Comments for City of Cedar Springs

Comment on 2010 Census to Begin by Jim Bush

Jim Bush — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:32:32 +0000

Excellent information. Thanks!

jim

Comment on Snowmobile Season Just Around the Corner by oh my

oh my — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:21:17 +0000

let’s not get overzealous now with the ordinances… We still want snowmobile visitors to enjoy our city and frequent our restaurants, etc. Start busting every stray snowmobiler that comes to town and we’re going to develop the reputation that is the opposite from what we want. Let’s not let our badged employees become vigilantes now… No harm, no foul… just because there are tracks in the snow on frozen ground doesn’t make it wrong.

let’s all just use common sense and keep in mind – you ALL break the law either intentionally or unintentionally, but that doesn’t mean it MUST be enforced. Let’s not continue to be the small town with a Napoleon complex

We’re either going to welcome guests and support our local tax payers or we’re going to bust people as a source of revenue.

Curt: how did those tracks effect you? Did it really make a difference in your personal happiness? Did it really matter?

Comment on Welcome New Businesses! by admin

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:50:08 +0000

Your questions should be directed to the Zoning Administrator. manager@wingsisp.com or 616-696-1330 x 104

Comment on Snowmobile Season Just Around the Corner by admin

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:51:01 +0000

Mr. Becker,

As with any new law, enactment doesn’t guarantee immediate compliance. We have, in fact, installed large signs at the City limits along the trail. There are smaller signs on the side streets reminding snowmobilers of the new ordinance. Our police department will remain vigilant regarding enforcement. However, please keep in mind that we don’t catch every speeder or seat belt violator and we aren’t going to catch every snowmobiler who violates our ordinance. We will however, do our very best to catch them when they do violate the ordinance. It’s unfortunate that one or two disrespectful drivers can give an entire sport a bad name, but not all snowmobilers are bad.

Comment on Snowmobile Season Just Around the Corner by Curt Becker

Curt Becker — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:06:40 +0000

Here it is the first snow fall and already the snowmobiles again drive where they want and not where they are suppose to.
I have tracks on the shoulder of the road and not in the roadway in front of my house. There are tracks on the sidewalk and private property between the trail and the Wesco station.
The city was suppose to put up signs against this activity, good job you only put up one small sign that you can’t read until you on top of it.
With the passing of the new ordinance, I thought there would be better control and more public notice about this activity.
Silly me.
Curt

Comment on Spring Clean-up Changes in 2009 by brandy

brandy — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:30:19 +0000

everytime i pass though cedar springs i see things that could use a good clean up. then today as i am sitting here reading this i was thinking what in the world? the whole fact of cleaning your town up is for the people and the communtiy to have a clean town and be proud of it not have to pay out more money just to keep their town clean why dont u think about the communtiy instead of money in the pocket that is why people pay taxes.

Comment on Spring Clean-up Changes in 2009 by Nikki

Nikki — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:58:33 +0000

There is a local person that will pick up items such as appliances free of charge. cole1969@charter.net for info to anyone that is interested in it.

Comment on Spring Clean-up Changes in 2009 by Stephen R.

Stephen R. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:04:27 +0000

I used to attend the council meetings until I realized that the city is more concerned about how it can serve the interests of the city and city “good ol boy” network instead of making trusted, common sense decisions on behalf of the residents. Of course, that’s just my opinion, but I appreciate your thoughtful, politically correct response. Keep up those “money saving” ideas. It’s okay to take some risks around here, be bold. Good luck.

Comment on Spring Clean-up Changes in 2009 by admin

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:56:39 +0000

As with with most government documents, our contracts are open for public perusal and all contracts are considered at open meetings by the City Council. We advertise in the Post to make sure nobody is excluded. We solicited bids and personally invited all of the waste haulers in the area to submit bids. Unfortunately, many haulers declined to submit a bid because they could not meet one or more of the requirements (i.e. proof of liability insurance, curbside recycling, large item collection). Duncan Disposal submitted the low bid, which offered more services at a better price. The other haulers immediately lowered their prices in order to compete (albeit they didn’t increase the services that they offered). It was a win/win for the residents in regards to the pricing. The non-exclusive agreement also reduced the number of days trash cans are at the curb and the number of trucks traversing our streets. The City signed a non-exclusive agreement, meaning residents are still free to choose their carrier, although if you are not using Duncan you are likely paying more and getting less for your money. With year ’round collection of large items, we don’t see residents “hoarding” their appliances and furniture in the back yard, on the porch or in the garage as the items are picked up on an “as needed” basis now.

You are 100% correct about the creative aspect of contractual bidding. Rest assured that City staff are continually looking for ways to save property owners money. I invite you to attend a Council Meeting to witness first-hand how the system works and how diligent your elected officials are about questioning the process to insure that residents get their money’s worth. Rarely do citizens attend Council Meetings. It can be very disheartening that very few attend to offer their opinions at public hearings, but many complain after-the-fact about the outcome.

A couple of FYI items…there are two Council seats up for election in November and nominating petitions are available from the City Clerk. Duncan Disposal will be available at our Earth Day celebration (April 25) to answer any questions residents may have about their services. Duncan Disposal is a locally-owned (Rockford) business that genuinely cares about its customers; you are just as likely to see one of the owners driving a recycling truck as you are in a dress shirt & slacks. Small business owners are the heart and soul of this community.

Comment on Spring Clean-up Changes in 2009 by Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:04:24 +0000

I don’t quite understand how CS landed on Duncan or any other sanctioned provider. It would be interesting to see the proposal documents and the comparative analysis that led to the city’s decision to award business to Duncan. Why didn’t the city negotiate Spring and Fall waste pick up as part of the contract. It’s likely that a well written and negotiated contract would have included these services that the city previously offered. City wide Spring and Fall waste pick up could have been required to be part of the privilege of having preferential contractual pricing and still been aggressively priced for the residents who want to choose Duncan as their service provider.
Just seems like an opportunity missed… These days it is very important to get creative.