By Scott Sullivan Editor Kay Smalley and Larry Kimmel share a famous grandfather, father and 68 years of not knowing they were half-siblings. Last weekend they reunited with other family from faraway to visit, explore hike and more at Kay’s home on the Ox-Bow Lagoon in Saugatuck. “I’m 83, Larry’s 69 and we never knew […]
News
Township taps city ZA Osman for top slot
By Scott Sullivan Editor The Saugatuck Township Board June 5 chose Cindy Osman — the Saugatuck city planning and zoning administrator who co-led the Nov. 6 recall of four board members— as new supervisor. She will fill a post left open by Chris Roerig’s resignation. The board also June 5 appointed Mike McGuigan as Kalamazoo […]
Saugatuck endorses unified K-zoo River plan
By Jim Hayden Correspondent Saugatuck City Council Monday endorsed a plan to address issues along the Kalamazoo River with a special eye on the community’s harbor. The Lower Kalamazoo River Greenway Plan was prepared by the Outdoor Discovery Center beginning in 2018 with input from more than 300 people and dozens of community meetings. The […]
Man the Arks….Great Lakes water levels at all-time high
By Scott Sullivan Editor Lakes look high? You’re right. How about an all-time record? May showers helped water levels on all five Great Lakes, including Michigan, rise to record highs this month. This of course affects inland waters near them. Lakes Michigan and Huron, which are at the same level since they are connected at […]
Fennville backs off 8-percent water rate hike
Fennville residents could see a lower increase in water rates after the city commission June 3 decided to wait for a change in state regulations and possible grants to pay to remove lead water pipes, reports Commercial Record correspondent Jim Hayden in his Bicycle Base Fennville blog. A public hearing on the 2019-2020 city budget […]
Ox-Bow: 109 years of old made new
Ox-Bow keeps re-creating itself: fitting for the Saugatuck art school and artists’ residency founded in 1910 here. Students come and go, housing expands, art making techniques evolve and staff changes — but the preservation of Ox-Bow’s history, look, feel, lasting memories and mission remain. It’s a quiet space in the woods and dunes for learning, […]
Recall, planning leaders seek top township slot
By Scott Sullivan Editor Cindy Osman — the Saugatuck city planning and zoning administrator who co-led a Nov. 6 recall of four Saugatuck Township board member — has joined township planning commission chair Andrew Prietz applying for the vacant township supervisor’s position. The board is expected to fill the post, left open by Chris Roerig’s […]
Northshore owns land, Corps keep rights
By Scott Sullivan Editor A U.S. District Court judge May 29 signed off on a compromise between developer NorthShore of Saugatuck and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers clarifying property lines near the Kalamazoo River entry into Lake Michigan. Judge Paul Maloney — who in June 2014 accepted a settlement between Sauga-tuck Township and former […]
Recount confirms SPS bond fell by just 3 votes
By Scott Sullivan Editor It’s official. Monday’s Allegan County Board of Canvassers recount of the May 7 Saugatuck Public Schools $39.94-million bond proposal to remodel and improve facilities confirmed it failed by just three votes, 1,044 to 1,041. Last month’s vote marked the second SPS bond request nixed by voters within a year. It was […]
Saugatuck designates Pride Month
Saugatuck City Council May 28 designated June as Pride Month, recognizing all citizens’ rights to experience equality and freedom from discrimination, with a proclamation before a city hall packed with cause supporters. The declaration is now framed and on display at Uncommon Roasters coffee shop.