Kent County Solid Waste Management Plan Amendment

Doug Wood, Director of Kent County

Department of Public Works at recent meeting

of  Kent County Township Supervisors

The Kent County Department of Public Works is committed to a fully integrated solid waste management system. This system includes: waste reduction, reuse, recycling, expanded education in resource recovery, incineration with energy recovery, composting and landfilling, as outlined in the Kent County Solid Waste Management Plan and proposed 2011 amendments. The public comment period began on December 19, 2011. The Public Hearing will be held on March 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm in the Road Commission building located at 1500 Scribner Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

The current recycling system for refuse disposal in Kent County aims to reduce the amount of solid waste sent for final disposal by volume reduction techniques and by various resource conservation and resource recovery programs. It also addresses collection processes and transportation needs that provide the most cost effective, efficient service.

A  presentation of the proposal (in PDF format) can be found here .

Inside the Kent County Material Recovery Facility at 977 Wealthy NW in Grand Rapids.  The facility offers tours and educational progams

The Materials Recovery Facility at  977 Wealthy SW, Grand Rapids is a sorting facility designed to accept residential recyclable materials. Recyclables are sorted according to type, then prepared for shipping to the next processor by pressing the recyclables into bales. Tours are approximately one hour in length and include a classroom discussion about recycling as well as a facility overview on the catwalk overlooking the functioning equipment. Kent County's new single-stream recycling facility began tours in September 2010. The facility offers a safe, clean environment to learn about recycling.

Alpine Township Hosts Training Session for Election Workers

It was a full house at the Alpine Township Hall Wednesday as about 70 election workers from Algoma, Alpine, Grand Rapids and Sparta Townships as well as from the city of Walker received a briefing on the upcoming presidential primary election and some of the changes they may have to contend with.  The meeting was conducted by Kent County Election Director Susan deSteiguer. The County Clerk's Office Elections Division oversees all elections conducted in Kent County with respect to Michigan Election Law and Federal Election Law. The Primary Presidential Election will take place in Michigan on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

Election workers from several North Kent County communities attended the meeting

Kent County Elections Director Susan deSteiguer (left) and Alpine Township Clerk Jean Wahlfield

Alpine Township Supervisor Addresses Comtock Park Rotary

Guest speaker at the Comstock Park Rotary meeting Thursday was Alpine Township Supervisor Alex Arends.  Alex presented the audience with an overview of Alpine Township, its financial condition, highlights of 2011, and future trends.  He also shared photos of many of the community events that occurred last year.  Many of these photos as well as  information about the Township's financial condition (dashboard) can be accessed via the Township's  blog http://alpinetwp.blogspot.com.

The Comstock Park Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 12:15 P.M. at the Swan Inn Restaurant.

Alpine Township Supervisor Alex Arends

Remember Mill Creek Days?

Dawn Swafford

Remember Mill Creek Days?  Many local residents remember the parade along West River Road and the festivities and booths at Dwight Lydell Park.  The event was sponsored by the Comstock Park Jaycees and the entire community participated in one form or another.  Mill Creek Days stopped over a decade ago and the Jaycee organization disbanded.

Wouldn't it be nice if a community event of that nature was revived in the Alpine Township/Comstock Park community?  Dawn Swafford happens to think so.  Dawn is a long time resident of Alpine Township and is employed at Edward Jones.  Both her and Financial Advisor Dana Quick would love to once again see a community celebration celebrated in the Comstock Park area and they are taking steps to make it happen.

On Tuesday they met with leaders from Comstock Park and Kenowa Hills Schools, Alpine Township Officials, leaders from Comstock Park Service Organizations, and representatives from the business community to explore options.  Based on the enthusiasm expressed by everyone, we will be hearing more from this group.  Anyone with ideas or suggestions is encouraged to contact Dawn at (616) 784-9622

Dawn Swafford

Some of the meeting participants

Free Health Care Clinic for Teddy Bears

The Alpine Township Branch of the KDL Library hosted a clinic for teddy bears Tuesday morning and dozens of preschoolers took advantage of it by bringing in their teddy bears for a free check up.  Teddy bears were treated on the spot for various ailments ranging from headaches to  more serious ailments and injuries.  Library assistants were on hand to teach the children ways to keep Teddy healthy and happy. Most teddies received a clean bill of health before the program was over. The program was brought to the children in partnership with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

There were several Pooh bears treated for a variety of ailments

There were crafts too

Future medical professionals

ahem...is Winnie ready for this??

A warm pad for that migrane

Searching for that heartbeat

Plenty of good bear stories available

Another great pre-school program brought to us by the library

It's Like Coming Home!

Those were the words of Theresa Eastman her first day as librarian at the Alpine Township branch of the Kent District Library.  Theresa is a long time resident of Alpine Township and before transfering to the Alpine Township library, she worked at the Kent City Branch.  Theresa's favority color is blue, and she loves chocolate and hot tea. She is excited to work with Donna Meyering and Library Manager Laura Weld and be closer to home.

Alpine Applebee's Fundraiser for Special Olympics

The Alpine Ave Applebee's in Comstock Park is hosting a fundraiser on behalf of Special Olympics on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 from 11:00 a.m until 11:30 p.m.  20% of your bill will be donated to Special Olympics if you present the attached flyer on that date. (percent donated excludes tax, tips, and alcohol sales)