October 2021 eNewsletter

Welcome to the City of Kentwood's monthly eNewsletter. Stay up to date about community news, events and programs happening this month.

Mayor's Message Whether it was visiting a park, participating in our recreational programs, enjoying our community events or taking a stroll on one of our trails, I hope you were able to enjoy the beautiful City of Kentwood this summer.   Toward the end of the season, we celebrated National Night Out, and I was inspired by the great neighbors we have in our community connecting with one another. Please continue Kentwood’s community effort by partnering with your neighbors and local police against neighborhood crimes. By being alert and reporting suspicious activity, you can help protect your loved ones and keep Kentwood a vibrant and safe place to call home.   This fall, please remain engaged with the community and join us at our upcoming events. We have a number of activities happening in October, including Glow in the Park, Trunk or Treat and the South Kent Community & Senior Expo. You’ll find all the details on these events and more in this eNewsletter.   In partnership,   Mayor Kepley

Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety – Oct. 3-9

The year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” to help educate everyone about the different sounds smoke and carbon monoxide, or CO, alarms make. Do you know what your alarm is telling you? Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds can help keep you and your loved ones safe.   A continuous set of three loud beeps on smoke alarms means there is smoke or fire. Similarly for CO alarms, a continuous set of four loud beeps means carbon monoxide is present in your home. If you hear a continuous set of loud beeps from your alarms, get outside and call 911. Stay out until help arrives.

A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years. CO alarms also have “end of life” sounds that vary by manufacturer. This means it’s time to get a new CO alarm. Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.   Remember: When you hear a beep, get on your feet! Hear a chirp, make a change. For more fire safety tips and other educational resources, go to FirePreventionWeek.org.

Kentwood to Host Glow in the Park – Oct. 16

Celebrate the fall and light up the night with our glow event and fun run. Glow in the Park – set for Saturday, Oct. 16 at Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Drive SE – will feature glow-themed activities that include light-up playground games and crafts, music, food and a fun run/walk.   From 7-9 p.m., the park path will be lit with glow sticks and other colorful lights. The evening will conclude with an after-party featuring music, dancing and snacks under the park shelter. You can find all the details and register now at kentwood.us/GlowInThePark.

Fall Leaf and Brush Drop-Off Programs Return Oct. 18

Our fall leaf and brush drop-off programs will return Oct. 18 at the Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Ave. SE. The sites will run noon-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 5. Residents may drop off brush, sticks, tree limbs, logs, loose leaves and grass clippings. The services are available to Kentwood residents only, and proof of residency is required. After closing for winter in December, both drop-off sites will reopen in the spring. More information about our brush and leaf drop-off services is available at kentwood.us/BrushLeafDropOff. Questions may be directed to the Department of Public Works at 616.554.0817.

Community Members Invited to Annual Trunk or Treat – Oct. 23

Masked goblins, ghosts, witches, vampires and the likes are invited to join our Trunk or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 23. The free event will take place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at our Public Works facility, 5068 Breton Ave. SE.   More details about this year’s activities will be shared closer to the event date. Businesses and groups that wish to participate may register for a trunk online or call 616.656.5317. Stay tuned for updates on our website at kentwood.us/TrunkOrTreat.

Kentwood Drug Take Back – Oct. 23

The Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are partnering to host another Drug Take-Back Day. Residents are encouraged to drop off any unwanted or expired pills or patches at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. Please note: Liquids, needles and sharp objects are not accepted.

South Kent Community & Senior Expo Puts Spotlight on Area Businesses – Oct. 26

Community members of all ages are invited to the fifth annual South Kent Community & Senior Expo Tuesday, Oct. 26. The free event at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, will feature a variety of products and services from more than 50 local businesses. The expo will also include health screenings, flu shots, door prizes and free food.   Vendors interested in participating can fill out an online vendor registration form. More information about the event is available at kentwood.us/SouthKentCommunityExpo.

A Look at Local Library Activities

Friends of the Kentwood Library will host a used book sale in the Community Room at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, on Saturday, Oct. 30. Book lovers are invited to shop the sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will feature a great selection of books at low prices.    In-person storytimes are happening at the branch at 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday each week. The program helps nurture a love of books and builds early literacy skills for children up to 5 years old through stories, rhymes, music and movement. Face coverings are strongly encouraged for both adults and children in attendance.   The Little Free Pantry located in the library remains open for the community 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.   Please note: The Kentwood and Gaines Township branches will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 2 for a staff training day. However, the Kentwood Library Community Room will remain open for voters. Other KDL branches will remain open for service. For the latest information on all KDL programs and events, visit kdl.org.

