Tag Archives: grand ledge
Grand Ledge’s unusually long construction season ends
By Eric Finkler
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – Equipment is put away, roads are cleared, and dust is settled as the lengthy construction project in Grand Ledge that has been afflicting drivers and residents is finished.
Beginning on May 21, Mayor Smith said, Grand Ledge faced its largest construction effort since the High Bridge project in 1888.
After seven months of detours and unknown traffic conditions, residents and visitors became construction free three weeks ago in the middle of November.
Grand Ledge’s business growth spurt
By Eric Finkler
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – A little town grows a bit larger with the addition of five more businesses in the community.
Within the past several weeks, the community of Grand Ledge has gained the new businesses of a Dollar Store, tobacco store, photography studio, day care and a trinket shop. Each business started without any financial help from the local government, and all opened with different inspirations.
Vintage businesses face struggle with changing technologies
By Eric Finkler
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – As the years go by small, historic businesses struggle to continue with technology updates.
Chuck Pantera, brought up the issue up at Monday’s city council meeting as the owner of the Sun Theater, a small, vintage movie venue of Grand Ledge.
Sun Theatre, local movie theater faces tough decisions as film industry changes to digital film
Changing of the medium:
The movie industry is no longer supporting film because of its cost and is switching to only digital film. For small time theater owners like Pantera, these costs could mean the end of his business.
Changing the 35 millimeter film projector into digital film will cost Pantera more around $64,000 and at his current ticket price of $2 per ticket he doesn’t think he will gain enough profit to pay for the transfer and worries it will cause the theatre to go out of business.
Trustees look to renew Board of Education spots in upcoming election
By Julia Nagy
Grand Ledge Gazette Staff writer
The fate of two Board of Education trustees’ partial terms are in the hands of Grand Ledge residents on Nov. 6.
Grand Ledge High School, 820 Spring Street, has a composite grade of “A” on the Michigan Department of Education School Report Card. Julia Nagy/The Grand Ledge Gazette
Trustees Beverly Winstanley and Jonathan Shiflett, who were appointed to fill vacancies on the board, are running to finish out their partial terms. Now it’s up to the residents of Grand Ledge as to whether or not they’ll remain on the board.
“You can’t stay in without the vote of the people,” Shiflett said. “So, I’m being confirmed by the people.”
Shiflett, who serves as a legislative director in the Michigan Senate, was appointed to his first term on the Board of Education in May 2012 and said he’s enjoyed being able to have an impact on the community.
“It’s been really nice to keep a watchful eye on the school and have an impact on the policies,” Shiflett said. “It’s nice to see how education policy affects in reality.”
Trustee Beverly Winstanley, who was appointed to the board in January 2012, is a retired Lieutent Commander serving 22 years in the U.S. Navy. Winstanley has been working as a substitute teacher in Grand Ledge Public Schools for the past seven years.
Winstanley and Shiflett are not running against one another. They are running to finish out their partial terms.
Former Grand Ledge High School student Emily Morgan said she is sad she won’t be able to vote in the upcoming election for local spots. Morgan is currently attending film school in North Carolina.
Fitzgerald Park hosts twentieth annual Walk for the Animals event
By Hillary Jordan
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE – Despite rainy weather, Lansing area residents, accompanied by furry friends, made their way to Fitzgerald Park in Grand Ledge for the Capital Area Humane Society’s annual Walk for the Animals fundraising event.
Fitzgerald Park is located in Grand Ledge, off of East Jefferson Street.
From 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, people and their pets participated in a 5K walk/run to generate awareness for the animals of the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS).
CAHS Program Manager Stasi Bates handles media coverage of the event and participates as an active volunteer.
CAHS houses 250 to 300 animals at any given time, not including the animals currently being fostered by local families, Bates said. The Walk for the Animals aims to provide shelter and care for these homeless animals.
First presidential debate brings the clash to small towns
By Eric Finkler
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – The trickle-down effect may or may not create jobs, but the strife between Republican and Democratic Parties certainly trickles down into small communities following the debate.
