 The McGrath clan circa 1940 By Tim McGrath “Home, home again. I like to be here when I can. When I come home cold and tired, it’s good to warm my bones beside the fire…” from Time - Pink Floyd The photos fluttered in the breezy warmth that September afternoon. Each had been carefully chosen and attached to the picture board with multi-colored push pins, or lay scattered on the small table under the board. Faces looked out from them highlighting vacations, graduations, family outings and gatherings. Smiles, lots of smiles. Each was a brief blip in time that chronicled the life of my uncle, the man we’d come to honor and remember; the last of the McGrath brothers. Some in faded color, others black and white, some out of focus or grainy. All telling the story of a life well lived. Then, there was the one I lingered on. I’d seen it before; a black and white portrait of my uncle, his five brothers and sister. Seven young people dressed in their finest. I studied the faces, thinking of how I’d come to know them, and what remarkable people they were. Grateful for what they stood for, in spite of all the hardships they endured. I smiled, remembering this is where I’m from. The place I belong. Photographed around 1940, the crisp black and white portrait was probably taken at great expense. For a family just coming out of the Great Depression, it’s a testament to the importance they placed on family solidarity. By all accounts, the McGraths of Galewood didn’t have it easy. Money was scarce, and there were no social safety nets to rely on. In the darkest days, when Ma, my grandma, was sick, Great Grandma Lilly, Ma’s mother, came to live with them. She was a tough old bird who didn’t suffer fools easily, and was exactly what was needed to keep the whole operation running. My Dad quietly said out of nowhere one day, “It got so bad we only had one small bag of rice left to eat in the house. I don’t know how Ma did it with all us kids at home. If Grandma Lilly hadn’t come, I don’t know what we’d have done.” That’s also when he started delivering the Grand Rapids Herald, the local daily. Up at four in the morning, every day. Most of his profits going to help out his mother. He was twelve. The older boys by now in the service, sending their monthly paychecks home to keep the rest of the family afloat. The younger ones finding odd jobs where they could; setting pins at the bowling alley, or scrounging for scrap metal and selling it. They counted on each other. It was all they had. Then came December, 1941, and the war that changed so much for so many. The clan from Galewood was no exception. By the time it was over, all six brothers would be in either the Army, Navy, or Marines. Six blue stars in the window at any given time. All survived. Each came home and went on to lead productive and important lives. All married, had children, worked hard at their various occupations. Teachers, farmer, factory worker, barber, lineman, office worker. They also continued supporting their mother; who, in addition to having survived so many hardships during the Depression and war years, continued her struggle with rheumatoid arthritis and, later, cancer. Every week, without fail, a portion of the paycheck went to Ma. The web of love and care surrounded this gentle, gracious, soft spoken woman. They honored her devotion to them in spite of the grinding adversity she endured. Not everything was gloomy, in spite of there being an Angela’s Ashes quality to the family’s life. Just like kids in every time and place, there had to be fun even during the hard times. With a group of rambunctious boys left to create their own fun, the possibilities were endless. Playmates like “Boob”, the proud owner of a coal eating dog; sword-wielding Vic; PeeWee and Nellie added to the joie de vivre. My aunt, the lone girl in the group said, “there was never a dull moment in the house. The boys were forever in some sort of mischief, but, to their credit, no one ended up in jail.” Good thing. Grandma didn’t need any jailbirds thrown in the mix. Kick the Can, homemade bow and arrows and slingshots, scrounging up old tires to be used as the ten-cent admission to The Peanut – the local movie theater. The tires were burned in the boiler in the back to heat the place. Ice skating, sledding, hoop races, cur-dogs for pets, firecrackers, rusty wagons, mumblety-peg, campouts. Then there was the music. A couple of the boys managed to snag a piano someplace; my Dad, and his brother, Burr. Self-taught, both could play most things by ear. Years later, whenever the clan gathered to celebrate one holiday or another, invariably the music would start. Mostly the old songs. The aunts and uncles gathered around the piano and a grand sing along would ensue. Sometimes Dad brought his battered Gretsch and accompanied Burr. As kids, we’d look at each other, and the eye rolling and giggles would commence when the first chords tinkled from the upright. As time went on, however, those songs took on new meaning. I’d catch myself humming or singing the chorus to Peg O’ My Heart, or a few verses of Shine On, Harvest Moon at random moments. I suspect I‘d become more aware of the lasting impact those times around the piano had on me. With time and age, a bit of wisdom comes, I suppose. Those moments shared listening to the harmonizing and laughter are now cherished. I‘d wager my cousins agree. I have a copy of that portrait. Seven young people frozen in time smiling out at us, unaware of the things they would face in time yet to come. The lingering effects of The Depression and the war years would forever impact the way they saw the world. There would be many good years where their families were healthy, happy, and well, too. But, sickness, divorce, and the death of loved ones, would also be part of it. This family had come through so much together, and they’d made it. They had become resilient, courageous, hard-working, self-sacrificing, persistent, and honorable people along the way. And, through all of it, they managed to keep that crazy, dark Irish sense of humor alive. In the end, they’d left us a magnificent legacy. They are my Greatest Generation.
