met his future wife during his high school years.
“My favorite (athletic) memories were our tournament runs we had in 1979 and 1980. We were regional finalists in ’79 and semifinalists in ’80,” Vavere said. Rogers was 21-4 the first year and 21-5 the second.
During those years, Vavere was an OK Red all-conference baseball player in 1979, an all-conference quarterback in 1980, and a all-conference basketball player in both years. He was also the 1980 Adrian Allen Athlete of the Year Award winner.
But the longest lasting memory was meeting his wife, Margaret, who attended his school’s arch rival.
“I was a senior at Rogers High School in 1980 and she was at Wyoming Park, a competitive school, and we met through competition,” he said. “I started dating Margaret in 1979 and we got married in 1989.”
And, Vavere admitted, it was always a challenge to face Wyoming Park on the field: “Absolutely, those guys were great,” he said.
Running into the Hall of Fame
One of those “great” Wyoming Park athletes was cross country and track runner Kim Blouw, Class of 1990.
Blouw, who later graduated from Central Michigan University, was track all-state each of her four years of high school, and was an all-state cross country runner her junior and senior years. She held school records in the 800, 1,600, 3,200-meter runs as well as in the 2-mile relay run. And she was part of a state champion 2-mile relay team one year.
But, maybe, the highlife of her high school career was spring track practice after a 16-hour bus ride to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
“I guess my favorite memories about high school would be my two coaches, Mr. (Frank) Grimm and Mr. (Dick) Locke, and traveling to South Carolina to go to Myrtle Beach, becoming a team, but not only a team but becoming a family,” Blouw said.
She also credits her family, both at home and on the Wyoming Park athletic teams, for keeping her focused and successful in her high school years.
“What made me do that was that I had two great parents who instilled a really good value system in us, myself and my brother,” she said. “I had really great coaches that really emphasized the importance of never giving up. I had a goal, and my goal was to go to college. And I was blessed with the ability to run. … So many people believed in me, encouraged me to excel in my career as a track and cross country runner. I embraced that.”
Three more honored with induction
Eric Taylor, Wyoming Park Class of 1988, had a basketball career that not only brought success to his high school, but to his college and professional teams as a player, and then carried him back nearly to full-circle as a high school basketball coach.
Taylor was an all-conference and all-state player his last two years at Wyoming Park, then played basketball and earned a degree at Oakland University. He went on to play professionally in Europe, winning multiple championships, and earn his masters degree from Grand Valley State University. He now coaches varsity basketball at Grand Rapids Christian High School.
“My passion is giving back to students and to influence their lives in a positive way everyday,” Taylor said in supplied material. “It’s about the legacy to reach, teach, love and support all students and be an example and a role everyday for all students.”
Doug Chappel, Rogers Class of 1979, died in 2012 but left a mark on the basketball record books both at his high school and at University of Detroit. He was a multi-sport athlete but starred on the basketball court in high school — including being all-conference three years, all state two years including being one of the top five players in the state his senior year, and scoring 1,300 points while grabbing more than 700 rebounds. He then played four years of college ball at Detroit, scoring nearly 1,200 points and gaining all-league honors.
Laura Readle, Wyoming Park Class of 1981, was a multi-sport athlete, including all-conference honors multiple years in volleyball, basketball and track. She was a rebounding machine on the basketball court, averaging 29 rebounds a game one year, and a record-braking sprinter on the track. She went on to gain her bachelors and masters degrees from Aquinas College, coached AAU basketball for 10 years and is now the track coach at Tri-County High School.
She also still runs, and runs and runs — including finishing marathons, ½ marathons, triathlons and the 25K River Bank run spread out over 30 years, and recently participated in a 5-hour adventure race. And the track for Wyoming Park, at Godwin High School, is still one of her favorite memories.
She remembers “when the only track that was ‘rubberized’ not cinder, in the late ’70s, at Godwin High School … every track meet all 8 schools in our conference would be there,” Readle said in supplied material. “I met many wonderful friends from all the other schools in our conference and I am still friends with many of them today. It is also where I met my husband. Many, many happy memories!”
Game on: WKTV’s featured games for Feb. 20-25
WKTV Staff
This week in WKTV’s featured high school sport games, the coverage crew will be at East Kentwood for girls basketball game against Hudsonville on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and then at East Kentwood for a hockey game against Forest Hills Central on Saturday, Feb. 25.
WKTV videos and broadcasts several games each week during high school sports season.
Each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood. Every Friday game will be aired that night on Live Wire 24 at 10:30 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action in January, see now.wktv.org/sports/
DVDs and Blue-Rays of each game are also available for purchase at $20 including shipping. For more information, visit WKTV.org
Local high school sports schedule: Feb. 20-27
Looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to? Here is your weekly list.
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Benton Harbor
West Michigan Lutheran @ Wellspring
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Girls Basketball
Bloomingdale @ Zion Christian
Algoma Christian @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Western Michigan Christian
Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ Christian
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Boys Basketball
Bloomingdale @ Zion Christian
Algoma Christian @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Western Michigan Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ Wyoming
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Boys Basketball
Creative Technologies Academy @ West Michigan Aviation
Girls Basketball
Creative Technologies Academy @ West Michigan Aviation
Thursday, Feb, 23
Boys Swimming
OK Red Conference Meet @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Grattan
Friday, Feb. 24
Girls Basketball
Zion Christian @ Holland Black River
FH Northern @ Tri-Unity Christian
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Kenowa Hills @ Wyoming
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
East Kentwood @ Rockford
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Boys Basketball
Zion Christian @ Holland Black River
Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Kenowa Hills@ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
East Kentwood @ Rockford
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Grand Haven
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Catholic Central
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hastings
OK Red Conference Meet @ East Kentwood
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Saturday, Feb. 25
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Grand Haven
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Catholic Central
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hastings
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Brighton
Boys Hockey
FH Central @ East Kentwood
Sunday, Feb. 26
Boys Hockey
West Michigan Aviation @ Flint Kearsley
Monday, Feb. 27
Boys Hockey
West Michigan Lutheran @ West Michigan Aviation
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian
Kelloggsville vs Godwin Heights @ South Christian – MHSAA State Districts
Wyoming @ West Ottawa
Local high school sports schedule: Feb. 13-20
Looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to? Here is your weekly list.
Monday, Feb. 13, 2017
Boys/girls Bowling
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Unity Christian @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Zeeland
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern
Girls Basketball
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017
Girls Basketball
Zion Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Potter’s House @ Holland Black River
Wellspring Prep @ Grand River Prep
Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation
Algoma Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wyoming @ South Christian
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Boys Basketball
Zion Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Potter’s House @ Holland Black River
Wellspring Prep @ Grand River Prep
Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
South Christian @ Wyoming
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Boys/Girls Bowling
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017
Boys/Girls Bowling
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Marcellus Howardsville Chrstian
Boys/Girls Bowling
Byron Center @ Wyoming
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Ottawa Hills
Girls Gymnastics
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Girls Basketball
Algoma Christian @ Zion Christian
Grand River Prep @ Holland Calvary
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming @ Wayland
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Grattan @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Algoma Christian @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River
Tri-Unity Christian@ Covenant Christian
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming @ Wayland
Wyoming Lee @ Holland Calvary
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Boys Hockey
Grand Rapids Flames @ West Michigan Aviation
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Caledonia – MHSAA State Districts
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
Boys Hockey
Flint Kearsley @ West Michigan Aviation
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – MHSAA State Districts
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – MHSAA State Districts
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ Christian
South Christian @ Christian
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Regionals @ Pickney
Monday, Feb. 20, 2017
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Benton Harbor
West Michigan Lutheran @ Wellspring
Local Government Matters: Chamber to host informational meeting
WKTV Staff
The Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters Committee meeting will be Monday, Feb. 13, from 8-9 a.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St SW, at the corner of 28th and Michael Avenue SW.
