A man gives flowers on a train to random passengers. I jump back and forth between ESPN radio and WGVU’s Public Radio Morning Edition at the start of each day. I’ve done it for years and the mix of news and news features with sports is like sprinkling blueberries on top of cornflakes. I know, but it works for me and the juxtaposition of the two provides mental islands of rest early in the morning when I just don’t want to hear about Iraq for one more second; not one more second!
The current waste water expansion issues, alongside creating a budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 when there are more “unknowns” than “knowns” may not be Iraq, but it causes angst nonetheless. That’s why switching to ESPN and hearing a dialogue between Ernie Johnson (TBS Sports - NBA) and Mike & Mike (ESPN) is one of those mental islands of rest. Today their dialogue revealed a practice that Ernie does when he grocery shops: He always buys two bouquets of flowers for his wife along with the groceries. Well, originally, he bought two bouquets for his wife which eventually turned into only one arriving home.
The first-time Ernie bought the two bouquets for his wife, he noticed an elderly woman loading groceries in her car when he left the store. Ernie thought, does my wife really need two bouquets? So, without much deliberation and forethought, he approached the elderly woman and offered her one of the bouquets. Of course, she was a bit suspicious but accepted them with a sincere thank you and the following comment. “Thank you so much; how thoughtful. Today is the first anniversary of my husband’s passing and I just don’t receive flowers from him anymore.” Wow, how a simple bouquet of flowers becomes the key that opens someone’s heart and memories; simply profound.
So now Ernie always buys two bouquets of flowers when he grocery shops and always arrives home with just one. He stated he has heard many comments that range from, “Thank you, I just lost my job yesterday” to “Thank you so much, you’ve really made this a special day.” Ernie commented that, “None of us know what another person is going through each day or even for that brief moment when we decide to approach another person.” Yes, it’s another version of “random acts of kindness” that has been embraced by millions, but this time with flowers!
Two bouquets, one for the person you love and one for a person that needs love, is simple enough. But it’s always the simple things that bring light and warmth to a person’s soul. We can’t change the world by ourselves, but we can change how we interact with the world. And that can be just as powerful and fulfilling especially when our act connects with someone who feels separate from the world. It’s got me thinking; and by the way Ernie, thank you for connecting.
Surprise, it’s still raining with a side order of snow tomorrow; Michigan, ya gotta love it. Enjoy the weekend and we’ll see each other 7:00 PM Monday night. Be safe out there.
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.
The timeline is as follows:
A draft and executive summary of the Master Plan can be found at www.plancoopersville.com. Updates and comments on the final draft will also be accepted on the website.
Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative
As you know already from press releases and local media sources, Governor Snyder was in Coopersville this past Monday to meet with officials from CDF and fairlife, as well as other regional dignitaries. The purpose was to highlight cooperation between local governments and the need to design and implement a uniform infrastructure “asset management” program throughout the State of Michigan. Fortunately, the City of Coopersville has already begun its own asset management program and will be significantly completed and implemented yet this year. More information will be provided as this program picks up momentum and clear goals are set. Please contact me if you require additional information.
WWTP Upgrade
Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Due to weather forecasts, we are rescheduling the meeting with interested parties on the Muskegon/Coopersville wastewater forcemain. The agenda is yet to be defined but there will be a meeting nonetheless, hopefully to focus on what specific steps need to be taken first in ultimately resolving this issue. As always, I will report on the progress of this project and the details of discussion that relate directly with Coopersville.
Water Project Phase I
After meeting with the Utility Advisory Committee a couple of weeks ago, Jonathan and I met with Prein&Newhof to re-establish the parameters of the project. They were instructed to study and review updated costs on the varies details within the revised scope of the Water Project Phase I. Those updated costs arrived this week and we are now preparing material for council to review within the next two to four weeks for possible action and/or comment. As always please contact me if you have questions or require further clarification.
The current waste water expansion issues, alongside creating a budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 when there are more “unknowns” than “knowns” may not be Iraq, but it causes angst nonetheless. That’s why switching to ESPN and hearing a dialogue between Ernie Johnson (TBS Sports - NBA) and Mike & Mike (ESPN) is one of those mental islands of rest. Today their dialogue revealed a practice that Ernie does when he grocery shops: He always buys two bouquets of flowers for his wife along with the groceries. Well, originally, he bought two bouquets for his wife which eventually turned into only one arriving home.