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 Here we are citizens. If you have already done your electoral duty our hat is off to you for your participation in the democratic process. If not we hope to see you at the polling places tomorrow as the quadrennial chaos known as a presidential campaign comes to fruition and votes not hitherto completed are cast for the candidates. Polls open at 7am and close up shop at 8pm. It’s likely to be the biggest turnout percentage-wise since the ‘08 (1908 not 2008) contest between William Howard Taft and William Jennings Bryan, the last time the % of voters eclipsed 65%. Neither of the Bills running was an incumbent since Prez-at-the-time Roosevelt (Teddy, not Franklin) decided not to run, though he changed his mind 4 years later and ran 3rd party against his chosen successor Taft. But enough about history. Whether it means taking time out of your busy day or hauling your retired behind off the couch to put on real pants, make your voice heard by showing up at the polls tomorrow. And when you get there, be nice. For one, being nice matters. Beyond that the people working the polls are doing the best they can in performing these important public service tasks so don’t be THAT guy (or gal) who loves to make things difficult. From Newaygo County Clerk Jason VanderStelt: “Please be kind and courteous to our clerks and election inspectors and understand that our local clerks and election inspectors did not MAKE the laws regarding elections, they are simply required to enforce the laws.” Well put, sir. And now here’s a few of our favorite election quotes to ponder as we ready for a rousing round of Results Night. "Every election is determined by the people who show up.”- Larry Sabato “During an election campaign the air is full of speeches and vice versa.”-Henry Adams “Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.” Gore Vidal “In a democracy, someone who fails to get elected to office can always console himself with the thought that there was something not quite fair about it.”- Thucydides “In an election year the American Politics Industry fills the airways with the most virulent, scurrilous wall to wall character assasination of every political practitioner in the country then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians.”- Charles Krauthammer If we got one tenth of what we were promised to us in acceptance speeches there wouldn’t be an inducement to go to heaven.”- Will Rogers “Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”- Abraham Lincoln “When you turn an election into a three-ring circus, there’s always a chance that the dancing bear will win.” Nancy Isenberg “General Motors, General Mills, General Foods, general ignorance, general apathy, and general cussedness elect presidents and Congressmen and maintain them in power.”-Herbert Shelton “Talk is cheap, voting is free; take it to the polls...”- Nanette Avery “The only people truly bound by campaign promises are the voters who believe them.”-Christopher Hitchens My favorite part of election season is the end.” C.A.A. Savastano  "Ships, like people, are easy to steer once you identify what moves them.”-Joseph Haeggquist Anyone tired of the TV ads aimed at convincing us that the candidate paying for the ad is wonderful and their opponent is the scourge of humankind as we know it? Inane? Yes. Ridiculously Biased? Of course? Filled with lies? Absolutely. Bordering on batshit lunacy? You bet. But the most damning thing about these exercises in absurdity? They work. Oh, and those colorful oversized postcards that conduct a daily invasion into the mailbox at N3 World Headquarters? The ones that never make it inside, instead becoming unceremoniously deposited into our recycle bin without even a reading? Yep. Those must work as well. This is a lot of money we’re talking about and the people who run the business end of these races, while perhaps a bit soulless, likely know their stuff and their stuff says these get enough desired results to make them worth the price.. How incredibly disappointing. * We had the pizza from Hit The Road Joe during their oven-opening night Saturday. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/are-you-ready-for-some-pizza One word. Sublime. Get the New York White Garlic. It is truly to die for and has cemented its spot as the go to pie of N3WH. We would have included a photo but hunger, impatience, and a severe lack of forethought made this unrealistic. * We hear organizers pulled the plug on Fremont’s Jingle Mingle and most other Christmas Craft shows have taken the year off as well. A tough decision to be sure but with cases increasing this is the only good decision to make. While social media may be filled with theories, speculations, opinions and anecdotal aberrations pointing to the pandemic being a farce we choose to believe the true experts involved in the fields of science and medicine. And bypass the viewpoints proffered by the well meaning graduates of the University of Facebook with their certificates in Gobbledygook, Claptrap and Hogwash. * With all the hoopla surrounding the Presidential election no place will your vote have more influence in this community than those that will decide the makeup of our local school boards. Of all our community assets, our children are the most vital. The folks wishing to serve on these boards will be influential in establishing the direction of the places where the education of our children will occur.We need leadership on the school boards that will recognize the importance of providing the resources to do so and the acumen to face the upcoming challenges the pandemic presents In Fremont the school’s facebook page introduces the candidates. The WC candidates are running unopposed as are those at Big Jackson. Hesperia has 4 candidates for 3 full terms and 2 for a partial term. In Grant and Newaygo the candidates responded to questions in our pages. Here are the links to their replies: https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/gps-school-board-candidates-q-a https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/nps-school-board-candidates-q-a VOTE! -Ken De Laat
 Stronger Together Series Launches November 5
The community is invited to attend the first virtual event in Fremont Area Community Foundation’s new Stronger Together series on November 5 from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will feature Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott, authors and former Newaygo County residents. Razel grew up in White Cloud and Daniel attended high school in Newaygo County. The men are now brothers-in-law and authors of the upcoming book Wounds. In the collaborative memoir, Daniel, who is white, and Razel, who is Black, reflect on their experiences growing up and learning to navigate difficult spaces and have hard conversations. Through stories that intersect and sometimes overlap, they explore what it looks like to understand and appreciate differences. The event is the first in the Community Foundation’s new Stronger Together series, which will feature community events centered on the ideas of identity, difference, and the stories that shape our lives. “We all have a story,” said Carla Roberts, Community Foundation president and CEO. “For some in our community, that story is one of belonging. For others, it’s more complicated. Through conversations with past and present Newaygo County residents, we will explore a wide range of subjects and explore the ways our differences enhance the community and ultimately make us stronger.” During the event on November 5, Razel and Daniel will talk about their experiences in this community, read excerpts from Wounds, and take questions. The November 5 event will be livestreamed from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/FACFNov5.  