The meetings alternate between Wyoming City Hall and Kentwood City Hall.
The meeting, where chamber officials meet with local, county and state government officials, is free and open to the public. It will also be recorded by WKTV community television for viewing.
The Feb. 13 meeting will be delayed broadcast on WKTV community television Channel 26 on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. until the next Government Matters Committee meeting. It is also available on-demand at wktv.viebit.com
For more information on the chamber visit southkent.org.
Local high school sports schedule: Feb. 6-13
Looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to? Here is your weekly list.
Monday, Feb. 6, 2017
Boys Basketball
Kent City @ Grand River Prep
Boys/girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Cristian
South Christian @ Byron Center
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Holton
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Hornets
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017
Girls Basketball
Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River
Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
South Christian @ FH Eastern
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Christian
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017
Boys Hockey
Northview @ West Michigan Aviation
South Christian @ Kenowa Hills
Muskegon Reeths Puffer @ East Kentwood
Boys/girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming @ South Christian
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA State Districts
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Girls Gymnastics
Lowell @ East Kentwood
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017
Girls Basketball
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys Basketball
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming @ East Kentwood – MHSAA State Districts
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Wayland
East Kentwood @Grand Haven
Friday, Feb. 10, 2017
Girls Basketball
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Christian @ South Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
GR Homeschoolers @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House
Ellington Academy @ West Michigan Aviation
Tri-Unity Christian @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Christian @ South Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Boys Hockey
Jenison @ South Christian
Muskegon Mona Shores @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
Girls Basketball
Union @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Wyoming @ Grand Haven – MHSAA State Districts
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – MHSAA State Districts
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Lakewood
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Catholic Central
Monday, Feb. 13, 2017
Boys/girls Bowling
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Unity Christian @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Zeeland
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern
Girls Basketball
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
City goals unchanged as Wyoming Site36 project gains new partner
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Late last year, the City of Wyoming signed an agreement with Franklin Partners, based in the Chicago area but with an office in Grand Rapids, to ramp-up redevelopment of an abandoned General Motors metal stamping plant, the Site36 industrial area off 36th Street SW just east of Highway 131.
While the company is pushing forward with a marketing campaign, including drawings depicting multiple possible industrial uses and building layouts for possible sales or lease of portions of the about 92-acre property, Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt says the city’s goals have not changed — they want the land redeveloped into industrial uses to take advantage of already in-place infrastructure.
The city also continues to be motivated to work with businesses looking at the site, including tax incentives and other actions.
“We are not looking for leasing options; we are looking for sales,” Holt said this week. “That doesn’t mean the Franklin Partners will not offer that as an option with them holding ownership of a particular site. The purpose of the marketing material is more about showing people what is possible and opening potential owners eyes to ideas that they may not have considered.”
Also according to Franklin Partners marketing materials, “The City of Wyoming is motivated to attract new jobs and can offer significant state and local tax incentives to attract large users to the site. … The City has also indicated that it is willing to provide an industrial facilities tax abatement (IFT) for future industrial development. This allows for a nearly 50% abatement of future property taxes on new buildings for up to twelve (12) years. The existence of both a brownfield plan and the City’s expressed willingness to work with future owners/tenants on these and other incentives sets this site apart from others.”
Holt says the incentives are also nothing new, as far as the city’s efforts to redevelop the site.
“This city has a track record of being very supportive of our business community,” Holt said. “We all have maintained the same principles about Site 36 from the very beginning. Our main goal is jobs, specifically quality jobs available to our residents. With jobs, other indirect benefits will be realized by the city.”
The site, with about 80 acres of “contiguous, shovel ready, manufacturing infrastructure,” according to Franklin Partners, is between Clay and Buchanan avenues south of 36th. According to multiple sources, it was purchased by the city’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority in 2010, after GM closed the plant in 2006 ending nearly 70 years of operation.
According to Holt, the City Council has had no additional discussion with Franklin Partners “since the agreement was executed to work with them as the developer of the site,” but “I know that Franklin Partners is continuing to work on marketing, site preparation and generating potential contacts as they begin to market the site.”
Franklin reportedly plans to remove a pedestrian bridge over 36th Street, built to connect the GM plant to a parking lot north of 36th Street, as well as to clean up the site after years of accumulated undergrowth and debris.
According to Franklin Partners marketing materials, the site — in addition to its access to US-131 and the Grand Elk Railroad yard — has its own Consumers Energy sub-station with up to 41 megawatt of dedicated power at T-1 rates, and can accommodate new facilities from 100,000 square feet up to 1,000,000 square feet. High-pressure natural gas and municipal water and sewer are also available on-site.
The city had been working with local entries The Right Place and NAI Wisinski, but, after being on the market for about four years, leaders expect that bringing Franklin Partners into the mix will get the effort moving once again.
“Franklin Partners’ history and reputation in West Michigan are very good,” Holt said. “We have worked with Franklin Partners on several projects and found them to be professional, knowledgeable and well connected. They have experience working with us and the projects we have worked together on have been extremely successful. We believe that relationship will assist us in redevelopment of the site.”
Local high school sports schedule: Jan. 23-30
Looking for a Wyoming and Kentwood area high school varsity sports event to get out to? Here is your weekly list.
Monday, Jan. 23, 2017
Girls Basketball
Grand Rapids Thunder @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Wayland
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Gymnastics
East Kentwood @ Lowell
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017
Girls Basketball
Covert @ Zion Christian
Christian @ Wyoming
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Basketball
Covert @ Zion Christian
Wyoming @ Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Covenant Christian @ South Christian
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Fennville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Cheer
@ East Kentwood
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017
Girls Basketball
WMAI @ Grand River Prep
Boys Basketball
WMAI @ Grand River Prep
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wayland @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Kelloggsville @ Kent City
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming @ Zeeland West
Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Gymnastics
FH Central @ East Kentwood
Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017
Boys Basketball
Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Aviation
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Friday, Jan. 27, 2017
Girls Basketball
Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep
Wyoming @ Hudsonville
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Boys Basketball
Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep
Wellspring Prep @ Potter’s House
Wyoming @ Hudsonville
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Ellington Academy @ Tri-Unity Christian
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Rockford
Godwin Heights @ Rockford
Wyoming Lee @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ East Kentwood
South Christian @ Rockford
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming @ Montague
Wyoming Lee @ Reed City
Godwin Heights @ Okemos
East Kentwood @ Lakewood
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ East Kentwood – LMCCOA
Kelloggsville @ East Kentwood – LMCCOA
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Girls Gymnastics
East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills
Monday, Jan. 30, 2017
Boys/Girls Bowling
Potter’s House @ Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Lutheran
Kelloggsville @ Martin
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Hastings
Girls Gymnastics
East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills
Chick-fil-A opens in Gaines Twp.; Wyoming store coming
WKTV Staff
A Chick-fil-A restaurant will be coming to Wyoming soon, but those who want their first taste of the menu can sample it this week as the first of several West Michigan franchises opens on Thursday, Jan. 12.
