Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved three resolutions to support three separate improvement projects at the Gogebic-Iron County Airport at their meeting Wednesday evening.
The bulk of the funds for each project will come from federal funds, with the remaining local portion split between Gogebic County and Iron County, Wis.
The three projects include:
— $625,000 tarmac replacement, with the local portion at $15,625;
— $8,889 for airport awareness/advertising, local portion of $889; and
— $2,222 for increasing the number of security cameras, local portion of $222.
Board member Jim Oliver said work on the tarmac is set to begin the Tuesday after Memorial Day.
County Administrator Juliane Giackino told the board there were two bids submitted for creating a new five-year Recreation Plan for the county. After some discussion about the scope of the work and how much of the current plan can be used again, the board approved a motion to allow Giackino to settle the matter at the lowest cost.
County Treasurer Sue Pertile reported there was no money to transfer into the General Fund from the 2013 Tax Sale this year, “due to a loss at the auction of $36,315.96.” It was only the second time in past 11 years there was not a profit from sale to add to the General Fund.
Board member Dan Siirila said he was disheartened to hear none of the school districts in the county applied for a $250 grant from the Substance Use Disorder North Care Network to be used for a alcohol-free graduation party or awareness lunch. He said the money was for the asking and could be used for anything with the kids, adding only 22 of 66 districts in the network applied.
Ashley Dennis of the Michigan State University Extension Office told the board annual dues for 4-H members is going up from $10 a year to $20, effected Sept. 1, statewide.
She said for that last 10 years the $10 had been covered locally, effectively making membership free. She was unsure what will exactly happen with the higher costs, but was sure there would be scholarships available locally for those in need, at a minimum.
Dennis also announced there will be a 4-H Spring and Horse Expo at the Gogebic County Fairgrounds on May 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and will include a variety of horse events, as well as art and planting projects, games and concessions.