Clare top of small towns to visit

By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Clare was recently named number 1 in a list of the ten “must visit small towns in Michigan, by Hotels.com,” Clare City Manager Jeremy Howard announced at the City meeting last Monday evening.
“This comes as no surprise to anyone that lives, works, or visits Clare,” Howard said in his agenda report, “but it is certainly nice to be recognized by outside sources.”
He said Hotels.com recently posted an article that named Clare number one in the list of small cities to visit. “Clare really is a spectacular little City,” he wrote.
The article says, Michigan is a favorite destination for vacationers throughout the year, and most of the fun takes place in the state’s small towns,” continuing to say, “Let your next vacation be to one of these quaint Michigan small towns.”
The article said Clare is good for shoppers, nightlife, couples, families, food and the budget.
It continued, “Known as the ‘City of Festivals’, you’ll find it to be a festive an engaging community with …recreational activities (and) surrounded by the natural beauty of changing seasons.”
Hotels.com said the largest event, the Irish Festival, held every March, brings thousands of visitors and locals together to celebrate. It also mentioned, “An annual summer music festival brings together talented artists from across the country.”
The other Michigan communities featured in the article (listed in numerical order) include:
(2) Port Austin for its history and scenic Lake Huron and the largest farm market in the state;
(3) Frankenmuth for its Bavarian culture and authentic German breweries, architecture, festive atmosphere and Christmas celebration;
(4) St. Joseph, located at the mouth of the St. Joseph River and known as the “Riviera of the Midwest” with its lofty dunes and sandy beaches;
(5) Colon in the southeastern part of Michigan located between two lakes, is called the “Magic Capitol of the ,World” and known for its natural beauty and river views;
(6) Tecumseh features hundreds of acres of green space and waterways and a “lovely downtown full of art, culture and shopping;”
(7) Suttons Bay, in the northwestern part of Michigan features a costal location and fabulous colors in the fall when the wineries have their harvests. Nearby are miles of hiking, camping and water sports;
(8) Petoskey, on the southern shore of Little Traverse Bay, sports scenic bay views, kayaking, biking and sandy beaches. Fall colors are fabulous;
(9) Sault Ste. Marie is a beautiful city in Chippewa County, on the Canada–US border featuring outdoor recreation, tours of the Soo Locks, kayaking the St. Mary’s River, hiking and fishing.
During the first regular meeting of the City Commission in the new year, Mayor Pat Humphrey presented City Clerk Diane Lyon with a certificate, honoring her for 15 years of service to the City. The award was approved at the last City meeting, but Lyon was unable to attend.
The boards approval also went to low bidder John E. Green for $126,750.00 for the installation of a Chemical Feed System at the City’s north water tower. Because the water tower has a gallon capacity, its size has impacted the chlorine residual or free levels of chlorine. The system will regulate the chlorine residual levels in the area making the water “protected from any recontamination during storage”.
Gourdie-Fraser Inc., who assisted the City with expanding the water and sewer to service the northern portion of the City, recommended a supplemental chemical system to raise the levels and solicited bids on behalf of the City for the installation of a Chemical Feed System.
Other business at the meeting included:
*The annual review of the City Commission’s By-Laws was also held and the By Laws approved.
*The 2022 Poverty Exemption Policy and Guidelines and Income levels were approved. They have not changed from 2021 and the City’s approval is required by the State. The guidelines are used by the City’s Board of Review when they are considering granting or denying request from residential property owners for full or partial exemption of payment of their property taxes.
*As part of the Consent Agenda, the Commission approved the three-year reappointment of J.J. Klaus to the City’s Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA), and the reappointment of Dave Maxwell to the Downtown Development Authority for another three years.
*In his report to the board Howard noted that there has been no update from EGLE (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) on their approval of the location for the disposal of the “spoils” (sediment) dredged from Shamrock Lake, so the dredging project is still on hold. He said they might consider moving some of the material into some piles in the river so they can get the barge floating and able to spin around at the docking location.
*Finally, the Commission approved the payment of bills totaling $74,753.21.