This week’s opening is at 1545 Edgeknoll Dr., S.E., off the M-6 and Kalamazoo Avenue exit, just south of Wyoming city line in Gaines Township. The City of Wyoming store, located at 700 54th St., S.W, is currently scheduled for a February opening.
As with other store openings nationwide, the Gaines Township store will also provide an opportunity for 100 people to win free meals for a year, as well as the ability for the community to donate books to a local youth organization, according to supplied material.
According to supplied material, the “First 100” party is a “family friendly” event where people will line up — even camp out overnight — to earn a meal a week for a year. The event is open to persons residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant. (Eligible zip codes and rules are available at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Openings).
The donated books will be place in a “Book House” built from reclaimed wood, and will serve as a free library exchange. Chick-fil-A has collected more than 27,000 children’s books which have been donated to 162 local organizations since 2014, according to supplied material.
Metro Health celebrates affiliation with U-M, looks toward the future
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
Metro Health’s announcement of its affiliation with the University of Michigan had even Lt. Governor Brian Calley saying “Go blue.”
“And those who really know me, know that is a hard thing for me to say,” said the Michigan State University graduate. Calley, along with state and local officials joined hospital staff and officers for a celebration Thursday, Jan. 5, of the new affiliation between Metro Health and U-M. The event took place at the hospital.
T-shirts were handed out with the new logo that includes the familiar maze-color M with Metro Health and the words University of Michigan Health underneath. Blue and gold balloons adorned the Professional Building as the Godwin Heights High School cheerleaders welcomed people in through the hospital doors and the Godwin Heights High School Band played the U-M fight song.
The purpose of the event was to provide staff and elected officials more detail about the new affiliation, which, according to a press release handed out at the event, is not a partnership. According to Metro Health: University of Michigan Health Corporate Board Chair Doyle Hayes, who spoke at the event, Metro Health employees would remain Metro Health employees and the decisions of what’s important to the community will remain with the physicians and members of West Michigan.
“This affiliation brings together a trusted community resource, this is your resource, and the specialty care of U-M national leadership which also brings medical research and innovation,” Doyle said. “This affliction will provide West Michigan with greater access to high quality health care.”
Metro Health: University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas said Metro Health already has begun recruiting and is starting to look at future plans that include expansion of the Metro Village Health, the first of its kind in the nation, and beyond into other buildings outside of the Wyoming campus. Hospital officials have indicated that future plans could be announced later this year.
Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll said it has been wonderful to watch Metro Health grow over the past 10 years since it moved to the city, with changes that no one really could have predicted.
“Well this is obviously very exciting for the City of Wyoming to see the merger occuring,” Poll said. “Two wonderful organizations that are very well established that are now teaming together to bring better health care to the City of Wyoming.”
Grant helps Wyoming make improvements at Ideal Park
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
The City of Wyoming received a yearend bonus from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust this month when it was awarded a $300,000 grant to help rebuild Ideal Park.
Announced last week, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board’s recommendations totaled more than $47.6 million for projects in 2017. This included $19.9 million in recreational development and $27.7 million in land acquisition projects. Of the $19.9 million recreational development funds, the City of Wyoming received one of the largest grants of $300,000.
City officials had made it clear that the grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust was key in helping to rebuild the park which was devastated during a 2014 tornado wiping out the park’s playground, tennis and basketball courts and a majority of the trees.
“We are extremely excited that our City has been chosen by the state as a grant recipient for 2017,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “The grant awarded by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will allow the City to continue restoring Ideal Park, which sustained tremendous damage after the (2014) EF-1 tornado touched down.
“There is still more work to be done, but the state grant allows us to tackle some of the most pressing issues.”
The city spent the next two years cleaning up the park, located at 5843 Crippen Ave. SW, and just reopened it this past summer. The park currently does not have any playground equipment or basketball or tennis courts.
Because of the amount of damage caused by the tornado, it gave city officials and residents a chance to review the current layout of Ideal Park and consider some improvements in access and safety, said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Wyoming’s director of community services.
“What the city had done in the past with Ideal Park was to maintain the historical heritage of the park for the community,” Rynbrandt said. In fact, Ideal Park pre-dates the City of Wyoming, having been created in the 1930s.
One of its natural features is that Buck Creek runs through the middle of the park with bridges providing access to most of the parks amenities such as the shelters and former playground area. This also created limited access for emergency personal and others if something should happen at the park, Rynbrandt said.
So the city began to look at ways to reconfigure access into the park with a new gateway from Crippen Street, a new drive from Crippen Street to east lot and a connector drive to Averill Avenue. Other improved security and access include a connector path from art deco bridge to the west lot, lighting in parking areas, a new west parking lot gate, new natural area between Park Drive and west lot, open play area with irrigation, basketball court, trailhead signage, a footpath trail to connect to existing pathway and interurban trail and a new creek overlook.
The $300,000 grant money will be combined with with about $508,000 the city has to move forward on the first phase for Ideal Park, Rynbrandt said. That includes developing construction drawings and hopefully going out for bids at the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018 with construction starting in 2018, she said.
The City of Wyoming has a five-year parks plan which shows more than $26 million in capital need such as major maintenance and replacing of assets such as playgrounds, fencing and trail work. Among those capital improvements is funding the master plans for Ferrand, Oriole Phase II, Jackson and Gezon. In May, Wyoming will ask voters to allow City leadership to change the way dollars can be spent under the dedicated Library Maintenance millage to help with the capital improvements at the parks.
Two other Kent County municipalities received funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust, the City of Rockford for its Rogue River Nature Trail Phase IV, $150,000, and Algoma Township’s River’s Edge Park Development, $50,000. A total of 79 projects throughout Michigan received grants.
Wyoming set to have a brew, or two, with TwoGuys Brewery
By K.D. Norris
After nearly 10 years of working a small business plan, and recent action by the City of Wyoming, TwoGuys Brewing has taken over an old firehouse and a rundown one-time 7-Eleven convenience store in the Wyoming Park neighborhood and — with any luck to match hard work — should be serving up craft beer for guys and gals who like microbrews in 2017.
“Now its about six months of demolition and renovation, were we turn this ugly old 7-Eleven into a beautiful tap room,” Tom Payne, managing partner and brewmaster of TwoGuys Brewing, said Nov. 10 at a friends-and-neighbors open house at what will be the new brewpub. “We are hopeful for September 1” to open.
“This business came about about 10 years ago,” he said. “I realized I was not just another home brewer, at least I did not think so. I had entered beer in outside competition, outside of just (treating) my normal friends, and it was taken very well. I said ‘You know what? I think we’ve got something here.’ And then my wife and I, after hours and hours of talking, we said ‘This is something we are going to do.’ At that time we put together a 10-year plan, and we are at the end of that 10 years. It is time for TwoGuys Brewing to open.”
Opening the brewery and brewpub involved the leasing of two buildings located across from each other on Porter Street SW, the old 7-Eleven at 2356 Porter Street SW and an unused fire station at 2385.
The leasing of the fire station to Tamaz LLC (an LLC doing business as TwoGuys Brewery) by the city was part of three actions taken by the Wyoming City Council in late November. The actions included granting the business a liquor license, a waiver of city zoning code to allow for the sale of alcohol within a certain distance from a church or residential area, and the lease of the old fire station, which had been used by the city for a meter shop and a temporary laboratory but was currently vacant.
