Bridgeport Township Board Meeting September 6th, 2016

On the agenda:
Cheryl Hadsall presentation begins at 3:10
Special Orders -
1. Public Hearing - Flint River Dike Special Assessment District Roll begins at 7:20
Public Comment  begins at 12:11
Unfinished Business -
1. Resolution R16-08 Flint River Dike Special Assessment District Roll begins at 17:35
Board Member Comments begin at 19:59
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

I will try to write a blog post about the meeting in a day or two.  Lots of good information shared by Cheryl Hadsall, Larry Ford from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce during the public comment period.  Also by the Township Manager Rose Licht in the closing board member comments.

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting February 24th, 2016

On the agenda:
Public Comments begin at 2:15
New Business -
- Beautification 2016 begins at 5:52
- Inspection of Bridge Maintenance begins at 8:08
- Saginaw Future begins at 10:37
Old Business -
- Great Lakes Discovery Center Update begins at 12:35
- North Gateway Update begins at 15:47
- Cass River Trail Head Update begins at 18:35
- a. Funding Update begins at 25:17
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 27:05
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Mr. Larry Ford from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce spoke during the public comment period.  He gave a update on the success of the Chamber's "Best Of Awards" dinner and award ceremony.  It was a fantastic evening and Joel Fieck did a great job as the emcee for the awards ceremony.
The DDA Coordinator and others had lots of positive updates about things going on in Bridgeport right now.  2016 is looking to be a very beautiful and exciting year here in Bridgeport.
Mr. John Hoffman was recognized at the meeting.  He and his wife Betty were the winners of the Bridgeport "Citizen Of The Year" award.  There was a small luncheon after the meeting.  I want to mention the Chocolate Fudge cake they had from Kroger's here in Bridgeport.  For my fellow chocolate lovers - be sure to try it!
The DDA meeting was rescheduled from it's usual time earlier this month because DDA Coordinator Steve Dobis was in Florida for several weeks.  He just came back here to Michigan earlier this week I believe.  I think Mother Nature just wanted to remind Mr. Dobis of what Michigan can be like in the winter.  So if anyone is upset with this severe winter storm we are having right now, you can blame it on Mr. Dobis.  

"Best Of" Awards And Dinner Coming Up February 17th

The awards ceremony hosted by the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber Of Commerce will be held on February 17th at the Candlelite Banquet Center in Bridgeport.   A fun event with silent auction, dinner, awards ceremony.

Click here for all information:

Best Of Awards Information On Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber Website

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting January 5th, 2016

On the agenda:
Public Comment begins at 2:08
Accounts Payable begins at 8:35
Board Member Comments begin at 10:13
© 2016 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

It was a short meeting tonight.  There were three speakers during the public comment period.
First up was Larry Ford from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber Of Commerce with some updates for the communities.  The "Best Of" Awards dinner and ceremony for the Chamber will be held on February 17th at the Candlelight Banquet Center.  I attended last year and can tell you it is a very nice event and I look forward to going this year.  A Bridgeport resident spoke about how beautiful the flowers were this year  and also the holiday lights at the historic bridge.  I agree with her 100%.  She also talked about having a signal installed at the corner at the corner of Dixie and State/Baker Rd for pedestrians to cross there at the intersection.  Another resident spoke to say Thank You to the Bridgeport Police Department for their quick response and recovery of items that were stolen from his business.
During the board member comments Augie Tausend spoke about new meters that Consumers Energy will be installing in the township in 2016.  They are called Smart Meters.  I have been reading for several years some controversy surrounding the meters.  Some of the talk is pretty far out there in left field but some people seem to have normal arguments against them  I will try to round up all the pro's and con's involving the discussion.  Can't promise to get it done right away though because I have some family obligations right now that take first priority in my life.

Here is a informational brochure that was provided by Consumers.  Click on the photo to see a larger image.

