News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter

News That's Important for You!

August 2012

Don't Forget to Vote on August 7th!

The August 7th Primary Election is approaching fast. Electors will be selecting candidates for U.S. Senator, the 4th Congressional District, State Representative, State Senator, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, County Road Commissioner, County Drain Commissioner, County Commissioner, and Precinct Delegates. The top vote getters in each party will then appear on the November ballot. REMEMBER, this is a partisan ballot, you may only vote for one party. Do not cross party lines or your ballot will be spoiled.

Also on the ballot are two proposals: Gratiot County Emergency Response Deputies Millage and Gratiot County Parks and Recreation Commission Millage.

Absentee ballots are available at the City Clerk's office.

The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Precinct 1

Presbyterian Church

495 Charles Rd.

Precinct 2

Peace Lutheran Church

325 Warwick Drive

Precinct 3

Alma Public Library

351 N. Court

Follow the link for the precinct map.

If you would like to see a copy of your ballot, make sure you're registered to vote or where you vote if you do not live in Alma, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center and enter your name. Detailed information and a copy of your ballot will be available.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Gager at 463-8336.

Upcoming Events

Masonic Pathways Cruise-In Car Show
& Free Community Outdoor Movie

Come join the fun on Friday, August 3 beginning at 5:00 p.m.at Masonic Pathways. Start the evening off by attending the Cruise-In Car Show and enjoy classic cars and music.

After you've enjoyed the classic cars, get your blanket or lawn chair and join Cruella DeVil and the Dalmatians at 9:30 p.m. for the outdoor movie, "101 Dalmatians". Concessions, chair swings, petting zoo, mini-golf, games and face painting will be available. The Lodge will also be providing a free Child Identification Program from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Don't miss out on a minute of fun! Just follow the link to download the activity flyer.

Gratiot County Fair for Youth

The Gratiot County Fair for Youth comes to Alma August 4 - 11, 2012. The fair is a true community experience and tradition.

The fair will be an opportunity to experience fair food like caramel corn, elephant ears, and corn dogs while experiencing livestock exhibits, an exciting midway and free stage shows. While at the fair take time to watch the exhibitors show their animal projects and stroll through the exhibit barns to see the creative projects the youth exhibitors created.

The week promises to be filled with fun and excitement. Come ride the rides, see the exhibits, grab a bit to eat and see the shows. You will not be disappointed. For more information, click on www.gcffy.org, follow them on Facebook or call 875-5292.

Relay for Life

Gratiot County Relay for Life

Alma High School Track

August 10th & 11th

The Gratiot County Relay For Life is looking to "Paint the town Purple" in honor of our cancer survivors. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

The organizers of The Gratiot Relay event are asking for the community to decorate their homes or business with purple ribbons. Last year residents and merchants in Ithaca showed their support with ribbons, window paint, and other purple items. This sent a wonderful message to our survivors as they drove through their community and downtown.

This year's event will be held at the Alma High School on Friday, August 10th starting at 3 pm, and will last for 24 hours. All events are open to the public and organizers want maximum community attendance. Exciting plans are in store for the cancer survivors as well as their caregivers. If you have questions please call Jeff at 989-463-4921 or Lorraine at 989-400-1345.

WOW! Be sure to mark you calendars for August 24-26, 2012 to attend the Gratiot Community Air Show. The fun starts Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with a big band hangar dance and picks back up on

Saturday at 9:00 a.m. with a fun-filled day planned. There will be an air show at 11:00, steak fry at 5:00, concert with Air Margaritaville and night air show at 8:30 with fireworks. Sunday's air show begins at 11:00.

Gates open at 9:00, $10 for parking and free admission. For more information, visit www.gratiotcommunityairshow.com.

Ordinance Updates

gavel1

The City Commission has introduced the following ordinances for adoption.

Ordinance No. 750 : An Ordinance to amend Section 54-59 of the Ordinances of the City of Alma to provide for the regulation and prohibition of the storage of inoperable vehicles; to provide for the enforcement thereof, and to provide penalties for the violation thereof.