Trick-or-Treat Hours and Halloween Safety

Trick-or-treat activities are recommended 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. As residents plan their Halloween activities, the Kentwood Police Department offers the following tips to encourage a safe evening:   If you hand out candy, turn on your porch light at 6 p.m. and off at 8 p.m. Accompany children during trick-or-treat visits. Make sure trick-or-treaters wear a light-colored costume, headlamp or reflective tape so they are visible to drivers and other trick-or-treaters. Keep in mind Kentwood’s curfew ordinance: Unless accompanied by a parent or responsible adult, children who are younger than 12 must not be in any public place after 10 p.m., younger than 16 after 11 p.m. and younger than 17 after midnight.   If you are attending a holiday celebration, consider what steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Public health officials recommend wearing a face covering when in: Indoor public places if you are 2 or older and not fully vaccinated. Crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.   Thank you for doing your part to ensure the entire community enjoys a safe and fun Halloween.

Covenant Park Advisory Committees to Recommend a Plan Before 2022

With its significant size and central location at 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE, Covenant Park has great potential to support our growing community and its evolving needs. Since early 2021, two advisory committees have been hard at work exploring ideas and concepts for the future development of the 109-acre park while taking into consideration our existing parks, trails and recreation plans.   The committees are expected to make recommendations to the City Commission by year’s end. Please follow along their journey at kentwood.us/CovenantParkPlanning.

How You Can Avoid Crimes of Opportunity

As the temperatures begin to drop this fall, remember: Don’t leave your vehicle running while unattended. Warming up a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied while running creates an opportunity for thieves to steal your car. Most vehicle larcenies or theft of personal property are from unlocked vehicles.   Police need your help to be the “eyes and ears” in our community. If you see something, say something. It is best to report suspicious activity and crimes while they are happening by calling 911. To report crimes after the fact, residents may call the Kentwood Police Department’s non-emergency line at 616.698.6580 or file an online report. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer.

City General Election - Nov. 2

The polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2 for the city general election. The election is non-partisan. Voters can find ballot and precinct information at michigan.gov/vote or elections@kentwood.us. In addition to normal business hours, the City Clerk's Office, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, will be open for voter registration, absentee ballots and passport applications 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. For more information, visit kentwood.us/elections or contact the Clerk’s Office at elections@kentwood.us or 616.698.9610.

Mail-In Voting Reminders

Absentee voting, also known as mail-in voting, is a safe and convenient process. All eligible and registered voters in Michigan may request an absent voter ballot in a variety of ways without providing a reason. Voters can complete an online application at michigan.gov/vote or submit an application, letter or postcard to their local clerk’s office.   Absentee ballot deadlines are: To receive an absentee ballot by mail, an application must be received by the City Clerk’s Office by noon Friday, Oct. 29. To receive an absentee ballot in person to take home, you must appear in person at City Hall by 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30. To receive and vote an absentee ballot in person, you must appear at City Hall by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1. To register to vote in Kentwood and receive an absentee ballot, you must appear at City Hall with proof of residency by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2. All absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by 8 p.m. on Election Day.   If returning your signed absentee ballot by mail to the City Clerk's Office, we recommend placing it in the mail by Monday, Oct. 25. You can also hand-deliver it to the Clerk’s Office at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours, or use the 24-hour drop boxes located outside of City Hall and the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 44th St. SE.   To track your absentee ballot, go to michigan.gov/vote. More information on how to apply for and return your absentee ballot is available at kentwood.us/elections.

Draining Your Swimming Pool?

This time of year, you may be thinking about getting your swimming pool ready for the winter season. Here are a few steps the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds recommends for protecting the environment while draining your pool:  Dechlorinate before you drain the water: You can dechlorinate your pool with sunlight or chemicals. For the former option, stop adding chlorine and expose the water to sunlight for two weeks while continuing to run the pump. For the chemical route, purchase a dechlorinating agent that meets EPA standards. Vitamin C-based tablets are also acceptable and safer to handle. Be sure to follow directions provided by the manufacturer. Infiltrate: Find a grassy area, garden or other natural area on your property and slowly pump pool water into the designated area, allowing it to soak into ground. Not pumping water slowly enough may flood the drainage area, so be sure to take your time and monitor the area. Storm grate: If you don't have a natural area available, you may slowly pump dechlorinated water from your non-saltwater pool into storm drains.   Have questions? Contact Kentwood Senior Engineering Technician Jim Beke at bekej@kentwood.us or 616.554.0737. For more information on safeguarding your watershed, visit LGROW.org.

For more information, please visit our website: www.kentwood.us

4900 Breton Ave. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 | 616.698.9610 | Contact Us City Hall opens weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and closes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 6 p.m.; and Fridays at noon.

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