Planning Commission Hosts Open House for Community Input on Masterplan

About twenty residents showed up Monday night to provide  input on the Alpine Township Master Plan.  This plan gets reviewed every five years and public input is essential.  Residents had the opportunity to address zoning, land improvement, recreation, non-motorized transportation and much more.  This is the second of three open houses.  A third one is scheduled for Tuesday April 22 from 3:30 - 5:00 P.M. at the Township Hall.

Alpine Township Planning Director Sue Becker with Fritz Wahlfield Jr.

Michigan Gold and Diamond Exchange

Alpine Township welcomes manager Joy Benedict and the Michigan Gold and Diamond Exchange.  Michigan Gold prides itself in adapting to the customer’s needs making it the only gold buyer you need to go. Michigan Gold is conveniently located at 4048 Alpine Ave NW. For office hours and more information please go to  http://michigangold.com/

 

 

 

 

Senior Neighbors - Enhanced Fitness

It's not certain whether this group of Comstock Park residents gets together one to three times a week to have fun or to exercise, but they seem to  accomplish both very well.

 

Led by instructor Julie Ebenstein, they are looking for friends and neighbors to join them Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. They meet at Greenridge Elementary School, conveniently located at 3825 Oakridge, NE.  In addition to exercising in the gym, one of the classrooms is being converted into a lounge that will be available to the seniors for relaxation and socializing after the program.  If you live in the Alpine Township/Comstock Park/Walker neighborhood, please join them.  If you know of someone you feel would benefit from an enhanced fitness program with emphasis on balance, please encourage them to participate(.  For more information, contact Julie Lake, Senior Neighbors at 616)233-2083.

 

Zumba classes for all ages are also considered for future community programming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Justin Amash

Over a hundred people filled the Alpine Township Community Room for a Town Meeting with our United States Representative Justin Amash, who represents Michigan's 3rd Congressional District.  After a brief update, Representative Amash responded to questions and comments made by the audience. Topics ranged from international events such as the current situation in Crimea, to social issues like Right to Life, but the most commented on issue was Immigration Reform, with members in the audience having a variety of opinions on dealing with that issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are invited!

Justin Amash

If ever you wish to provide input on national or local affairs, this is the week!

 

Tomorrow, Tuesday March 18th, U.S. Representative Justin Amash has scheduled a Town Hall Meeting at the Alpine Township Hall from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  This is an opportunity to meet your  Michigan 3rd District Representative without having to travel too far. 

 

The Alpine Township Hall is located at 5255 Alpine Ave (at 6 Mile Road NW) in Comstock Park.

 

 

Wednesday. March 19th, from 7:00 - 8:30, Alpine Township is looking for your help in updating the community’s Master Plan. The Master Plan lays out the vision for the community’s desired future and outlines the policies and steps to get there.  The Planning Commission needs to hear your thoughts and ideas about what you would like for your community’s future. Planning Commissioners and staff will be on hand to answer questions and take comments.  Stop by for a bit, let us know what you think and help guide the direction of your community! For any questions, please call the Planning Director, Sue Becker at 784-9090.

 

If you are unable to attend, a second open house for the Master Plan is scheduled at the Township Hall for Monday March 31 7:00 - 8:30 PM.

Community Input Survey Results We appreciate every one's responses to the Community Input Survey and a brief summary of the survey results can be found here.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sue Becker at 784-9090 or s.becker@alpinetwp.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

On Sunday., March 16th travel enthusiasts had the opportunity to view a great travelogue on hiking the Appalachian Trail. The program was presented by Tim and Nancy VanNest from Kent City. This was the second presentation by the VanNests for the the Alpine Township Historical Committee.  In 2012 Tim and Nancy shared anecdotes and photos of their  2,600 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.

A Caring Community - Food Drive

 

 

The need is here. Comstock Park School Administration can identify it.  Independent Bank is offering its help.  We can confidently support..

 

 

 

Food Safety Modernization Act

Alpine Township was pleased to host members of REAP, the Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners tonight.  

In 1998, a committee of farmers, local government officials, agri-business and representatives of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service worked together to develop solutions to what was a depressed local economy,  REAP was born and is now governed by its own Board of Directors as a charitable, educational organization.

 

Tonight's guest speaker was Tim Slawinski, Emerging Issues Specialist for the State of Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  Members and a number of guests were introduced to some key points in the FDA's proposed new rule for Product Safety, The Food and Drug Administration is issuing this proposed rule to establish science based standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding produce on domestic and foreign farms.  More information is available at www.fda.gov/fsma.  Tim also invites you to contact him at slawinskit@michigan.gov for specific questions.

Bad News Travels Fast

Upper Class students from Kenowa Hills High School teamed up with members of the Kent County Sheriff's Department, Alpine Township Fire Department, members of a professional racing team, and the founder of ROARR (Reaching Out Against Road Rage) to deliver a strong message to all High School and Junior High School Students: "Don't let your actions on the road lead to aggressive driving or road rage.

 

Along with some roll playing and information about what to do and what not to do while driving was a strong message delivered by  Kay Foster-Shabazz, founder and director of ROARR, who lost her daughter Diyamond due to a road rage incident on I-96 only minutes from Kenowa Hills High School.