On Thursday, Oct. 4, after the debate, advertisements were made by both parties highlighting the negatives of their opponents and the positives of their candidates which reflected the feelings in the residents of Grand Ledge.
“I was disappointed in the debate,” said Grand Ledge resident, Christine Walker. “I’ve been watching the debates since ’64 and this was probably the most tedious one I’ve seen.”
The debate was very important to many citizens for its focus on the economy. Photo by Eric Finkler.
“Romney was well prepared; it felt like he had memorized and repeated stats the entire time. It lost my attention. I didn’t sit down and study economics. [He also] didn’t play by the rules. He took advantage of Jim Lehrer [the moderator] who respects the rules.”
“Obama needed to be more aggressive with his answers,” said Walker. “He was too thoughtful in his answers; Romney should have been called out for changing his policies.”
However, Eaton County R. State Rep. Deb Shaughnessy was pleased with the debate.
“I was nervous about it, but Romney was very sharp and knew everything,” Shaughnessy said. “He did very well at getting his point across. I’ve always liked debates because they are unbiased and unfiltered. However, the President didn’t seem like he was ready for the debate. He didn’t seem prepared.”
Eric Finkler may be reached at finklere@gmail.com
Grand Ledge Business Owners Reflect on Economy
By Julia Nagy
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
Carol Lamb has a little bit of hope. She hopes for a better economy. She hopes she’ll get more business. She hopes for change.
Lamb, who owns Lambs’ Gate Antiques, 208 S. Bridge Street, has been a small business owner for about 12 years and said she’s seen a dip in her business’ success. The state of the economy is a key issue for many Grand Ledge voters like Lamb in the presidential election.
The Log Jam, 110 West Jefferson Street, has been owned by Chris Fata for over three years.
“People are tighter with their money,” Lamb said.
Lamb, who described her small business as a micro-business, said people are purchasing her items less because she doesn’t sell necessities such as food. The dip in profits has hurt Lamb, but she said a larger issue are the amounts of taxes on small businesses.
“There’s something different every year,” Lamb said. “What is this tax for and that tax for? It’s just too much.”
City Hall Receives A Much Needed Upgrade
By Casey Hull
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – Grand Ledge City Hall has found a new home less than a mile away at the old Greenwood elementary, to the benefit of the city and the public school system.
200 E. Jefferson St. has been the location of city hall and the local police station since 1970. A historic building, the shortcomings of the facilities were quite noticeable. The city found a sanctuary from these troubles, when on July, 14 the public school system sold the old Greenwood Elementary building to them for just one dollar.
Local voters do not follow national voting trend
By Eric Finkler
Grand Ledge Gazette staff writer
GRAND LEDGE, MI – Despite national trends that suggest a voter increase in elections, Grand Ledge government faces voter apathy.
Photo by Eric Finkler
When confronted with questions about the local elections, which are to be held on Nov. 6, many residents claimed little knowledge or confessed to not following the campaigns.
The comparison between those who vote in local government campaigns versus national elections is significant and reflects the lack of interest among the residents.
Jefferson Street construction nears completion
By Julia Nagy
Grand Ledge Gazette Staff Writer
GRAND LEDGE- Orange cones continue to decorate East Jefferson St. as road construction, which started in May, nears its end.
The M-100 construction project is slated for completion on Oct. 20, according to a public letter from Mayor Kalmin D. Smith posted on the city of Grand Ledge website.
The road construction has done little to affect some businesses.
MacDowell’s Flower Shop rests on the corner of South Bridge St. and East Jefferson St., where road construction is taking place. Julia Nagy/Grand Ledge Gazette
Manager Bruce MacDowell said the construction has not decreased his business’ flow of customers. He manages MacDowell’s Flower Shop, 228 South Bridge St., which is located on the corner of the construction work on East Jefferson St.
“Despite the minor inconveniences, everything has been pretty normal,” MacDowell said.
The major challenge of the roadway project has been how to deal with the traffic, according to Smith.
The construction has been a nuisance for some visitors in the Grand Ledge area.
Residential Arts and Humanities sophomore Zoe Johnson, who visits Grand Ledge regularly, said the recent construction has made traveling there more difficult.
