Members of the Zeeland American Legion Auxiliary – Gilbert D. Karsten Unit #33 has its veterans tribute on display in the lobby of the Howard Miller Library and Community Center for Memorial Day. Auxiliary members (from left) Sheryl Klynstra, Sally Gruppen, Wendy Combs, Karen Hooker, Jen Osbeck and Sheri Dickman worked on the display.
The Zeeland American Legion Auxiliary – Gilbert D. Karsten Unit #33 has expanded its poppy sales to raise funds to benefit local veterans and their families for the Memorial Day weekend this year.
Poppy sales will take place Friday and Saturday at the Zeeland Family Fare at 96th Avenue and Riley Street and the ACE Hardware on West Main Avenue. Poppies will also be sold Saturday during the Peddlers’ Market downtown from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Church Street in front of the Howard Miller Library.
While you’re at the market, you can stop into the Howard Miller Library and Community Center building to see the veterans tribute display in the lobby, honoring veterans and their families, which has been put together by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Poppies will also be available along the Memorial Day parade route on Monday.
Poppy sales will take place Friday and Saturday at the Zeeland Family Fare at 96th Avenue and Riley Street and the ACE Hardware on West Main Avenue. Poppies will also be sold Saturday during the Peddlers’ Market downtown from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Church Street in front of the Howard Miller Library.
While you’re at the market, you can stop into the Howard Miller Library and Community Center building to see the veterans tribute display in the lobby, honoring veterans and their families, which has been put together by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Poppies will also be available along the Memorial Day parade route on Monday.
Campbell Plant Again Ordered to Stay Open by Trump Administration
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Once again, the Trump administration has extended its order directing Consumers Energy to keep the utility’s coal-fired J.H. Campbell power plant in Port Sheldon Township operating.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Monday issued the latest order for Campbell to remain open for another 90 days, ending Aug. 16. Consumers Energy had planned to decommission the plant one year ago this month.
Since then, the Energy Department has issued five emergency orders keeping Campbell open, saying its operation is critical to addressing the reliability of the electric grid in the Midwest.
“This emergency order will mitigate the risk of blackouts and maintain affordable, reliable, and secure electricity access across the region this summer,” Wright said.
Wright claimed Campbell’s operation was integral last winter during Winter Storm Fern, which drove temperatures below zero in West Michigan, calling coal “the MVP of recent winter storms.”
Campbell operated at more than 650 megawatts every day before and during Winter Storm Fern, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1, Wright said earlier this year.
The Campbell plant had been scheduled to shut down in May of last year under a 2022 settlement agreement between Consumers and the Michigan Public Service Commission. In that settlement, the utility agreed to shut down Campbell’s three units as part of an overall corporate plan to move toward natural gas and renewable energy as sources of generating power. Wright said the planned closure came 15 years before the end of the plant’s useful life.
Consumers has continued to follow the Energy Department directives since the first order was issue in May of last year, company spokesman Brian Wheeler said.
The newest emergency order came just three days after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argued before a federal appeals court in Washington, calling the Energy Department’s orders “arbitrary and illegal.”
“By arbitrarily declaring a false emergency, the Trump administration is forcing Michigan residents to foot the bill for an aging, expensive coal plant that was slated for responsible, cost-saving retirement,” Nessel said in a news release issued last Friday.
“I am relieved my office is finally before the court to expose this political theater for what it is: an illegal power grab that loots the pockets of ratepayers.”
Nessel said that Consumers has operated Campbell at a net loss of $180 million – that’s after selling power from the plant to the grid – through March 31 of this year. The utility has filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, seeking recovery of the net financial impact of complying with the Energy Department orders.
Nessel has filed four requests for rehearing with the Department of Energy and four petitions for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the prior orders to keep Campbell open. Last Friday’s hearing was the first time Nessel had the opportunity to have her challenges heard in court.
Environmentalists also continue to speak out against keeping Campbell open.
