Happy New Year, and all that jazz.
As I thought about this memo, I also thought about the word “new.” What does that word mean besides its use as an adjective and the other obvious meanings? What is the historical significance of the word and where does its originate? As I scrolled through various reference materials and other resources, I found myself a bit distracted and was drawn to what nouns “new” was placed before. I know, a squirrel moment, but regardless I was intrigued by all that is “new.” I also realized my original desire to unearth the origins of “new” would be a journey I didn’t have time to experience. Below is a list of a few concepts involving “new”:
Obviously, the list can be much longer with a bit more research and a whole lot more time. However, I learned something “new” as I studied the definitions and historical backgrounds of each “new” version of the original definition of the noun. It reminded me that the original goal, or intent of finding the origins of the word “new”, diverted by a squirrel moment, can reap unintended rewards that bring a fresh and “new” life to established beliefs or established norms. It’s a reminder not to be so focused on a goal or desire that we are not aware of our surroundings to discover something “new” that was not in our original field of vision. Perhaps another variation on the “unknown, unknown” maybe. Just a thought; plus it can be darn fun.
That being stated, looking forward to a “new” year in Coopersville and working with you, city council members, and city staff to continue our quest to make this city one of the best. Happy New Year! Enjoy your weekend, be safe driving and we’ll see each other Monday night as we begin the new year deliberating the varied issues of Coopersville.
WWTP Upgrade
There has been significant movement for resolving the direction of the WWTP Upgrade - Phase II Project. I will be scheduling the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) to review the specifics that include what CDF and fairlife have agreed to, and ultimately what the scope of the end project will look like and how it fits the intermediate and long-term goals of the city.
As we all are very aware, this has been a very long process up to this point. Much of it has been the uncertainty of funding which so often dictates all other attributes of a project. In this case, I believe there is now a definite direction that all parties can agree to and now it’s time to dig in and get it done. Council will be advised once the UAC and I have met and there is a comprehensive understanding of the proposed project.
Water Project Phase I
Just before the holidays, the City of Coopersville, Allendale Township, Polkton Township, and Ottawa County met to essentially re-establish where the city stands on this project. Allendale Township has a new supervisor so part of the meeting was also to make sure everyone was up to speed and to compare notes on any pending revisions to the original project. FYI, the meeting was positive and all parties appear to be in unison again.
We are to meet again soon once the city determines exactly the direction they want to pursue on the Water Project – Phase I. What I mean by this is that we have to determine what level of “risk” long-term we want to assume financially. The city needs a $12 million upgrade to its water system to prepare for the future and to increase reliability and redundancy to the current system. A $12 million upgrade also requires firm commitments from its largest water customers.
A lessor option at $5-6 million can provide basic improvements and less risk financially but does not provide the strong reliability and redundancy assets that the $12 million option provides. And that is the core discussion that is taking place. At this time, my goal and commitment is to have a firm decision made before the third quarter of our fiscal year is reached (March 31, 2017) which also means the UAC will be busy and eventually the council will be requested to make a few substantive and heavy decisions.
As I thought about this memo, I also thought about the word “new.” What does that word mean besides its use as an adjective and the other obvious meanings? What is the historical significance of the word and where does its originate? As I scrolled through various reference materials and other resources, I found myself a bit distracted and was drawn to what nouns “new” was placed before. I know, a squirrel moment, but regardless I was intrigued by all that is “new.” I also realized my original desire to unearth the origins of “new” would be a journey I didn’t have time to experience. Below is a list of a few concepts involving “new”:
- New Age (Politics, Sociology)
- New Class (Politics, economics)
- New complexity (Music)
- New Criticism (Literary Theory)
- New Deal (Economic)
- New fiction (Literary)
- New historicism (Literary Theory)
- New left (Politics)
- New mathematics (da)
- New Music (European based, artistic high ground)
- New Orleans (gotcha)*
- New riddle of induction (Philosophy)
- New right (Politics)
- New simplicity (Music)
- New wave (Originally French cinema)
Obviously, the list can be much longer with a bit more research and a whole lot more time. However, I learned something “new” as I studied the definitions and historical backgrounds of each “new” version of the original definition of the noun. It reminded me that the original goal, or intent of finding the origins of the word “new”, diverted by a squirrel moment, can reap unintended rewards that bring a fresh and “new” life to established beliefs or established norms. It’s a reminder not to be so focused on a goal or desire that we are not aware of our surroundings to discover something “new” that was not in our original field of vision. Perhaps another variation on the “unknown, unknown” maybe. Just a thought; plus it can be darn fun.
That being stated, looking forward to a “new” year in Coopersville and working with you, city council members, and city staff to continue our quest to make this city one of the best. Happy New Year! Enjoy your weekend, be safe driving and we’ll see each other Monday night as we begin the new year deliberating the varied issues of Coopersville.
WWTP Upgrade
There has been significant movement for resolving the direction of the WWTP Upgrade - Phase II Project. I will be scheduling the Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) to review the specifics that include what CDF and fairlife have agreed to, and ultimately what the scope of the end project will look like and how it fits the intermediate and long-term goals of the city.
As we all are very aware, this has been a very long process up to this point. Much of it has been the uncertainty of funding which so often dictates all other attributes of a project. In this case, I believe there is now a definite direction that all parties can agree to and now it’s time to dig in and get it done. Council will be advised once the UAC and I have met and there is a comprehensive understanding of the proposed project.
Water Project Phase I
Just before the holidays, the City of Coopersville, Allendale Township, Polkton Township, and Ottawa County met to essentially re-establish where the city stands on this project. Allendale Township has a new supervisor so part of the meeting was also to make sure everyone was up to speed and to compare notes on any pending revisions to the original project. FYI, the meeting was positive and all parties appear to be in unison again.
We are to meet again soon once the city determines exactly the direction they want to pursue on the Water Project – Phase I. What I mean by this is that we have to determine what level of “risk” long-term we want to assume financially. The city needs a $12 million upgrade to its water system to prepare for the future and to increase reliability and redundancy to the current system. A $12 million upgrade also requires firm commitments from its largest water customers.
A lessor option at $5-6 million can provide basic improvements and less risk financially but does not provide the strong reliability and redundancy assets that the $12 million option provides. And that is the core discussion that is taking place. At this time, my goal and commitment is to have a firm decision made before the third quarter of our fiscal year is reached (March 31, 2017) which also means the UAC will be busy and eventually the council will be requested to make a few substantive and heavy decisions.
*New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French as Nouvelle-Orléans, on the site of an abandoned Quinpissa village. The city was named in honor of the then Regent of France, Philip II, Duke of Orléans, the brother of Versailles-builder and prosperous King of France, Louis XIV.
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Orleans)
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_Orleans)
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