City Manager Lists Top Issues in "a Dynamic Year" for Sault

The City of Sault Ste. Marie's designation as a Smart Zone by the State of Michigan was among the top 20 issues for that city in the past year, said City Manager Spencer Nebel, calling 2008 "a dynamic year" for Sault Ste. Marie.

The designation could bring the city and Eastern Upper Peninsula economic advantages, he said, as the state works to reposition itself for a "knowledge-based economy."

The acquisition of the Old Federal Building and the sale of the the city's share of the City-County Building also ranked high on the annual list of top issues for the city. These actions cleared the way for a new City Hall on Portage Street, while freeing the city of its obligations at the current facility.

New construction in several places was mentioned on the city manager's top 20 list, including the Super Walmart project, $6.6 million set aside for infrastructure for water, sewer, and new roads, and building permits issued exceeding $23 million in 2008, evidence of community growth.

A pilot project with the State Department of Environmental Quality to develop an overall Wetlands Master Plan is hoped to clear the way for future construction in the city.

A plan to curtail skyrocketing health care costs, setting a local bidding preference policy, a blighted structure initiative, and the opening of city streets to snowmobile traffic this winter were also listed as top issues, as was a joint New Year's Eve celebration planned with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The potential sale of the I-500 property was also listed. The end result of that plan was that developer Philip Garforth was unable to put together financing for the proposal and the I-500 Snowmobile Race will stay at its current home, at least in the foreseeable future.

- The Evening News

Northern Lower Michigan Reports: The Snow Just Keeps Coming

Snowfall totals are 20% to 30% ahead of this time last year at Rogers City in Presque Isle County, at 59 inches, nearly breaking a record set in 2000. The record for December snowfall there is 61.75 inches, set in 2000. A breakdown of monthly amounts was kept beginning with the 1987-88 season; previous to that, the totals only indicated snowfall for the entire season.

In Gaylord, which usually receives 160 to 170 inches of snow for the entire season, the count is already at 90 inches of snow for this winter.

The snow-making system tracked further downstate last winter, when Grand Rapids had more than the traditional snowbelts in northwest lower Michigan. This year, polar air has blasted into Michigan, creating lots of lake effect snow, which has combined with system snow.

- Presque Isle County Advance

New Fire Truck Ordered for Sault Ste. Marie

A new custom-built pumper/rescue fire truck is slated to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie in the summer of 2009.

The new truck, costing nearly $457,000, will be expected to last 25 to 30 years and is complete with extrication and forcible entry equipment.

The purchase is necessary to upgrade emergency response for the community, the fire chief reported. The old pumper, a 1985 Ford, delivers up to 700 gallons of water a minute, while the new truck will pump 2,000 gallons a minute to enhance fire suppression.

Money has been saved each year in preparation for the purchase, allowing the city to pay cash up front for the truck.

In addition to providing more water, it will also be the primary responder to traffic accidents, carrying the Jaws of Life, other hydraulic equipment, enhanced lighting capabilities, and emergency medical equipment.

- The Evening News