July 23, 2020

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New Buffalo Times

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CHICAGO • LONG BEACH • MICHIANA SHORES • GRAND BEACH • NEW BUFFALO • UNION PIER • THREE OAKS • LAKESIDE • HARBERT • SAWYER issue 30, volume 79

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Thursday, July 23, 2020

New Buffalo beachgoers encouraged to mask up PAGE 3 Millages, special assessments discussion to be pursued further

by Grand Beach Council PAGE 7

Beach and zoo in Michigan City closed again by coronavirus PAGE 8

French high-school teacher takes summer gig at pizza shop PAGE 10

Local talent spotlighted during Music in the Park PAGE 12 New Buffalo Township board grants approval for SLU to Roger’s Wrecker’s Service PAGE 20

YOU’S A PRETTY KITTY

MICHIANA HUMANE SOCIETY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF GIVING SECOND CHANCES — PAGE 14 — PHOTO OF LONGTIME VOLUNTEER CARL ANDERSON BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

New Buffalo beachgoers encouraged to mask up

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BY STAN MADDUX

hile there are no plans to close the beach in the City of New Buffalo, there have been efforts to limit crowd size to provide space for adequate social distancing.

Beachgoers are also encouraged by police officers, lifeguards and city park department staff members to bring a mask and wear it when necessary.

City Manager Dave Richards said the parking lot at the municipal beach on Saturday was closed at 11 a.m.

He said there were still parking spots available Saturday but the size of the crowd was starting to make it challenging for people wanting to stay 6 feet apart from other individuals.

Richards said people turned away in their vehicles could still go to the beach as long as they found a place elsewhere to park and walked.

“We closed the parking lot because that discourages people from coming to the beach. Otherwise, we got them standing wall to wall,” he said.

Richards said there’s been no discussion of closing the beach unless ordered at some point by the governor.

“We’re just going to try and control the number of people at the beach,” he said.

New Buffalo Police Chief Rich Killips said people walking up to the beach or standing in groups near the concession stand and showers were informed to bring a mask and have it on when required.

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nder the governor’s current executive order, people have to wear a mask outside whenever they can’t maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others not from their household.

Killips said there’s enough space at the beach for proper social distancing but masks should be worn in confined areas like bathrooms or where people gather, like the showers and concession stand.

He said a majority of the people Saturday did not have masks on.

No tickets were issued, but they could be later if more beachgoers don’t start covering their faces.

“We hope there’s never a need to,” Killips said.

Killips said police will be at the beach every weekend during the remainder of the season, encouraging people to wear a mask when required.

Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.

— Benjamin Franklin

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FACE MASKS MANDATED IN LAPORTE COUNTY

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eople in LaPorte County are now mandated to wear a mask to try and lower a recent uptick in coronavirus cases locally.

The LaPorte County Commissioners approved the mandate recommended by the LaPorte County Health Department July 15.

Under the mandate, people must wear a mask over their nose and mouth while frequenting indoor areas open to the public, outdoor areas where a distance of 6 feet from people not from their household cannot be maintained and private indoor or outdoor areas where proper social distancing at all times is not possible.

Masks do not have to worn by children under 2 years old to guard against the potential of suffocating and people with medical conditions who would have trouble breathing from a face covering.

Others exempt from the mandate include people whose religious beliefs prevent them from wearing a mask and individuals whose health would be endangered from wearing a mask in a high temperature manufacturing or work environment, according to the mandate.

The decision was made over the objections of residents Joe Haney and Tim Stabosz, who felt the mandate is unconstitutional.

Haney also said some masks, like ones made of cloth, are not proven to be effective in preventing infection.

“There is no way this can be enforced,” Haney said.

Stabosz said the number of recent cases and hospitalizations in northwest Indiana have “barely budged” and the mandate simply plays into hysteria expressed by ‘’fearmongers.”

Stabosz also said most of the new cases are in young people, which is supposed to happen to build immunity naturally throughout the entire population.

“Our people are being appropriately cautious and prudent already. Don’t infringe upon personal freedoms and succumb to the hysteria,” he said.

Commissioner Dr. Vidya Kora, who has a medical practice in Michigan City, said there should be a national mask mandate but there isn’t because the issue unfortunately has become politicized.

He said masks don’t offer guaranteed protection but lower the risk of transmitting the disease to others.

“I really think wearing a mask is an act of kindness, compassion, respect, humility and love for your fellow human beings. It’s really as simple as that,” Kora said. — STAN MADDUX

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Local Government Meetings New Buffalo Times

Democracy Requires Transparency

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO MAYOR LOU O’DONNELL IV CITY COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) MEETING Meets on the 2nd Thursday May, September, and November at 8AM CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Meets on the first 1st Tuesday Quarterly at 7PM NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM THREE OAKS THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM GRAND BEACH VILLAGE OF GRAND BEACH COUNCIL Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM MICHIANA VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

Gov. Whitmer strengthens executive order on masks GOVERNOR’S ORDER OFFERS CLARIFICATION FOR BUSINESSES, POLLING PLACES, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS

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n Friday, July 17, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Although a face covering is strongly encouraged even for Executive Order 2020-153, which strengthens people who are not required to wear one, the requirement her previous order requiring all Michiganders to wear a face covering does not apply to individuals who, to wear a mask in indoor among other things, are younger public spaces and crowded than 5 years old; cannot medically “Wearing a mask is the right outdoor spaces. tolerate a face covering; are eating thing to do to protect our This new order clarifies that or drinking while seated at a food families, our businesses, and businesses may not assume that an service establishment; are exercising our economy,” said Gov. unmasked customer cannot medically when wearing a face covering would Whitmer in a press release. “If tolerate a face covering, though interfere in the activity; or are at a everyone in Michigan masks they can accept a customer’s verbal polling place for purposes of voting in up, we can save thousands representation to that effect. It also an election. of lives and put ourselves in requires public safety officers to wear Over the past two weeks, every a better position to send our a face covering unless doing so would region in Michigan has seen an uptick kids back to school in the fall. seriously interfere in the performance of in new cases, and daily case counts For the safety of our loved their responsibilities, and clarifies that now exceed 20 cases per million ones and our dedicated first wearing a mask at a polling place for in all but one region in the state. responders on the front lines: purposes of voting in an election is not Research confirms that a big part mask up, Michigan.” required, but strongly encouraged. of the reason is spotty compliance “Wearing a mask is the right thing with the governor’s requirement that “COVID-19 is far from over to do to protect our families, our individuals wear face coverings in people are still getting sick businesses, and our economy,” said Gov. public spaces. and dying,” said Katie Scott, Whitmer in a press release. “If everyone RN, vice president of the in Michigan masks up, we can save tudies have shown that Michigan Nurses Association. thousands of lives and put ourselves in wearing a mask can save “As a nurse, I’m worried that a better position to send our kids back lives and significantly lover many people are not taking the to school in the fall. For the safety of an individual’s chance of pandemic seriously enough. our loved ones and our dedicated first spreading COVID-19. A study Don’t wait until COVID happens on different regions in Germany, for responders on the front lines: mask up, to you or a loved one to take Michigan.” example, suggests that the adoption of action. Wearing a mask is “COVID-19 is far from over - people mandatory mask ordinances decreased a simple step that protects are still getting sick and dying,” said the daily growth rate of COVID-19 everyone.”