City support of business
“The City of Wyoming has been absolutely instrumental in this,” Payne said. “We approached the city three or four months ago, we completely laid out our business plan and what we wanted to bring to Wyoming Park. They put together a timeline … a ‘we need you to do this and we need you to do this’, and we have done everything the city has asked for. … They have been fantastic.”
Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt made clear the reason for the city’s actions:
“Our region is increasingly embracing craft beer,” Holt said. “You can look around our community and see the many brewpubs that have sprung up over the last five years. We are pleased that TwoGuys Brewing has identified Wyoming as its location and feel that it will be a welcomed by the neighbors — and by Wyoming residents in general.”
Several of those neighbors visited the open house on Dec. 10 as well, and Payne said he expects to be an attribute to the neighborhood.
“The biggest reason (for placing their business in Wyoming) is that this is where we live, my wife and I,” he said. “I grew up in Wyoming Park. I graduated from Wyoming Park. I have lived, aside from my time in the Marine Corps, in this area and it has always been my home. When we decided to open up our brewery, it was going to be where we live and provide our neighbors with something they could certainly be proud of.”
About that name …
And the name of of TwoGuys? Where did it come from?
“10 years ago, there was me and one of my best friends, Charlie, I had gotten him started brewing,” he said. “So, long story (made short), we entered another competition and took best of show on an IPA (India Pale Ale), which at the time had no name. We brewed this beer at Founders. We brewed 10 barrels having won the best of show. … About half an hour before tapping, Founders said ‘You guys need to name this thing something.’ I told them ‘Its just the two of us, we are just two guys, so how about TwoGuys IPA?’”
Now, though, the name takes on another context, Payne said.
“Our TwoGuys, today, is, well … everybody’s two guys. You’re the other guy. My grandson is the other guy. Everybody is the other guy. I am just one guy. It is all about community, which is what brought us to Wyoming Park. … I will consider every guest that comes into these doors, starting next year, as the family, as the other guy.”
Plans at this point the business will focus on an array of craft-brewed beers — maybe wines, meads and sodas — as well as what the business calls a “pub-centric” menu of food. Payne’s brewer pedigree includes his having been involved with Osgood Brewing in Grandville as well as head brewer at 57 Brewpub and Bistro in Greenville.
“We are going to focus on traditional styles, beers that you don’t necessarily find everywhere else,” he said. “A lot of English style ales that no one brews around here … I am not knocking any other brewery in town, there are some fantastic ones, but it is going to be all about the other guy, what they like.”
Tentatively, seating at the brewpub will be for about 80 with a possible outdoor patio planned. The property has about 18 parking spaces in front, with about 50 possible behind the building and another 25 or so across the street at the old firehouse.
Despite headlines, Kentwood, Wyoming city clerks confident of local voting integrity
K.D. Norris
The national headlines this week are filled with reports and rumors of possible voting machine manipulation — did or did not Russian hackers somehow alter the presidential election? But city clerks in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming are confident in local voting numbers and want to assure local voters of local voting integrity.
“Wyoming voters can rest assured that every ballot cast has been counted and counted accurately,” Kelli VandenBerg, city clerk for the City of Wyoming. said this week. “We have a number of safeguards in place to assure that voters can have confidence that their ballots are processed properly.”
Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic agreed, and said the bottom line reason is that the State of Michigan uses paper ballots that are tabulated at each precinct using stand-alone tabulation machines, voting machines — and the “tabulators are never connected to the internet.”
“So much of the national controversy has been over other types of ballots or the transmission of results,” VandenBerg said.
Before election day, each precinct’s and county board’s paper ballet tabulators are tested for accuracy — “there is a public test prior to each election, for the public to attend, to prove the accuracy,” Kasunic said.
Voting data cards are sealed in each tabulator by the city clerk before the election. Each seal has a number that is recorded in a paper poll book. The seal number is verified by the precinct workers before the polls open on election day.
“When the polls close at the end of election day, precinct workers print a tape of the results before the card is removed from the tabulator,” VandenBerg said. “The card is then sealed in a transfer bag that comes to (Wyoming) City Hall. That numbered seal is cut and then the data is downloaded and transmitted to the county.”
After votes are tabulated, all ballots are then sealed and stored in a secure location.
“All memory cards are sealed and recorded so they cannot be tampered,” Kasunic said. “The memory cards are complied within the city on a program and then sent by email to the county, and the memory cards are sent to the county. So they have both the tapes from each tabulator and the memory cards”
In addition to the safeguards to protect the electronic data, there are safeguards in place to protect the paper ballots.
“At the end of election day, the paper ballots are removed from the tabulator and sealed in approved ballot containers,” Vandenberg said. “The ballots remain sealed and in the clerk’s custody for the appropriate retention period. In this case the election involved a federal race, so the retention period is 22 months.”
Wondering when your street will be plowed?
WKTV
It’s the $64,000 question after a huge snow dump: When will my street get plowed? Watch the video above to learn about the City of Wyoming’s snow removal policy. In a nutshell, there are priorities: first, the busiest streets get plowed; next, the collector streets; and last of all, the quiet cul-de-sacs. More info is available here. The goal of the City of Wyoming’s snowplowing operation is to have all streets plowed within 24 hours after the end of a storm.
As with the City of Wyoming, the City of Kentwood’s Department of Public Works prioritizes plowing and salting from highest volume streets to lowest volume streets. Nothing personal, but it goes like this:
- Major Streets in the City of Kentwood with the most traffic — such as 44th, 52nd, Kalamazoo and Eastern — get plowed and salted first during a snow “event”.
- Collector Streets — next in line are the “main” streets throughout many of the subdivisions where you live. The streets you use to enter or exit an area adjacent to the major streets are plowed and salted after the major streets have been cleared and are as safe as possible to travel on. Some examples of collector streets are: Baileys Grove Dr., Stauffer Ave and Gentian Ave.
- Local Streets are the streets within the subdivisions themselves. These are plowed after the collectors are cleared and safe for travel. Salt is typically not spread on the local streets.
- Cul-De-Sacs/stub streets are the last to get attention. Smaller pick-up trucks direct the snow to areas in the cul-de-sac that are suitable for snow storage. It’s important that items are removed from the cul-de-sacs — soccer goals, portable basketball hoops and any other miscellaneous items.
Sometimes things don’t go as planned — maybe a busy street has been plowed and the City has moved onto another when Mother Nature disrupts the routine. When this happens — say, the major roads deteriorate — attention is shifted back to them and the cycle starts over.
Both cities make every effort to have all the roads cleared within 24 hours after the snow event has ended. During most snow events crews are working around the clock with trucks on the road 24 hours a day, sometimes for several days in a row.
Don’t worry, they’ll get to you!
Wyoming resident designs logo for city’s tree commission
By Estelle Slootmaker
The Tree Amigos
Since the City of Wyoming established the City of Wyoming Tree Commission on July 18, this volunteer citizen group, also known as The Tree Amigos, has been busy laying groundwork to support its mission of increasing the City’s tree canopy. Accomplishments so far include creating by-laws, electing officers, confirming a fiduciary, moving the Tree City USA application forward and investigating grants and fund raising ideas.