The first-time Ernie bought the two bouquets for his wife, he noticed an elderly woman loading groceries in her car when he left the store. Ernie thought, does my wife really need two bouquets? So, without much deliberation and forethought, he approached the elderly woman and offered her one of the bouquets. Of course, she was a bit suspicious but accepted them with a sincere thank you and the following comment. “Thank you so much; how thoughtful. Today is the first anniversary of my husband’s passing and I just don’t receive flowers from him anymore.” Wow, how a simple bouquet of flowers becomes the key that opens someone’s heart and memories; simply profound.
So now Ernie always buys two bouquets of flowers when he grocery shops and always arrives home with just one. He stated he has heard many comments that range from, “Thank you, I just lost my job yesterday” to “Thank you so much, you’ve really made this a special day.” Ernie commented that, “None of us know what another person is going through each day or even for that brief moment when we decide to approach another person.” Yes, it’s another version of “random acts of kindness” that has been embraced by millions, but this time with flowers!
Two bouquets, one for the person you love and one for a person that needs love, is simple enough. But it’s always the simple things that bring light and warmth to a person’s soul. We can’t change the world by ourselves, but we can change how we interact with the world. And that can be just as powerful and fulfilling especially when our act connects with someone who feels separate from the world. It’s got me thinking; and by the way Ernie, thank you for connecting.
Surprise, it’s still raining with a side order of snow tomorrow; Michigan, ya gotta love it. Enjoy the weekend and we’ll see each other 7:00 PM Monday night. Be safe out there.
REPEAT - Master Plan Update: Jonathan Seyferth
We are nearing the end of feedback window on the draft master plan which has been ongoing since mid-February. We’re asking that all feedback be in by Wednesday, March 29. The end of this feedback window starts a timeline that, if all goes according to plan, should allow the master plan to be considered for final adoption in June.
The timeline is as follows:
- April 7 – The Planning Commission will be provided with a finalized Master Plan.
- April 17 –The Planning Commission, if satisfied with the document, will vote to release it for distribution. This triggers a 63-day (9 week) feedback period for neighboring governments, the county, and regional planning organizations. (Distribution means that the city will send copies of our proposed master plan to these organizations and invite feedback.)
- June 19 – The 9-week window will close on June 19 which is also the June Planning Commission meeting date. At that meeting the Planning Commission would hold a Public Hearing on formal adoption of the master plan – step one in a two-step adoption process. If approved by the PC, it is sent to the City Council for final adoption.
- June 26 – At the second City Council meeting in June, the City Council will be asked to take the second step in the process with a final adoption of the master plan.
A draft and executive summary of the Master Plan can be found at www.plancoopersville.com. Updates and comments on the final draft will also be accepted on the website.
Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative
As you know already from press releases and local media sources, Governor Snyder was in Coopersville this past Monday to meet with officials from CDF and fairlife, as well as other regional dignitaries. The purpose was to highlight cooperation between local governments and the need to design and implement a uniform infrastructure “asset management” program throughout the State of Michigan. Fortunately, the City of Coopersville has already begun its own asset management program and will be significantly completed and implemented yet this year. More information will be provided as this program picks up momentum and clear goals are set. Please contact me if you require additional information.
WWTP Upgrade
Work continues with the design/engineering of the effluent pump upgrade that also included the addition of a UV treatment chamber. Updates will be provided as they are available.
Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant Option
Due to weather forecasts, we are rescheduling the meeting with interested parties on the Muskegon/Coopersville wastewater forcemain. The agenda is yet to be defined but there will be a meeting nonetheless, hopefully to focus on what specific steps need to be taken first in ultimately resolving this issue. As always, I will report on the progress of this project and the details of discussion that relate directly with Coopersville.
Water Project Phase I
After meeting with the Utility Advisory Committee a couple of weeks ago, Jonathan and I met with Prein&Newhof to re-establish the parameters of the project. They were instructed to study and review updated costs on the varies details within the revised scope of the Water Project Phase I. Those updated costs arrived this week and we are now preparing material for council to review within the next two to four weeks for possible action and/or comment. As always please contact me if you have questions or require further clarification.
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