Buena Vista Charter Township Archives - Saginaw Daily

Buena Vista events slated for Labor Day week

Saginaw Daily — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:21:16 +0000

Alethea Nichols-Taylor, Buena Vista’s new township clerk, and Amaya Bradley, deputy clerk, will host a meet-and-greet open house from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, in the lobby at township offices on Outer Drive. Refreshments will be provided.

Alethea previously served a tenure as deputy clerk under Barbara Campbell, who has stepped down.

Also, BV Community Center will host a pair of free events on Saturday, Sept. 9. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is a symposium, “Mental Health Awareness for the Black Community,” followed from 3 to 6 p.m. by “Anti-Bullying and Positive Communication Back to School Basketball Event,” for boys and girls ages 10 to 18.

Small rise in water-sewer bills

The Buena Vista Township Board of Trustees has approved a slight hike in monthly water-sewer bills. A household using 5,000 gallons of water per month, about average in BV, will pay $107.02 starting in September, up from $104.52.

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BV leaders aim to move offices to former high school

Mike Thompson — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 20:21:00 +0000

Another major stride for Buena Vista Township to “adopt” the old high school property begins with another proposal to pursue federal funds.

This step would transfer the township offices into a portion of the main building, to complement the farmer’s market that began last fall in the old ROTC annex.

On March 27, the Board of Trustees voted to seek a $1 million federal grant to pave the way for the switchover with building upgrades at the high school The financing would require a re-connect through Congressman Dan Kildee, who previously took a lead role for the market, along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Torrie Lee, township manager, says the upgrade at the school would erase the need for $500,000 to catch up with needs at the offices at 1160 South Outer Drive, built in 1965 compared to the high school in 1959.

A drawback for some residents would be a need to travel an extra mile over the I-75 bridge to personally pay bills or attend a meeting.

“Residents may have to drive farther,” Lee says, “but they may also be able to get more tasks accomplished at the new site. The goal is to partner with local organizations in order to provide healthcare services, VA services, banking options, postal services and more on-site. We would like to provide the community with a location where multiple needs can be met.”

Adoption of the former Home of the Knights began three years ago, when the township paid $35,000 to obtain and rescue the property, vacant since the state’s BV school district shutdown in 2013.

Plans call to continue marketing the high school facility, along with the Fort Saginaw Mall land, which would have two potential vacant neighbors across South Outer Drive. PNC Bank, adjacent to the township offices, has announced plans for a May 19 shutdown. Lee is contacting other financial institutions in search of a replacement bank branch.

As part of the process, the board approved $286,200 in required matching funds from ARPA, in effect using dollars from D.C. in a quest for more dollars. The federal American Rescue Plan Act is intended to assist local communities in coping with economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other action on March 27:

Lee reported that she continues to seek clearance to use federal funds for cleanup of the abandoned Red Roof Inn site, which burned down three months ago. The $500,000 goes through the Saginaw County Land Bank and then to Buena Vista. If the cleanup costs are lower than a demolition would have been, remaining funds could stay in BV for other cleanups.
The board, with five members present, unanimously agreed to seek Gov. Whitmer’s removal of Trustee Eddie Billings, who has acknowledged his bipolar disorder, for issuing drunken homicidal and violent threats on social media. No residents attended to witness the vote or to speak on the matter.
Anthony Teneyuque, a 27-year law enforcement vet with first Saginaw and then BV police, was honored for his promotion to sergeant. Chief Reggie Williams II, who also began in the city ranks, performed the tribute, witnessed by family members and fellow officers.

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‘Hoop Dreams’ return for BV youngsters

Mike Thompson — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:41:54 +0000

Youth basketball in Buena Vista is back!

An eight-week schedule of games for third through seventh-graders begins Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Community Center on Outer Drive.

Parks and Recreation Director Duane Fairris, a standout player and then coach for the BV High Knights, recalls his youthful excitement on Saturday mornings during the 1970s, when basketball fervor was so high that even kids’ games would draw hundreds of enthusiastic fans.

Duane Fairris

“When we (Claytor) would play Highland Park, those would be the really big games,” Coach Fairris says. “and then for a championship game, they would let us go full court with the glass backboards.”

But four decades later came the 2014 state shutdown of Buena Vista schools, and the program died out at the same time.

Fairris continues to attend high school games across the region and his push for a revival — even without the old “Boystown” label — has roots in what he observes.

“You see the older players lacking the basics that they should have learned in grade school,” he notes.

Teams may register by calling the rec office at (989) 752-1655. For an individual, staffers will find a team to join, or will organize new teams. The fee is $10 per player, a bargain at only $1.25 per game. Girls also are invited, and if enough interest is generated, a separate league for girls will be organized.

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New trustee on BV board

Saginaw Daily — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 19:56:28 +0000

Laurie Barr

Buena Vista’s new Township Board member is a fan of “This Old House.”

Laurie Barr moved to BV three years ago with her husband, Dennis Barr, who was looking across mid-Michigan for an older home to restore, similar to the PBS television show. They found their prize out on Hess Road.

“We love it and we’re never going to move again,” says Laurie, who was unanimously appointed on Jan. 23 to fill a vacant position on the local governing board.

Their three children are grown, and a daughter has moved next door with her family. To establish roots in the community, they have aimed to serve as active citizens. Dennis is a member of the Buena Vista Planning Commission. Laurie is a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and she has assisted at the former high school with volunteer cleanup efforts.

Residents who also wish to get involved may apply for vacant seats on the Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Downtown Development Authority, or the Board of Review for property value assessments. For more information visit BV township offices or call (989) 754-6536.

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