Photo by Megan Wirts By Charles Chandler Please vote YES for Proposal 20-1 on the November 3rd Michigan general election ballot. This is a rare bipartisan supported opportunity for us to change the State Constitution for the public good without a long bitter protracted dog fight. Approving Proposal 1 would make it easier for the State to use the Natural Resources Trust Fund to protect wildlife, protect drinking water, and improve our aging recreational facilities. Public taxes do not fund the DNR Trust Fund. The Natural Resources Trust Fund was created in 1976 as a compromise between conservation groups, business interests, and lawmakers over how to manage revenues from oil and gas production on state-owned land. After the smoke cleared from the back room a trust fund was created, ground rules for use developed and a board appointed. “Disbursing the money is subject to a strict formula. The board considers requests from all over the state and issues grants from the fund. Money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has helped communities buy land and develop existing parks for decades.” Currently, most of it is restricted to land acquisition and park development projects. You can access the Trust Fund home page and find information on how to apply for a grant and the types of projects that have been approved and funded. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,8817,7-350-79134_81684_79209_81657---,00.html Given the Trust Fund restrictions and other reasons Michigan has a wealth of outdoor recreation land at the state, federal and local levels. As compared to the other states “Michigan ranks 15th of 50 with 28.1% of the state land being held in a variety of public lands. In comparison, Big Hat Texas ranks 45 with only 4.2 % of the state land designating as public lands.” You have to pay to play in Texas and that was another reason that I repotted to the woods and waters of Michigan. However, and sad to say most of the infrastructure in our State facilities that support outdoor recreation is aging and deteriorating. It is not energy efficient and needs additional renovation to meet safety and security needs. As an example, take a drive through our local Newaygo State Park on Hardy Dam Pond. You quickly notice that the roads have fallen apart and the amenities are primitive. When compared to Newaygo County’s Sandy Beach across the Pond the lack of amenities and neglect in this State Park is obvious. Additional arguments for this much-needed change are because big chunks of our Michigan Public recreational lands and facilities are not accessible for much of the state’s population and visitors. A quick glance at a State Map reveals that the “majority of public land is in the northern two-thirds of the state where only about 15 percent of the population live. And times have changed and how we recreate has changed as well. Traditional outdoor recreation activities like hunting, fishing, and trapping have declined over the past 20 years.” Today and especially during the Pandemic land and water trails, motorized and non-motorized recreation appears to be increasing. A good case for regional economic development can be made for integrating our existing trail systems. Trails like the North Country, White Pine, Dragon, and the Diamond Three Snowmobile trails can be linked to goods, services, and key destinations. Investing in walkable communities, local hiking, kayaking, biking, and rail-trails for motorized users that allow safe access to businesses is good for business. Keeping our recreational vehicles off highways and municipal streets will promote social harmony and ensure safety. Integrating these trails with urban greenways and green spaces can help protect sensitive environments and provide habitat and safe travel corridors for the growing urban wildlife population. Approving Proposal 1 would enable Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund managers to spend a greater share of the fund on development projects such as playgrounds, restrooms, and trails, as opposed to additional land acquisition. “This Proposal has attracted broad support from dozens of groups representing environmentalists and industry, tourism and labor. Supporters say the proposed changes will help state and local recreational land managers make needed updates to facilities while expanding amenities to cater to a new generation of land users.” We now need to provide recreational opportunities for our urban neighbors who don’t have that cabin or camp up north near those beautiful public lands. Watch this short video http://vimeo.com/heartlakes/protectmi and please vote YES for Proposal 1on November 3.  John De Laat Sr. 1920-1995 By Ken De Laat
Had he been alive my Dad would have hit the century mark today. He’s been gone 25 years now. He was born in a post WWI, post pandemic world to a pair of Dutch immigrants and was the youngest of 9 children they brought into the world. He married young, served in the second world war, raised 4 children and touched the lives of many on his all too short journey on this planet. My earliest memories of him are filled with fondness for his gentle manner and loving ways. As we both grew older our relationship evolved. We had our share of arguments, something I think both of us enjoyed, but he also provided guidance and comfort when asked. And that last phrase, ‘when asked’ is what stands out for me because he was respectful enough to not to offer unsolicited viewpoints or advice about my life's decisions and yet always willing to offer counsel when it was requested. My Dad could be curmudgeonly opinionated and rarely hesitated in offering his take on anything from politics to the relative merits of hospital food. He had his share of feuds with others, could be significantly stubborn when he found it necessary, and was unafraid to tell those who deserved it what he thought of them. He didn’t talk much about himself and never ever spoke about his time as a soldier, something we all knew not to ask about. He preferred his food cold, including corn on the cob and mashed potatoes, enjoyed a good joke, liked Old Milwaukee when it came to beer and loved having his family around him. And his grandchildren adored him. I’ve listened to people who say they think of their late loved ones every day. Well, truth be told, I don’t think of my Dad every day. Not even close. I go lengthy periods of time these days not thinking about him. He comes to mind on occasion when something or someone reminds me of him and I can admittedly still be a bit surprised by his image staring out at me from the mirror some mornings but he’s not in my daily thoughts by any means. When memories of him arrive however, they seldom take shape as fleeting moments. They tend to be lengthy as are my contemplations of them. They linger in my private thoughts for much of the day as I sift through conversations we had, activities we shared or conflicts we eventually resolved. Sometimes the recollections are just snippets of time spent one on one with him that range from my childhood to adult years but each is visited at length and mindfully mulled over. And each time I am struck by the deep abiding kindness this man was capable of. I am certain my siblings (all of them way, way older than me I might add) are equally familiar with that endearing asset he possessed and value it as well. Personally he continues to inspire me to do better in that area. So on the day he would have begun his second century I just want to say thanks, Dad. And as for not keeping you in my daily thoughts? When you were on this earth you once said we didn’t talk often but when we did we talked pretty well. Seems like some things never change. “I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”-Umberto Eco  Homecoming, etc. under COVID
