City Newsletter - December 2016
Message from the Mayor
Mark Huizenga    


Walker Residents, 

It is hard to believe that Christmas is almost here! As you prepare for the holiday with family and friends, please take a moment to remember our service men and women who are serving our country, both domestically and abroad who are not able to spend time with their families this holiday season.  

This year was filled with great accomplishments for the City of Walker including road improvements, great additions to our trail systems, and continued annual events that brought our community together. Thank you to all that attended the Third Annual Winter Fest. This event brought families together to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with the lighting of the Christmas Tree.

As we reflect on the past year and anticipate Christmas, I wish you and your family all the best and a prosperous 2017 and a wonderful Holiday season.

Best Regards,
Mayor Mark E. Huizenga
Income Tax Department
Updates

Due Dates:
Fourth estimated payments for calendar year 2016 are due January 31, 2017. Forms are available on our website Click Here

Where's my refund?
We are currently processing 2015 returns that were missing required information. If we did not receive the information upon request from the taxpayer, deductions and credits will be disallowed resulting in a lower refund or assessment. If you were expecting a refund, but have received a proposed assessment, please provide the missing information within 30 days.

If you are unsure if you need to file Walker Income Tax returns, the most common questions are answered on our website. Click Here. You can also call us at 616.791.6880.

Clerk's Office
Updates

Business Licenses
Business License Renewal Applications have been sent out. Applications were due December 1, 2016. Your current license expires December 31, 2016. All businesses in the City of Walker are required to have a license, including home occupations. If you have not filed for a license, click here to visit our website for the application.

City Hall Drop Box
Any documents you need to turn into the Clerk's office may be dropped off in the City Hall drop box outside City Hall. (i.e. Absentee ballot applications, signed and sealed absentee ballots and license applications and payments)


Fire Department
Be Fire Safe for the Holidays

Each year fires associated with the holiday season injure 1,200 individuals and cause over $25 million in property damage.  We have some simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following these precautionary tips, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Preventing Holiday Tree Fires
  • Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in your house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
  • Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Bouncing the tree trunk on the ground can identify old trees. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
  • Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
  • Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to one of the recycling drop off locations provided by the Walker Department of Public Works.
  • Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
  • Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect the strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires-they should not be warm to the touch. Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.
  • All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
  • Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace. It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.
  • If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
  • If you use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning. Never put lit candles on a tree. Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame-candles lighters or matches. Flameless candles have become very popular. If you are a candle lover, you should consider this alternative.
  • Finally, as in every season, have working smoke detectors installed on every level of your home. Test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help, and remember to practice your escape plan.
Walker Ice & Fitness Center  
Events and Updates   

Senior Bowling Tournament
Who:  Senior Citizens 55 years and over
  What: $15.00 for three games of bowling, refreshments & door prizes. Trophies for high actual and high handicap for men and women (six different age groups). 
When: January 19 and January 20, 2017
Where: Lincoln Lanes, 3485 Lake Michigan Dr. NW
Pre-registration required. Deadline January 9, 2017. Entry forms available at  Walker Ice & Fitness Center.

NEW Fitness Equipment 
The Walker Ice & Fitness Center has 18 pieces of new fitness equipment. This will replace the facility's outdated Treadmills and Ellipticals. New cardio equipment will include eight Free Motion Incline Trainers feature a 10" full color touch screen that you can browse (by Android) the web, read email, get sports highlights, check Facebook and get smart workouts powered by Google maps for the ultimate workout . Also, five  FreeMotion Fitness Treadmills and five Free Motion Ellipticals with a large easy LED display!

These pieces of equipment are easy to use and have tablets that will sync with your fitness devices.

Come in today for a tour! 
Try our facility with our FREE 7-day trial! Anyone over the age of 18 with a valid area MI driver's license and first time visitor to our facility.
 
 
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   
 
Kent District Library
Let it Snow 2.0

Your favorite adult winter reading program is back and better than ever! Participate in print or at our newly simplified online program, kdl.readsquared.com. Read six books and win a travel mug with free refills from Dunkin donuts! Registration begins January 3

Heart to Heart Craft Party
Wed, Feb 8 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Roses are red, violets are blue, join our Valentine event, just for you! Celebrate Valentine's Day with snacks and crafts.

KDL Lab Experience: Shrinky, Stretchy and Silly Science
Wed, Feb 1 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Explore on your own and get creative as you shrink, stretch and learn about polymers. Design your own original shrinky dink creations, experiment with balloons and learn the science behind it all.

KDL Lab Experience: Straw Building Bonanza
Wed, Feb 8 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Explore on your own with this unstructured building time, kids can build 2D and 3D geometric creations, vehicles, forts, or whatever!

KDL Lab Experience: littleBits: Learn and Invent with Electronics
Wed, Feb 15 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Explore on your own, tinker and innovate with littleBits, the ultimate electronic building tool. Circuit modules snap together to help you build your ultimate electronic innovation.

Adult Book Discussion
Tue, Feb 14 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a friendly, informal discussion. This month's selection is Someone else's love story by Joshilyn Jackson.

Visit our website for more details. Click Here

 
Contact
akneibel@ci.walker.mi.us
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2016 City Newsletter
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