City of Alma E-Newsletter

News that's important for you!

September 2016

School has started

Please watch for kids and drive carefully!

Alma High School Homecoming
Come show your spirit on Friday, September 30th. Alma High School will be celebrating homecoming, kicking off the festivities with a parade along Superior St. to Alma High School beginning at 5:00 p.m. The annual homecoming game will follow at 7:00 p.m.
GO PANTHERS!!

Taxes Due September 15th

Property owners are reminded that property taxes are due by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 15, 2016. Taxes paid after September 15th will be subject to a 4% penalty.

Neighborhood Street Millage Proposal

Look for a proposal on the upcoming November ballot asking for a renewal of the 2.5 millage program. The millage is used for the rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of public streets and ancillary public infrastructure within the City. This millage costs a homeowner $2.50 per $1,000 taxable value. The program has been in place since its first approval in 1987 and has facilitated the reconstruction of many streets. Follow the link to view the presentation of the Neighborhood Street Improvement Millage Renewal Proposition.

Remember, this is a continuance of the current millage, not an increase.

Voting Matters:

Elections 2016

Alma Public Library

Wednesday September 28th 7-9 pm

A panel discussion on the election process and voter participation

Topics Presented:

The challenge presented by campaigns becoming more candidate centered, making it difficult for political parties to remain gatekeepers of the election process.

The mission of the League of Women Voters to encourage voters to become informed and active participants in government.

Struggles of the media to attract audience in an increasingly polarized society, whose major candidates find ways to bypass the media, going directly to the audience.

Q& A session will follow the panel discussion

Panelists

Dr. Ed Lorenz, Alma College

Sarah Delia, League of Women Voters

Dr. Ed Simpson, Central Michigan University

Remember the

November 8th
General Election

The last date to register to vote for the election is October 11, 2016

The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

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-500 E. Superior

Absentee Ballot Applications are available at the City Clerk's office.

If you would like to see a copy of your ballot, make sure you're registered to vote or find where you vote, 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 call Sheila Letourneau at 463-8336.

Agri-Fit Challenge Obstacle 5K Run/Walk

September 17, 2016 - McNabb Park

(Ithaca Fairground Entrance)

932 S Pine River Rd.

Ithaca MI 48847

An Agricultural obstacle course 5K Run/Walk. New fun and challenging obstacles for 2016 as well as keeping some old favorites. Examples Include: Bale Out (climb over round bales), Mud crawl, Back Scratcher (under barbed wire), Tractor Pull (pulling tractor tires), Traction Torture (through a loaded semi) , Ladder Up (climbing over pod boxes), Pack Mule (carrying), Pipe Dream (crawling through drainage tube) , Ring of Fire and much more.

Registration ends September 14, 2016.

Check them out on Facebook or at

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Ithaca/AgriFitChallenge

Alma Public Library News:

WELCOME NEW STAFF!!!

We now celebrate and welcome our new staff replacements.
Diana Simpson is our Technical Services/Cataloger Librarian
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Schab is our Juvenile/Young Adult Services Librarian
Dana Friend and Ellieanna Sanborn are our new Library Aides.

We hope our library patrons will stop by to say "hi" and introduce themselves. We want to make them feel at home and part of our "Alma Library experience"

NEW STORYTIME HAS BEGUN!!!

Join Lizzie, our new Juvenile and Young Adult Services Librarian, for stories and crafts on Tuesdays at 10 AM in the Smith Community Room.

Alma Transit Center News:

ALMA TRANSIT CENTER
RIDER APPRECIATION DAY

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
****All Rides are FREE for the Day****

Call Dispatch at 463-6016 to reserve your ride.
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Alma Transit Center Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

Alma Transportation Center

1105 Willow Run
Topics:

Discuss the improvements to the system.
How does it effect you?
Meet the Staff.
Questions and Answer.

Trash Service

Did you know there is a disposal center at 2355 Michigan Avenue? The Granger Disposal Center is open to the public for self-haul disposal of household trash, construction materials, furniture and appliances Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4:00.

For additional information, email infor@grangernet.com, visit www.grangernet.com or call at 517-372-2800 or 888-947-2643.

Red Cross Blood Drives

Help save a life during our beautiful fall season by donating blood. Following are the drives for September:

Monday, September 19, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Alma College Van Dusen Commons

Wednesday, September 21, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Alma Public Library

To schedule your appointment, you may call 1-800-Red-Cross, 989-463-3209 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Water Conservation Tips:

Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
For more immediate hot water and energy savings, insulate hot water pipes.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways, and save water every time.
Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.

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 Park at the corner of Pine & Downie.

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