Katie Scott, RN, vice president of the infections by 40%. Modeling from the University of Washington similarly Michigan Nurses Association. “As indicates that more than 40,000 lives would be spared a nurse, I’m worried that many people are not taking the nationwide if 95% of the population wore a mask while in pandemic seriously enough. Don’t wait until COVID happens public. Furthermore, a study conducted by Goldman Sachs to you or a loved one to take action. Wearing a mask is a concluded that a federal mask mandate could save the U.S. simple step that protects everyone.” economy from taking a 5% hit to our GDP. — STAFF REPORTS Exceptions to The Governor’s Order

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Whose leadership, whose judgment, whose values do you want in the White House when that crisis lands like a thud on the Oval Office desk?

— Rahm Emanuel

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REP. WENDZEL ANNOUNCING GRANT PROGRAM

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tate Rep. Pauline Wendzel is partnering with the Cornerstone Alliance and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to encourage Berrien County small business owners to apply for the Michigan Small Business Restart Grant program.

The Michigan Legislature allocated $100 million of Federal CARES Act funding to help implement the restart program to support the needs of small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

“My colleagues and I partnered with the administration to create a grant program for eligible Berrien County businesses,” Rep. Wendzel said. “I stand by my statement that there is no such thing as a non-essential business in Berrien County.

These establishments are woven into the fabric of our community and power our local economy. I’m proud to partner with the Cornerstone Alliance to help our friends and neighbors recover from this pandemic.”

To be eligible for the grant, businesses and nonprofits must have 50 or fewer employees, be located in Michigan, and demonstrate the following: •S how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency; •N eeds working capital to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses or other similar expenses; and •D emonstrate an income loss because of the COVID-19 emergency as determined by the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Additionally, at least 30 percent of the funds awarded under this program will be provided to women-owned, minorityowned, or veteran-owned eligible businesses.

To apply for the grant, business owners can visit www.michiganbusiness.org/ restart. Business owners can also reach out to Rep. Wendzel at 517-373-1403 or the Cornerstone Alliance at 269-925-6100 if they have any questions relating to the grant. — STAFF REPORTS

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

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City Council tables decision regarding bid acceptance on former hardware store site

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new owner may be taking over the city-owned lot at 435 S. Whittaker Street, as the New Buffalo City Council considers a bid on the former hardware store.

During the council’s Monday, July 20, meeting, City Manager David Richards explained that two bids had come in for the property, one of which was within the appraised value. The proposed contract with Firas Naji would include some obligations to the city regarding insurance and title commitment, with the sale contingent upon Naji receiving financing.

During the council’s Zoom meeting, Naji said he sees the land as an investment opportunity and he plans to develop a commercial or retail space, depending on what tenant he can find.

When asked by Mayor Lou O’Donnell, Naji said he does not intend to flip the property and would agree to a reasonable restriction on when he could resell the property.

In response to questions by council member Liz Ennis, Naji said he plans to spend at least $40,000 updating the exterior of the building, but could not give an estimate on interior work until he identified a tenant and their needs.

Councilmembers agreed to table their decision while updating the agreement, with new wording that would have the city remove vegetation in order to get a better assessment of the building. The council plans to revisit the agreement during their upcoming special meeting.

The council also set a public hearing for Aug. 17 in regards to the proposed vacating of an undeveloped portion of East Detroit Street, to allow New Buffalo Township to develop a veterans’ memorial park. Council member Mark Robertson said he supported the planned park.

Lakeshore Recycling and Disposal received a three-year extension on its city contract for waste removal.

Richards said the city received bids

BY THERESE DONNELLY

from both Lakeshore and Republic Services of Stevensville, with Lake Shore being the lowest bidder. The extension means the contract will run until Dec. 31, 2023.

After approving the extension, the council discussed and approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance regarding curbside bins and refuse collection. Under the presented wording, Ordinance 247 would require bins be put on the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. the day prior to collection, and be removed the same day as collection.

The city would have the authority to remove unauthorized items from the right-of-way after 24 hours, with the property owner billed for costs.

At the request of Police Chief Rich Killips, the council approved plans to remove trees that residents have expressed concerns about. While Richards said seven locations have been identified as of July 14, at a cost of $15,500, he expects more to be identified and asked the council to approve an additional $10,000 for those. The council approved the tree removal program. Robertson said he had gone to the identified locations and agreed the trees, many of which are dead, should be removed.

Citing a lack of user access and “inflexible and impractical” design, Richards presented the council with bids to create a new website for the city.

He said city staff spends a great deal of time helping users find information on the current design, and an updated, user-friendly system would allow easier navigation and updating.

ProudCity’s bid of $4500 was accepted. The company will work with city staff to build the new site.

Richards said it will take up to 90 days to complete as the staff currently needs to focus on preparing for the upcoming election.

Non-union city employees will receive a 3% wage increase and, at Killips’

request, part-time police employees will receive a $3/hour increase. In a letter to the council, Killips said it is getting difficult to find seasonal employees, and the department needs to attract part-time employees to fill the gap. By increasing the wages to meet nearby departments, the police department hopes to find more employees.

