Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Donation Will Save The Lives of Pets

The entire fire board was honored this past Monday as Earl Carter of Invisible Fence donated two animal oxygen recovery kits (one for each fire station) to the Swartz Creek Area Fire Department.

The kits are designed to provide oxygen to pets that are found in fires. Carter says that all-purpose human oxygen masks won't work on animals because of the shape of their heads and therefore these kits were designed to help.

Invisible Fence originally made a presentation at the Genesee County Fire Chief's Association. Swartz Creek Chief Brent Cole then invited the company to our monthly fire board meeting.

We're the first department in Genesee County to receive the masks, but Invisible Fence will continue to make presentations such as the one they did at other departments.

The fire board accepted the donation and unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation to the company.

While the law refers to dogs and cats as property, any pet owner would definitely beg to differ and if the kit can save just one life, it makes it worth it.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Hats off to Joseph Letavis

Flag Day is celebrated today. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened this day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

One local boy scout came up with a way to commemorate the day. Joseph Letavis approached the city some months ago about constructing a Flag Retirement Area within the city.

Since that time, he accepted donations from individuals and businesses around the community and along with his family, friends and his troop, built a beautiful landscaped area north off of Fortino Drive near the police department and across from the Veteran's Memorial.

The area was christened last night with the first flag retirement ceremony. It was a very solemn event that drew a nice crowd. The ceremony began with the flags being torn (stars from stripes) along with a scripted message about the history of the flag. Attendees were then invited to drape pieces of the flag in the constructed fire pit to officially retire the flag.

It is young men like Joseph Letavis who help to make this city a better place.

Thank you, Joe.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

New Meijer Store

A few people have asked me over the past couple of days when the new Meijer store will begin construction.

The plan, as I understand it, is to begin construction in spring of 2009 with an expected completion date of fall of 2010.

The city council granted approval for this store last year but since that time, Meijer has shown interest in downsizing what was originally approved. They'll be back before council to present a new plan, hopefully soon.

Hometown Days Parade

What a great parade in downtown Swartz Creek yesterday! Wanda Cummings and her crew did a great job putting together this annual event. I've attended this parade for the past 8 years and I think this was the largest crowd we've ever had. It didn't take long to pass out 9 large bags of candy (probably needed more) to the children along the route.

I'm sure next year's event will be even bigger and better.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Welcome to my blog

This is the first of many entries to keep you more informed about the Swartz Creek, Michigan community and how I'm working to best represent the citizens of the community. There will be many entries over course of the next few months. Please stay tuned.