Z EELAND R ECORD THE
Vol. 129-No.31
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Zeeland, Michigan
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Serving Western Michigan for more than 128 Years
• May 25, 2023
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Cost$1.00/copy $30/year
2023 Zeeland Memorial Day Commemoration The city of Zeeland will recognize veterans for the sacrifices they made while serving our country with its annual Memorial Day events on Monday, May 29th. The Memorial Day Parade will start at 9:00 a.m. on Main Avenue in front of Cityside Middle School. The procession will go West on Main, will turn South on State Street, and will then turn East on Central Avenue. The parade route will end at Central Avenue and Maple Street. Parade participants will include the Gilbert D. Karsten Legion Post color guard and drill team, veterans, local school bands, floats and schoolchildren. Veterans are asked to join the parade so that the community can offer a special salute for their service. Arrival time for veterans will be between 8:30 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. “Veterans, please meet at the corner of Centennial and Main so that we can organize marching by your time in service,” said Zeeland Festivals Director Lynette Lan. A Memorial Service will be held at the Zeeland Cemetery on Lincoln Avenue immediately after the parade. “Veterans, please gather on Church Street near Lincoln Avenue after the parade for the procession into the Zeeland Cemetery. (Chairs will be available for veterans during the Memorial Day Service.) Veterans, family members and the public are encouraged to attend the Memorial Day Service so as to remember those who served in the armed forces from wars and conflicts from the United States Civil War to the present time,” she said.
During the Memorial Day Service, flags will be placed on the graves of veterans by members of our local scout troops. Serving as Officer of the Day will be U.S. Navy veteran, Ken Jipping. The singing of our National Anthem will be led by the Zeeland High School Band under the direction of Mr. Pujan Bhattarai. Pastor Shawn Gerbers from the First Christian Reformed Church of Zeeland will offer the Memorial Day Prayer. U.S. Army veteran Jim Donkersloot will read the roll of veterans who are buried in the Zeeland Cemetery, in national cemeteries or overseas. He will also deliver the Memorial Day Address. A Memorial Day wreath will be laid by U.S. Army Veteran Carl Van Ingen in honor of fallen service men and service women. Following the presentation of the wreath, the Gilbert D. Karsten Drill Squad will fire a gun salute to honor our fallen comrades and taps will be played. The ceremony will conclude with the singing of “God Bless America”. If it rains, only the parade will be cancelled. If the parade is cancelled, the Memorial Day Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church which is located on the corner of Cherry Avenue and Church Street in downtown Zeeland. Anyone who needs further information about the day’s events may contact Parade Marshall Lynette Lam at (616) 301-5041) or zeelandfestivalsinc@ gmail.com or Deputy Parade Marshall Jim Donkersloot at (616) 772-1943 (Home) or (616) 772-9000 (Office).
Civil Discourse Prevails at School Board Meeting as Parent Deliberate Books in School Libraries What books are appropriate for students to read at school libraries and classrooms? It is a question facing school districts nationwide. Last week Monday, May 15, sixteen members of the community attended the Zeeland Board of Education meeting some expressing concerns about homosexual and LGBTQ themed books in the district libraries. The group was split on the appropriateness of the books. While the community members have attended the past several board meetings, only one formal complaint has been filed with the school district. “The Board of Education has adopted a policy that outlines what steps are to be taken in text selection and reconsideration of textbooks and books that are included in the school district libraries,” said Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Curriculum Matthew Stolz. In the district’s Text Selection and Reconsideration Guide part of the ZPS Library Mission is “All students should have access to a well-managed library where they feel safe to make individual choices around varied texts that both challenge and align with their values.” “Ultimately, the goal is for every learner to develop a love for reading and learning,” he said. The district has a 10-step process for handling formal complaints with curriculum and library materials. The process begins with the stakeholder meeting informally with either the teacher
or library staff to discuss the questioned material. If no resolution is made the stakeholder is referred to the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum to review ZPS’s library mission and the formal process for reconsideration. A stakeholder who wishes to proceed with a formal reconsideration will be offered resources from the District Curriculum Office to review. Those resources will include ZPS’ library mission statement, selection policy, and the Library Bill of Rights. The stakeholder is required to complete and submit the reconsideration form to the school principal or district Curriculum Office. “The material in question will remain on library shelves and in circulation until a formal decision is made,” said Stoltz. Once a formal complaint has been filed the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum will create a Material Reconsideration Team that will consist of the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, at least two teaches representing grade level and content area, the District Media Specialist, at least two parent representatives and a student representative when appropriate. A Board of Education representative may also be appointed to represent the community. “The committee will have an odd number of representatives, and the person making the formal complaint may not sit on the committee,” he explained. The committee will be provided with copies of the questioned material, (Continued on page 10)
Constructions crews were busy with the final earth preparations for the intersection of Fairview Road and Main Street. Plans were for concrete to be poured by the end of the week, with the intersection opening next week. But any relief for local commuters will be short lived as Main will be under construction for the from Church to Fairview beginning the first of June.
Spring Peddlers’ Market, An Artfully Curious Faire Zeeland will host its ninth Spring Peddler’s Market and second Little Peddlers’ event, dubbed ‘an artfully curious faire’ downtown on Church Street between Main and Central avenues on Saturday, May 27 from 9am to 3pm. Welcome Spring into your home by shopping at the Peddlers’ Market! The market will house a number of different curiosities, including but not limited to, locally handmade children’s clothing and accessories, screen printed clothing, art prints, flowers and botanicals. Handmade women’s jewelry, household gifts and goods, vintage furniture and décor, architectural salvage, handmade specialties including, fresh bread, handcrafted outdoor furniture, live music, food trucks, antiques and repurposed finds.
“This event has attracted a variety of vendors. From brand new businesses to well established ones – even young entrepreneurs! This year is the second Little Peddlers’ Market, where little kids with big ideas can peddle their items! It’s a fresh open-air lifestyle market for all of your favorite things in one setting,” says Kerri VanDorp, City Events Coordinator. Grab a cup of coffee and stroll Church Street and shop or enjoy an adult beverage as the event is within the downtown Social District. This event has attracted over 80 different vendors from around the area, offering a large variety of items available for purchase, as well as special orders. The event is sponsored by IC Designs.
Police Blotter The intersection of Fairview Road and Riley Street was the scene of a two-vehicle crash at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, May 1. Kathy Bursley of Holland was east bound on Riley and quickly turned into the right turn lane at Fairview. She failed to check if the lane was clear and struck the east bound vehicle driven by Jessie Garcia of Holland. Bursley was given a verbal warning for improper lane change. An accident occurred on Washington Avenue east of the Fairview Road intersection at 7:26 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2. Zachary Tebos of Hudsonville was traveling westbound on Washington when he failed to notice a semi was stopped in front of him in the fog waiting to turn into the Herman Miller driveway at 811 Washington. He attempted to avoid striking
the semi by pulling into the east bound lane. David Veldhof of Zeeland was traveling in the east bound lane and attempted to avoid a head on crash by pulling onto the shoulder. While avoiding a head-on crash, Tebos sideswiped the Veldhof vehicle. Tebos was cited for driving left of center and causing the accident. Two vehicles were involved in an accident at the intersection of State Street and Roosevelt Avenue at 11:29 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2. Josmar De Jesus of Holand was east bound on Roosevelt when he failed to stop for the flashing red light at State. He entered the intersection and struck the north bound vehicle driven by Nikki Phothisan of Holland. De Jesus was cited (Continued on page 5)