To meet Covid-19 guidelines before reopening to the public, the city has made updates to parts of City Hall, including the police department and the assessor and building department offices. Richards said additional recommendations include portioning off the accounts payable clerk’s and assistant treasurer’s work areas into two offices, and installing new electronic locks on employee entrances.

The work is estimated to cost $13,207, with more than $10,378 for the new locks. While the council expressed reservations over the costs, O’Donnell noted that with electronic locks, there would be no need to rekey doors or retrieve keys when employees resign, and contractors could be given temporary access without compromising security.

The council approved the updates.

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he Moorings has offered to lease 25 parking spots on Oselka Drive near the Amtrak station to the city through Memorial Day 2023 for a cost of $1. The council approved the lease.

Richards will serve as the city’s representative to the Berrien County Best Practices Committee. He told the council he attended a recent meeting and found it helpful, and he felt joining the committee would give the city a chance to connect with local leadership.

Two ZBA members-Liz Grim-Vaughn and Holiday Tarr- have resigned. The council appointed Wayne Borg and Mark Gabryszewski to fill the vacant seats.

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Berrien County Health Department releases wellness tool for employers EMPLOYERS ENCOURAGED TO USE THE ONLINE TOOL TO ENSURE HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR STAFF, PATRONS

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he Berrien County Health Department has released a new, online tool to help employers with maintaining safe operations and keeping their employees’ health as a top priority, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release from the Berrien County Health Department, with many businesses, organizations, and facilities now open across Berrien County, employers are focused on ensuring health and safety for their patrons and staff as well as complying with all Executive Orders in Michigan with worker safety precautions and COVID-19 reporting requirements.

The newly launched “Back2WorkSafe” Employer and Organization Wellness Tracking Tool is an online platform that provides employers with an easy way to track of the number of employee illnesses in aggregate across multiple worksites to make informed decisions about operations, as well as report any COVID-19 positive cases amongst staff to the Berrien County Health Department through the

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secure platform. The web-based tool is secure, easy to navigate, and free for any Berrien County employer or organization to use.

“We know employers are finding their ‘new normal’ in operating despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the Back2WorkSafe online platform provides an easy way for employers to monitor and manage employee illness in their worksites and allows for direct reporting of the number of COVID19-positive staff to the Berrien County Health Department without having to add another phone call to the to-do list,” said Nicki Britten, health officer for the Berrien County Health Department, in the press release. “Collectively, we all must keep doing our part to keep virus transmission low and support a healthy, safe work environment for our whole community.”

Employers who use the Back2WorkSafe platform will be able to create a secure log-in with a personalized dashboard showing aggregate, de-identified information about employee illnesses over time for multiple worksites to aid in making smart decisions about

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operations. Additionally, the platform provides a direct link for reporting the number of employees who test positive for COVID-19 directly to the Berrien County Health Department, which will help employers fulfil Executive Order requirements of reporting COVID-19 positive employees within 24 hours of notification to the local health department.

The Berrien County Health Department will receive the collected aggregate, de-identified information regarding all illnesses across the many county workplaces to monitor areas where people are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This information will greatly assist public health efforts for syndromic surveillance and allows for resources, testing, and education to be targeted to potential COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ that could develop in any particular area.

Employers, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to create a free account today at www.back2worksafe.com or email healthyworksites@bchdmi.org with questions or for technical assistance.

— STAFF REPORTS

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MURDER SUSPECT NABBED ON A JET SKI

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man doing some recreational boating was grabbed by authorities in a separate watercraft on a warrant for murder.

Zachariah Vigil, 22, of Michigan City was being held in the LaPorte County Jail on $1 million bond.

Antonio Rivera, 22, of LaPorte was fatally shot July 4 following an altercation near Washington Park.

Michigan City Police said a woman, after being, pushed to the ground, had her cellphone and car keys taken by Rivera.

During a vehicular chase, Rivera was fatally shot.

His vehicle crashed into a business in the area of U.S 12 and Liberty Trail on the city’s east side, police said.

On July 15, police said evidence was substantial enough to obtain an arrest warrant for Vigil, who was believed to be in the area of Lake James near Angola in northeast Indiana.

Police said Vigil was located on the lake several hours later on a jet ski and escorted to shore with help from conservation officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The work involved in developing the case against Vigil included a review of footage captured by home security cameras, police said.

Vigil could face a prison sentence of anywhere from 45 to 65 years. — STAN MADDUX

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

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Millages, special assessments discussion to be pursued further by Grand Beach Council

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possible need for a future millage or special assessment was discussed at the Grand Beach Village Council’s virtual meeting Wednesday, July 15.

Deborah Lindley, village president, said that the governmental unit that levies the millages and special assessments keep all of the funds that are raised.

Pursuing a millage would require the village holding a special election voted on by registered voters within the village. Lindley said that the council has been working on a “needs” and “wants” list for the village for two years now and the time has come to narrow the items down.

Steve Slater, park board chair, said that he felt that there were pros and cons to millages and special assessments. “Many hundreds of dollars” has been spent on revetment work over the past few years, which has come out of the village’s reserves, Slater added.

Slater pointed out the village’s vintage playground equipment and the 30- to 40-year-old golf course as being some of the items that may fit on the “needs” list. He suggested having an open work session with residents on what’s needed within the village, as well as how much it’ll cost, before having a discussion on a potential millage.

Lindley said that, eventually, the millage will need to increase just to keep “our head above water.”

Council member Blake O’Halloran said that every year, the village is struggling to balance the budget and to “maintain he village at the level that it’s at.”

“The village is struggling with the current revenue to be able to maintain the village at the level everybody wants us to,” he said.

Councilmembers tabled a decision on the construction of a new retaining wall

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

by a private property owner.

The owner of 46039 Lake View Avenue asked Global Engineering to evaluate the retaining wall located on the lakeside of the property. Both the wall and the property are located directly adjacent to a village rightof-way for public access to Lake Michigan. It has been recommended that rather than remove the existing wall, which could cause damage to the right-of-way and the property (including the inground pool at the east side), a new wall could be built in front of the existing wall. The new wall would consist of “soldier pile” walls constructed with steel-h piles in augercast foundations to avoid disturbance of the existing retaining wall and soil.

The right-of-way would be encroached on by the new wall by close to 2.6 feet (just under 3 feet).