This Saturday, Tree Commission members – and other Tree Amigos – will march in the Wyoming Santa Claus Parade along Division Avenue. They will hand out informational brochures and colorful decals featuring a new logo, designed by sixth-generation Wyoming resident Caitlin Boyce Saladin. A senior at the Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan, she has long been active in environmental and social justice causes. She graduated in 2013 from Catholic Central High School. “I grew up with a backyard full of trees,” Saladin said. “Even though our house was just a couple blocks from 44th Street and Burlingame, I got to see deer, opossums, skunks, racoons, birds and squirrels. I hope my little contribution might help my hometown to have more trees in more neighborhoods.”
The Wyoming Tree Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Appointed members include former City councilman, Greg Bryan; Pam Jurick, arborists William Brown and Lauren Davis; retired teacher, Jim Ward; Godwin neighborhood watch leader, Lee Groth; and Stelle Slootmaker, Saladin’s mother. Citizen volunteer Elizabeth Kreager has been an active, dedicated participant. The Tree Commission invites all Wyoming residents who would like to join in at meetings or activities to come on board. After all, you can’t have too many amigos!
Contact the Wyoming Tree Commission at TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com. For information on the Wyoming Tree Commission, like The Tree Amigos on Facebook and message or post your comments and concerns.
The Wyoming Tree commission, nick-named The Tree Amigos, seeks to develop and promote programs that maintain and improve Wyoming’s tree assets in our city’s public and private properties. We strive to foster a healthy, species-diverse tree canopy that meets or exceeds coverage percentages suggested by the Michigan DNR, US Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.
Dec. 1-March 31 is the season for odd/even parking in City of Wyoming
If you live in the City of Wyoming and park on the street, there are no worries three seasons out of the year.
But during the winter months, it’s a different story — parking on both sides of the street can restrict the width of the street to a point where emergency vehicles are unable to have access.
To provide better access, the City implements Odd/Even Parking restrictions from December 1 until March 31. See the Odd/Even Parking ordinance for specific information.
According to the ordinance, from December 1 through the end of March of each year and during any declared snow emergency, any motor vehicles and other licensed trailers or equipment “shall be parked only on that side of the street having even numbers on even numbered calendar days and on that side of the street having odd numbers on the odd numbered calendar days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 7 pm of the same day with the following exceptions:
- When a residence is on a cul-de-sac, on-street parking shall only be on the even numbered calendar days.
- When a residence is on a street already posted “No Parking”, the no parking restrictions shall apply.
Parked cars will not be ticketed from 7 pm to midnight. At any other time, cars must be parked on the correct side of the street according to that day’s date.
So, in a nutshell: On even numbered calendar days, park on the side of the street with even numbers (addresses) between midnight and 7 pm. On odd numbered days, park on the side with odd numbers. OK to park on either side from 7 pm to midnight.
Wyoming Gives Back event set for Thursday, Dec. 1 at Rogers Plaza Mall
For the sixth year, the City of Wyoming will host the annual Wyoming Gives Back, Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Rogers Plaza Mall, 972 28th St. SW.
The event will feature an evening of treats donated by area businesses and music from local school choirs and bands. Residents are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree which will enter them into a raffle for gifts from several local businesses. Eva Aguirre Cooper from WOOD-TV will be on hand along with the officers from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and firefighters from the Wyoming Fire Department. And of course, Santa will there as well.
Wyoming Senior Center welcomes new director
By K.D. Norris
Chad Boprie, the new director of the Wyoming Senior Center, has been at the facility for two weeks now but his history with the center actually goes back more than 10 years.
Boprie, a graduate of Grand Valley State University’s Therapeutic Recreation program who most recently worked a supervisor of therapeutic recreation services for Hope Network, did a student placement at the Wyoming Senior Center in 2006.
“So I am familiar with the programming, with the City of Wyoming,” he said Monday. “I really enjoyed my time there.”
But he is still in the early phases of his learning mode this time around, after starting Oct. 31.
“It has been good,” he said. “I have been learning the processes the program. Getting to know the members and the participants. As I go along, I will look for things we can make better, but right now I am just learning.”
Part of the City of Wyoming’s Parks and Recreation Department, Boprie will oversee recreation programming for older adults as well as facility operations center.
“The Center is an invaluable community asset that greatly impacts our residents,” Boprie said in supplied material. “I look forward to contributing to its continued success.”
The WSC is an 18,000-square-foot facility that serves more than 200 daily, and offers participants fitness, creative arts, technology, and social activities.
For more information, please contact the city’s Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit wyomingmi.gov/ParksRec/parks-recreation
2016 Election results: US Rep, State House, Kent County Commission, Wyoming City
The unofficial election results from Kent County. Winners are in blue.
City of Wyoming
2nd Ward
Marissa K. Postler 3,479
Richard Kent Pastoor 2,873
3rd Ward
Robert D. Postema 5,168
Rusty Richter 3,683
Member At Large
Dan Burrill 18,474
Kent County Commission
7th District
Republican Stan Ponstein 8,312
Democrat Logan Arkema 5,069
8th District
Republican Harold Voorhees 8,831
Democrat Franklin Cornielle 5,341
9th District
Republican Matt Kallman 11,558
Democrat Keith F. Courtade 4,914
10th District
Republican Emily Post Brieve 12,201
12th District
Republican Harold K. Mast 5,739
Democrat Christian Allen 5,292
13th District
Democrat Betsy Melton 7,942
Republican Jessica Ann Tyson 7,382
Prosecuting Attorney
Republican Chris Becker 167,451
Democrat Alida J. Bryant 119,923
Kent County Sheriff
Republican Lawrence A. Stelma 174,260
Michael B. Scruggs 118,244
Clerk/Register of Deeds
Republican Lisa Posthumus Lyons 158,132
Democrat Chris Reader 115,122
Libertarian James Lewis 16,007
Treasurer
Republican Kenneth D. Parrish 165,841
Democrat Jody Betten 118,164
Drain Commissioner
Republican Ken Yonker 159,616
Democrat Rachel Hood 127,812
State Legislature 72nd District
Republican Steven Johnson 18,981
Democrat Steve Shoemaker 15,923
State Legislature 77th District
Republican Tommy Brann 27,946
Democrat Dana Knight 14,526
2nd District Congress
Republican Bill Huizenga 41,374
Democrat Dennis B. Murphy 28,486
Libertarian Erwin J. Haas 2,030
Green Matthew A. Brady 1,276
U.S. Taxpayers Ronald E. Graeser 509
3rd District Congress
Republican Justin Amash 132,639
Democrat Douglas Smith 89,569
U.S. Taxpayers Ted Gerrard 5,695
Who’s authorized to use green flashing lights in City of Wyoming?
As we creep ever closer to the snowy weather, the City of Wyoming has received a number of questions regarding which snow removal vehicles are authorized to use green flashing lights.
According to Michigan law, all vehicles engaged in the removal of snow are to be equipped with at least one (1) flashing, rotating or oscillating yellow or amber light. (MCL257.682c).
Last year, the Legislature enacted a change to MCL-257.698 that only allows state, county or municipal vehicles to use a green flashing, oscillating or rotating light — in combination with a yellow or amber light — while engaged in snow removal or other activities.
So, short answer: unless you’re driving a state, county or municipal vehicle, no green flashing lights for you.
City of Wyoming, Metro Health & UCOM team up, provide healthy food
There’s much more than just delicious vegetables and beautiful flowers to be gained by gardening — it can also improve your mental and physical well-being.
And although gardening season is just about over, it helps to know that there are three entities in the area that are actively involved in providing food to the community as well as patients and hospital staff.