“Abusing emergency powers in this way sets a terrible precedent for grid planning. Michigan, the utility and the grid operator agreed on a plan to replace Campbell with cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy sources - a plan that would lower electricity costs at a time when families are feeling the strain,” said Ted Kelly, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. “Instead, the Department of Energy is throwing all those years of state and local planning out the window, forcing people to pay the price of costly coal power indefinitely.”
Zeeland Record
Once again, the Trump administration has extended its order directing Consumers Energy to keep the utility’s coal-fired J.H. Campbell power plant in Port Sheldon Township operating.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Monday issued the latest order for Campbell to remain open for another 90 days, ending Aug. 16. Consumers Energy had planned to decommission the plant one year ago this month.
Since then, the Energy Department has issued five emergency orders keeping Campbell open, saying its operation is critical to addressing the reliability of the electric grid in the Midwest.
“This emergency order will mitigate the risk of blackouts and maintain affordable, reliable, and secure electricity access across the region this summer,” Wright said.
Wright claimed Campbell’s operation was integral last winter during Winter Storm Fern, which drove temperatures below zero in West Michigan, calling coal “the MVP of recent winter storms.”
Campbell operated at more than 650 megawatts every day before and during Winter Storm Fern, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 1, Wright said earlier this year.
The Campbell plant had been scheduled to shut down in May of last year under a 2022 settlement agreement between Consumers and the Michigan Public Service Commission. In that settlement, the utility agreed to shut down Campbell’s three units as part of an overall corporate plan to move toward natural gas and renewable energy as sources of generating power. Wright said the planned closure came 15 years before the end of the plant’s useful life.
Consumers has continued to follow the Energy Department directives since the first order was issue in May of last year, company spokesman Brian Wheeler said.
The newest emergency order came just three days after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argued before a federal appeals court in Washington, calling the Energy Department’s orders “arbitrary and illegal.”
“By arbitrarily declaring a false emergency, the Trump administration is forcing Michigan residents to foot the bill for an aging, expensive coal plant that was slated for responsible, cost-saving retirement,” Nessel said in a news release issued last Friday.
“I am relieved my office is finally before the court to expose this political theater for what it is: an illegal power grab that loots the pockets of ratepayers.”
Nessel said that Consumers has operated Campbell at a net loss of $180 million – that’s after selling power from the plant to the grid – through March 31 of this year. The utility has filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, seeking recovery of the net financial impact of complying with the Energy Department orders.
Nessel has filed four requests for rehearing with the Department of Energy and four petitions for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the prior orders to keep Campbell open. Last Friday’s hearing was the first time Nessel had the opportunity to have her challenges heard in court.
Environmentalists also continue to speak out against keeping Campbell open.
“Abusing emergency powers in this way sets a terrible precedent for grid planning. Michigan, the utility and the grid operator agreed on a plan to replace Campbell with cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy sources - a plan that would lower electricity costs at a time when families are feeling the strain,” said Ted Kelly, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. “Instead, the Department of Energy is throwing all those years of state and local planning out the window, forcing people to pay the price of costly coal power indefinitely.”
School Board OKs Cityside Roof Repair
By Esbehidy Hernandez
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education has approved the repair of the roof leak over the Cityside Middle School gym.
On May 11, the board approved the repairs to the Cityside roof. This has been a pending issue for the past two years and now requires urgent attention to prevent further damage, according to Chief Financial Officer Lynn VanKampen.
Hoekstra Roofing’s bid of $38,590 was higher than a competing bid from Architectural Metals. However, VanKampen acknowledged the previous roof work Hoekstra has done for Zeeland public schools, such as the 2021 bond projects, and noted that
Hoekstra offered a 20-year warranty on its work.
The $38,590 project will be funded through the district’s building and site budget.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education has approved the repair of the roof leak over the Cityside Middle School gym.
On May 11, the board approved the repairs to the Cityside roof. This has been a pending issue for the past two years and now requires urgent attention to prevent further damage, according to Chief Financial Officer Lynn VanKampen.