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting October 14th, 2015

On the agenda:
Public Comments begin at 1:43
New Business -
- Bamberger Insurance begins at 3:38
Old Business -
1. Beautification Committee Report - Landscaping Contract 2016 begins at 6:29
2. 2016 Budget Approval - Revision begins at 12:35
3. GLDC - Update begins at 20:22
4. Bond Pre-Payment begins at 23:09
5. Car Pool Lot Update begins at 24:54
6. North Gateway - Update begins at 25:38
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 31:52
DDA Member Comments begin at 40:45
© 2015 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Mr. Larry Ford from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce gave a update on how Bridgeport's money is being spent for advertising.
The Great Lakes Discovery Center is almost a reality, finally after 19 years.  Someday, hopefully soon, that will be another great asset to our Bridgeport community!
Pre-payment on the bond has been made.  Work has been done on the car pool parking area.  Plans are moving along on the "North Gateway" area.  They will be working on a beautification plan with a Welcome sign.  They hope to start work on that in spring 2016.  Another project I am looking forward to seeing done!
There were some updates/information during the DDA Coordinator's Report.  There will be a Grand Re-Opening for the Bavarian Comfort Care Center on December 2nd, 2015.  Sounds like it will be a nice event.
** The next meeting for the DDA Board will be on Wednesday, November 18,2015

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting October 6th, 2015

On the agenda:
Public Comment begins at 2:56
Unfinished Business -
- Re Set Public Hearing for 2016 General Fund Budget begins at 6:30
New Business -
- Special Town Board Meeting on October 20th, 2015 begins at 7:36
- Set Public Hearing for L.B. Transportation IFT begins at 8:43
- Homecoming Proclamation begins at 9:31
- Fire Department Equipment Purchase from Special Assessment Fund begins at 11:07
- 2016 township Attorney List, Township Board Meeting Schedule, Township Designated Holidays, Financial Institutions begins at 13:34
- WWTP Raw Sewage Pump #3 Bid begins at 14:52
Board Comments begin at 18:30
© 2015 Carla Citizen All Rights Reserved

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting June 10th, 2015

On the agenda:
Public Comment begins at 1:51
Under New Business -
- Little Free Library begins at 4:50
- Saginaw Future begins at 11:40
Under Old Business -
- Beautification Committee Report begins at 15:48
- Great Lakes Discovery Center begins at 25:00
- Bavarian Comfort Care begins at 26:52
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 31:23
DDA Member Comments begin at 38:08

During the public comment period Mike Szukhent and Jerry Preston of the Birch Run-Bridgeport CVB talked about the advertising and marketing campaign they have going right now for Bridgeport. 
The Little Free Library will be located by the front of the Historic Bridge area.  I am looking forward to that.  I will be making good use of it and hope other Bridgeport residents will also.
There was a update from the Beautification Committee.  Things are looking good here in Bridgeport,  I really love the flower pots this year!

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting June 2nd, 2015

On tonight's agenda:
Public Comment begins at 2:45
Unfinished Business -
- Cemetery Ordinance revision begins at 5:23
New Business -
- 2014 Audit Presentation by Yeo & Yeo begins at 7:03
- R15-09 MDOT Performance Resolution - road right of way begins at 25:58
- R15-10 Federal Surplus assistance program - Fire Department begins at 27:33
- R15-11 Consumers Energy Easement begins at 29:43
- Revise FOIA Policy 11-01 begins at 30:52
- Recreation Specialist Job Description - Grant Funded begins at 31:51
- Accountant Job Description begins at 32:33
- 2015 Saginaw County Foreclosures begins at 33:31
- Fire Department social media policy begins at 34:26
- Fire Department employment policy begins at 35:14
- Police Department tourniquet policy begins at 35:52
- Appoint Trustee begins at 38:05
Board Member comments begin at 42:45

Things are going really well in Bridgeport Township and with the Township Board so I don't have much to comment on.  I would like to say Welcome to the newest member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Calvin Willams.  I think he will be a great asset to the board and the community.
During the public comment period Mike Szukhent from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor's Bureau shared information and updates.
The board members comments are always worth listening to, actually it's my favorite part of the meeting.  They share a lot of information about what is going on in the township, upcoming events, etc...

