Were competing with McDonalds thats paying $15 an hour, said New Buffalo City Manager David Richards. The candidates include: James Van Ess, supervisor of Tallmadge Charter Township in Ottawa County, Patrick Reagan, city manager of Crystal Falls, and Mitchell Foster, village administrator of Winneconne, Wisc. Fire Department The Ludington Fire Department is comprised of 21 on-call/part-paid Firefighters. Ludington is receiving a $17 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for upgrades and expansions to aeration, filtration and storage systems at the wastewater treatment facility. "The city of Ludington is excited and appreciative of the MEDC's decision to provide matching funds under the Public Spaces Community Places program for the city's From West End to Best End project," said Ludington City Manager John Shay. High 57F. The Ludington City Council on Monday will vote on adopting a proposed ordinance that would formally establish and define the duties of the citys four standing committees. Right now, were going to continue to have discussions on whether lifeguards are needed, she said. Ludington, MI 49431 Phone: (231) 845-1522 cartierpark.ludington@gmail.com Park Managers: Russell Soper Cartier Park is owned and operated by the City of Ludington. Name Title Email Phone Additional Phone Foster, Mitch City Manager: 231-845-6237 Steckel, Jackie . The grant would be from the Michigan Natural Resources Recreation Passport program, and it must be submitted by April 1 to meet the deadline for the funds to be awarded in 2020. Its to prevent an accident., Bailey said Silver Beach has not had a drowning for I cant remember how many years.. HAMLIN TWP. I am very excited to begin work as Ottawa Countys next Deputy County Administrator and to join a dedicated team of public servants, providing excellent public services in a cost-effective manner, said Shay in a press release. He is from Big Rapids. We all know what kind of worker Jackie is, said Planning Commissioner Kaye Holman. According to a press release from Manistee County Sheriff John OHagen, the accident occurred on U.S. Parents, sons and daughters, observers, politicians, activists and educators were just some of the people that could be seen Saturday afternoon along West Ludington Avenue, holding signs, clapping, cheering and waving to passersby in the 90-plus-degree heat. No one really understands that water, said Jason Brusse, who lives in South Haven and pulled a drowning victim out of Lake Michigan there in June. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) The northern Arizona city of Flagstaff has been chosen as the site for a new plant for manufacturing parts for electric vehicles, city officials announced Thursday LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) A coal-fired ferry that carries people and cars across Lake Michigan between Michigan and Wisconsin has been sold A proposed housing development saw its preliminary plans approved by the Ludington City Council Monday night, but not before some of the discussion became heated during the councils regular meeting hosted via the video-conference application Zoom. Emergency call stations, information kiosks, social media posts, lifejackets and life rings are other safety measures Olson mentioned in an email to MLive. But lifeguards, which city officials said cost $26,000 when they were eliminated in 2010, arent on the table, Peterson said. In New Buffalo, the city council is aware of the liabilities, but listened to the community when it wanted lifeguards after they were eliminated for one season a couple years ago due to budget concerns, said Richards, the city manager there. While the police chief is an appointed position, the city treasurer is an elected position. If you look just down the road, the City of Scottville appoints its clerk and treasurer.. There are some similarities between the two towns. The block of North William Street by House of Flavors will become a one-way street, the Ludington City Council decided Monday. Previously, Mitchell was the Village Administrator at V Read More Contact Mitchell Foster's Phone Number and Email Last Update 3/19/2023 5:57 PM Email m***@ci.ludington.mi.us Engage via Email Contact Number (231) ***-**** Engage via Phone Mobile Number Shay has previously served as city manager in Ludington, village manager in Almont and has worked in local government for 25 years, according to a release from Wyoming. DETROIT (AP) Lawyers who argued that a Michigan city violated the U.S. Constitution by chalking tires have successfully turned the case into a class action potentially affecting thousands of parking tickets. The project will reconstruct the area to be more multiuse and better suited for pedestrians and for hosting events, said Heather Tykoski, City of Ludington community development director. He also said he doubted Steckel told the truth about the hours she worked, and said she should have to submit documentation to account for her extra hours. Foster said there are several items he knows he will be facing in the near future. The City Manager serves as Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City of Ludington. Instead of lifeguards, most Lake Michigan beaches use to varying degrees -- a combination of education about swimming dangers, water condition warning systems, life rings and other stationed rescue and safety equipment. Other local support includes the local portion of the brownfield TIF for MSF eligible activities estimated at $1,574,302 and for EGLE eligible activities at $219,798. At the north end of the park sits a large stone with a plaque inscribed with the words, These elms were planted by the Auxiliary of Edwin H. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that beginning Monday Ludington State Park will begin the annual process of lowering Hamlin Lake to its winter water level. He had served as Ludington city manager for 15 years. Foster said major projects include the completion of updates at the water treatment plant, the start of updates at the waste water treatment plants, the re-build of the west end of Ludington Avenue and the Copeyon Park splash pad. In January, Steckel was appointed to serve as the acting city manager until the new city manager, Mitch Foster, was hired and began work. Staff. Study shapes, shadows, lighting. Potential for heavy rainfall. Another 37% definitely oppose or somewhat oppose the city providing lifeguards, and 19% were neutral or had no opinion. The three candidates were selected last week during a special meeting of the city council. However, Kozal is currently using up paid time off and was sworn in Monday, Aug. 29, as the City of Muskegons director of public safety. Shay won the position among 48 candidates. Daugherty appeared before the South Haven City Council about a year ago asking it to return lifeguards to the citys North and South beaches. We will be making a succession plan a high priority. Entering into week three, hes learning many aspects of the community. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new follow-up story. Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new posts by email. During the worst of the nine summers that Marcus Schillachi worked as a beach lifeguard, he pulled 10 struggling swimmers from Lake Michigan. Ludington City Manager John Shay currently works on a year-to-year contract. All rights reserved (About Us). Entering into week three, he's learning many aspects of the community. Shay was selected from a pool of 118 applicants, according to a statement from the county. She returned on Monday, Oct. 19, again asking for more beach safety measures, and lifeguards, and citing the drownings of three people, including Patterson, as well as unbelievable amount of close calls there this summer. LUDINGTON The Ludington City Council has formally announced the names of the top three candidates for city manager. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The city first narrowed it down to four people before selecting him. This story is copyrighted 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. Although Steckel was offered to be paid her regular salary as assistant to the city manager plus the difference between her salary and the city managers wages, she chose instead to be paid her salary and just 75 percent of the difference in wages. I watched Jackie Steckel walk out of here, and she was hurt, Barnett said. Alan Wernette, Ludington State Park interpreter led the program with five participants. Wittingen was elected as a write-in candidate in 2020, replacing Tom Ezdebski, who chose not to seek re-election. A year after he left, Muskegon eliminated its lifeguard program, citing finances as the reason. Its always been in the back of my head that Id really like to support the cause of getting lifeguards in my hometown just all those unnecessary deaths, Sartini said. In New Buffalo, the recruitment process begins for the next season right after the current one ends. Wishing him all the best at his new position. The decision to place the PNC building for sale was made at the nonprofit organizations most recent board of directors meeting in late October, said Vic Burwell, president and co-founder of the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame. The county waded through 188 applications before selecting Shay for the position. This is one of those things that most cities the size of Ludington have changed over to appointing the treasurer and clerk, Foster said. Some said later she was last seen clinging to a swim zone buoy, fighting the force of an underwater rip current, he said. Anyone wishing to be considered for the police chief position can learn more here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Refer to Use Policy for more information. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. We dont have a clear mandate on what the city should do, South Haven Interim Manager Kate Hosier said. Related: South Haven residents push for lifeguards after rash of Lake Michigan drownings. Employee Intranet. The Ludington State Park hosted a program about reading fossils and rocks as part of Heaven and Earth Day Saturday. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Every year the Mason County Garden Club searches out local businesses that do an outstanding landscaping and civic beautification effort. Shay is currently the vice president of the Michigan Municipal Executives. Winneconne is located in between Lake Winneconne and Lake Butte des Morts near Oshkosh and Manitowoc in WInnebago County. But the citizens have demanded them and the risks of not having them are too great. Barnett said its important that everyone should be allowed to speak their opinions during public comment, but opinions should be stated in a courteous manner and shouldnt be used to bludgeon people and make allegations of crime without showing evidence. Muskegon was just one of many beach towns that decided to forego lifeguards in the last few decades. More than 300 people came to the event, each of them donating canned or other non-perishable food, which was given to the Ludington Area Schools Resource Center. And by the time you can start heading toward shore the storm and the wind is on you.. Both Bailey and Richards said recruiting lifeguards is their biggest challenge. First responders, local fire and police departments and power companies were busy Tuesday night responding to various calls across Mason County following a severe thunderstorm. City of Ludington City Manager Jennifer Cleaver Secretary/Treasurer Community Investment Committee Member The Law Office of J. Cleaver, PLLC Brooke Felger Safety Decals Jason Jeffrey West Shore Educational Service District Superintendent Tim Nieboer Community Investment Committee Member House of Flavors Because the position is an elected position, even an appointed treasurer must be a resident of the city, who has lived in the city for at least one year. Hard to say, said Schillachi, who was a beach captain for about five of the years he worked as a lifeguard between 2000-09. She died the next day. City Staff View a directory of city staff and retrieve contact information. This years competition features entries from Todd and Brad Reed Photography, Ryan Reed, Rachel Gaudette, T.J. MANISTEE A 20-year-old Pentwater man died and a 23-year-old Ludington man was critically injured when they were struck by a car Tuesday afternoon in Bear Lake. He is also glad to be back in west Michigan, and specifically Mason County, where he grew up. I think well be able to demonstrate this time that its still more important to educate people about what the conditions are, Peterson said. Ludington (/ l d t n / LUH-ding-tn) is the largest city and county seat of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Last modified on Sunday, 10 June 2018 20:45, SUBSCRIBE TO MIBIZ TODAY FOR WEST MICHIGANS FINEST BUSINESS NEWS REPORTING. Among those who provided comments on the survey were 25 percent who expressed concern about lifeguard efficacy, 21 percent