A Year in Review
By Candy Kraker
Staffing...we are so fortunate to have such a dedicated staff in the Clerk’s
department.
• Carla Lieffers, Deputy Clerk, continues to do a wonderful job as an assistant and keeper of the voter registration records. She plays an essential role in the election process, and she handles the work quickly and efficiently. Carla also covers the reception desk two days a week. To contact Carla regarding any voter registration or election information, call her at 895-6295, ext. 32, or email her at carlal@altelco.net
• Kathy Hanes, Senior Citizens Director and Community Promotions Director, has also had a busy year. Between the Senior Citizens programming and handling community events, such as the 4th of July, she wears many hats. Kathy also covers the reception desk one day a week. If you have any questions about any of the community events or senior activities, contact her at 895-6295, ext. 10, or email her at kathyh@altelco.net.
• Denise Wiersma also does multiple tasks for staff. She assists Jack Hagedorn, Finance Director, by helping with cash receipts, accounts payable, and utility billing. She also assists the Supervisor with clerical help. As receptionist, she works two days a week at the front desk. To contact her, call
895-6295, ext. 0, or email her at denisew@altelco.net.
It takes many dedicated community residents to make the Township function and provide the necessary services. Within this publication you will find staff, boards, committees, and
individuals that are involved in our Township’s governance! We are blessed to have very committed individuals involved...they not only have a heart for the community, but a vision for our community’s future!
Passports—Many residents took advantage of obtaining passports through the Township
office this year, as 409 passports were processed. If you should need a passport for
international travel, or just have questions, please give me a call.
Notary services—Several Township staff members are notaries. If you should need our free notary services, please stop by the office and see either myself, Carla Lieffers,
Laurie Richards, Sharon Kleinjans, Tami Arsenault, Denise Wiersma, Kathy Hanes,
Sharron Besteman, or Nicole Start. Remember...you must sign the documents you need
notarized in the presence of the notary.
Community Information—Just a reminder that the Township Board meeting agendas and minutes are on the Township website. Also, watch for information in the Announcer, on the outdoor message sign located in front of the Township office, and on Channel 21.
Liquor Licenses—No new liquor license were issued in 2007. The Township has 9 liquor licenses available, 6 of which are used. The number of liquor
license per community is determined by the census. After the 2010 census, the number of liquor licenses for Allendale will increase, consistent with our population growth.
Voter Registration and Elections—2007 was a quiet election year, with only the annual school election. There are currently 7,795
registered voters in the Township. Legislation was passed in 2007, which you will notice as changes at the polls in 2008! Thank-you in advance for your cooperation as we make adjustments at the polls to accommodate the new laws. Please watch for election newsletters in the Advance Newspapers prior to the August Primary Election and the November General Election. These newsletters will explain the changes.
Parks and Recreation—In 2007 the Parks and Recreation Committee requested several
projects to be funded by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) which were approved. Those mprovements were new playground equipment, renovation of the tennis/basketball courts, surveillance cameras for the park, and renovation of one of the ball fields used by the Adult Softball Association.
The renovation of the north/west corner of the park was also started in 2007 and will be
completed this spring. A special thank-you to:
• The TJ & Skylee Sikma Fund of the Allendale Community Foundation for their generous contribution to fund the art piece designed by GVSU students Brian Caponi, Zyra Castillo, Ruby Miller, Andrew Tankersley, Teresa Zbiciak. The art piece will be completed this spring.
•The family and friends of Delaney and Marley Vos, who contributed a bench in memory of Delaney and Marley.
•The family and friends of Ron Elzinga, who contributed a bench in memory of Ron.
In addition to these improvements, the DDA also funded sections of sidewalks along
56th Ave., 60th Ave., and 52nd Ave., connecting sections of sidewalk that already existed.
A few of these projects where not completed in 2007, but will be finished this spring.
The Township also conducted a Parks and Recreation Survey in 2007, the results of which are shared in the Announcer each month. Thank you to all of you who took the time to complete and return the survey!
Cemetery—The Township Cemetery is located on the west side of 60th Avenue, between Warner Street and Lincoln Street, north of Lake Michigan Drive. For complete information regarding cemetery rules and regulations,
purchase of graves, burial records, etc., just give me a call.
Allendale Lifelong Learners—In 2007, the first of the baby-boomer
generation officially became senior citizens. That means we have a whole new generation of representation for the Senior Citizen activities here in Allendale. The new Grandma and Grandpa don’t just sit around in their rocking chairs anymore! They’re out having fun with the
Allendale Lifelong Learners!
In 2007 there were many new activities, events and faces added to the Allendale Lifelong Learners group. We traveled to new places, went to new shows, tried out some great, and some not so great restaurants. We had speakers, music and fun at our
luncheons. We went for boat rides; water rides, amusement park rides, and some of us even went on bike rides! We walked, we talked, we made, we played; we had some tours and some tears, and even some fears. But when it’s all said and done, we laughed and laughed and laughed and there was a good time had by all. The Lifelong Learners is a social, senior group that welcomes you to join us for our next adventure, whatever that may be and wherever it may lead us. If you would like to learn more about our group, please call Kathy Hanes at
616-895-6295, ext. 33 or email her at kathyh@altelco.net.
Community Promotions—Events in Allendale have been well attended for many years and 2007 was no different. The annual 4th of July parade and festival was one of the biggest yet, with Roger and Bev Ezinga and “Duke” (their service dog) serving as Grand Marshalls for the parade. There were more activities and events planned in the park than ever before and
Allendale has one of the best small town firework displays around! It’s a great way to spend the holiday close to home and it’s an opportunity for neighbors to get together, have some fun and get to know new people.
The Veterans Day Service was held on Sunday, November 11, in the Township Park with the New Allendale Historical Society 1940’s-1960’s Museum hosting the reception. There was an
awesome display of Veterans medals, artifacts and paraphernalia for the visitors to see.
Christmas activities were down just a bit, but we still had our Breakfast with Santa, Craft Show, Teddy Bear Drive, and other activities that people participated in. We always plan the Christmas Festival for the first weekend in December, so if you want to be a part of the
activities, start planning for 2008. Blessings to you in 2008 and thanks for your support!
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please feel free to stop by the office, or call me
(Candy Kraker) at 895-6295, ext. 6, or email me at candy@allendale-twp.org. |
