Time's Growing Short...
It's
almost here, are YOU ready? Have your float all designed? Made all
the contacts? Know where you're suppose to line up for the parade?
Decorated your bike? Tried on that old military uniform? Let's make
this 4th of July one to remember and be talked about as one of the very best.
"America's
Freedom is Forever Precious" as the theme for the 4th of July parade.
The parade is slated to start at 2:00 p.m., with line up in front of the Emerald
Isle Hotel. Plans include two active duty Marine officers leading the
parade. For more information, contact Parade Marshal Lisa Gillespie at
231-448-2235 or Steve West at 231-448-2505.
At
1:30 p.m. the Community Choir will sing patriotic songs downtown. A big
bang from John Work's Civil War cannon will start the parade.
The
hoped for AV-8B Marine Harrier demo will not be possible this year. Due to
the war and redeployment plans no Harrier demos will be performed in the country
this year until August. It is hoped that there will be a fly-over instead
by the Michigan Air National Guard and by Island Airways. The Beaver
Island Chamber of Commerce will request a Harrier demo for next year prior to
the deadline of January 31, 2004.
Island Eagles
I'm
so glad that the Gull Harbor area is protected. I try to go out there a
couple times a week just to "see what I can see". Earlier this
week it was the Great Blue Heron. Today, June 19th, it was a bald eagle
who was sitting atop one of the dead trees. How exciting it is to capture
this bird with my camera! Since it is listed on the list of threatened
animals I thought it might be a good idea to pass on a little info about
them.
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national bird, is the only eagle unique to North America. The bald eagle's scientific name signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. At one time, the word "bald" meant "white," not hairless. The bald eagle is found over most of North America, from Alaska and Canada to northern Mexico. About half of the world's 70,000 bald eagles live in Alaska. Dead or dying fish are an important food source for all bald eagles.
The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of American, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.
On the backs of our gold coins, the silver dollar, the half dollar and the quarter, we see an eagle with outspread wings.
On the Great Seal of the United States and in many places which are exponents of our nation's authority we see the same emblem.
The
eagle represents freedom. Living as he does, amid the solitary grandeur of
Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong beats of his mighty wings
he sweeps into the valleys, lakes or rivers below, or upward into the boundless
spaces beyond.
It is said the eagle was used as a national emblem because, at one of the first battles of the Revolution (which occurred early in the morning) the noise of the struggle awoke the sleeping eagles on the heights and they flew from their nests and circled about over the heads of the fighting men, all the while giving vent to their raucous cries. "They are shrieking for Freedom," said the patriots.
And so the eagle, full of the boundless spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national emblem of a country that offers freedom in word and thought and an opportunity for a full and free expansion into the boundless space of the future.
The Bald Eagle Protection Act prohibits the take, transport, sale, barter, trade, import and export, and possession of eagles, making it illegal for anyone to collect eagles and eagle parts, nests, or eggs without a permit. Possession of a feather or other body part, is a felony with a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment, although federally recognized Native Americans are able to possess these emblems which are traditional in their culture. The bald eagle is still listed as "threatened" in the United States.
Contract Agreements Reached
Submitted by the Beaver Island Transportation Authority
The new agreement encompasses the contractual obligation for the operation of the vessel Emerald Isle, as well as a formalized agreement for the Transportation Authority Building (located opposite the ferry dock), an amendment to the dock license agreement and a structure for past and future capital equipment acquisitions BITA receives for BIBCO’s use in regard to the smooth and efficient public transportation service which is operated on behalf of the island community. During the past seven years, BITA has received in excess of $5,000,000, which has been used in conjunction with the Emerald Isle to enhance our Island’s public transportation infrastructure. BIBCO Board Chairman, Bill McDonough stated, “These funds have already made a very significant impact on our Island’s economy – and they will continue to enable the Boat Company to provide a standard of service equal to the needs of the foreseeable future!”