Hoekstra Roofing’s bid of $38,590 was higher than a competing bid from Architectural Metals. However, VanKampen acknowledged the previous roof work Hoekstra has done for Zeeland public schools, such as the 2021 bond projects, and noted that
Hoekstra offered a 20-year warranty on its work.
The $38,590 project will be funded through the district’s building and site budget.
Zeeland City Council Agrees to Pay More for Snowplowing Leased Lots
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland City Council has approved changes to its parking lot lease arrangements with two downtown churches, agreeing to pay for a larger share of snowplowing costs during the winter.
The council Monday approved easement amendments for the parking lots at First Christian Reformed Church and Second Reformed Church. A similar change for the parking lot at North Street Christian Reformed Church is soon expected to come before the council.
Under the changes, the city agreed to pay 85 percent of snowplowing costs for both lots, reflecting the public use of the lots six out of seven days of the week. The city had previously split costs on a 50-50 basis with the churches after the city made a capital contribution to rebuild the Second Reformed lot in 2018 and repave the First CRC lot in 2022, City Manager Tim Klunder said.
Klunder noted that when the city adopted a four-hour parking limit on the north and south downtown parking lots last year, that resulted in pushing many vehicles to the outer lots that the city has easements on, including the church-owned lots.
This past winter, the city paid $2,006 under the 50-50 split for snowplowing for the First CRC lot and $1,734 for plowing the Second Reformed lot. Under the new formula, the city’s share of the snowplowing costs would rise to $3,411 for the lot at First CRC and $2,948 for the Second Reformed lot, Klunder said.
The First CRC council has already signed off on its end of the easement amendment, and the city has had “positive discussions” with Second Reformed on the changes, Klunder said.
The city’s current lease agreement with First CRC runs until 2042, while its arrangement with Second Reformed expires in 2034, Klunder said.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland City Council has approved changes to its parking lot lease arrangements with two downtown churches, agreeing to pay for a larger share of snowplowing costs during the winter.
The council Monday approved easement amendments for the parking lots at First Christian Reformed Church and Second Reformed Church. A similar change for the parking lot at North Street Christian Reformed Church is soon expected to come before the council.
Under the changes, the city agreed to pay 85 percent of snowplowing costs for both lots, reflecting the public use of the lots six out of seven days of the week. The city had previously split costs on a 50-50 basis with the churches after the city made a capital contribution to rebuild the Second Reformed lot in 2018 and repave the First CRC lot in 2022, City Manager Tim Klunder said.
Klunder noted that when the city adopted a four-hour parking limit on the north and south downtown parking lots last year, that resulted in pushing many vehicles to the outer lots that the city has easements on, including the church-owned lots.
This past winter, the city paid $2,006 under the 50-50 split for snowplowing for the First CRC lot and $1,734 for plowing the Second Reformed lot. Under the new formula, the city’s share of the snowplowing costs would rise to $3,411 for the lot at First CRC and $2,948 for the Second Reformed lot, Klunder said.
The First CRC council has already signed off on its end of the easement amendment, and the city has had “positive discussions” with Second Reformed on the changes, Klunder said.
The city’s current lease agreement with First CRC runs until 2042, while its arrangement with Second Reformed expires in 2034, Klunder said.
AgeWell Eliminates Waitlists for Meals on Wheels and Medical Transportation
AgeWell Services of West Michigan has announced that waitlists for both its Meals on Wheels and Senior Medical Transportation programs have been eliminated, ensuring faster access to critical services for older adults.
For the first time in recent years, eligible older adults in Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties can now receive home delivered meals or schedule transportation to essential medical appointments without delay.
“Removing these waitlists is a significant milestone for our organization and our community,” AgeWell Services executive director Kris VanderStelt said. “We know that timely access to nutritious meals and reliable non-emergency medical
transportation directly impacts health, independence and quality of life for older adults. This progress allows us to meet needs when they arise, not weeks or months later.”
