Village Manager's Musings

Quincy Joins the Social Media Movement

2009-11-24T15:39:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the long layoff from posting a blog entry. I wanted to take this opportunity to share another method of communication that the Village has recently started. We are now on Facebook (search for Quincy, Michigan). Join the other 575 people (at last count) as a fan and keep up to date on the events and people that make Quincy a great place.

The Facebook page, a revised web site (to be released in January 2010), quarterly newsletter, and our e-mail blasts are just a few of the ways we try and communicate with residents. If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Village Office.

US-12 Construction Schedule/Open House Set

2009-02-17T10:34:00.003-05:00

The initial schedule for the reconstruction of US-12 has been released. construction is scheduled to start April 1 and run through October 9. The following schedule is more a guideline rather then set in stone because of delays that pop up during construction (weather delays, construction problems, etc).

Stage 1- Detour route preparation April 1-15
Stage 2- Reconstruction of the North Main Street Rail crossing April 15-29
Stage 3- Reconstruction of the US-12 Rail Crossing April 30-May 15
Stage 4- South Side Traffic Control, Removal, Underground, and Earthwork May 7-June 15
Concrete/Asphalt Base June 16-June 26
Restoration/Cleanup June 27-July 3
Stage 5- North Side Traffic Control, Removal, Underground, and Earthwork July 6-August 11
Concrete/Asphalt Base August 12-August 21
Restoration/Cleanup August 22-August 28
Stage 6- Driveways/Restoration September 2-September 11
Stage 7- Finish Asphalt and Pavement Markings September 12-September 25
Stage 8- Final Restoration

An Open House will be held on March 11 from 4-7 PM at the Village Hall for anyone looking for more information or with any questions. If you are unable to attend, but have questions, please contact me at any point during this project.

November Election brings new faces to Council

2009-02-06T20:26:00.004-05:00

Ouch, it has been four months since my last post. Time flies when you are having fun. Since the last post, the Village has said good bye to and welcomed two Council members. Leaving the council were John Worth and Brett Allman. John served on Council for several terms and left as the President Pro Tem, while Brett was in his first term. I would like to thank them for their service and wish them luck in all of their endeavors.

At the same time, I would like to welcome Barb Swallow and Larry Gardon to the Village Council. Barb and Larry bring new views and perspectives to council and I look forward to working with them over the next four years.

Returning to the Council for four more years were Village President Karen Hargreave and Trustee Jim Russell. Dean Sullivan has taken the President Pro Tem position for the next two years.

Council meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30. The first Tuesday of each month is set aside as the Council Workshop also at 5:30. The public is welcome at both meetings and time is set aside for comments.

More info will follow soon on the US-12 project, events scheduled for the year, and the Federal stimulus package.

Chamber Draw Down Set for Novmeber 7

2008-10-09T16:04:00.002-04:00

The Quincy Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual Draw Down Raffle on Friday, November 7, 2008 at the Stampede Steakhouse. Tickets are $50, which includes dinner and beer. Dinner only tickets are available for $25. Tickets will be available at the Village Office or from any chamber member. Come join us for a great time.

The Halloween Parade is set for October 31 at 6:00 PM. The Chamber is sponsoring a costume and float decoration competition. See the Village web site for more info. The Village and Chamber will also be providing cider and donuts in the courtyard during the parade. Trick or Treat is from 6:00-8:00 PM on the 31st.

Sorry for the Late Post

2008-09-25T12:38:00.004-04:00

Things have been a little busy around the Village offices this week (hence my late post). Diane and I are working with the Village auditors to finish up our annual audit. This year the audit has taken a little longer than normal. Thanks to Worldcom, Enron, and other financial meltdowns, new standards are added every year that require additional costs and make the process longer and longer. The final audit report should be available sometime in the next two weeks.

I just finished the quarterly newsletter (I attempt to make it quarterly, but am not always successful), which will be distributed in the next water bills. It will also be posted on the Village web site later today.

Another item that we have recently completed is the development of our Industrial Treatmtent Program. This program is required by the EPA and Michigan DEQ and is aimed at reducing the level of pollutants that certain industries may discharge to the sanitary sewer system. the development of this program has taken over four years (I swear I had more hair when we started) and has involved hundreds of hours of work from Village staff and our consultants. The tough part of the process is finding a level that is acceptable to all parties. Fortunately, the DEQ has notified us that they have accepted our program. I expect implementation to begin later this fall. At this time, the only customer affected by this program is Speedrack Products Group.

My next blog will discuss the 2009 US-12 reconstruction project.

New Office Hours

2008-09-22T09:30:00.002-04:00

Starting October 6, the Village Office will be open from 7:30 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Thursday. The office will no longer be closed for lunch as part of the new hours. This change affects the administration and utility staff. The Streets Dept will stay on 5 8 hour days with the onset of winter.

This move was made in an effort increase productivity, decrease absenteeism, provide extended hours to our customers, and to save on operational costs.

The Council approved the change for a six month trial period,with a review at the December Council meeting. Council asked the staff to track the number of people using the extended hours and to present it along with public comments at the December meeting. Please forward any comment to eric.zuzga@quincy-mi.org.

Chamber President resigns and will be greatly missed

2008-09-18T09:43:00.005-04:00

Quincy Chamber of Commerce President, Michele Streets, has notified the board that she has to step down from the board by the end of the year. Michele is leaving the Quincy branch of National City to take over as Branch Manager in Coldwater. The Chamber Board has appointed Cindy Longstreeet, Longstreet Floors & More/The Beach House, to succeed Michele as President.

Michele's tenure at the Chamber was one of great success for the Chamber. Under her leadership, the Chamber completed the payment for the Skatepark equipment, expanded the calendar of events, doubled the membership in the chamber, developed a partnership with the Branch County Area Chamber of Commerce, brought back fireworks to Quincy, and helped to coordinate a successful Sesquicentennial celebration. These events have helped the Chamber to a solid financial footing, which it had not been in many years.

We wish Michele much success in her new position in Coldwater and look forward to working with the Cindy and the rest of the board in continuing our efforts to promote Quincy and its business community.

New Blog

2008-09-18T09:43:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the Quincy Village Manager's blog. Along with our website, newsletters, and broadcast e-mails, this blog will attempt to provide information on activities and issues and issues facing the Village of Quincy. I will try and post every Wednesday at a minimum. Please check back often and feel free to comment as desired.