Local writers Tom Springer and Lorraine J. Anderson will join forces to discuss “the hometown writing life” on Saturday, September 11 at 11 a.m. at Lowry’s Books & More in downtown Three Rivers.
Tom Springer
Park Township Trustee Tom Springer has written a letter in response to a recent Letter to the Editor published by Watershed Voice titled “Park Township Proposed Tax Increase.” Springer writes that implying the township board tried “to keep the road millage ballot proposal a secret” is “inaccurate and unfair.”
Doug and Alek are joined by local author and Park Township Trustee Tom Springer to discuss his book “The Star in the Sycamore,” the ongoing negotiations between Park Township and the Three Rivers Public Library, and why getting involved in local government is so important.
If you’re seeking a calm reprieve from the turbulence of this year, Tom Springer’s The Star in the Sycamore is a balm. If you’re looking for wry, thoughtful nature writing in the spirit of Wendell Berry or Mary Oliver, nestle into these pages. If you’re feeling a bit adrift, the writings will deeply ground you in the forests and rivers of southwest Michigan.
At a regular meeting of the Park Township board Wednesday, citizens and board members discussed an in-process application to have a property rezoned for commercial use in an area that is currently mostly residential. The applicant is the Nottawa Gas Company, which would like to purchase a new property along M-60 near North Fisher Lake Road and relocate there. A group of residents opposes approval of the rezoning application.
One by one, representatives of the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) have been meeting with townships around the county to discuss next year’s road work priorities. Each year, SJCRC accomplishes a variety of paving, pavement sealing, reconstruction, and bridge work projects around the county. Some of those projects are funded entirely by SJCRC’s own funds, some are partially covered by outside grants, and some are shared in equal parts by the SJCRC and the townships. At a Wednesday meeting of the Park Township board, Township Supervisor Ed English provided an overview of potential projects for 2021.
The Park Township Planning Commission has set a date for a special meeting regarding a proposed commercial development on M-60. Nottawa Gas, a propane distributor, entered into a Buy and Sell Agreement last March for a property near North Fisher Lake Road, and submitted a request to have the land rezoned for Commercial/Light Industrial in August.
Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 75 candidates running for elected positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. In the days leading up to the Michigan Primary on August 4, Watershed will publish the questionnaires it received back as well as an election preview. Park Township Trustee Tom Springer, who is running for reelection, gave the following answers.
The Park Township board discussed additional parking for recreational access, the township’s preparations for the upcoming primary election and other topics at their monthly meeting Wednesday.
Watershed Voice recently spoke with Park Township Trustee Tom Springer, Dave Allen of Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC), and Three Rivers consultant Bob Sills about what it would take to solve St. Joseph County’s rural broadband problem.