Crystal Falls Township Supervisor Tom Lesandrini (far right), and the Board of Trustees hosted an open house at Gibson Lake Park and campground Aug. 14, showcasing the completion of a $250,000 renovation and upgrade, accomplished through a DNR Trust Fund grant, matched with in-kind work and local contributions.
CRYSTAL FALLS TOWNSHIP—The Crystal Falls Township Board of Trustees held its Aug. 14 meeting at Gibson Lake Park, hosting an open house for the newly renovated park and campground.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Although assured it has “absolute indemnification” concerning Stambaugh Township’s  Chicaugon Lake permit ordinance, the Iron County Board of Commissioners is getting pulled into the issue anyway.
 At the board’s Aug. 14 bi-monthly meeting, Chairman Wayne Wales said he had been contacted by a representative from the DNR service office in Marquette who had concerns about the county’s liability with ticketing violators of the ordinance, and also with the “poison” in the lake from the chemical treatment applied to kill the milfoil.

Veterans Memorial Committee members include, from left, Al Wodzinski, Grant Helgemo, Paul DeNicola, Joy DeNicola, Austin Atanasoff and Mike Franzene.  Not pictured are committee members Mike Henschel and George “Buzzy” Stoychoff. (DeNicola photo)
BATES TOWNSHIP—The Bates Township Veterans Memorial Committee, in collaboration with Austin Atanasoff’s Eagle Scout project, will be constructing a veterans’ memorial at Bates Township Cemetery, which will be unveiled on Memorial Day 2013.
 The anticipated cost to erect the memorial is expected to be about $10,000.

ByIRON RIVER—A proposal to amend Iron River’s charter regarding the council’s structure was rejected by the City Council at its Aug. 15 meeting.
 The proposed change would eliminate the rule of electing one council member from each of the four precincts, and a separate ballot for mayor.
 If it had passed, five council members would be elected at large, with one selected as mayor.
 The proposed amendment brought up discussion about eliminating precincts entirely or reducing them to two.
 “Why should we have precincts,” asked Councilman Al Perlongo. “We’re too small.”

Jackie Samuelson, 16, of Phelps stands proudly next to her steer, G.I. Joe, which was chosen Grand Champion at the Iron County Fair on Aug. 17. He’s an Angus-Simmental cross and weighs 1,210 pounds.

IRON RIVER—As it plans to put a county-wide road millage renewal on the November ballot, the Iron County Road Commission agreed to modify its disbursement of the collected taxes to four cities and the village of Alpha or risk, quite plainly, losing the support of the voters in those municipalities.
 The recommendation and action to accept the agreement was reached after a lengthy discussion with representatives of Iron River, Caspian and Crystal Falls, along with their attorneys, at the Road Board’s Aug. 14 meeting.

IRON RIVER TOWNSHIP—After the start date was pushed back again, Iron River Township’s water line replacement project is expected to start the week of Aug. 20.
 GEI Consultants’ Jeff Bal updated board members at the Aug. 14 township meeting, explaining that Hebert Construction is ready to go, but it is waiting for directional boring to be completed by the sub contractor.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Crystal Falls Mayor Janet Hendrickson included several letters from residents and visitors complimenting the city and its employees in council members’ packets at the city’s Aug. 13 meeting.
 “It’s not often we receive good letters,” she said. “Usually, they’re the other kind.”

A little light rain didn’t dampen shoppers’ spirits at the annual Farmers Market in Iron River last week. The rain, which was desperately needed, just provided a natural wash for all the delicious fruits and vegetables on display. The Farmers Market is held Wednesdays from noon to about 3 or 4 p.m., said vendors, depending on the supply of vegetables. Most vendors accept the WIC Project Fresh and Senior Project Fresh coupons. Many vegetables, fruits as well as crafts, flowers and other miscellaneous items are available. The Farmers Market will be available until the end of October, note vendors.

IRON COUNTY—Two years ago, voters voted in Wayne Wales as District 1 county commissioner. Wales defeated incumbent George Brunswick by 18 votes in the Democratic primary.
 On Feb. 28, Wales easily survived a recall effort, with 62% of District 1 voting against an effort to remove him from office.