(517) 663-8118 |

City of Eaton Rapids

Michigan's Island City

News

Movie shot and filmed in Eaton Rapids, MI “HAYSEED” is available now!

By

https://mailchi.mp/aca58c19cfa9/hayseed-is-available-now?e=4ed180e950

After the shocking death of a small-town reverend, insurance investigator Leo Hobbins (Bill Sage) arrives at Emmaus Holy and interviews the church secretary, Darlene Halsey (Ismenia Mendes). Against his better judgment, Hobbins agrees to help Darlene find the actual cause of the reverend’s death. Hobbins proceeds to interview all the congregation members, sifting through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies. Over the next 24 hours, Hobbins interviews six suspects and seeks to solve the case overflowing with duplicity, greed, drugs, and corruption. Directed by Travis Burgess Starring Kathryn Morris, Bill Sage, Ismenia Mendes, Jack Falahee, Amy Hargreaves, Caitlin Carver

November Mayor’s Corner

By

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Several months ago, the city applied for a grant through the State of Michigan’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). This grant provides necessary funding to cities so they can make upgrades to their wastewater system. Based on projected costs of $4,200,000, we received a grant in the amount of $2,120,000 for this project. We issued bonds for the remaining $2,120,000.

The work will start in the spring, and 2 contractors have been awarded to complete the capital improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and three (3) lift-pumping stations. This work is necessary to improve our sanitary/wastewater system throughout the city and ensure the health and safety of our residents. I want to thank City Manager Ridge, Utility Director Pierce, and Treasurer Allen, for working so diligently to make sure we would get this grant and subsequently, the important improvements to our wastewater system.

Congratulations to William Steele and Kenneth Nicholas for being re-elected to City Council, and in January, we will welcome new councilmember Deb Malewski, who will represent precinct 1. I also want to thank outgoing councilmember, Suzanne Politza, for her hard work and dedication to the City the last 4 years. It’s been great working with her, and I thank her for her contribution to our recycling committee, selling bricks, passing out numerous flyers and for being a dedicated member of our council. She will be missed but wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

As we enter the holiday season, a reminder that Hometown Family Christmas, sponsored by the Eaton Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, will be Saturday, December 2nd, with all day events, the lighted parade at 6pm and the grand finally of lighting the city’s Christmas Tree immediately following the parade, at the entrance of G.A.R Island Park.  You can find more details on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Last, we have several openings on various board. If you have an interest in serving our community, please reach out to me at pcolestock@cityofeatonrapids.gov.

Mayor Pam Colestock

City Property Sale

By

The City of Eaton Rapids is interested in selling the following described piece of property through public sealed bidding process:

A parcel of land lying West of the Westerly right of way of McArthur River Drive in the Village (now City) of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in the Northeast Fractional one-quarter of Section 3, Town 1 North, Range 3 West, Eaton County, Michigan, being more specifically described as follows:  To locate the Point of Beginning, commence on the West line of River Street at a Point 499.25 feet South of the Northeast corner of Lot 2, of Block 3 of Dutton’s and Leonard’s Addition to the Village (now city) of Eaton Rapids; thence West (record),      N 89°58’12” W (measured between found monuments) to the Easterly Bank of the Grand River; thence Southeasterly along said Easterly bank to the West line of River Street extended and the Point of Beginning for this description; thence North (record), N 00°18’15” E (measured), along the West line of River Street extended, a record distance of 126.75 feet; thence along the Westerly right of way line of McArthur River Drive (so called), on the arc of a 218.11 foot radius curve to the left, a distance of 138.49 feet (said curve having a chord bearing and distance of S 21°31’25” E, 136.18 feet); thence N 89°58’12” W, a distance of 50.63 feet, to the Point of Beginning.  Containing 0.05 acres of land (more or less).

Subject to all existing pertinent easements and restrictions of record

Interested parties may submit a sealed bid to City Hall (200 S. Main Street, Eaton Rapids, MI  48827) with the bidder’s name, address, phone number, email address, and bid amount in an envelope. The minimum bid for this property is $500.  Bids will be accepted until December 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.  and will be reviewed by the City Council Meeting on December 11, 2023. Questions, comments, or concerns can be sent to Robin Webb, City Clerk at rwebb@cityofeatonrapids.gov. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any bid.

