Volume 1, Issue 32 JANUARY 5, 2024
YOUR LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NONPROFIT NEWS SOURCE
City of Hart offers bid opportunities By Sharon Hallack The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Robert Walker and Alan Wittkamp
Commissioners present service awards By Madison Lajewski The Oceana Echo Community Contributor
Walker and Jennifer Sill ry McKeen and Allen Blohm. The board also adopted a resolution authorizing the Oceana County Road Commission to borrow $3.5 million for its continued efforts to improve roads throughout the county.
• Stacia Erickson/Echo
• Paul Erickson/Echo
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Three people were honored with years of service awards at the Oceana County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday, Dec. 21. Sheriff Craig Mast was recognized for 30 years of service. Alan Wittkamp was recognized for 20 years with the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, and Oceana County Juvenile Probation Officer Jennifer Sill was also recognized for 20 years. All were presented with certificates to celebrate their accomplishments by Board Chair Robert Walker. Additionally, three members of the Oceana County Parks and Recreation Board were reappointed. John Wilson, Joel Mikkelsen and John Wyns will continue to serve on the board, with Wyns as treasurer. Three members of the Oceana County Planning Commission were reappointed, including Paul Cutter, Gar-
HART - The City of Hart is already busy in the new year, asking interested individuals to submit proposals and/or comments for three different economic development projects. “The City of Hart is revving up for a year of growth and opportunity with three projects open for proposals. We are looking forward to continued infrastructure improvements, business and home improvement grants, more art in Hart, and planning for a bright future for the city,” Economic & Community Development Director Nichole Kleiner said. The Hart TIFA (Tax Increment Financing Authority) recently took ownership of the Hart United Church of Christ Congregational Church, whose last worship service took place Sunday, Dec. 24. The property located at 408 S. State St. includes three concurrent buildings along State Street: a traditional cathedral-ceiling church with basement and kitchen, a 1,100-squarefoot detached single-story building, and a 2,600-square-foot two-story home that has been converted to offices. Any interested party (profit or non-profit) is asked to submit a letter of interest to the Hart TIFA at 407 S. State St. in Hart or email the city no later than Thursday, Feb. 1. A public meeting to hear from all interested parties will take place Tuesday, Feb. 6, beginning at 1 p.m. in the city’s Community Room. Hart TIFA is also currently accepting sealed bids for the city’s “2024 Sidewalk Project,” which includes approximately 12,000 square feet of sidewalks within the TIFA district. Project bids should include associated saw-cutting, concrete removal, grading to blend
new sidewalks with surrounding lawns and surfaces, as well as topsoil, seed and mulch applications. Proposals will be received at the city offices at 407 S. State St. in Hart or via email at nkleiner@cityofhart.org until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The H.E.A.R.T. (Hart Economic and Redevelopment Team) is now accepting sealed bids for the “2024 Chalet Interior Finishing Project” located in the Hart Commons parking lot on East Main Street in downtown Hart. Major items in the project include the finishing of five 10-foot by 14-foot shed-style chalets with R15 and R30 insulation, drywall, paint, and floating vinyl floors, as well as window, door and base trim. Proposals will be received until Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. and should be addressed to the City of Hart “Chalet Interior Finishing Project” at 407 S. State St. in Hart or via email to Kleiner. Any questions should be directed to Kleiner at 231-923-0920 or nkleiner@cityofhart.org.
Walker and Craig Mast
The Hart United Church of Christ Congregational Church had its final service Dec. 24, 2023. The Hart TIFA has taken ownership of the property and is currently seeking letters of interest about its future. Claire Fournier, above, lights a candle during the final service.