 

Monster Jam® truck driver Brandon Derrow, whose truck Bad News Travels Fast was on display at the school, is also asking students to text, tweet and/or post a pledge to stop road rage.

In a press release, Monster Jam®, one of the most popular motor sports brands, said it is committed to ending road rage and aggressive driving.

"Using the largest recreational trucks in the world to drive home this message makes a powerful impact on young drivers and influences them to be more cautious behind the wheel."

 

Brandon Derrow stated that although they take their message if save driving to each show they participate in, this was the first time he visited a school.    He also asked students to text, tweet and/or post a pledge to stop road rage.

 

On Friday, March 14, the Van Andel arena will begin roaring around 7 p.m. Shows are also planned for 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Kenowa Hills Upper Class Students



Alpine Township Community Policing Deputy Ryan Guernsey



Local Participants from High School, Police and Fire Department, and Reaching Out Against Road Rage

Members of the Kent County Sheriff's Department, Alpine Township Fire Department and Life Ambulance with ROARR Founder and Director Kay Foster-Shabazz

 

 

Students listened attentively

Alpine Township Fire Chief Dave Klomparens, Mark Nawara, and Deputy Fire Chief Jeromy Kelly

 

Racecar driver Brandon Derrow from Virginia

Take a look at the latest addition to our fleet of fire and emergency vehicles

 

Surviving Potholes

The illustrations below provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) explain how potholes are created.   As temperatures are returning to above freezing, we can anticipate potholes in many of our roads. The severity of the potholes vary with the winter weather.  Enough said for this year. Potholes are everywhere!  Patience is required.

 

 

 

Over the years, the Kent County Road Commission has done an effective job in repairing Alpine Township  potholes, particularly those that caused serious danger. Please keep in mind that Alpine Township is not the only community served by the Road Commission.   Many of the potholes receive only a temporary fix because the cost of  hot asphalt is prohibitive until later in the year.  Your patience is appreciated.

 

You can report potholes found on Alpine Township roads directly to the Kent County Road Commission at 616-242-6950E  end_of_the_skype_highlightingor to Alpine Township Supervisor Alex Arends at 616-784-1262 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting or e-mail him at a.arends@alpinetwp.org.  For potholes on interstates and state highways, you can fill out a form on MDOT's website or call 888-296-4546. begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 

Tired of   potholes?  Contact your local State Representative and demand that surplus budget moneys be spent on local roads.

Alpine Township Recipient of $547,000 SAW Grant

Today Alpine Township was awarded a $547,000 Storm water, Asset Management, and Waste water (SAW) grant by the Snyder Administration.

 

Alpine Township was one of 673 communities who vied for 97 million dollars made available this year.  Those who were not selected for funds this year may be eligible next year or beyond. 

 

The amount granted will fund an asset management plan, sanitary sewer system and storm water sewer system planning costs and design engineering costs.  Costs will include some planned videotaping and smoke testing and other projects that will lead to a managable asset management plan. ,  An Asset Management Plan will provide detailed sanitary sewer system information allowing the Township to have a more comprehensive annual Operating and Maintenance Program.  It allows for identifying each functional piece of infrastructure and equipment, its estimated lifetime and maintenance costs, and its eventual replacement costs.

 

Alpine Township is one of five communities that operated the North Kent Sewer System.  Partner communities which will also receive funding this year are Plainfield Charter Township ($1,334,857)  and the City of Rockford ($843,470)   The grants call for 10% shared funding. 

 

Alpine Township last year selected Prein and Newhof to prepare the grant appication at a cost of $7,000 (of which $6,300) should be recovered by the grant.

 

Let me introduce myself

I am Samantha Hanna,  the new Deputy Clerk at Alpine Township and am really enjoying learning the ins and outs of the Alpine Township community. The people here are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable; I look forward to continuing our relationship here.

I live in Sparta with my husband and two beautiful children. I spend most of my time playing with my children and keeping them active. We love to read, play outside, be creative with crafts, cook and stay involved in sports. I also enjoy being active in my children’s schools whether I’m preparing food for conferences, helping in the classroom or volunteering for the PTC.

Note:  The staff at Alpine Township is very pleased to have Hanna as part of its team.  Welcome!

Think Spring and Gardening!

Start thinking Spring!

 

Free Gardening Classes are being offered to Comstock Park and Alpine Township residents and neighbors on Saturday March 8, March 22 and April 5 at 1:00 P.M.  The classes  are sponsored by Odena Community Gardens. located at 1100 Henze Road (behind Sam's Club.) 

 

The location of the classes  will be the York Creek Community Center, 3999 Alpenhorn Drive, Comstock Park.  To register, call 706-8470

 

 

 

Iditerod 2014

The last time Mr. Dan took his sled dogs to the Alpine Township Branch of the Kent District Library was December 2012 and there was not a bit of snow on the ground.  This first day of March 2014 it was a different scene with plenty of snow, making  demonstrations more realistic and providing an opportunity for kids to experience dog sledding.
Dan Anderson came to the library Saturday to talk about dog sledding and the famous annual Iditerod Race held in Alaska. Kids not only had a chance to take a ride on a sled, but could visit the dogs close up.