Grass Ordinance Cut Down Discriminates against the elderly and poor

LAURIUM - The Laurium Village Council has been considering adopting a grass-maintenance ordinance for the past few months, but after a public hearing on the issue Tuesday, council members are having thoughts about whether an ordinance should be adopted after all. Comments from the few people in attendance were predominantly against the proposed ordinance, and ranged from the fact that it would be an unfair burden on elderly residents who would have to pay someone to cut their grass, to there are more important village needs, such as sidewalk repairs to there is a need to enforce existing ordinances, such as requiring dog owners to remove animal waste. Only one person spoke in favor of adopting a grass ordinance. Other comments included making an ordinance requiring owners of vacant property to keep the grass and weeds on those properties cut. Police Chief P.J. Baroni, who was at the council meeting, said as the draft of the ordinance is currently written, he thought it would be very difficult to enforce. After the public comment period, Trustee David Zei, property/building/ordinance committee chairman, said he counted six comments against the ordinance and one for it. Zei said he'll take the proposed ordinance and the comments back to committee where it will be considered again, but he doesn't think it will be established. "There's a strong outcall of people against the ordinance," he said. "The numbers are speaking." The council voted to table the proposed ordinance until their August meeting.

Friday is Kid's Day at Festival Ironwood

Practicing up to be a future Polar Bear to  play hockey  at the Ironwood Civic Center

Lucia Pattrito MSU director, brought a large contingent of MSU workers to the festival. 4-H members and special students workers having fun with the kids making crafts like the editable. Kim Kolasar from the Ironwood Chamber stops by for a visit.

This young lady has already packaged up her work. Kids below continue to work on their project.

Photo below: Board behind future hockey star displays photos of previous teams and events where area youth have enjoyed the ice at the Civic Center. Featured on the display board is the 2008 Beckman Memorial Championship Team. August 6th of this year the Pat O'Donnell Civic Center celebrates 25 years of community service.

O.K watch Grandpa if you want to be a Polar Bear Hockey Player!

while Grandpa gives Hockey Lessons kids in the street get tennis lessons.

Johnny Trash Packs the Tent

Johnny Trash Country singer played at the tent last night  following another performer Mike Keating. The tent was once again filled to capacity as was the out door beer garden.

Good food, good drinks and good music for dancing all adds up to another successful evening at Ironwood Festival. Once again admission was free, however tomorrow nights performance does have a $5. admission fee.

 

A Tale of Two Dances

The second night of Ironwood Festival was the tale of two distinct dances and two distinct social groups one group the adult population was inside the tent dancing, eating and enjoying fellowship with their friends and neighbors. The second group consisted of the young people who chose to hang out outside the tent with their friends and neighbors. The younger kids enjoyed the games and amusements that the Festival provided. Friday is kids day and more fun and games are expected.

Also hanging out were a group of skateboarders who are asking when will the long promised skateboard park be built?  Well Mr. Noren, what's the answer to that question. The Civic Center Stands ready to host the park if needed.

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FIREFIGHTERS WALK WHERE THE DEVIL DANCES
114th Annual Firefighters' Tournament
	photo above Ironwood Vols March in Norway 2005
Firefighters Walk Where The Devil Dances is the theme for this year's Upper Peninsular Firefighters' Tournament which will be held next week July 24, 25, 26 2008 at Houghton, MI U.P.of Michigan is the one of the oldest firefighters associations in the country, that has hosted a firefighters tournament continuously since 1895. The first tournament in 1884 was hosted by the Ishpeming FD, and in 2008 the U P Firefighters Tournament will be in Houghton, MI July 24-26. Presently, the executive board consists of , Past President; Pat Boberg Past President, Calumet TWP. Chet Swenski Pres. W. Iron Co. FD, , Bob Black 1st vice pres. Alpha/Mastadon FD, Bob Tervonen 2nd V. President Ironwood, Kurt Sabol 3rd V. Pres, Caspian/Gaastra FD, Tim Gasperich, Treasurer, Calumet Village FD; and Pearce Graham Secretary, Bessemer FD. Elections are held annually at the convention meeting during the tournament.
The IVFD maintains membership in the Upper Peninsula Volunteer Firefighters' Association, Upper Peninsula Fire Chiefs' Association, U.P. Volunteer Firefighters' Museum, and the Gogebic County Firefighters' Training Council. The members of the Ironwood Volunteer Fire Department are proud of the department's more than 120 years of service to the citizens of the communities it serves, and look forward to continuing in the finest tradition of the fire service.
114th ANNUAL U P  VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TOURNAMENT   Schedule of Events   Thursday July 24 2008   9:00a-3:00p   Regisration--DEE STADIUM 10:00a-  U.P. Fire Chiefs Meeting- 1:00pm- UPVFFA Credentials Meeting 2:00pm- UPVFFA Annual Meeting-             Race Captians Mtg following Annual mtg 6:00pm-dress Parade line up- MTU. 7:00pm-Dress Parade-  11:00pm-Shirt tail parade Line up 11:00pm-Shirt Tail Parade Same rt. as Dress Parade                  Friday July 25 8:00am Association race Meeting- 8:30am Race captains meeting 9:00am firefighters Races 8;00pm firefighters Ball-DEE STADIUM LOWEL STREET BAND 11:00pm Raffle and Awards Ceremony-   Saturday July 26 9:00am Commercial Parade Line up  10:00am  Commercial Parade- same as Others 12:00noon  Closing Ceremonies and overall awards- DEE STADIUM   ALL TIMES EDT   For any questions about events rules interpretations contact: U.P. Vol. Firefighters Assoc. Officers or Pearce Graham, Sec. 612 N Moore St Bessemer, MI  49911 906 667 0750 email PearceGraham@excite.com