Lindley said that the village is “very protective” of its easements and rights of way.

“The problem is people infringe or build right to the line, and then they ask us to solve their problem,” she said, adding that it’s usually the second or third homeowner who wants the village to correct the problem caused by the original owner.

Councilmember Paul Leonard said the only way the encroachment would make sense is if the village would receive some benefit from the investment that the private property owner is making in the construction.

Councilmember Blake O’Halloran said that he was glad that the property owner was addressing the property’s structural issue, as it’s been a longtime concern of the village; however, he added that there had to be a way to do so without having to encroach on public accesses.

Bill Lambert, building inspector, did acknowledge that there could be a danger if the current wall were to fail

and go down.

Councilmembers agreed to conduct more research on the proposed project and receive more explanation on the plans, with Steve Slater, park board chair, having discussions with the owners.

Councilmembers approved Village Hall be booked for a wedding and reception Oct. 3, pending if Michigan moves into Phase 5 under the MI Safe Start Plan at that time.

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he wedding ceremony would be held outdoors with 200 people (which is allowed under Phase 5), with chairs being spaced 6 feet apart and face mask given out as party favors. The reception will take place with 50 people early in the evening, with another smaller group of different people later in the evening. Brunch will be held with another group of 50 people Sunday morning. In between the gatherings, a thorough cleaning of the hall will take place.

Councilmembers approved the village authorizes the reconstruction of the beach access stairs at Walnut at a cost not to exceed approximately $15,000 utilizing composite materials.

Councilmembers agreed to authorize Lindley signing the papers to apply for CARES Act money, which would be around $28,000 for reimbursement for April and May for two of the village’s police officers. Lindley said that if, after a review, it was determined that the village doesn’t meet the guidelines, then the money would need to be returned.

Councilmembers also agreed to do Hazard pay of $2,000 for the two officers, with them agreeing to return the money if the state would require reimbursement.

Councilmembers approved the purchase of batteries for three golf carts not to exceed an approximate cost of $2,100.

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

SINGLE-VEHICLE COLLISION RESULTS IN FATALITY IN WEESAW TOWNSHIP

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ccording to a press release from Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, officers were dispatched to the report of an unknown injury accident on Pardee Road, north of W. Warren Woods Rd., in Weesaw Township at 2:59 p.m.

Sunday, July 19.

“Upon arrival, deputies located a single vehicle collision, where the lone occupant of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene,” the release states.

The lone occupant, and suspected driver, was 29-yearold Timothy J. Mundy II from Sodus, Michigan.

The vehicle was northbound on Pardee Road when it appears to have “gone off the left side of the roadway and collided with a guardrail, causing the vehicle to roll several times and ejecting the driver from the vehicle,” the press release states.

There were no witnesses to the accident and no other vehicles were involved. At this time, it’s not known if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident.

The investigation into the collision is ongoing by the Berrien County Accident Investigation Team.

Assisting agencies were Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Weesaw Twp Fire Department, Chikaming Twp. Police Department, Three Oaks Police Department, Baroda-Lake Township Police Department.

— STAFF REPORTS

Beach and zoo in Michigan City closed again by coronavirus

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BY STAN MADDUX

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ashington Park in Michigan City is closed again because of rising COVID-19 cases locally and nationwide.

The order issued July 16 by Mayor Duane Parry covers the public beach, senior center and Washington Park Zoo. Parry said the order, which is good for seven days, will expire Thursday unless extended by the city council.

“Washington Park has experienced unusually large attendance levels, which include numerous out-of-county visitors and out-of-state visitors, over the recent weeks causing difficulty for patrons to comply with COVID-19 social distancing requirements and CDC guidelines,” he said.

He also pointed to public beach closures in Chicago and Whiting due to unusually large crowds and difficulty enforcing a recent LaPorte County Health Department mask mandate since the unprecedented number of visitors to Michigan City’s lakefront was expected to continue unless Washington Park was closed.

On April 7, Parry ordered Washington Park temporarily closed early in the global pandemic to try and limit the spread.

The park reopened June 13 after economies nationwide began reopening when the curve on the number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. appeared to have flattened.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Indiana has been spiking, with 927 new infections reported Sunday by the Indiana State Department of Health after daily cases statewide had recently dropped below 400.

As of Sunday, LaPorte County had 688 positive test results and 28 deaths, according to the ISDH.

Learn how to restore, or completely change, ecosystems at Harbor Country Hikers hike

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Friendship Botanic Gardens to host Taste And Tunes Concert

he Harbor Country Hikers will learn how to restore or alter an ecosystem during a hike at the Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve at 10 a.m.

Saturday, July 25.

Hike leader Ryan Postema, executive director of Chikaming Open Lands, will discuss long-term plans for the new preserve, and will use them to illustrate ecosystem change during the hike and at a brief pre-hike presentation.

The Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve in Chikaming Township covers 49 acres and consists of an abandoned farm field, a high-quality floodplain forest and frontage on the Galien River. Together with adjacent public and private property, the preserve is part of a large, continuous corridor of relatively undeveloped land along the Galien River.

The hike and presentation will take about two hours and cover a little over 1 mile.

The Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve is located on Warren Woods Road. For more details and directions, visit harborcountryhikers.com. Although membership in the Hikers is encouraged, all are welcome at its hikes.

The Hikers observe social distancing guidelines and require use of masks at its events. — STAFF REPORTS

On Friday, July 31 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friendship Botanic Gardens will host an evening of musical entertainment featuring local artist Johnny V at the Taste and Tunes Concert.

Johnny V is a singer and songwriter that offers music from genres such as blues, folk and Americana. He has been singing all across the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana region for over four decades, has six albums out and is currently working on a soundtrack for an independent film. On July 31, he will be telling stories through song on the stage of the Celebration Pavilion, which overlooks Lake Lucerne and the ArcelorMittal Children’s Garden.

“As an artist, Friendship Botanic Gardens is a very, very special venue to perform at,” said Johnny V. “It’s one of the few places I perform at that embraces my musical soul and creativity. It’s a place I can tell a story, play original music and play deep cuts of many different artists, all the while knowing the audience is with you through the journey of the evening.”