Ordinance No. 751 : An Ordinance to secure and promote the public health, welfare and safety of the residents and property owners of the City of Alma, Gratiot County, Michigan, to provide for the regulations, prevention, reduction or elimination of blight as well as those factors which cause or may cause blight within said City; to provide for the enforcement thereof, and to provide penalties for the violation thereof.

Ordinance No. 752 : An Ordinance to amend Chapter 25 of the Ordinances of the City of Alma to provide for the regulation and prohibition of the use of fireworks; to provide for the enforcement thereof, and to provide penalties for the violation thereof.

Comments and questions are welcome. Action on these ordinances is expected at the August 14, 2012 City Commission meeting.

Gratiot Downtown Art Expo

In conjunction with the cities of Alma, Ithaca & St. Louis, Gratiot County's three largest downtown corridors are now adorned with new, locally produced art banners attached to downtown lampposts.

The "Gratiot Downtown Art Exposition" is the first major coordinated arts & culture project of its kind in Gratiot County. There are 50 banners in all, with 22 in Alma, 14 in Ithaca and 14 in St. Louis. We thank the sponsors and look forward to this becoming an annual tradition. To get a good look at the banners, just follow this link. Enjoy the home-grown talent!

Dial-A-Ride Back to School Specials

back to school

Need transportation for your kids this school year? Dial-A-Ride offers reduced fare ticket books, monthly, semi-annual and annual passes as well as St. Louis service. Check out the fares by following this link. Questions? Contact the DART office at 989-463-6016.

Power Line Work Scheduled within City

The high power electric lines that transmit electricity across the state are owned by a company called ITC. The transmission line from the power substation that heads west to Golfside and then north to M-46 is one line owned by ITC. This fall ITC is scheduled to work on this line. Some new poles will be placed but most of the existing poles will remain. The power lines will be raised to meet the federal standards for high power lines. The project is being done for a number of reasons. The current infrastructure is old and dated and the wind farms need more capacity in the grid. When completed the power reliability in the Alma area will be greater. The project is scheduled to begin early September and should be completed by December. There should be little impact on city residents. ITC will restore all rights-of-way that are disturbed by the project.

City of Alma Permit Fee Schedule

The City Commission recently adopted a new fee schedule for building and construction projects within the City of Alma. The new fees will go into effect on September 1, 2012. For a copy of the fee schedule just follow this link. If you have any questions, please call 989-463-8356.

Public Works Projects Update

Storm Water

Diversion Project

The City is more than halfway complete with the inspections of homes within Year 1 of the Storm Water Diversion Project. Of the 170 homes inspected so far, 43% of homes have been found to be non-compliant. Non-compliance letters are scheduled to be mailed to the property owners on August 9, 2012. Once a property owner receives a non-compliance letter, they will have up to 60 days to fix the problem. If owners choose to have the minimum repairs to be done at no cost, they will need to choose one of the three pre-approved contractors that will be listed in the letter.

Further questions may be directed to 989-463-8346.

American Red Cross Community Blood Drives

Mark your calendar for the upcoming drives:

Tuesday, August 7: 1:00 to 6:45 p.m.

East Superior Christian Church, Alma

Saturday, August 18: 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Countryside Christian Church, Ithaca

Tuesday, August 24: 1:00 to 6:45 p.m.

Masonic Pathways, Alma

Friday, August 24; 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Ashley Community Center

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 463-3209.

"Singing the Stories of the Saginaw Valley" - Evening in the Park, August 7. Come & meet Chippewa Nature Center's Dennis Pilaske for an up-tempo music program filled with fun and informative songs about the animals, plants and the history of the Saginaw Valley.

The Alma Farm Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and more! Wednesdays & Saturdays throughout the summer & fall 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the City Parking Lot at the corner of Woodworth & Downie.

All property owners are required to keep weeds and grass mowed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact City Assessor Brian Dancer at 463-8356.

Hydrant Flushing: During the summer months, the City of Alma regularly flushes fire hydrants throughout the city. Residents should avoid doing laundry during this time and allow water to run for a few minutes after hydrants have been flushed to remove any rust particles in the water. For a schedule of the hydrant flushing, please check the City's community calendar. If you experience problems, please call the Water Plant at 463-8349.

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