By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac's deletion from the Verizon telephone book cover called for some discussion at Monday night's City Council meeting – "the shortest agenda I can remember" in his almost nine years in office, Mayor Don Lyons said.
City Clerk Jim Snow and City Manager Bill Nelson reported on the phone book.
Verizon's September 2006 cover drops the bold black print mention of Dowagiac that appeared on the 2005 edition in favor of "Cass County," which it defines as "Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, Sister Lakes, Union and Vandalia."
Council members approved of Nelson writing Verizon a letter "expressing our disappointment and concern."
"I've received several calls" about the slight, the city manager related.
"A number of people who talked to me were very upset about it," Nelson added.
'Reflecting 9/11'
features Cool Change
Corinne Hoyt of Pokagon Township invited city officials to participate in a "Reflecting 9/11" program prior to the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, in remembrance of terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington five years ago in 2001.
The observance outside City Hall features Cool Change, the duo of Frannie and Dennis Stites.
Hoyt also put Mayor Don Lyons on the receiving end of a certificate, in appreciation for himself, his son Lance and Lyons Industries' support of Hoops for Kids.
Bob Mortimore, the only other citizen to address the council, asked for police patrols to be beefed up at Riverside Cemetery after the thefts of at least five "solar star" lights from graves.
Third Ward Councilman Dr. Charles Burling relayed to the administration photos of a water drainage problem in the vicinity of Dewey and Colby streets for follow-up.
City officials also clarified in response to citizen complaints that they only establish tax rates.
The Board of Review by state law is the only body which can adjust taxes.
Council members, prompted by a comment by Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock, also discussed that garage sale signs are being left up afterwards in violation of city ordinance, which also stipulates that such promotional placards are not to be attached to telephone poles.
Second Ward Councilman Bob Schuur reported that more than 200 children received free supplies at First Christian Church's annual back-to-school event.
Larry Bennett
given new term
The council confirmed Mayor Lyons' reappointment of Larry Bennett of 405 Spruce St. to a new three-year term through August 2009 on the city Planning Commission.
'Pooper scooper
ordinance' approved
By 4-0 votes, the council after second reading adopted the new dog nuisance ordinance and civil fines spelled out in a companion ordinance.
Voting for the ordinances were Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock and Bob Schuur of Second Ward and Dr. Charles Burling and Leon Laylin of Third Ward.
First Ward members Donna O'Konski and Darron Murray were absent.
The city created the ordinance in response to an increasing number of complaints regarding dog feces in public parks and on private property around the community.
Persons walking dogs are responsible for carrying items to clean up after their pets so that feces are not left on either public property or another person's private property.
Fines start at $25 for the first failure to clean up after a canine.
The schedule imposes $100 for the first repeat offense and $250 for subsequent repeat violations.
The mayor praised a new brochure highlighting the city's public sculptures unveiled at May Dogwood Fine Arts Festivals.
"This is one of the better efforts I think we've done in a long, long time around here," Lyons said. "I hoped we would have one of these for a long time. We've got it, and my expectations have more than been met. Thank you one and all."
The council authorized the finance director to pay out $558,669.77, including $442,168.54 for bills and $116,501.23 for payroll.
Laylin abstained from the vote on $88 owed to his welding business.
The evening ended with the council in closed session to discuss the status of collective bargaining negotiations between Dowagiac and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) on behalf of Department of Public Service (DPS) employees. No action resulted Aug. 28.