Beer and water will be available for purchase at this family friendly event! Advanced ticket purchase is recommended and is available at www. eventbrite.com/e/taste-tunes-withjohnny-v-a-summer-concert-seriestickets-111057800872. Cash only ticket sales may also be made at the door the day of the event. $2 for ages 13-17 and $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with music starting at 6:30.

This is the first Johnny V concert in his summer series at Friendship Botanic Gardens. He will return to the stage again on Friday, August 28, and Friday, September 25 from 6:30-8:30.

Chairs will be set up in the Celebration Meadow socially distanced from one another. Friendship Botanic Gardens encourages guests to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. No outside food or drink allowed in the venue.

For more information about Johnny V and his other upcoming concerts, visit www.thejohnnyv.com.

Friendship Botanic Gardens is located at 2055 East US Highway 12, Michigan City, IN 46360. For more information call 219-878-9885 or visit www. friendshipgardens.org. — STAFF REPORTS

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

ARENA sports

From the Bleachers COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

F

inally! It’s Sunday night, July 19, 2020, at 7PM, and the Cubs are about to take on the White Sox in an exhibition game.

I can’t believe I’m excited, but believe me, I’m psyched.

Even though the start of the season is more than three months late, there aren’t any fans in the stands, and the game doesn’t matter at all—it’s the first game for any of my Chicago teams in four months.

Just now, the Cubs new second baseman, Jason Kipnis, homered to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead, and no matter what happens the rest of the way, I’ll be happy.

Some may not understand why these games are so important to me, but others understand fully. The public health crisis and civil unrest in the city has really been taking a toll on me.I’m not a young man chronologically, but in my heart and head I felt like a teenager going into this year.

That all changed, but I believe that the distraction of daily baseball games will help me return to my youth.

Back to the nuts and bolts of the ballgame, it’s the 7th inning, and the White Sox lead 7-2.

I feel like standing up for the 7th inning stretch and singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

Because I have no access to the Cubs Marquee network, I’m watching the game on the White Sox channel, NBC Sports Chicago. The Sox announcers are doing a good job of making the game seem

normal. I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy watching games on television because fans aren’t allowed to be in attendance and broadcasters are not traveling with their teams, but Jason Benetti and Steve Stone did a terrific job. With some crowd noise and an occasional organ being thrown in, I hardly noticed there were no fans in the seats.

On the field, the Cubs looked okay.

Hendricks at the beginning, Winkler in the middle, and Wick at the end pitched well. Except for Kipnes’s homer, the offense was weak. They need Rizzo to get healthy quickly, and I believe he will. The White Sox exploded for six of their runs in the fifth inning. Their pitchers threw well but their offense really impressed me. The addition of some powerful free agents, the growth of some of their young players, and the addition of a couple of rookies has made this lineup scary from top to bottom. Like the Cubs, the White Sox tore it down so they could build a championship contender, and they did it very well. Because there will only be 60 games this year, a slew of changes have taken place, and the corona virus is still a factor, nobody knows how the season will play out, but I’m pretty sure at least one Chicago team will be in the playoffs.

Lou Gehrig said, “There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all.”

Stay safe. Be kind. Have fun. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

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French High-School Teacher Takes Summer Gig at Pizza Shop

or French highschool teacher, Erin Johnson, a summer homecoming wouldn’t have been complete without a summertime gig at a celebrated pizza spot. Every season, visitors and locals coalesce in eight communities dubbed, “Hamptons of the Midwest” on the woodsy shores of Lake Michigan in Southwest Michigan. The Village of Michiana is one those locales where Johnson grew up.

“Michiana is the place that I still call home. I am so grateful that I have a place in the forest with my amazing family to escape the busyness of the city,” expounded Johnson. The time had come for the Chicago South Loop resident to set out on new adventures that would not only enrich her purpose, but also allow her to grow.

This summer break, an unexpected opportunity led Johnson to Pat and Ellie Mullins, the eponymous creators of Patellie’s in downtown Three Oaks. The culinary duos are known for their handcrafted artisanal meats and cheeses.

The couple moved to Michigan by way of San Francisco in 2010 to open Local, a beloved charcuterie in New Buffalo.

Patellie’s, which opened in 2017, fully embodies a farmto-table philosophy of cuisine with their one-of-a-kind pizza pie creations. “I met the couple when they were my sister’s neighbors and I immediately liked them. Both Pat and Ellie are genuine, kind, really fun, and adventurous people. When they were in the process of opening their restaurant, we would often be their guinea pig taste testers of the crusts and pies they were developing. I loved their pizza

BY ALEXANDER FATOUROS

then and I love their pizza now,” said Johnson.

Currently tenured with Bremen High School District in the south suburbs of Chicago, Johnson attended St. Mary’s of the Lake, New Buffalo, for elementary school where her mother was a teacher for 26 years and Marquette Catholic High School where she studied French for four years. “Sheri Remijas was my teacher who provided me the life changing opportunity to travel to France and Italy with the French Club when I was a sophomore in high school in 1992. It was during this trip that I became determined to be fluent in French. I loved learning something so new, the sound of the language and the nuances of the French culture,” said Johnson. She continued, adding: “To this day, when I see Mrs. Remijas I thank her mille fois (a thousand times) for her belief in my language skills, and for her bravery to take twenty five high-school students all the way to France. Merci encore, Madame Remijas!”

On entering a new and exciting phase of her life, Johnson reflects: “I return to Michiana on a regular basis from my home in the South Loop of Chicago because my family lives here and in Three Oaks; my twin lives in Rochester, NY with his family. But, this is the first time I have lived here for the entire summer since I was in college.

I have thought about it several times before, but this year the Pandemic really motivated me to make the move.”

Before graduating Michigan State University with a B.A. in French language and literature, Johnson embraced a time for new adventures.

“I studied abroad in Tours,

France and lived with a French family for two months. It was a challenging and very rewarding experience to live in France, so rewarding that when I returned to campus; I was ready to see more of the world,” said Johnson.

Heralding a time of great transformation, Johnson accepted a position to teach English to French middle school and high school students in Alsace, France for a year in 1998. “When the school year was over, I wasn’t ready to leave the country and culture I had finally assimilated to. I found a job as a nanny for the summer in Brittany, France. I became fluent and confident in the language and also became a much stronger and more confident person.