Founded in 2014 and measuring approximately 1,380-sq.-ft. divided into 11 raised garden beds, the Community Garden is a partnership between United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), Metro Heath Hospital and the City of Wyoming. Ten of the beds measure 4×8’ and one bed is raised up on legs, positioned near the front gate of the garden allowing mobility impaired gardeners access to fresh, healthy produce.
The Community Garden’s goal is to introduce fresh, organic produce into gardeners’ and their families’ diets. Over 150 lbs of tomatoes, radishes, lettuces, broccoli, collard greens, kale, spinach, carrots and beets are donated to UCOM’s food pantry each year, with much more produced and shared between gardeners, friends and family.
In addition to fighting hunger in the Wyoming community, UCOM helps neighbors build healthy lifestyles beginning with the food they eat. The organization operates one of the largest pantries in the city, Client Choice Food Pantry, located at 1311 Chicago Dr. SW in Wyoming.
People living in the UCOM service area are able to access the pantry once a month and receive a three-day emergency supply of healthful and delicious food. Committed to personal empowerment, UCOM has encouraged people to select their own food for over seven years.
Starting October 1st, 2016, the food pantry is open to those in need on Mondays from 9 am-12 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 am-3 pm, and Thursdays from 2-8 pm. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 am-5 pm.
Metro Health Garden works with its culinary team, master gardeners and community volunteers to grow fresh fruits and vegetables to be used in Metro Café’s patient and staff meals. The garden boasts an approximately 4,000-sq.-ft. area of rich, productive soil located east of the Hospital.
After being harvested, the produce is weighed and recorded. This information is used to track yields and productivity, as well as food costs saved by producing food on campus.
“Gardening helps relieve stress and improve mental health,” said Dr. Diana Dillman of Metro Health Jenison. “It is also a great way to get outside and get active. And of course the fresh fruits and vegetables are a healthy, tasty result of all that digging in the dirt.”
All-organic seeds and transplants are used to ensure that the produce is of peak flavor, nutritional value and integrity. A drip irrigation system allows efficient application of water, greatly reducing water waste.
Cooking classes, community presentations, and tours of the garden are open to the public and staff of Metro Health Hospital. Visit the Events Calendar or like us on Facebook for the most up-to-date information. If you are interested in volunteering time in the garden, please contact volunteer services.
The garden also offers educational opportunities for youth and community members. The teaching garden is located behind Metro Health Hospital, in Wyoming. To register for these classes, or any of the other free or low-cost Live Healthy programs, visit Metrohealth.net or call 616.252.7117.
The Metro Health Garden is managed by Metro Health’s Culinary Team and Master Gardeners.
Lunch is on Wyoming residents as way to say thanks to police, fire
Two special luncheons were not only designed to say thank you to the many first responders who helped with a July 15 fire, but also an opportunity for residents of Bayberry Farms Apartments to heal.
“We really wanted to show our appreciation for all that the Wyoming police officers and firefighters did for us,” said Catherine Kooyers, a resident of Bayberry Farms Apartments and one of the organizers of the event that took place earlier this month.
“By being able to say thank you, the residents are able to put closure on what happened and heal from the entire event.”
It was July 15 when a call went out that there was a fire at the Bayberry Farms Apartments, a Wyoming senior-living complex located at 2520 56th St. SW. “Earlier that day, we had just had the fire department here but it turned out to be nothing,” Kooyers said. However, the mid-afternoon fire was much more serious as smoke started to fill the apartment complex. Kooyers, who lives in an apartment that was near where the fire started, ran through the building knocking on doors and trying to get people out.
“Because of the earlier incident, some people didn’t think the second situation was all that serious,” Kooyers said.
Along with tenants, firefighters and police, workers from the nearby businesses came over to help with the evacuation.
“I heard a knock on the door but didn’t pay that much attention to it,” said resident Ellen Vining. “I heard another knock, much harder and decided I needed to answer it.
“There was a young lady telling me that I needed to get out. She was all dressed in blue so I thought she was one of the firefighters.”
Vining later learned that person was a Monelli’s employee who was coming in for her shift when she saw the smoke and came over to help.
“I learned a very valuable lesson that day,” Vining said with a chuckle. “Don’t ignore a knock on the door.”
Because of the organization of the tenants it made it easier for the department to assess who was missing which in turned meant the lost of only a pet, said Wyoming Deputy Chief Brian Bennett. Three people were taken to the hospital to be checked out. Three units suffered the most damage with the entire building having smoke and water damage.
It has taken several months, but most of the residents have been able to move back home and with the fire behind them, the tenants felt now was a good time to show their appreciation to the police officers and firefighters with the special luncheons.
“It is always nice when you are able to come back and visit with those who you were able to help and learn what has happened since the fire,” Bennett said. “A lot of times, we are in and out and we do not get that chance to talk to the residents and see how they are doing afterwards.”
“I am so impressed with all of them,” Vining said. “They all have such compassion which I guess that is why they became firefighters.”
Snowplow drivers prep for winter at the annual Roadeo
By: Mike DeWitt
The sun sat high in the sky beating down on the hot, black pavement. Midday was in the rear view mirror, the competitors in front of me had come and gone, and there I stood face-to-face with more than 50,000 pounds of metal that I was expected to control through a timed obstacle course.
“Do you have your driver’s license?” asked the judge to my left as I stared at the vehicle.
A grapefruit sized lump made its way into my throat as the little voice inside my head said what everyone was thinking, “you entered a snowplow driving competition and you left your license in the car?” It was a rookie mistake, and I answered back in a way only a novice can, with false confidence and a dash of ignorance, “No, I left it in the car.”
The judge chuckled and made a couple of marks on his score sheet. I hadn’t even entered the snowplow yet and my score was already sitting in the negatives.
As a celebrity driver at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Snowplow Roadeo, hosted this year by the Wyoming Department of Public Works, I had the opportunity to personally get behind the drivers wheel of a snowplow to catch a glimpse of the challenges the snowplow drivers face come winter. While the competition is all fun and games for myself and the other celebrities, the Roadeo acts as a training seminar for drivers to prepare themselves for the winter ahead.
“This is a training session, but it looks very much like a competition because that’s the way we run it,” explained William Dooley, Wyoming Director of Public Works, “The Roadeo is all about preparing the drivers that have to remove snow and ice from our roads in the winter. It’s really about getting all of the drivers in West Michigan thinking about it again, getting in the trucks, and getting used to where those blades start and stop.”
The idea for the Roadeo was started by the City of Wyoming where they hosted the event for 21 straight years before cutbacks in the department forced the event to come to a close.
“At that time we said we could no longer host it every year but that we would take our turn,” said Dooley. “Well, here we are in 2016, and we’re happy to host the Roadeo once again!”
The drivers take turns driving through a timed obstacle course that tests their fundamentals inside the snowplow. Those fundamentals include basics like having your driver’s license and medical cards on hand, entering the snowplow properly and adjusting the mirrors. After the intial prep is completed, drivers make their way through a course lined with cones and barrels designed to test driving ability with maneuvers like going around a turn to the left and right, backing up, and moving snow in-between parked cars.
Oh, and it’s all timed.
“This event is an opportunity to get drivers back in the trucks to see some real life situations. In addition to the course, we have classroom training on how to interact with the public and stay alert behind the wheel,” said John Gorney, Kentwood Director of Public Works.
“Every element they’ll face on the job, we test them on,” added Dooley.