Walgreens to Open July 25th

Iinformation received from Walgreens Corporate Spokeswoman, Carol Hively the Ironwood store will open at 802 E. Cloverland Dr., on Friday, July 25, at 8 a.m. Store hours will be 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. Ms Hively stated "Typically we have a quiet opening and then a few weeks later, when the store is up and running, have grand opening specials at the store." In interviewing local residents it was interesting to observe that there are more people interested in having a Walgreens than a Walmart. Perhaps that may be due to our aging population.

Township Discusses Payments with Park Residents

Ironwood Charter Township - July 14, 2008 The Township Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday in front of a larger than average audience. Nine residents from the Lake Road Mobile Home Park were on hand to present their thoughts on the unpaid water bills which were thought to be approximately $40,000. in arrears. It has been subsequently learned that the park has less residents than previously believed.. Using the new numbers the actual amount of arrears may be less than thought. Laverne Przybysz, manager at the park discussed a plan where the residents would pay their water and sewer bills to the park manager who would then pay the township for future billings. This would keep the park from increasing the current deficit. Currently only some of the residents pay their rent and utilities to the manager. Unfortunately, some residents are paying their rents, including utilities to the owner of the park. The Park has been sold twice under a contract for deed. Whoever the current owner is, does not pay the water or sewer billings. He ignores correspondence from the Township and their legal representative. Ultimately the bill will have to be paid or a lein placed on the property. The original owners Mr. and Mrs Hughes always paid their bills in a responsible manner. The problem developed when the Hughes sold the property under a contract to  Edmund Palmeri, who subsequently sold the property to Jay Stewart.  Neither Palmeri nor Stewart have responded to the Township's communications. In other matters, the board approved three budgets, Perpetual Care budget, Special Grants Fund budget and the Township Improvements budget. The budgets were prepared at the recommendation of the Townships accountants.

60th Annual Strawberry Festival in Chassell July 11 and 12

Ima Lerner Reporting Two great days of small town activities took place in Chassell on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, 2008 during the annual Strawberry Festival in downtown Chassell, Michigan. On Friday activities included a children's parade, the crowning of the Strawberry Queen and a dance with music by "Cheap Therapy". This year 13 girls competed for the title of "Strawberry Queen". Winning queen, Houghton senior Helen Richards, reigned over Saturday's activities. First runner up was Vanessa Rae Vencato of Hancock. The parade on Saturday had both sides of US-41 in downtown Chassell at least 4 rows deep with on-lookers. The park was full of crafters and food vendors. Music by the "Polka Drifters" perked up the crowd after the parade.   Free 45 minute Scientific Excursions aboard the research vessel "Agasssiz" owned by Michigan Tech were offered from 1:00 to 4:00 Saturday afternoon. Children's games at 2:00 and the Friends of Fashion Vintage Fashion Show brought this year's festival to an end. The Strawberry Festival is held every year in Chassell on the week-end following the 4th of July. For a small town, the residents put on one GREAT festival.

View Parade Story and Photos          View Festival Story and Photos

Superior Farm Market to open Thursday

Ontonagon - July 16, 2008 Superior Farm Market will be opening Thursday, July 17 from 4 - 8 pm in Ontonagon at the Pamida parking lot. Superior Farm Market will feature fresh fruits and vegetables, along with locally made foods, plants and handcrafted items. Booth space is free and we are looking for sellers to come and be a part of this exciting new market! Sellers should register at least two days prior to Market Thursday. Registration forms are available at the MSU Extension office in the Ontonagon County Courthouse. For more information, please contact Jody Maloney at 906-884-4386.