She continued, adding “When I returned from France, I received a position as an administrative assistant for the French Technology Press Office, a press agency in downtown Chicago and worked with an amazing team of French and American colleagues for three years.”

On a new way of teaching during a time of transition, Johnson gives us a glimpse: “Quarantine began for my current school district on March 13 and I taught my classes from home until the last day of school, May 20. My colleagues and I understand that remote learning was very challenging for students and parents. Now that we all have some experience with it, and that districts have gotten feedback from the school community, teachers, and administrators are working hard to improve remote learning for all involved so that our students can get the best education possible while learning in this very different

way.” She continued, adding, “What I enjoyed most about it were my weekly lessons using Google Hangouts when I could see and talk to my students. I missed them a lot! I also enjoyed collaborating with the World Language Team.”

Johnson offers creative solutions that emphasize the need to employ optimistic approaches to challenges: “For anyone that has a remote learner at home, I encourage parents to check in with the software and grading programs provided by the school on a daily basis whether your child is 7 or 17. My students who struggled the most were the ones that were weeks behind in their classwork. Help your child create a schedule and actually look at their work and complete work with them as much as you can so your child can stay on track. She continued, adding: “And email teachers and counselors as much as you need to! We’re here for you and want you to stay sane and your child to be successful!”

M

aking her way in the world with awe and wonder, Johnson shares a poignant moment: “What I love most about my journey with the French language is to be able to inspire my students on how far they can go and show them all of the opportunities and amazing experiences that are out there while studying, traveling, and communicating in another language and culture.”

She continued, adding: “My most rewarding experiences as a French teacher have been as a director and chaperone of student tours in France and Quebec, Canada and taking

students on field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago French Market, the Alliance Française de Chicago, and to French, Moroccan and Senegalese restaurants in Chicago. I keep up with my French skills by volunteering at the Alliance Française de Chicago.”

Her sheer love of subject matter and wanting to share her passion is clearly evident when it comes to discussions centered on locally sourced pizza by the slice. Johnson explains why Patellie’s handcrafted artisanal sausage slice has their eye on the prize: “The sausage is made inhouse and is divine. My personal favorite pie so far this summer has been ‘Porky’s Party’ with braised pork and pimento cheese that has that little bit of kick that you don’t expect on a pizza; the homemade sauce and the juicy pork combo melts in your mouth,” expounded Johnson.

She continued, adding, “Chef Pat has weekly specialty offerings that are creative and unique.

The roasted chicken and the meatballs are often 86’d (sold out) quickly so order them early.

P. & E.’s Bottle Shop next door has an excellent variety of wine and beer; Ellie knows her wine and can assist you with finding the perfect pairing.”

With a heart towards gratitude, Johnson reflects on a life-long love of learning: “I am so happy that I made the decision to live and work in this community that has been so supportive and nurturing to me and continues to be. Thank you to all of my family and friends here that have made this time here so very special and memorable. I am returning to Chicago August 3 but I’ll be back, no doubt about that!”

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 11

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12 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Local talent spotlighted during Music in the Park HARBOR COUNTRY’S GOT TALENT

M

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

usic in the Park was brimming “She’s 16 years old ladies and gentlemen – In addition to being a SAM student, with Harbor Country talent at just think about it,” Taylor said.

Eggleston has also been active in church Dewey Cannon Park in Three Lauren Eggleston, a sophomore at St. music programs and has competed Oaks Saturday, July 18.

Joseph High School who has been a voice successfully in singing contests.

On that night, local talent student at SAM for three years, sang a Audience members were treated to a special from the School of American Music (SAM), wide variety of classic tunes, such as “Ain’t guest: Martha Cares, a “friend of SAM, wellalso located in Three Oaks, was ushered onto Misbehavin’” by Fats Waller. known local favorite, who has performed the stage (the white gazebo located in with many national and local opera the center of the park). companies and on Broadway, now here Members of the audience were in the coolest place in Three Oaks.” treated to tunes from pianist Aglaja Cares has performed with the Lyric Petrova (who also played the piano Opera of Chicago, the Florida Grand for the evening’s vocalists). A Opera, the Grant Park Music Festival, resident of Michigan City, Petrova the Milwaukee Opera Company, began teaching at SAM when she and the Chicago Opera Theater. was 15 years old. She has played Locally, Cares has sung with the for Masses at area churches and in Harbor Country Opera and in other high school and college ensembles. performances at the Acorn Theater in Currently, she attends the Three Oaks. prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Cares sang four songs from a Indiana University in Bloomington. newly discovered singer/songwriter/ Among the melodies played by guitarist from Ann Arbor, who later Petrova included a short prelude traveled to Greenwich Village in New that was originally going to be a York in the 1950s: Corrie Converse. planned project from an American jazz composer, George Gershwin. resented by Harbor Arts, Garth Taylor, SAM president, said Music in the Park is a Aglaja Petrova provides the musical accompaniment at Music in the Park the planned project was going to free concert series held at contain 20 to 30 short pieces that he 6:30 p.m. every Saturday was going to put together “in cabaret during the summer in settings” (the project eventually got Dewey Cannon Park. Donations shelved.) are encouraged to Harbor Arts, a not for profit 501 C3 corporation Jamileh Cornejo a second-year that advocates for and establishes SAM voice student, sang what Taylor arts projects in Harbor Country. described as “declaration of love In addition to Music in the Park, it pieces,” such as “Unexpected Song,” established and recommends WRHC, a 1984 song from the musical “Song Radio Harbor Country, and works and Dance” that was written by closely with for profit arts endeavors.

Andrew Lloyd Webber.

More information can be found at Cornejo has participated in, and https://www.harborarts.com/. won, many competitions, including The School of American Music Hoosier Star, the Indiana State Fair offers one-on-one instruction in and the First Christian Church of instrumental music, voice, and Rolling Prairie’s Music in Me. She’s music theory and composition. More also transferred to home study to information can be found at www. “concentrate on her music career schoolofamericanmusic.com.

100%.”

P

Audience members relax in Dewey Cannon Park

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 13

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14 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

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Michiana Humane Society celebrates 100 years of giving second chances

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

ancelling this year’s Fortunaetly, Humbert said a stray dog that they saw in was able to get foster homes for – not unlike the feeling humans Cocktails at the the shelter was able to receive the street. Concerned citizens more than 90 animals, with more get when they’ve arrived back Grand Cottage event, a couple of grants early in the started taking in dogs and than 50 of them being adopted. home after a much-needed which is held at the year, so it hasn’t experienced finding people to take them in.