October Mayor’s Corner

By

Happy Fall! We’ve had a lot happening so far this fall in Eaton Rapids. We kicked it off with the 3rd Annual Color Triathlon. We had 40 participants, plus 10 for the 5K run/walk. Congratulations to all who participated and all of the volunteers and sponsors.  Mark your calendars for next year, as this will be the first Saturday in October. Next year, we hope to add a few more events to this day as well.

We have the annual Downtown Trick or Treat scheduled for Wednesday, October 25th from 5pm-7pm. There will be a lot of kids and adults walking downtown so please be alert when driving during this time.

The Downtown Development Authority has approved a “winter market”, that will start November 4th and run every other Saturday from 9am-1pm at Union Street School.  We have 35 vendors already signed up and have room for more. Anyone interested in being a vendor, visit the Eaton Rapids Community Market Facebook page or contact Lisa Barna at Black Dog Coffee.

Many have asked about the Horner Mill property and the scheduled demolition.  Eaton County Treasurer and Land Bank Director Bob Robinson is working with the property owner to complete their development plan that must be submitted to the State Land Bank prior to the demolition being scheduled. They have until the end of the year to complete the due diligence and we will keep all of you updated as we learn more.

As a reminder, we have a city election on Tuesday, November 7th. Three precinct city council positions are on the ballot along with a special education millage from Eaton RESA (Regional Education Service Agency). For more details on the millage, please visit www.eatonresa.org. City residents can vote in person at the Public Safety Building at 101 Line Street, or through an absentee ballot that you can pick up at City Hall.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Mayor Pam Colestock

 Eaton Rapids Scarecrow Contest 

By

 Rules are as follows: Contest is open to individuals, businesses, organizations and clubs. There is no fee for entry. Please read the following rules before completing your entry. Have fun!

Contest Date: October 1st – October 31st.

Delivery of Entries: Entrants are responsible for bringing their fully assembled scarecrow to their desired location on Main Street, Downtown Eaton Rapids. All entries must be completed and installed by 8:00 pm, October 1st, 2023.

Materials: As all scarecrow entries will remain on display outside, from October 1st – October 31st. and may be subjected to severe wind and rain. Their construction should be durable, and all ornamentation securely attached. No perishable goods should be used in the construction or display. ER Arts Council reserves the right to refuse/remove any scarecrow that does not hold up to natural elements. NO GLASS!

Size Limitation: Minimum height of 4 feet, Maximum height of 8 feet. Maximum circumference area is 4 feet. Your exhibit may include more than one figure, but not more than four. 

Display: Scarecrows will be displayed in downtown Eaton Rapids – attached to either trees or light poles. Individuals will be responsible for securing their scarecrow to a lamp post or tree on Main Street. Only zip ties, rope or light wire will be allowed to be used to secure scarecrows. Nails, screws or adhesives are not permitted. Display location of scarecrows will be determined by first come first serve basis. Scarecrow entry sponsors are required to monitor the state of their scarecrow for the duration of the exhibit. Scarecrows must be in good taste and appropriate for viewing by all. Must be absent of adult, political and religious themes. No frightening, scary, violent, gruesome or bloody entries will be accepted. Commercial pre-made costumes, rubber masks, plastic masks etc., are discouraged. Be sure to make a sign with the title of your entry, omit the name of your organization. Your sign should be no larger than 11×17 inches. All scarecrows must have a visible number which will be assigned during online registration.

Armature: Each scarecrow must have a horizontal support of wood for the body (2×4 post preferred.) This support is needed as each scarecrow will be secured to a light post or tree for display.

Judging: Judging will take place on the Eaton Rapids Arts Council Facebook Page! Photos of the entries will be uploaded the Facebook page on Friday, October 6th. Voting will be open October 6th – October 27th at 12:00PM (noon).To Vote, find the picture of your favorite scarecrow entry and give it a like! The scarecrow with the most likes/reactions WINS!

Special Note: Neither the City of Eaton Rapids nor their agents will be held responsible for any injury or damage associated with the 2023 Scarecrow Contest. It is understood that the City of Eaton Rapids and its agents may use photographs of stories about, and the actual scarecrow entries themselves as well as all information contained on the entry form for publicity and promotion on the event. Scarecrows may be reclaimed by their creator(s) between November 1st and November 5th, 2023. All scarecrows not reclaimed by November 6th, 2023, will be removed and discarded at the owner’s expense.