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting March 11th, 2015

Today's meeting was a presentation by Mike Szukhent, Executive Director, Birch Run/Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor's Bureau.  Also present was Andy Suski, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Jerry Preston, Vice President of Marketing for the CVB.
There are two breaks in the video, once when I had to change the battery and once when they took a brief break for the purpose of getting more information from the office downstairs.
It was a long but very informative and convincing presentation.  The Birch Run/Bridgeport Convention & Visitors Bureau is working towards getting 75% of the hotels accommodations tax that is paid by the hotels in Birch Run and Bridgeport that currently goes to the county.  That 75% would go to the Birch Run/ Bridgeport CVB to be spent on advertising for the Birch Run & Bridgeport communities.  Part of the requirement made by the county and the Great Lakes Bay CVB is that the Birch Run/ Bridgeport CVB have generated at least $200,000 in local funds.  The Birch Run Village DDA has contributed $75,000 to the local fund and the Birch Run Township DDA also contributed $75,000 to the fund.  Today the Bridgeport DDA voted to contribute $50,000 to the local fund.
It is a big investment for the DDA but the payback will be even bigger.  I believe that with the merging of Birch Run and Bridgeport, with the outstanding members they have working on this, that they can make it happen.
This is a investment in the future.  With the things that Bridgeport has to offer now and is working on for the future, this was a wise decision.  We have things now like the Historical Village, the Bridge Fest festival that continues to grow, the Historical State St. Bridge on the Cass River and the pedestrian trail from the bridge through Lyle Park, Davis Park, the Liberty Park complex.  The plans for the future here include the canoe launches, the Cass River Trailhead park area at the bridge, extending the pedestrian trail to loop all the way around back to the bridge, and a little further down the road the Great Lakes Discovery Center, possibly expanding the trail to connect with the trail in Birch Run.  When you take these things and the possibilities of growth that the CVB could bring, the future for Bridgeport looks promising.
I would like Bridgeport to stay my nice quiet little town forever.  I will miss being able to spend hours at the river and park with my dog and never see another person; but Bridgeport will die with out new growth and I would love for more people to enjoy the Cass River area as much as I do and have for my entire life. 

"Best of Awards" presented by the Birch Run / Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce January 14th, 2015

I was busy at the cup cake table so I sadly missed the introduction of our local area dignitaries by Mr. Mike Szukhent.
Video starts with the introduction of the newly crowned Miss Bridge Fest Chelsea Nedrow.
Inspirational Guest Speaker Eric Thomas segment starts at 7:02
Andy Suski, Chamber Chair, speaks at 32:30
The awards ceremony starts at 37:25

I had shared this video on my blog back in February but I did not have the time to talk about the event then so I am re-sharing it now (only two months later, Sorry!).  I think this fits in nicely with today's DDA Board Meeting.

This event was the "Best of Awards"  presented by the Birch Run/Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, and held at the Candlelite Banquet Center in Bridgeport.  The event was wonderful!  Good Food, Good Company!  My two favorite parts of the evening were - the Guest Speaker, Eric Thomas and the sinful cupcakes from SugarHigh Bakery!
Eric Thomas is truly a inspiring man and entrepreneur.  He has a website and several facebook pages I would like to share with everyone:
Website - http://ezawareness.com/
EZ Awareness Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ezawarenessbydesign/timeline
Inspire Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ezawarenessinspire
I could never tell his story like he does.  You can see him in the video and check out all that he does on his sites.  I love his Inspire initiative!

Here is the Chamber's website and the Birch Run/ Bridgeport Happenings Facebook page:
Website - https://birchrunchamber.org/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BirchRunHappenings/timeline

The awards presented that night were:
Chamber of Commerce Service Award - Outgoing President Kurt Kendziorski
Birch Run Student of the Year - Joe Okopien
Birch Run Educator of the Year - Wendy Holt
Bridgeport Student of the Year - Emilie Zissler
Bridgeport Educator of the Year - Chantel Eisenhauer
Birch Run Firefighter of the Year - Tom Mitchell
Bridgeport Firefighter of the Year - Jerry Childs
Taymouth Twp Firefighter of the Year - Cody Fritzler
Village Police Officer of the Year - Manuel Trevino
Village Employee of the Year - Mike Setzer
Village of Birch Run Partnership Award - McDonalds
Birch Run Twp Employee of the Year - Brad Thomas
Bridgeport Twp Employee of the Year - Steve Dobis
Birch Run United Methodist Church Volunteer of the Year - Chad Morse
Birch Run Moose Lodge #2426 Volunteers of the Year - Karl & Linda Eastman
Birch Run Knights of Columbus Volunteer of the Year - Kenneth E. Bezemek
Birch Run Rotarian of the Year - Louie Schultz
Fleschner Memorial Library Volunteer of the Year - Sandy Bearup
Birch Run Business of the Year - General RV
Birch Run Citizen of the Year - Mike Braun
Bridgeport Business of the Year - Subway
Bridgeport Citizen of the Year - Heather Wilson

A Belated Congratulations to all the award recipients!! 

I am looking forward to next years event and hope to see more people and businesses from Bridgeport involved with this.  It is a fantastic community event and with the Birch Run and Bridgeport Chambers merging, it could be an even larger event next year.  There are many people here in Bridgeport who do so much for the community and get little or no recognition.   We have plenty of businesses here in Bridgeport that could help sponsor this event.
List of this years event sponsors -