The Meals on Wheels program provides healthy, nutritious meals to adults 60 and older who are homebound in Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties. The Senior Medical Transportation program provides safe, door-to-door and reliable
transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for low-income Muskegon County residents 60 and older. Programs are donation-based for eligible older adults; however, no one is turned away based on their inability to donate.
“Community support has made this possible,” AgeWell community engagement director,” Jennifer Drury said. “From volunteers and donors to local partners, this is a shared achievement that strengthens our ability to care for our older adult neighbors.”
Older adults or caregivers interested in enrolling in Meals on Wheels or Senior Medical Transportation services are encouraged to contact AgeWell Services to get started by calling (231) 755-0434 (option 1 for Meals on Wheels; option 2 for Senior Medical Transportation).
For the first time in recent years, eligible older adults in Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties can now receive home delivered meals or schedule transportation to essential medical appointments without delay.
“Removing these waitlists is a significant milestone for our organization and our community,” AgeWell Services executive director Kris VanderStelt said. “We know that timely access to nutritious meals and reliable non-emergency medical
transportation directly impacts health, independence and quality of life for older adults. This progress allows us to meet needs when they arise, not weeks or months later.”
The Meals on Wheels program provides healthy, nutritious meals to adults 60 and older who are homebound in Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties. The Senior Medical Transportation program provides safe, door-to-door and reliable
transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for low-income Muskegon County residents 60 and older. Programs are donation-based for eligible older adults; however, no one is turned away based on their inability to donate.
“Community support has made this possible,” AgeWell community engagement director,” Jennifer Drury said. “From volunteers and donors to local partners, this is a shared achievement that strengthens our ability to care for our older adult neighbors.”
Older adults or caregivers interested in enrolling in Meals on Wheels or Senior Medical Transportation services are encouraged to contact AgeWell Services to get started by calling (231) 755-0434 (option 1 for Meals on Wheels; option 2 for Senior Medical Transportation).
Zeeland Education Foundation Tops $1M Mark in Grants
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Education Foundation has gone over the $1 million mark in grants to Zeeland Public Schools teachers and staff.
The foundation announced the awarding of more than 35 grants, totaling $69,270, at a breakfast last week.
“This is such a huge milestone for the foundation, and we are looking forward to celebrating it at our annual fundraiser, Fowl Play, this October,” ZEF Director Lisa Ghiardi said.
Of that amount, $21,000 is going toward new district specialty programs that were announced earlier this year - ongoing teacher coaching for the new ZPBL (Zeeland Project-Based Learning) program with the Critter Barn, Outdoor Discovery Center and Careerline Tech Center, and materials like science and robotics kits for the new 4E and 5E Extension programs to be introduced at ZPS’ elementary buildings, as well as continued training for teachers, Ghiradi said.
Teacher grants that were awarded included $6,200 for Cityside and Creekside middle schools, for a Choir Audio update, written by Christy Garcia; $5,128 for Zeeland East High School for an engineering structural and materials tester and pneumatic kits, written by Tyler Bartolacci; and $2,836 for the Zeeland High dance program for audio support, written by Samantha Lamer.