who referenced individual responsibility and 16 percent who were concerned about liability concerns. The county collected resumes for about three to four weeks, then began interviewing candidates. After four minutes, they will suffer irreversible brain damage and after 10 minutes, they have just a 14 percent survival rate, Benjamin said. OFF SEASON Inquiries should be sent to 400 S. Harrison Ludington MI 49431 Quick Links NOAA Weather Marine Forecast Weather Buoy Water Surface Temps Ludington Charter Fishing View All groups Facebook page has more than 830 members. He said the councils decision was a misuse of taxpayer money. He has served as a special projects intern for the City of Evart, management intern at Washoe County, Nev., manager of the Village of Kingsley, and most recently, administrator of the Village of Winneconne, Wis. Ludingtons year-round population is about three times more than Winneconne, and even larger during the summer tourist season. Before that, he served as deputy county administrator. Republic is recommending changing the recycling container from an 18-gallon bin to a 96-gallon cart, which would cost recycling subscribers an annual rental fee of $15 per cart, in addition to the 2.7723 millage rate Ludington property owners already pay for solid waste services. Also on Monday, the council heard a presentation from Matt Biolette, Republic Services municipal services manager, about the rising costs of recycling. Three reasons most often cited for the lack of Lake Michigan lifeguards are costs, liability and trouble recruiting. When it comes to a drowning, lifeguards likely are their only hope.. His parents, Dave and Jody Foster, owned Fosters Market. Hailing from Owosso in the Lansing area, and now living in Northville, Michigan, the couple has been coming to the Ludington area for years. As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. These are just a few of the creatures that make up the acrylic menagerie decorating the walls of the lobby outside the performance hall at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. This story is copyrighted 2022, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. Related: When high water kills: Drownings on Great Lakes soar in 2019. In the public comment period, resident Tom Rotta criticized the council for paying Steckel retroactively, since prior to starting the work, she had agreed to the wages. After the position was vacated, Vanderberg said the county would look internally and externally to fill the position. Reagan, who is from Muskegon, worked in Iron Mountain in 2008 as a Downtown Development Authority director and Main Street manager. The Marillats won the competition, and the foundation raised roughly $37,000 with the proceeds going toward the Ludington Area Schools' robotics program. The council awarded the bid for the citys stump grinding work to the Ludington-based company R. Bogner Tree Farms and Service. Foster has been village administrator of Winneconne, Wisc. He said park staff are trained to respond to water emergencies and to monitor lake conditions and post warnings at park entrances, including the use of warning flags. Theyre really part of the first-responder culture, Sartini said. During its meeting Monday, the Ludington City Council approved additional compensation for Jackie Steckel for her time as acting city manager. West Michigan has its own kind of tempo, he said. Ludington is a great community with a lot going for it. At that meeting, the councilors went into closed session to review the top 10 out of 37 candidates under consultation of a representative of the Michigan Municipal League. Tim Kozal offered job after national search After a nationwide search, the City of Muskegon says, it has found its next Director of Public Safety. There are some challenges and some pretty cool opportunities. LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) Louis Martinez will never have to embellish the proverbial fish story after confirmation that he set a new state record for the largest Chinook salmon ever caught in Michigan. Ludington city manager ready for challenges, glad to be back in west Michigan. Majestic lions, horses in mid-gallop, massive elephants with piercing dark eyes. Its not easy to keep lifeguards there, officials say. On Lake Michigan, theyre pounding you one right after the other real close together.. Jared Sartini, a California lifeguard who grew up in the Holland area, has started an online change.org petition to bring lifeguards back to Holland State Park. Ludington, MI - Official Website | Official Website Government Services Residents Visitors How Do I. Online Payments Notify Me COVID-19 Information Citizen Requests Weather Open Government Visit Downtown City Calendar Forms Ludington News Calendar of Events Tree Advisory Board Meeting Read on. He then attended University of Nevada-Reno where he received a bachelors degree in political science and government and a masters degree in public administration. But she didnt realize the full extent of the workload shed have to do for performing both her job as acting city manager and her regular duties, assisting the city manager and the mayor. "Its a tourist town and they know thats all people do is go out there to the beach.. Foster said the issue of electing the treasurer and the clerk raises some considerable challenges. BY MiBiz Staff Friday, June 08, 2018 01:37pm. The names of the three top candidates for city manager that the Ludington City Council selected to be interviewed were announced during the council meeting Monday night. John Shay, who currently serves as city manager of Ludington, was named Ottawa Countys new deputy administrator on Thursday. I felt like I had failed (Patterson) and I failed her family because somehow, I wasnt able to push this town I love so much hard enough to step up our beach and pier safety protocol, Daugherty told the council. Names of Ludington city manager candidates announced. See related story about MCPs claim that the council violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act. They have a duty to protect their patrons.. Instead of lifeguards, Lake Michigan communities have instituted a variety of lifesaving measures primarily the posting of rip current warning signs, making life rings and life jackets available, and using a warning flag system. LUDINGTON The Ludington City Council has formally announced the names of the top three candidates for city manager.

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