Foster parents who couldn’t vacation. end of July every any issues with cash flow yet.

The Humane Society’s adopt their foster pet filled out a “It makes such a difference,” year, was not a decision that Sponsors from the Grand current building at 722 four-page questionnaire.

Humbert said. was taken lightly by the board Cottage and Spring Fling events Indiana Hwy. 212 in Michigan “It helped us get them placed The shelter is currently open of directors at the Michiana have also teamed up to put City in 1997. The property with new adopters…Knowing by appointment only. Humbert Humane Society. together a $100,000 challenge. was donated to the Humane their quirks and habits makes it said that the number of people The challenge will match every Johanna Humbert, executive Society. Money was raised to easier for us to make a match,” being allowed into the building dollar donated to the shelter’s director, said that the board complete the construction of Humbert said. is limited. Masks are required. the building in first decided to cancel the steps, Humbert shelter’s annual said – a certain Spring Fling amount of in April due money enabled to the stay at the building to home orders be framed out, resulting from while another the coronavirus amount pandemic. provided Soon, Cocktails for the at the Grand construction of Cottage was another part of next on the list the building. of cancellations “It was really for this year, kind of put followed by together with Blissful barn a wish and Johanna Humbert, MHS executive director, hangs out in the cat room Katerina Stepanovich holds Lucky at the Humane Society Benefit, which a prayer,” is held in the Humbert said. annual fund up to a total of fall. etch Some Fun trips, The Michiana Humane Being an essential service, Cancelling this year’s Grand $100,000. during which the Society cares for 1,000 or the shelter remained open Cottage event was especially In addition, Humbert said public can take a so animals each year. With throughout Indiana’s stay at hard, Humbert said. the shelter has also received shelter dog on a mini an annual budget of around home order to very limited staff.

“With this being the Humane Paycheck Protection Program afternoon excursion, $670,000, staff and volunteers Humbert said that the shelter Society’s 100th anniversary have also resumed. While the provide shelter, food, basic funds. took animals in throughout year, we were planning all these excursions were at first held at medical care, and vaccinations.

Never in the shelter’s 100-year the spring only under certain special things,” she said, adding the Humane Society, people For more information, to history, Humbert said, has it circumstances as well as a that last year’s event had been schedule an appointment or struck her how much pets are couple of strays. Other than that, can now take dogs elsewhere especially successful. now that other places have to find out more about the needed in people’s lives until the it was requested that owners Cancelling all three opened up. $100,000 Challenge, call recent pandemic hit. keep animals until more of the fundraisers was very difficult.

Adoptions continue, with 219-872-4499 or visit https:// “You can’t go out and hug a staff was back in the building.

The Humane Society is a 501(c)3 friend or shake hands with a bus Humbert saying that around michianapets.org/. The shelter Meanwhile, stories and not-for-profit organization three or four adoptions took is open 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 associate but you can still pet pictures of animals in their relying solely on private place last Wednesday. p.m. Monday and Thursday, your dog or hug your cat…I can’t foster homes from their foster donations, receiving no tax “We continue every day to Tuesday through Friday from imagine what this whole crazy owners continued to trickle into funds to help with its work. send more pets home,” she said.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday shutdown would be like if people the shelter’s Facebook news “Those three (fundraisers) Legend has it that the shelter through Sunday from 11 a.m. didn’t have pets,” she said. feed. Pets who go away for together are half our operating began in 1920, when the police to 3 p.m. All times are Central During Indiana’s stay at home awhile into foster homes come budget,” Humbert said. chief told his officer to shoot Standard Time. order this past spring, the shelter out of the experience refreshed

F

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 15

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VISITNG THE DENTIST: THEN AND NOW

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W

hat worse dread is there than going to the dentist?

I have had a long (very long) history of visits to the dentist, interminably, all of my long life (most of which were regrettable).

The teeth are integral to the well-being of all of us, no exceptions. As a child, I was subjected to some extreme circumstances and dentists. Members of my family all went to a friend of the family and loved him! I did not like the man, as he found it worked for him to entertain his patients with his humor – a lot of joke-telling.

I didn’t find him amusing, and I just wanted for him to get to the work and get me out of his office, the sooner the better.

As an alternative choice, I was taken to an elderly dentist in Hillsdale, my hometown, after I was struck by a car at age 12 on my horse “Rick,” who shied in front of a speeding car. I flew over the car and landed on the highway on my face, which broke off both front teeth and one of my knee caps. Poor Rick had to be euthanized.

The nerves from my teeth were literally hanging down from the teeth; the pain when touching them was unbelievable and made it very difficult to eat or drink.

I was finally taken to my old dentist, and climbed up the dark, narrow stairs to his office over a store. My mother and I were shown by the old man into the exam room, which had some aesthetic advantage because the chair faced the window looking out over the old, classic County Building. It did trouble me that some of his instruments stored in sight near the chair were actually rusty. Of course, this was prior to Novocain, so without any effective pain killer, this old dentist yanked the raw nerves out of my broken teeth. I nearly yanked the arms off that old chair. My mother was there with me and cried. The good news is that old dentist’s caps lasted 20 years!

That was the beginning of a nightmare, and much of the history, with me and a myriad of dentists. I praised the day when I found a children’s dentist who used Novocain. I was his only adult patient.

But ah, the story is not over yet. Several years ago, I had to have dentures made for my sorry mouthful of bad teeth.

That was an experience as well, but totally unlike my childhood with the old geezer dentist. It was nearly a totally pleasant experience, and one I could not believe wasn’t terrifying and painful. It turned out to be just the opposite at the dental establishment, which was called the (unfortunate) name “Affordable Dentures” and located a half hour away in Mishawaka, Indiana.

Dr. Bianco has been there since its opening, and he and his staff are remarkable. Jenny was the office manager, and she was a fantastic personality, who was loved by all. She passed away four years ago, but her daughter and granddaughter have taken her place! I asked Dr. Bianco when he was going to retire and he said he had a lot of years to go yet. He’s been there 22 years, but still has a sense of humor and is still kind and generous. Unlike so many professional offices, the entire staff of 10 is fun and professional. You can sense they are all happy with their positions as they rush around with each task – and do they rush, zipping around everywhere.

