Portage Twp. Prepares for Summer Events
By Paul Gingras

The death of Curtis resident Harold "Watts" Stamper was noted early in the Tuesday, June 12, meeting of the Portage Township Board of Trustees. Mr. Stamper passed away Monday, June 11, at 79 years old.

"We are all going to miss Watts," said Township Supervisor Donald Ferris, who explained that Mr. Stamper was an active and influential member of the community. He was a trustee on the township board for many years, said clerk Marcia McDonald, who began her municipal service 10 years ago and worked with Mr. Stamper for about two years.

"He was truly someone who took his job seriously," she said, noting that Mr. Stamper took time to mow lawns and beautify Curtis, in addition to his duties as a member of the municipal government.

Watts Stamper Park was named in his honor by the township board, she added.

Mrs. McDonald reported that the township is busy updating its addresses to comply with the 2010 U.S. census. The census affects the amount of state revenue the township receives. Updated information may also determine whether Portage is eligible for certain development grants.

The municipality is going through its data to ensure that all names match address numbers, and to ensure that all new homes and their residents are accounted for, she said.

Members of the census bureau once went door to door to collect the information, but "now we are doing it ourselves," she said, adding that local governments gather municipal data more efficiently, owing to board members' familiarity with their constituents.

"We are just getting started. It is a new process to involve local governments." Several townships in the Eastern Upper Peninsula have taken on the task, Mrs. McDonald said.

At last count, there were 1,055 residents in Portage Township.

The local ambulance corps has completed and submitted the first draft of an updated policy and procedures manual, reported Brad Kohvakka, captain of the township's emergency medical service. The final draft should be done within 60 to 90 days, Mrs. McDonald said.

Meanwhile, the department's trainees, Robert Garnier and Mike Jago, have begun assisting first responders on emergency runs. Both are expected to begin serving as primary drivers this August.

Mr. Jago has completed his medical training and should be a licensed emergency medical technician (EMT) by fall, when Mr. Garnier begins medical training.

The township has received two quotes for a new ambulance. The township is shopping in the $115,000 to $125,000 range, for a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The goal is to replace its old Ford ambulance this year, while it still has trade-in value. By state standards, it has about three years of service left.

The Luce County Medical Control board has encouraged Portage Township EMS to become more involved with transfers from Helen Newberry Joy Hospital to Marquette General Hospital and Northern Michigan Hospital, a prospect which would generate income for the local EMS, Mr. Kohvakka reported.

Helen Newberry Joy frequently takes in patients, provides initial care, and sends them to facilities with more resources, Mrs. McDonald said.

Medical Control is seeking help with these frequent transfers, which are well funded by insurance companies. The township needs more volunteers to provide on-demand transfer service.

Both of the township's ambulances have been serviced recently. There was no disruption in service.

EMS workers discovered that a new form of diesel fuel had eaten away gaskets in the secondary rig, Mr. Kohvakka said. Gaskets capable of handling the new fuel mix have been installed. The primary rig needed re-alignment.

To enable the department to certify its own drivers, the board approved a $355 expenditure to send Mr. Kohvakka to a training class Monday, June 23, in Houghton Lake.

Mr. Kohvakka said he is investigating the details of the training session and has not yet decided if he will go.

The township has had difficulty getting potential emergency drivers to training sessions, which are often in distant locations, or to convince certified trainers to come to the area. Having an on-site trainer would help facilitate the growth of the department.

A local trainer could also offer certification and re-certification classes to members of other area departments, Mrs. McDonald said.

At the request of Fire Chief P.J. Costa, the board approved up to $5,000 for a float pump, which will be used to refill the township's new fire truck, a small generator to power lights at the back of the truck while refilling, and a new 800 megahertz radio.

Area resident Jim Burns encouraged the board to withdraw from its agreement with the Mackinac County Road Commission to improve 0.7 miles of McConnel Road. The Road Commission will pay $2,000, of the $102,000 project.

Maintaining roads is the Road Commission's responsibility and local taxpayers should not foot the majority of the bill, Mr. Burns said, adding that he will write to the governor and take information about the issue to Lansing.

The board did not withdraw from the project.

"It will not get done without our participation," Mrs. Mc- Donald said. It is impossible for school busses, mail vehicles, and resident to use parts of the road, especially in spring, she added.

Portage Township will hold a work session to determine its annual budget Thursday, June 28. A public hearing will follow. Although seldom attended, annual budget hearings are good opportunities for residents to influence the budget, Mrs. McDonald said.

The township's fiscal year begins July 1.