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City Newsletter - June 2016
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Message from the Mayor
Mark Huizenga
Greetings,
It feels like summer is finally here! The kids are outside playing, riding their bikes and visiting our parks. I love this time of year! It is wonderful to see families and neighbors connecting for picnics, block parties,and community events. If you are hosting a block party, consider inviting your City Commissioner or Mayor. We love to meet with you and talk about our City.
Speaking of summer fun, it is great to announce that the park renovations at Walker Community Park have been completed. If you have a chance, stop by and visit the park during one of the Standale Summer Concerts. The City continues to invest in our parks system not just to maintain our parks, but to keep them safe and updated. This year we are working to make improvements at Alpine Estates park by adding a new basketball court and other updates.
We think it is important for elected officials to connect with our residents and the community. Recently, several residents contacted me and their Commissioners to discuss road improvements on Leonard Street (Between Kinney and Wilson Ave). This is a section of road that is heavily traveled and is narrow compared to the road to the east.
We convened a meeting at Zinser Elementary School in early June and met with neighbors to talk about their hopes for this project. Second Ward Commissioners Gary Carey and Chuck Deschaine, Engineering staff and I met to listen. This project is very expensive due to the complex soils, underground utilities, and wetlands. It is not anticipated to be re-constructed until 2020. Although we would like to see this project completed sooner, we talked with the residents about interim solutions that might make the wait a bit more accommodating.
Connecting with the residents, and building safe communities is very important to us. Thank you to the residents who came out and had an open dialogue with their elected officials.
Have a fun and safe holiday weekend. Happy Independence Day!
Best Regards,
Mayor Mark E. Huizenga
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2016 Standale Summer Concert Series
 The Walker/Standale DDA is continuing the tradition of providing the community with a free family-friendly summer event. The concerts are held in the Walker Community Park. This venue is perfect for families and attendees to enjoy a relaxing summer evening while listening to various musical performances.
$1 slices provided by Peppino's Pizza!
2016 Standale Summer Concert Series Line Up:
*All shows are from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
located in the Walker Community Park
(700 Cummings Ave. NW, Walker)
July 7 - Soul Syndicate
July 21 - Straight Shot
August 4 - The 6 Pak
Thank you to our 2016 Sponsors!
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Amber Kneibel at (616)791-6856 or akneibel@ci.walker.mi.us.
We look forward to another music filled summer!
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10 Summer Grilling Safety Tips
- Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
- Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill area. Declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
- Use long handled grilling tools to give you plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
- Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so a hot grill cannot ignite it.
- For charcoal grills, make sure you purchase the proper starter fluid, and store the can out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
- Never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal lighter fluid to get the fire going, and never add lighter fluid to coals that have already been ignited.
- As with cooking indoors, when cooking outdoors on the grill you should never leave the grill unattended.
- If you live in an apartment, you should check with the management concerning the rules pertaining to the use of grills on decks or under overhangs. The International Fire Code prohibits the use of open flame grills on balconies.
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Clerk's Office
Updates
Upcoming Elections:
There will be an election on August 2, 2016 for the State Primary. Last day to register to vote for this election is Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
More information
Absentee Ballots:
Prior to each election, voters may choose to receive their ballot early and vote prior to Election Day. Michigan law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if:
- You are 60 years of age or older
- You are physically unable to attend the polls without assistance of another
- You have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside
- You expect to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls are open on election day
- You cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion
- You cannot attend the polls because you are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial
You must fill out an
application
prior to each election before we can send out your ballot.
Military / Overseas Voters:
Military personnel or U.S. citizens currently overseas can visit
www.fvap.gov
for a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA acts as both a registration and absentee ballot request form. A form must be submitted every year in order to qualify to receive an absentee ballot for the elections held on that calendar year.
Permanent Absentee Voter List:
Please know that if you are over 60 years old, you qualify to be on our Permanent Absentee Voter List which means you will automatically receive an Application for an Absentee Ballot prior to each Election. You then complete the application and return it to the Clerk's Office to receive your ballot. Contact the Clerk's Office if you wish to be on this list. If you already receive an application, you are already on the list and do not need to contact us again.
City Hall Drop Box:
Any documents you need to turn into the Clerk's office may be dropped off in the City Hall grey drop box outside City Hall. (i.e. Absentee ballot applications, signed and sealed absentee ballots and license applications and payments)
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Kent District Library Walker
Upcoming Events
Last year, Kent District Library had the most popular summer reading program of any public library system in Michigan with 33,269 participants. This year's Summer Reading at KDL program, sponsored by Consumers Energy, runs from Monday, June 6 to Saturday, August 13. The Summer Reading at KDL Program will feature reading activities and prizes for kids, teens and adults. Participants can sign up
here or fill out a paper registration at any
KDL branch.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, June 29, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 5, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 7, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, July 11, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday, July 12, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 13, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 19, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
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Walker Ice & Fitness Center
Updates and Events
2016 Fall Youth Soccer Sign-Up
It's that time of year to start thinking about Walker recreation programs for your son or daughter. We appreciate your family's participation in previous years. We hope your child(ren) plans to join us again!
Please fill out the attached registration form (Click the links below for the necessary registration form) and return to the Walker Ice and Fitness Center by July 31, 2016.
There is an additional $10.00 late fee for registrations received after July 31, 2016.
If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Johnson at (616) 735-6286.
Youth Soccer Registration Form
Thank you,
Walker Recreation Department
For complete information on all of our programs, special events and schedules, please contact the Walker Ice and Fitness center at (616)735-6286, visit our
facebook page or our website at
www.walkericeandfitness.com
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