Other awards included (with teacher grant applicant name and group represented, if applicable):
• Michelle Fuller, Zeeland East, for photography studio lighting, $190
• Heather Kraft, Creekside, Flatten the Clay, Raise the Bar, $635
• Pujan Bhattarai, Zeeland East, band speakers, $1,054
• Jonathan Van Eck, Zeeland East & West, Venture, Choir Audio update, $2,807
• Elizabeth Knoll-Bowman, Cityside/Creekside/Zeeland East, demonstration instruments, $1,437
• Olyvia Coltson, Adams Elementary, supplemental materials to enhance English Language Arts engagement and instruction (Bookworms), $1,000
• Macy Kerr, Zeeland West, Whiteboard Initiative, $600
• Jessica Foster, Creekside, Diversity Books, $335
• Alicia Rouwhorst, Lincoln Elementary, text sets for grades 3-5, $2,100
• Meghan Colwell, Zeeland East, collaborative whiteboards, $1,378
• Amy Sluiter, Zeeland West, Hooked on Books, $500
• Tiana DeForest, Zeeland East, Spanish literacy, $790
• Pierce Velderman, Zeeland East, German literacy, $800
• Mary DeMey, all schools, speech materials, $1,570
• Chelsea Meiste, all schools, articulation interventions, $1,113
• Jordon Lambert, Zeeland West, adjustable Plyo boxes, $1,750
• Laurie Jonkman, Zeeland West, aerobics materials, $817
• Brooke Ross, Creekside, pickleball equipment, $1,500
• Scott Westhouse, Cityside, pickleball equipment, $1,500
• Tyler Mayo, Zeeland East, TRX suspension trainer, $1,600
• Deb Serba, Adams, Lincoln, New Groningen, Quincy, Roosevelt, Woodbridge, adaptive bikes, $860
• Emily Badran, Cityside, multicultural, $450
• Jen Cousins, New Groningen, sensory/SEL/inclusion/STEM materials, $336
• Nicole McKellar, Roosevelt, self-regulation/focus enhancing materials, $1,043
• Lauren Moran, all schools, student support library, $800
• Collin Soltis, Cityside, sensory materials, $900
• Shaina Tubergan, Woodbridge, math manipulatives and supports, $1,000
• Allison Ray, Adams fourth grade math manipulatives, $1,000
• Brad Stevens, Zeeland West, Raspberry Shake (D-Seismic Meter Station), $584
• Chevron Fickel, Cityside, microscope phone holders, $847
• Emily Green, Roosevelt, National Park virtual reality headset expansion, $1,200
• Tony Rheeder, Lincoln, 3-D printer, $1,410
• Chad Lloyd, Zeeland East/West, bee boxes, $200
ZEF first awarded teacher grants in 2007, awarding $19,964 in that first year. The foundation first awarded district grants for special curriculum programs in 2010, awarding $6,000 to support literacy program at five elementary buildings and the Early Childhood Center, Ghiradi said.
In 2014, the foundation provided $18,000 to help launch ZPS’ Spanish immersion program. A year later, ZEF presented a $50,000 check to support the implementation of the Phonics First program in all kindergarten through second grade classrooms, according to the foundation’s website.
For more information about the Zeeland Education Foundation or to find ways to get involved or make a donation, visit the ZEF website at zps.org/alumni.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland Education Foundation has gone over the $1 million mark in grants to Zeeland Public Schools teachers and staff.
The foundation announced the awarding of more than 35 grants, totaling $69,270, at a breakfast last week.
“This is such a huge milestone for the foundation, and we are looking forward to celebrating it at our annual fundraiser, Fowl Play, this October,” ZEF Director Lisa Ghiardi said.
Of that amount, $21,000 is going toward new district specialty programs that were announced earlier this year - ongoing teacher coaching for the new ZPBL (Zeeland Project-Based Learning) program with the Critter Barn, Outdoor Discovery Center and Careerline Tech Center, and materials like science and robotics kits for the new 4E and 5E Extension programs to be introduced at ZPS’ elementary buildings, as well as continued training for teachers, Ghiradi said.
Teacher grants that were awarded included $6,200 for Cityside and Creekside middle schools, for a Choir Audio update, written by Christy Garcia; $5,128 for Zeeland East High School for an engineering structural and materials tester and pneumatic kits, written by Tyler Bartolacci; and $2,836 for the Zeeland High dance program for audio support, written by Samantha Lamer.