And the tests are anything but easy. For starters, from the driver’s seat, both blades – the big one in front and the one underneath – aren’t visible. Yes, you read that correctly, you cannot see the blades. The front blade has one orange pole on each end that acts as a guide for the driver. They give a frame of reference on how wide the blade is and an idea on where it’s located. It’s very much a ‘feel’ thing where a driver must become one with the snowplow.
Unfortunately for me, I did not feel one with the machine, and my Master Yoda was nowhere in sight to teach me the ways of the force. During the serpentine I ran over a barrel like it was nothing more than a fly on the windshield. The obstacle that mimics pushing snow between two parked cars was also an epic fail as I distinctly clipped a barrel acting as the rear bumper of a car. Hopefully they had insurance. As I rounded corners, I assume I trucked numerous cones because, truthfully, I couldn’t really see whether I did or not. The sight lines in a snowplow aren’t the most advantageous to a roadway vehicle.
Thankfully the obstacles that involved backing up were taken out of the course for the celebrity drivers. After making my way through the course, I know why, it would’ve been a disaster.
Upon completion of the course, scores were gathered and tallied. Shockingly, yours truly didn’t bring home the celebrity hardware.
I never thought driving a snowplow would be easy, but it didn’t think it would be as difficult as it was. Even with a beautiful day and no true stress of hitting other cars or pedestrians, it was still a lot to process and handle. The ability to drive one of those on a busy street in the middle of winter is daunting, but the Public Works Departments take their biggest job very seriously.
“The event is very important,” Gorney emphasized. “Snow removal for all of the Public Works Departments is the biggest efforts we have. It costs the most money and the trucks are the most expensive piece of equipment. To get back in the truck and get some training is critical.”
Grant helps Wyoming to expand emergency response, training
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
About 75 percent of the calls received by the Wyoming Fire Department is for chest pains, difficulty breathing, or similar medical needs but up until now, only some of the department’s firefighters were able to administer an EpiPen, monitor blood glucose, or simply provide aspirin.
By 2017, all of the City of Wyoming’s full-time firefighters will be able to provide a variety of vital treatments because of a Metro Health Hospital Foundation grant covering the cost for the necessary emergency medical technician training along with allowing the Wyoming Fire Department to upgrade its status.
“We have had to look at a person and the symptoms they were having to determine what is happening,” said Brad Dornbos, a firefighter and EMS coordinator for Wyoming. “Being able to poke their finger to test their blood makes it quicker and a much more efficient way to do that.”
The Metro Health Hospital Foundation awarded Wyoming a $10,000 grant providing funding for 27 full-time firefighters to be trained as emergency medical technicians, or EMTS. Dornbos said about two-thirds of the department already are certified EMTs, which requires about 150 hours of training. Without the grant, Dornbos said he is not certain the Department would have been able to offer the trainings.
The grant also allows the for department to upgrade its status from medical first responder (MFR) to EMT. This means that firefighters can provide treatment such as albuterol for those with asthma, king tubes for breathing assistance and operate CPAP devices used for patients with congestive heart failure.
“Operating at the EMT level allows our department to provide better care and better service to our residents,” Dornbos said. “It is just really awesome to be able to partner with a local hospital to provide better care to the community.”
In addition to providing the EMT training for certification, the grant will also fund the purchase of six EMT bags, which will contain medications and equipment, including CPAP devices, albuterol, and king tubes.
“Metro Health is a community hospital,” said Metro Health Hospital Foundation Board Chair Mike Damstra. “In this case, that means helping to equip our firefighters to improve patient outcomes.”
Dornbos said this is the first time the department has received a grant from the Foundation. He learned about the Foundation and its desire to partner with Wyoming at a Kent County EMS meeting. From there, the two groups worked together on needs for the department.
The Foundation has indicated it plans to continue its partnership with the department by providing additional financial support for future years to maintain the EMT program and and instructor development.
DreamWheels!: Rev up for Metro Cruise by taking in some local art
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
It seems logical that an artist like David Reinbold would be interested in participating in Wyoming’s Art Cruise. After all Reinbold has built a reputation out of creating stained glass sculpture replicas of peoples’ cars and Art Cruise is part of West Michigan’s biggest car event, Metro Cruise.
Art Cruise is an annual art event similar to Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize in that several Wyoming businesses feature the work of various local artists during August, the same month as Metro Cruise, which is Aug. 26 and 27. In a way, Art Cruise helps people get revved up for the big event, said Art Cruise Coordinator Donna Kuba, who runs Instant Cash Advance and is part of the West End Business Group that founded Art Cruise.
This year, more than 25 artists will display their work in 17 Wyoming businesses with a list of business locations available at 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
“It’s really just a way to support the community,” said Jerry DeGood, who owns Auto Finance/J’s Motor Sales, at 2939 Division Ave. DeGood said his place has a nice open space for an artist and is excited about featuring the work of former General Motors employee David Townsend.
“I’ve always painted as a hobby,” Townsend said. After the 36th Street GM plant shutdown, Townsend said he decided to paint on a more regular basis. This is Townsend’s first year participating with his work showing at two locations, Auto Finance/J’s Motor Sales and The Chiropractic Doctors at 4415 Byron Center Ave. SW.
Outsider Artist Dirk W. Hughes said he loves the grassroots feel of the event. “It’s just people coming together with no alternative motive other than to support each other,” said Hughes, whose work will be at Edward Jones, 185 44th St. SW.
This also is why artist and Grand Rapids Public Schools fourth-grade teacher Holly Peterman decided to participate as well.
“I grew up in Grandville and I saw the flyer for Art Cruise where you could display for a whole month and thought, ‘I want to do that,’” said Peterman who’s prints and etchings will be at El Informador, 2000 28th St. SW and Maya Mexican Grill, 1020 28th St. SW.
“It’s an opportunity where people can see a lot of art,” Peterman said. “It’s a great opportunity for both the artist and the business owner. The business owner has people coming in to view the work and the artist is able to get the word out about what they do.”
And that is the main reason Reinbold has been participating in Art Cruise since almost its inception.
“I really got to know and meet a lot of different people last year,” Reinbold said. During the event, “I pretty much show what I can do. People can give me a picture of their car or motorcycle – I can even do an airplane – and I create 3-D sculpture out of glass.”
It’s also not about making money either, but about the experience as Hopkins High School student Madalyn Hatfield can attest. Three years ago, Art Cruise gave her the opportunity to get her “feet wet” in the art world and now she is looking to pursue a career in animation. She once again will be showing at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.
For details about the artists and businesses participating in this year’s Art Cruise, visit 28thstreetmetrocruise.com.
Make sure to check out the “DreamWheels” show which will be broadcasting live Saturday, Aug. 27 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Pal’s Diner, 6503 28th St. SE, and Rogers Plaza, 972 28th St. SW. The show will air Saturday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. on WKTV Channel 25.
Wyoming approves agreement with Loeks for 28 West Place project
Take one last good look at 28 Street and Michael Avenue because it could change in a matter of weeks.
Last night, the Wyoming City Council approved the last piece in the 28 West Place project as it accepted a purchase agreement with Loeks Theatres for around $278,000. The agreement was the final piece for the city to construct a new road from the current Wyoming Mall entrance off Michael Avenue to 28th Street across from Hook Avenue where Applebee’s is located.
Adopted in 2013, the 28 West Place is a reimagining of the south side of 28th Street between Clyde Park and Burlingame avenues into a mixed-use town center utilizing form-based code. A form-based code provides for flexibility to developers, according to Wyoming Deputy City Manager Heidi Isakson who has been working on the 28 West Place project.