It is indeed a tough time to be a high school senior. Last year sports bit the dust midway through March, proms were cancelled, school itself was cancelled and graduation ceremonies took a less traditional approach as did many of the customary grad parties that pepper the late spring landscape. And now a new batch of seniors are able to compete in sports and attend school in person if desired but the guidelines limit social activities to be sure and thus, annual happenings like a homecoming dance are not taking place. At least not officially. There have been parent sponsored gatherings held in lieu of school sanctioned activities and the participants, of course, have shared photos of these events on social media causing some concern among many in the community. Others feel these young people are missing out on so much already and fail to see the harm in having these get togethers. We reached out to District Health Department #10 to get some feedback on the issue from their perspective. DHD#10 Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Morse, provided the following statement: “We understand this is a very difficult year for everyone and we have all had to sacrifice a lot of our usual activities. This is especially true for high school seniors who won’t get another senior year. However, COVID-19 is extremely contagious, and until we have an effective vaccine and treatment, we have no other way to protect ourselves than by following the prevention methods available to us, such as avoiding crowded activities, keeping distanced from each other, using face covering, and practicing good hygiene. "The risks from COVID-19 are real. While many young people do not end up seriously ill, some do. Some will end up with months of difficulty breathing, heart damage, or other serious effects. Many that get infected will spread it to their family members, including parents and grandparents at risk for more serious illness. We have seen this happen and seen hospitalizations and deaths result from this spread. Having a party, dance, or other high-risk event can easily lead to the serious illness or death of a student or their family member. It is not worth the risk.”  To the Editor: Rob Schuitema is who I am voting for to be part of Grant Public Schools Board of Education. Why? Rob is education. He has dedicated his life to creating exciting educational experiences for thousands of kids across the state of Michigan and we would be lucky to have him on our school board. His role as the Director of Education at the Grand Rapids Public Museum has allowed him to use his ability to have fun while also educating and implementing new ideas and innovative ways to learn. Rob is an excellent father and a great role model to many. He always shows up, he has integrity, he is passionate about education and he loves this community. Rob is a person that you can trust with your child's education. Vote for Rob Schuitema! Megan Wirts  Senator Mike Shirkey- Photo from his website A response to State Senator Mike Shirkey's Mlive statements re COVID-19
October 12, 2020 The Honorable Mike Shirkey Senate Majority Leader S-102 Capitol Building Lansing, MI 48933 Dear Majority Leader Shirkey, As experts in public health and medicine, we read with concern your comments about “herd immunity” and the coronavirus pandemic in an October 10, 2020 article on mlive.com. With cases of COVID-19 rising significantly in Michigan and across the country, we are writing to ask you to clarify these comments. We also suggest that the Michigan Senate convene a hearing of experts who are recommended by deans of Michigan schools of public health and medicine, so they can share current evidence about what can be done to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and save lives. Comments Reported on October 10: In the mlive.com article, published this weekend, you reportedly stated of the virus, “Nobody should be misled here or of the opinion that you can keep it from spreading -- it’s going to spread, so we just do the best we can.” We certainly agree that the coronavirus will not disappear on its own. However, how much the virus spreads is not a matter of fate; it is very much up to us. There is strong evidence of specific steps that individuals can take in their own lives to reduce the chance of coronavirus infection for themselves and others. There is also strong evidence of steps that the states can take through policy to protect state residents from serious illness and death and contribute to a successful rebound of the economy. Individuals can wash their hands, wear masks, and keep at least six feet of distance from others. States can take such steps as closing bars and limiting large indoor gatherings, because these settings in areas with substantial community transmission pose a high risk of contagion. Moreover, there is strong evidence supporting state-directed mask mandates. For example, one study published in Health Affairs found a consistent reduction in viral spread among states that mandated mask-wearing compared to those that did not. Another study published this month in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that states that reopened restaurants before a mask mandate experienced ten times the number of excess cases compared to those that had a mask mandate in place prior to reopening. This study found that “over 50,000 excess deaths were prevented within 6 weeks in 13 states that implemented mask mandates prior to reopening.” Other studies have also found benefits. You also stated, “I’m also a big believer that there’s an element of herd immunity that needs to take place.” There is a mistaken view held by some that the solution to the pandemic is to wait for enough people to fall ill that the spread of the virus naturally slows down. One problem with this approach is that many people will need to fall ill before this level of herd immunity can be achieved. As of October 9, about 150,000 Michiganders have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection. The number of total infections may be as much as 10 times greater, which would mean that about 1.5 million people have been infected. If “herd immunity” were to begin after about 80% of the state’s population has been infected, as some believe, then 6.5 million more Michiganders would still need to contract COVID-19. At the current mortality rate, this would mean more than 30,000 additional deaths -- more than four times the number of deaths to date. Another problem with waiting for “herd immunity” is that even if herd immunity is achieved, the coronavirus can still infect people. This means that even after a tremendous loss of life, there would still be an ongoing risk, leaving many understandably wary about returning to their previous levels of activity. A much better alternative would be to control the spread of the coronavirus through policies based on evidence, followed by broad use of a safe and effective vaccine when available. We ask that you clarify your remarks about herd immunity to avoid leaving the impression that a leader of your stature is supporting greater spread of coronavirus as public policy. Recommendation for a Hearing on the Science: Now nearly 10 months into the pandemic, there is much known about the novel coronavirus and how to reduce its spread. Many nations of the world have found success by following recommendations on hand washing, mask wearing, isolation, quarantine, and contact tracing, as well as other public health measures. To date, Michigan has been a national leader in using evidence to guide its response, accounting for a relatively low rate of infection for much of the late spring and summer. However, cases are on the rise significantly in many places around the country, including Michigan. To understand the current situation and how best to respond, we suggest that the Senate convene a hearing with recognized experts in public health and medicine with expertise 2 in COVID-19 who are recommended by the deans of public health and medicine in the State of Michigan. Such a hearing would give experts the opportunity to share evidence, as well as provide Senators the chance to ask questions about the virus, its spread, and what can be done to save more lives. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D. Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MSc, FIDSA President, Infectious Diseases Society of America Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. President and Chief Executive Officer Resolve to Save Lives, an Initiative of Vital Strategies Former Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ashish K. Jha, M.D., M.P.H. Dean Brown University School of Public Health Carlos Del Rio, M.D. Distinguished Professor Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Emory University School of Medicine This letter represents the views of the signatories and not necessarily their institutions. With five contenders vying for three positions on the Grant School Board we at N3 thought it might be a good idea to give voters a little glimpse at the candidates and perhaps provide a forum for prospective board members to share their views. We came up with fifteen questions based on community interest and these were sent to each of the candidates. Here are their replies. This is a lengthy read to be sure, but we believe a worthy one. And please take time to vote. Whether in mail or in person. Your vote matters. -Near North Now Damon Arsenault What motivates you to run for the board? My motivation is the students and giving back to the community. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? As a board member, my main responsibility is to create an environment for students and the district as a whole to safely thrive. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I have been in the district about 24 years. Over the years, I have supported and encouraged the high school soccer team as well as the AYSO program, the performing arts program, the 8th grade wax museum, school improvement committee, chef for 7th grade Christmas breakfast each year, contributed to the elementary reading program, contributed to the high school marching band hats, and supported the youth basketball program, as well as serving on the school board for the past 3 years. What skills do you bring to the board? I bring to the board business skills I've developed over the last 25 years working in high level leadership roles in the business field. For example, I've been responsible for large budgets, interpersonal relations, and an environment that fosters continuous improvement. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? Like anyone else, I have made some mistakes that have resulted in an outcome that was not anticipated or desired. My philosophy is to make a decision based on the best information you have, and if it becomes apparent you made the wrong decision, you alter the course to correct the situation. What is your own experience with public education? I attended public schools, K-12, as well as a public university. This education has provided many positive fulfilling opportunities for my family. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? My priority is structured around a safe and quality education. What do you see as strengths in the school district? Mr. Zuver strives to provide a positive and realistic approach to linking the community and schools. The committed staff strives to provide a quality education to all learning levels. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? In the short term, navigate the current health crisis in a way that keeps our kids safe as well as showing respect to the community with differing beliefs. Long term we'll need to focus on bridging any learning gaps that resulted from the altered school year last spring. What is your vision for GPS? I am honored to play a role in fostering continuous growth in students and staff that creates a foundation for the children, enabling them to be successful in society. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This pandemic and the closing of schools has provided perspective for the entire community as to the critical role the school system plays in society. The methods of how children learn remotely vs. in person has been challenging to say the least. As a community, we are learning and changing daily, striving to improve based on our findings. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. In order to navigate a complex business environment, I'm continually challenged to resolve conflicts. My guide to this resolution is based on fairness and equality. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? My mentor, stakeholders, board members, my family, my moral compass. Do you ever question your decision making? If not who provides your checks and balances? It's a natural tendency to question my decisions to ensure gaining perspective. I learn from past experiences and strive to continually improve. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Leaf Babin Kelly Brown What motivates you to run for the board? I grew up in Grant and graduated from Grant High School in 1982. I love my school and felt that Grant was a wonderful community to return to and raise my children. My 4 children graduated from Grant High School which is a particular point of personal pride. We have always been proud to be Tigers!!! After being involved in the school system as a parent, volunteer, and employee, I feel that the school board is a place where I could continue to dedicate my time to our community, and most importantly, have a positive impact for the children of our community. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? A public school board member has a vast number of responsibilities as listed on the Michigan Association of School Boards website (MASB.org). In addition, I believe it is a school board member’s responsibility to keep up with what is happening in our community and understanding the challenges the young people of our community might meet when they are going out into the world after their local education. In keeping up with the pulse of the community, I believe the school board is better equipped to make decisions in the best interest of the local population they represent. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I was raised in Grant until the age of 18 and then joined the United States Air Force. After starting my family, I left the USAF and eventually returned to Grant in 2000. I have been a volunteer in the school system for many years primarily in athletics. I have also been an Athletic Boosters member/Treasurer. I retired from Grant Public Schools March 31, 2020 after 18 years as a support staff employee in the positions of Office Aide, Special Education Aide, Special Education Secretary, and the last 8 years as the Middle School Building Secretary. I have also served on the Executive Board of the Grant Education Support Personnel Association. What skills do you bring to the board? My USAF background is in technology and troubleshooting. I really believe I can bring a fresh and knowledgeable perspective as we advance our school into the virtual learning arena. I also have years of experience in writing and interpreting policy. I can bring a real strength to reviewing, understanding, implementing, and monitoring compliance where policy is concerned. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? I am sure, if I really thought about it, I could give you several examples of not-so-great decisions on my part. More importantly is what we do after. I believe in owning my mistakes. Admitting when I have done something wrong, doing my best to make it right, learning from it, and trying to not repeat it. Personal responsibility is essential in learning and growing. What is your own experience with public education? I had a very positive experience with public education as a child. When I was in high school, 1979-1982, I recall that there were many budget challenges. We had years where we had only 5 hours of class a day, yet we still had a wonderful high school experience. The administration and staff kept a positive attitude and atmosphere for the students. Though we had fewer activities, school spirit and participation were remarkably high for what we had. I now realize how much effort that must have taken on the staff’s part, and I really appreciate that the community and children meant that much to them. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? I believe that our 1st priority has been, and should always remain, providing the families of our community a quality educational opportunity for our children. To achieve that goal moving forward, I believe we need to focus on technology infrastructure, software, data management, and quality training for all staff members to effectively and efficiently deliver that opportunity to all students. What do you see as strengths in the school district? I believe the greatest strength in our district is our people. There are wonderful staff and community members who really care about raising good people to go out into the world. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? I believe our biggest challenge will be utilizing the budget to effectively provide the quality education our children deserve. It will take an enormous amount of cooperative work to effectively manage our budget to produce the best outcome. What is your vision for GPS? My vision for GPS is to provide a quality education and prepare our students to successfully move forward with their lives after graduation and provide a positive experience that entices them to bring their families back to our community. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This last year has absolutely influenced my thought process. I have known for quite some time that technology would continue to advance in the delivery of education. I believe this last year has accelerated the timeline for that process and we need to get on board with that advancement so that our students can compete outside of our community. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. I find that conflict resolution is best achieved with an in-person exchange of information and a willingness for all parties to listen and review evidence. This, along with reasonable discussion, will usually allow for a consensus. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? There are many places for board members to access to seek knowledgeable advice. The Michigan Association of School Boards have attorneys on staff to which board members have access. They also have a mentoring program that will pair board members with other experienced board members around the state. This allows a connection with others around the state that may be dealing with like situations to learn how the situation was resolved and if it would apply in our case. There also needs to be an atmosphere of open communication amongst the board, and between the superintendent and the board, so they may work together so the best outcomes will be achieved. Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I tend to do a lot of research on a subject before making a decision. I try to find information regarding all aspects to be as informed as possible before weighing in with a decision. I try to project what outcomes might be for each decision to avoid as many pitfalls as possible. As a school board member, I would look to the other school board members to provide the checks and balances. What book you have read has influenced you the most? The Bible Kris Lesley What motivates you to run for the board? The continued desire to give back to our community and try and help provide the best educational and overall school experience for our kids. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? To continue to serve as a representative and advocate for our community and all stakeholders . Also to continue to try our best collectively to put the needs and interests of our students first and foremost. We as a group continue to try and govern areas including policy, budgeting etc still in a way that most benefits our kids, staff and community. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I have been in the district my whole life. I attended Grant Public Schools, participated in numerous sports and extracurriculars and received my high school diploma back in 1988. After receiving my college degree from Aquinas College I returned home to live in the Grant area and have raised two sons both who have attended GPS. During these years I have volunteered my time coaching youth athletics, was a member of the local Lions club before that ceased along with many other activities, events etc. What skills do you bring to the board? I believe I bring a positive, common sense approach to duties associated with the school board and have always tried to put the best interest of kids and stakeholders as the top priority. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? Probably without doubt one of the hardest things we are entrusted with is making important decisions and using the best intentions as we try to make the best possible decision. Difficult to pinpoint one specific event but can only say when things need to be adjusted or corrected, we have always tried to do so with compassion and integrity. What is your own experience with public education? As previously mentioned I was a public education student and have served on the GPS board since 2004. My wife has also been in public education for over 25 years serving as an educator at another district. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? Of course with this recent pandemic much has changed and has forced all parties involved to re evaluate priorities necessary to navigate through these difficult times. Looking to the future I believe we still we need to remain proactive with conservative budgeting as well as striving to continue to provide the best educational and extracurricular activity experience for our kids! What do you see as strengths in the school district? We have a very strong community with wonderful people and a great staff from top to bottom that all share the same common goal and that is to continue to put kids first. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? School funding has and seems always will be one our biggest challenges . We are really at the mercy of our state legislature and their budgeting and funding of which changes from year to year . We continue as a group to try and best use these resources to provide our most important stakeholders our kids the best educational experience possible. What is your vision for GPS? I would say the vision going forward mirrors our long standing phrase associated with GPS and that is to continue to associate Grant Public Schools as "A Great Place to Grow and Learn". Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This year has definitely been challenging to say the least as we have literally had to rethink and redevelop almost every aspect of public education with our main focus being on keeping our kids as safe as possible but also trying to provide them with as much of the educational experience as possible. What we continue to learn is that much of what we are tasked to deal with continues to be mandated from powers higher and that continues to make decision making more difficult for our members. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. I can say that I have been blessed over my 16 years as a GPS board member in that I have had wonderful board members to work with and have always had a common vision and goal of working together in solving any conflict and other aspects as a team. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? When making decisions we consult with our board as a whole and most often times our Superintendent and administration . There are also times we need to reach out further to seek advice from school counsel as well as resources made available from MASB (Michigan Association of School Boards) etc. I can also recall communication with other neighboring districts getting input from them on common issues, topics etc. Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I don't think the proper word would be questioning our decision making, rather hopeful that the decisions we make are made with careful thought and consideration. What book you have read has influenced you the most? In all honesty I have not spent much time reading books as a hobby etc...however thinking back there are actually two that I have enjoyed over the years and both written by Mr. Mitch Album and those were Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Danette Obenauf My name is Danette Obenauf and I am a candidate for the Grant School Board. I have lived in the Grant/Bailey area all of my life. My husband Dean and I are graduates of GPS, as are our four children and many of our thirteen grandchildren will be.. Because my roots go deep within the Grant School System, I would like to be a part of the success and continued positive growth of the students and community and their vision for the future. Times have changed, but our vision for excellence for our students never changes. I would be proud to be a part of the Board which strives to give our students the education and values that have always been representative of GPS. When my children became students at Grant, I often volunteered in their classrooms. As my children grew, my volunteerism did as well. I was part of the Parent Involvement Program, who, as a group, raised money for school room activities. I was one of the three mothers who planned, organized and conducted the very first all night after prom party, to ensure the safety of our students. I was on the committee of persons who were chosen to seek support from the community for the current Middle School. I also served on the committee to study the pros and cons of going from half day kindergarten to an all-day kindergarten. We sought the counsel of other school systems regarding the advantages of an all day/alternate day versus an all day kindergarten. I am a former employee of the Grant School System, having served in different schools and in different capacities. One challenge all school districts are experiencing and providing consistency of education and a clear vision for excellence during the current economic and health crisis in which our nation now finds itself in. We must remain steadfast in our hopes and goals for the future of GPS. The future success of our schools is crucial for the success of each individual student's success in life. I believe that a successful Board will seek to communicate with each other and seek legal counsel when needed, in order to present the best resolution and consensus to represent the community at large. Rob Schuitema
What motivates you to run for the Board? Two main factors led to my decision to run for GPS school board. First, my passion for education. I have been involved in education in one capacity or another my entire life. From my family's involvement when I was a child to my own professional career of over 17 years working in various aspects of formal and informal education. Second, my commitment, and appreciation for the Grant community. I was given many opportunities to excel in education because of this community and I would like to give back and help the district excel. Schools are the foundation of every community, Grant is no different and being involved with the board would be a privilege. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? As in any organization, the key to success is communication. An integral part of communication is to listen. Listen to the staff, listen to the students and listen to the community. From there, a good leader will research all the possibilities for success, have an engaging dialogue to exhaust the options and then work together to ensure the community is getting the most from their school district. This is the best way to ensure long-term success of everyone in the community. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I graduated from GPS in 1991. I then moved away from the area but returned in 2003. From 2003 to 2006, I was a regular and long-term substitute teacher in the Grant School District. I also taught summer enrichment classes and worked with the afterschool program. From there, my path led me to work for NCCS (now TrueNorth) as the Cultural Enrichment and Youth Programs Director where I oversaw the counties Music Scholarship program and Regional Art Contest for Newaygo County middle and high school students. With my current role as Director of Public Programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, I have worked with the district to have Grant students come to the Museum for field trips, extended programming and helped right grants to provide bussing for Newaygo County students. Additionally, I have two children in the district (10th and 6th graders) and have actively supported the choir, art club, the Spanish immersion program and the Spanish immersion after school program. What skills do you bring to the board? I have worked for over 14 years in the nonprofit world with a focus on enriching the lives of children, families and the community. With that experience, I have grown my skill set to include: (1) Grant writing - personally accounting for over $400,000 in funds received for education programming. (2) Community relations - personally serving on and leading various steering committees, governing boards and community collaborations including most recently a partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital to provide distance learning opportunities for children unable to physically experience the Museum. (3) Collaborating with other education leaders and community partners on school policy and procedures including writing curriculum, hiring committees, program partnerships, afterschool programs and community engagement projects throughout West Michigan. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? As an educator, I feel I have experimented and failed often. This is how we grow. One particular time that stands out is when I was the art teacher for the summer enrichment program at Grant. I had been asked by the Primary Center principal to work with a group of 1st and 2nd graders to paint a mural in the PC similar to what Kathy Streng had done in the Elementary. Well, unlike Kathy, I decided I was going to give some artistic license to these young artists and see what they could come up with. She had created stencils for them to use which was great, I wanted to go in another direction. Well, as many of you know, there are no murals in the primary center. Unfortunately, my lack of direction did not turn out so well. I felt terrible for both the school and the students I worked with. We did many great things that week; the mural was not one of them. My take away from that situation was to be prepared to generate success from your students. To understand whom you are working with and make sure you are leading them. I have used this failure to learn and be better prepared, not to assume anything, and adapt plans to my audience. That philosophy has translated into many successful projects over the last decade plus, but I always remember that one and what not to do. What is your own experience with public education? What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? What do you see as strengths in the school district? My experience with public education - As I mentioned I am a graduate of Grant Public Schools. My parents worked in public education, so our livelihood was dependent on public education. Currently, members of my family continue to work in public education, so the legacy continues. My college degree is from Arizona State University and most of my professional career has focused on helping public schools succeed. I am an advocate for public schools. Without them, so many children and families would not have the opportunity to succeed educationally and personally. Public schools not only provide the education platform, but for many, it is the place where they go for food, safety, personal growth experiences, counseling and lifelong friendships. The public schools are so much more than an education system they are hope and opportunity. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? With my role at the Museum, we have made our mission to be inclusive. That is, opportunities for anyone, no matter what their learning style or challenges are. I feel the same is true for public education. Each learner is different, providing the best practices to ensure inclusion is paramount for success. With that, flexibility, quick adaptation and compromise are the keys to making that common practice. This starts with communicating -especially listening-to staff, students and community members. Change is constant, and successful districts prepare for this and respond quickly. What do you see as strengths in the school district? One of the biggest things that I have noticed since I graduated in 1991 is the expansion of opportunities. There are more class options, in all departments and subjects now, then there were when I was a student. This is also true with extracurricular activities. There is more athletic and enrichment related programs. This has been demonstrated by the growing success of our students in competitions, locally, regionally and statewide. As a parent of two students, I also see the strength of the district through the passion and dedication of the staff, especially but not limited to, the teachers. As is often in successful public school districts, people are going above and beyond to offer every opportunity imaginable to students. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? What is your vision for GPS? With every public school, especially one in a rural community, budget expenses will pose as one of the biggest challenges. Responsible spending will be necessary, especially as the entire country faces economic challenges due to the pandemic. Strong relationships within the district and community will be key to navigating these financial challenges in order to plan a successful future. My vision for GPS is to continue to grow and provide enriching opportunities for everyone. To be a strong voice and leader of the community. To inspire learning, acceptance and diversity from staff and students and to adapt and grow with the ever changing trends in education. I envision GPS to be the gold standard of public schools and to be a welcoming place for every learner. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. In my experience, current education trends - especially remote or distance learning, grant funding for program expenses, and innovative curriculum for the 21st century learner - was already occurring, well before this last year. The education department budget is not sufficient to support every initiative so districts, and cultural institutions like the Museum, have to get very creative to provide pivotal learning experiences for their students, oftentimes with less resources. Additionally, support from the community is imperative and that has been amplified throughout this last year. We are all in this together and need to research ways to ensure the district is doing everything they can to provide the platform for success. From my own interactions and conversations with colleagues, the role of the public school is as important as it has ever been. A great example is what the district, along with community partners, did this spring and summer to provide meals, books and more for families that were not able to get this support anywhere else. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. Throughout my career, I have been given the task to work with the community. Whether it be with an afterschool program, a long-term substitute program, summer camps, etc. As part of that task, I am consistently working with people to figure out the best way to handle the situation and encourage growth and understanding. As a director, I am constantly working with staff, as an educator I am constantly working with students and community members, as a collaborator I am constantly working with board members, committee groups and funders. Each of these responsibilities come with inherent risks as everyone is trying to navigate the best situation for all involved. Again, this is where listening is vital and an ability to compromise on the solution must be applied. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I am fortunate through my career to work with so many people who have worked on school boards across West Michigan. I have already reached out for advice and will continue to if elected. I also work with educational professionals that I not only call colleagues but friends. They are some of the brightest minds in education and I respect their abilities to communicate and collaborate. I am someone who likes to look at the situation from as many perspectives as I can. I try to ask myself, how would my decision affect those who I am asked to represent? I also like to have dialogues with as many people as possible, to listen to all sides to make informed decisions. I think questioning is a natural part of learning and I do it often. That being said, I am confident in my core beliefs - being a kind and considerate person, someone who listens and acts with everyone’s best interests in mind - and will stand by my final decisions as decisions that are in the best interest of the community not because I am right, but because I have listened and responded appropriately. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? When I first started at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in 2008, we had recently had an exhibition about Ernest Shackleton and The Ill-Fated Journey to Antarctica. The exhibit was gone, but one of my mentors was so inspired by the story that she shared everything she could with me. One of the things she gave me was a copy of Shackleton’s Forgotten Men by Lennard Bickel. This is the story of the Aurora - the second of the two ships that was charged with going to the Ross Ice Shelf and making the north journey to the South Pole and charged with laying out supplies so that Shackleton could be the first person to cross the entire continent. Just like Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, the Aurora became stuck in the ice and was ripped apart, stranding the crew without hope of rescue other than from Shackleton, who they had no contact with. Despite the peril they faced, they attempted to complete their task, losing members of the crew to frostbite, starvation and hypothermia. They were stranded for nearly two years before Shackleton was able to rescue them. Shackleton himself was quoted as saying “No more remarkable story of human endeavors have been revealed than the tale of that long march.” This is a story of triumph and the human spirit, something that goes beyond inspirational. |
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January 2021
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