Other awards included (with teacher grant applicant name and group represented, if applicable):
• Michelle Fuller, Zeeland East, for photography studio lighting, $190
• Heather Kraft, Creekside, Flatten the Clay, Raise the Bar, $635
• Pujan Bhattarai, Zeeland East, band speakers, $1,054
• Jonathan Van Eck, Zeeland East & West, Venture, Choir Audio update, $2,807
• Elizabeth Knoll-Bowman, Cityside/Creekside/Zeeland East, demonstration instruments, $1,437
• Olyvia Coltson, Adams Elementary, supplemental materials to enhance English Language Arts engagement and instruction (Bookworms), $1,000
• Macy Kerr, Zeeland West, Whiteboard Initiative, $600
• Jessica Foster, Creekside, Diversity Books, $335
• Alicia Rouwhorst, Lincoln Elementary, text sets for grades 3-5, $2,100
• Meghan Colwell, Zeeland East, collaborative whiteboards, $1,378
• Amy Sluiter, Zeeland West, Hooked on Books, $500
• Tiana DeForest, Zeeland East, Spanish literacy, $790
• Pierce Velderman, Zeeland East, German literacy, $800
• Mary DeMey, all schools, speech materials, $1,570
• Chelsea Meiste, all schools, articulation interventions, $1,113
• Jordon Lambert, Zeeland West, adjustable Plyo boxes, $1,750
• Laurie Jonkman, Zeeland West, aerobics materials, $817
• Brooke Ross, Creekside, pickleball equipment, $1,500
• Scott Westhouse, Cityside, pickleball equipment, $1,500
• Tyler Mayo, Zeeland East, TRX suspension trainer, $1,600
• Deb Serba, Adams, Lincoln, New Groningen, Quincy, Roosevelt, Woodbridge, adaptive bikes, $860
• Emily Badran, Cityside, multicultural, $450
• Jen Cousins, New Groningen, sensory/SEL/inclusion/STEM materials, $336
• Nicole McKellar, Roosevelt, self-regulation/focus enhancing materials, $1,043
• Lauren Moran, all schools, student support library, $800
• Collin Soltis, Cityside, sensory materials, $900
• Shaina Tubergan, Woodbridge, math manipulatives and supports, $1,000
• Allison Ray, Adams fourth grade math manipulatives, $1,000
• Brad Stevens, Zeeland West, Raspberry Shake (D-Seismic Meter Station), $584
• Chevron Fickel, Cityside, microscope phone holders, $847
• Emily Green, Roosevelt, National Park virtual reality headset expansion, $1,200
• Tony Rheeder, Lincoln, 3-D printer, $1,410
• Chad Lloyd, Zeeland East/West, bee boxes, $200
ZEF first awarded teacher grants in 2007, awarding $19,964 in that first year. The foundation first awarded district grants for special curriculum programs in 2010, awarding $6,000 to support literacy program at five elementary buildings and the Early Childhood Center, Ghiradi said.
In 2014, the foundation provided $18,000 to help launch ZPS’ Spanish immersion program. A year later, ZEF presented a $50,000 check to support the implementation of the Phonics First program in all kindergarten through second grade classrooms, according to the foundation’s website.
For more information about the Zeeland Education Foundation or to find ways to get involved or make a donation, visit the ZEF website at zps.org/alumni.
ZHS Jazz Ensemble to Perform Video Game Music For Fundraiser
The Zeeland High School Jazz Ensemble will hold a fundraiser performance next Sunday, featuring music from popular video games.
The performance, titled “The Joy of Gaming,” will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, with a link to purchase tickets available online at zpsarts.ludus.com/index.php.
Jazz Ensemble students will perform a 25-minute, three-movement suite written by video game arranger and composer Carlos Eiene. The suite will include music from popular titles including Super Mario, the Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Donkey Kong, Halo, Pokemon, and more.
The performance, titled “The Joy of Gaming,” will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the DeWitt Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students, with a link to purchase tickets available online at zpsarts.ludus.com/index.php.
Jazz Ensemble students will perform a 25-minute, three-movement suite written by video game arranger and composer Carlos Eiene. The suite will include music from popular titles including Super Mario, the Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Donkey Kong, Halo, Pokemon, and more.
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