It was good to see the level of cooperation between law enforcement and a large number of agencies serving all of Cass County as they seek to have a high level of preparedness and coordinated response should a child become lost or missing in Cass County.
The day after the meeting I became aware of the fact that the Cass County Missing Child Response team is the only active, coordinated countywide response team in Michigan.
We appreciate the commitment of the Dowagiac police, Cass County sheriff and county agencies for their commitment to preparedness.

Museum extends
white fencing

The most visible work at the museum this past week has been on the streetscape improvements.
One of the goals of the DAHM project has been to continue the downtown streetscape on Depot Drive to the museum along Railroad Street.
Electric lines have been placed underground and the overhead wires and poles have been removed.
Extension of the white fencing will begin within two weeks and bases for the streetlight will be placed soon.
Progress is continuing as planned so that the DAHM grand opening during Dogwood Festival can be a success. For the grand opening, DAHM Director Steve Arseneau reports that Timothy Chester, board president of the Michigan Humanities Council and former director of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, will be guest speaker.
Please mark your calendars for Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m.

Budget tight

Staff is working hard to prepare budgets for Fiscal Year 2013-2014.
It appears from draft budgets coming out of the Legislature that revenues will once again be frozen and reporting requirements more demanding, which will make for another very tight general fund budget.
Council should consider meeting in a work session during the last week of April to review budget proposals so a final budget can be ready for a public hearing in May.

By KEVIN ANDERSON
City Manager