Members of both organizations complimented each other’s negotiating teams and staff members for their dedication to the process and tireless work on behalf of the service that is together provided. Members of each negotiation team are: BITA - Kitty McNamara, Ken Taylor, Grace Matela and Barbara Schwartzfisher; BIBCO – Bill McDonough, Jeff Powers, Pete LoDico, Arnie Rich, Margo Marks and attorney Jim Dunn.
A copy of the agreement will be at the Beaver Island District Library
for public review.
###
For questions and further comment, please contact Bill McDonough at 448-2733 and Barbara Varnum Schwartzfisher at 448-3049.
Rural Health Center Photo Update
Work continues on the new Beaver Island Rural Health Center.
Wedding Bells
Saturday,
June 14th, dawned bright and clear for the wedding of Randi Jo Delamater and
Richard Austin Roberts. Randi is the daughter of Mary Delamater of Amble,
Michigan and Rick Delamater of Florida, and granddaughter of Russ and Joy Green
of Beaver Island. Richard is the son of Marie and Harold Leon Roberts of
Floris, Iowa.
The bride was escorted down the white carpet by her mother, Mary Delamater. Maid of Honor was the brides' sister, Kali Delamater. Bestman was the brides' brother, Ben Delamater. The wedding was performed at the Delamater home in Amble.
Randi and Rich met in Hawaii where both are stationed in the United States Navy. Randi serves on the USS Hopper and Rich is on the USS Lake Erie. They will be moving into married housing upon their return to Hawaii.
Randi has one year left in the Navy, when her enlistment is over she'd like to attend college and pursue a degree in broadcast journalism. Rich has a year and a half left to serve in the Navy and hasn't decided if he wants to re-up or when discharged to open a tattoo parlor. They eventually hope to move back to the continental United States, possibly to Michigan.
Randi and Rich would like to thank all the Greens for their help with the wedding and everyone that attended.
Randi and Rich, for all your lives, may you find in each other the friend of your heart, the joy of your world, the love of your life. May the honeymoon never end. We wish you both... long life, great joy, much love, few tears, good luck, sweet times throughout all your years. Congratulations!
New Charlevoix County Sheriff's Beaver Island Sub-Station Deputy Sheriff
News Release from Sheriff George T. Lasater, Charlevoix County Sheriff
Sheriff George T. Lasater is proud to announce the appointment of James Andrew Campbell, Deputy Sheriff, to the position of Officer in Charge of the Beaver Island Sub-Station.
Deputy Sheriff Campbell brings an extensive background in law enforcement experience. He started his law enforcement career in Salamanca, New York, in 1974 where he served for four years. Deputy Campbell then relocated to Michigan and has been employed with the Rockwood Police Department for the past 25 years.
Deputy Campbell, and his wife Pam, have seven children of which two are still at home.
Sheriff Lasater feels fortunate to recruit a replacement for Deputy Mike Russell with the extensive experience and background that Deputy Campbell is bringing to this office. Deputy Campbell is not only an asset to this office but also to the citizens of Beaver Island.
Sheriff Lasater has appointed Deputy Sheriff Justin Goff to the position of Beaver Island Sub-Station seasonal officer. Deputy Goff is a recent graduate of West Shore College near Ludington. Justin grew up in an agricultural family, however, he is pursuing a career in law enforcement. Upon a brief orientation with one of the mainland training officers, Deputy Goff will be assigned on the island.
The Campbell's Are Here, Ho-Ro Ho-Ro!
The
old Scottish song is that they're coming, however, Jim and Pam Campbell are now
here on the island with their two children, ages 9 and 10. Jim is Beaver
Island's new Deputy Sheriff. They have visited the island over the past
three years so they do have an inkling of what things are like out here in the
middle of northern Lake Michigan. Jim retired after twenty-five years with
the Rockwood, Michigan police force, made the decision to stay in the business
and opted to join the Charlevoix County department when they heard that there
was an opening here. Cead Mille Failte to the Campbell family!
The Deputy's job on the island is 24 hours a day, especially in the summer so Deputy Campbell will be joined by a relief officer on July 4th who will work part-time for the Charlevoix County Sheriff's department on the island.