A key element to the 28 West concept is the construction of a curving slip street which would become the center’s new “main street.” The street is proposed 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. Before the city could move forward, it had to have the property owners on board with the project. Earlier this year, owners of the Wyoming Mall approached the city with some redesign plans for its facility and city officials knew now was the time to move forward with the west portion of the street.
“It has been a nail biter,” Isakson said as city staff pulled together the several elements that needed to be coordinated for the project. This included working with Wyoming Mall officials and Loek Theatre representatives to acquire the necessary right-of-ways.
“We believe that the city investment of public utilities and improving public access combined with the private investment will yield greater results,” said City of Wyoming Assistant City Manager Heidi Isakson.
In June, the Wyoming City Council accepted a $1.6 million agreement with Wyoming Mall, LLC. Total cost to the city will be about $1.2 million for the relocation of city services and construction of the road. At its Aug. 1 meeting, the council awarded the construction of 28 West Place street and utility improvements to Kentwood Excavating which had the lowest bid of $1.74 million. The bid, which was one of five, came in about 11.34 percent below the engineer’s estimate. The total cost for the project, which includes right-of-way acquisition, is estimated at $2.8 million.
Isakson said Loeks Theater officials plan to have the agreement signed by Wednesday with plans for construction starting soon. Wyoming Mall officials already have begun demolition work and are waiting for the city to being moving utilities, she said.
Isakson said she has been in touch with the owners of Rogers Plaza about the project but at this time there are no plans to move forward with the west portion of the new street.
National Night Out a big success in Wyoming and Kentwood
The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood participated in National Night Out with all day events and locations around each city. WKTV was there to take in the action and the community building.
City of Wyoming
City of Kentwood
Tree Amigos realize goal, City of Wyoming establishes Tree Commission
In a unanimous vote, Wyoming City Commissioners approved a resolution last week to establish a Wyoming Tree Commission, which is designed to promote healthy tree coverage and variation of tree species in the City of Wyoming. The move was prompted by a group of Wyoming citizens called The Tree Amigos, who have been working with City leadership since February to establish a platform to become a Tree City USA.
By establishing an official city tree commission, Wyoming has taken the first step to becoming a Tree City USA.
Members of the Wyoming Tree Commission include:
• Bill Brown, resident arborist
• Greg Bryan, former city commissioner who spearheaded The Tree Amigos’ efforts
• Lauren Davis, resident arborist
• Lee Groth, Godwin Neighborhood Watch
• Lenny Guiliano, Oriole Park Neighborhood Watch
• Pam Jurick, Grenadier neighborhood resident
• Stelle Slootmaker, Oriole Park neighborhood resident
“We are thrilled with the council’s unanimous vote,” Slootmaker said. “The designation as Tree City USA will help promote Wyoming as being a great place to live and work.”
Established in 1976, Tree City USA is a nationwide program that provides a framework for communities to manage and expand their public trees. There are currently more than 3,400 communities in the country that have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA, including 123 in Michigan. To become a Tree City USA, municipalities must have:
• A tree care ordinance
• An Arbor Day proclamation
• A community forestry program with a $2-per-capita operating budget
• A tree board, department or citizen committee
Tree City USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Slootmaker at TreeAmigosWyoming@gmail.com.
For more information, call the City of Wyoming at 616.530.7272 or visit the City website at www.wyomingmi.gov. Follow the City on Twitter @WyomingCityHall and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming.
Wyoming marks the summer with the opening of Ideal Park
It is probably fitting that the month of July is Parks and Recreation Month. It is the only full month of summer when the weather is nice enough to be outside and do something. And for many individuals, the best place and way to do that something is at a local park.
So in honor of July being Parks and Recreation Month, I decided —in a two-part series — to check out what is happening in both the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood when it comes to parks and recreation.
This piece focuses on Wyoming. To check out the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department story, click here.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Besides the 28 West project finally moving forward this summer, the City of Wyoming had another big reason to celebrate the summer of 2016: Ideal Park reopened.
The park was one of the casualties of the tornado of 2014 with the city spending the past two years cleaning up the debris and replacing the trees.
“I know a lot about insurance and what it covers,” said Director of Community Serices Rebecca Rynbrandt with a little laugh. For example, insurance would help with the removal of the trees but not all of the debris and deadfall that was left. Also, the city had to fill in where the trees once stood.
“With 100-year-old trees they had pretty large bulbs which left large holes that had to be backfilled,” Rynbrandt said.
The cost for the tree removal was more than $500,000 and with like any budget, when something happens, you may have to shuffle a few things around, Rynbrandt said. So the city did a little rearranging of its almost $5 million parks and recreation budget, of which about $3 million comes from a 1.5 millage approved by Wyoming voters in the mid-1990s. The rest of the budget comes from grants at about $1.5 million and service and rental fees.
There is a lot left to do at Ideal Park — such as replacing the playground equipment, improve signage, adding a basketball court, establish a trailhead, and foliage and vegetation — which the city is hoping a $300,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will help cover some of the costs.
But Ideal Park is open and it’s a nice way to mark the month of July, which happens to be Parks and Recreation Month.
The current American Parks and Recreation system actually dates back to the early 1900s, when a growing concern for leisure activities gave birth to the recreation movement which had four components: the adult education movement; the development of national, state, and municipal parks, the establishment of voluntary organizations and the playground movement. Around 1935, many states were passing laws allowing local municipalities to operate parks and recreation departments and by the early 1940s, organized recreation services were firmly established in American life.
Today, Parks and Recreation Departments, like those in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, offer a host of programs for all ages along with overseeing the care and maintenance of its parks.
The city of Wyoming has 21 parks totaling about 700 acres and a vast majority of the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget goes for the care and maintenance of those parks such as resurfacing projects, new fencing and tree replacement. It may not be as noticeable as new playground equipment other amenities, but such general maintenance is important in keeping the parks safe and vital for the community.
“If you are on the Wyoming Public Schools tennis team, you are going to notice the tennis courts have been resurfaced,” Rynbrandt said. “Someone who uses the baseball field 8 at Pinery Park is going to notice the new backstop and if you are a passionate dog owner, you are going to notice the new canine castle at the dog park.
Along with the resurfacing and redevelopment projects at Pinery, Lamar, Lemery, and Jackson, the 30-year-old exercise equipment at Pinery Park was replaced this year.
But the parks are only one component of what the Parks and Recreation Department handles. The Department oversees the Wyoming Senior Center, which received security upgrades along with a new front entrance. The Department also provides support for special events such as the Concerts in the Park series run by the Wyoming Community Enrichment Program as well as community programs, such as the Pumpkin Patch and T.E.A.M. 21 Fun Run, and athletic programs such as the football program formerly run by the South Kent Recreation Association (SKRA).
And another of its biggest projects for the summer is the renovation of the Wyoming Library facility, which the city owns the building and Kent District Library owns the collection. The $800,000 project includes resurfacing the parking lot, new carpet and furniture and converting the former Book Warm Cafe into a new multipurpose area for meetings and other activities.
There is more on the horizon, Rynbrandt said. The city’s five-year parks plan shows more than $26 million in capital need, which includes major maintenance and replacing of assets such as playgrounds, fencing and trail work. Among those capital improvements is funding the master plans for Ferrand, Oriole Phase II, Jackson and Gezon.