Which makes for a certain fascination for a waiting patient.

It was odd this last trip because of the pandemic situation that we all are being subjected to now. Their waiting room is not open, so they have patients remain in their cars until they call you on the phone.

Then, they come running to the car and make sure your mask is in place and your hands are disinfected as soon as you enter the lobby. Of course, the staff and the doctor all wear masks and gloves.

It’s the new dental office normal.

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 17

HOROSCOPE JULY 23-29, 2020

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

There are some strong forces at work that will help you make adjustments or changes to the way you deal with people. This could make you very uncomfortable at first but will get easier with time. Grasp that time in the morning to sort out options and sift through feelings.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22—DECEMBER 21

The energy this week has the potential to make you feel out of sorts or go against what friends and family have considered your normal behavior. Embrace the new vibes and let go of your normal routines. You will find that your ideas will expand and deepen by changing up your routine.

There is a level of vulnerability that you would be wise to embrace, in order to deepen your experience in relationships. Whether it’s an intimate relationship or just a coworker, there may be personal hang-ups that require adjustment and change in order to secure reciprocation.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

The vibes coming in this week have the potential to awaken your mind and deepen your social connections. Embrace happenings, no matter how contentious, with the expectation that they carry the key to positive change at their core. Let your mind be awakened and expanded.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

The vibes coming in this week have the potential to deepen existing relationships, especially the ones that go against tradition. This may be the time to shut out societal norms and dig deeper into establishing a solid one on one, with your own parameters or conditions.

This is the time to freshen up your appearance, mend fences with your neighbors, or reach out to far away siblings. By opening up stronger lines of communication, you make room for change and growth. Make compromises and expand your relationships.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

There is a heaviness to the week ahead. You may feel the weight of responsibility as obligations increase or feel put on the spot by people asking for assistance. This is the time to give freely, let down your guard and make choices based in aiding and sustaining society.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22 Don’t let power struggles keep you from getting things done around the house. This is the time to make adjustments and changes, rather than pushing for ideas that cause issues. There is a counter intuitive approach and a greater level of compromise that may be needed now.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

There are some relationship opportunities coming in now, which may require you to let down your guard or make some inner adjustments before you can see the benefits of this relationship. Once you open your heart and free your mind from fear, new relationships can blossom.

The forces coming your way this week will push you to put your heart on your sleeve and expose your inner feelings or heartfelt yearnings. Pentup emotions are likely to create trouble and it’s better to make adjustments now, than create more tension. Be completely honest and let it go.

Take the opportunity this week to delve deeper into your talents or ideas. Tend to your garden of resources and opportunity by making adjustments to your schedule to allow for more scholarly projects or research experiments. Tweak those projects, finetune ideas and the money will follow.

The forces coming your way this week will aid you in rising in popularity.

Not only will you be able to make a good first impressions but you will be able to adjust any negative feelings stemming from past experiences. This is your opportunity to make things right.

I been a long time leaving but I’m going to be a long time gone.

— Willie Nelson

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18 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 19

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20 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

New Buffalo Township board grants approval for SLU to Roger’s Wrecker’s Service

M

embers of the New Buffalo Township Board, upon

New Buffalo Times LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

recommendation of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, approved granting Roger’s Wrecker’s Service a Special Land Use (SLU) to operate a towing and salvage business located at 10271 U.S. Hwy. 12 in New Buffalo Township, subject to the finding and conditions as determined by the Planning Commission and ZBA, at their Monday, July 20, meeting.

According to its final decision, the ZBA approved a “variance from the 10-foot fence height to allow an 8-foot fence on the condition that the 8-foot fence completely encloses the perimeter, including the chain link portion, which must include proper screening.” A variance from a 5-foot side yard fence setback on the east side of the property “to allow the applicant to butt up to the chain link fence on the west boundary of the property to the east (the chain link fence is on the common boundary between the applicant’s

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

property and the property to the east of the applicant’s property)” was also granted.

Board members adopted a resolution extending the deadline for the submission of the Harbor Crossings Planned Unit Development (PUD) final development plan until Jan. 30, 2022.

The New Buffalo Township Board approved a PUD Project and Preliminary Site Plan (Resolution No. 20200121A) to Harbor Crossing for the proposed manufactured home development at their Jan. 21 meeting. Board members approved township property being rezoned to PUD zoning, adopting a resolution adopting an ordinance to amend the zoning district map of the Township Zoning Ordinance.

The coronavirus pandemic, stay at home orders and a pending circuit court appeal involving the PUD project and the township’s decision in Resolution No. 20200121A were cited as the reasons for the extension.

The proposed site for the development is 19701 Kluver Rd. Under the township’s

zoning ordinance, Harbor Crossing was required to submit a request for final PUD approval within 12 months of the board’s approval of a PUD district and preliminary development plan.

Board members approved a formal request for the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to direct the Berrien County Road Department to conduct a speed study on Old M 60 from CSX Railroad tracks to Behner Road.

B

oard members approved an agreement for extraterritorial fire services with the City of New Buffalo (New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit explained that this would allow the township to provide supplemental fire services to the city), which will expire Dec. 31, 2020.

Heit said that the streetscape portion of the Red Arrow Highway/Union Pier Improvement Project was scheduled to begin soon and that there’ll be a groundbreaking at the beginning of August.

Township Hall remains

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closed to the public. Heit said that residents can use the online bill pay option for payments or use the drop box located in front of the building. Mail and items left in the drop box will continue to be collected and checked.

Judy Zabicki, township clerk, said that everyone is still allowed to file an absentee ballot for the upcoming Aug. 4 primary (Michigan residents should have all received an application to fill out to request a ballot).Those who choose to vote in person will be encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask.

Voters will be given an individual pen to keep with them and everything will be sanitized. Election workers will be wearing masks or face shields. A limited number of people at a time will be allowed in the hall to vote.

Zabicki said that she’s received 575 absentee ballots.

The township has more than 1800 voters.

Township residents will be asked to approve the restoration of the township’s millage, which has rolled back from 1 mill to .38 mills due to the Headlee Rollback.

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 21

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22 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

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