Breaking News: City Manager placed on leave of absence
The City of St. Johns recently completed a 12 month investigation regarding the administration of and adherence to city policies and procedures. As a result of this investigation City Manager Dennis LaForest has been placed on a 30 day leave of absence without pay commencing June 1.
The investigative findings revealed that certain policies were not followed. As a result of these findings, it has been determined the St. Johns City Commission will review all policies and revise/delete and generate new policies for all city employees, elected and appointed officials which will include ethics and donation policies for the City of St. Johns.
Deputy City Manager David Kudwa will fulfill the responsibilities of City Manager during the period of suspension.
Annual Memorial Day Parade to be held Monday – May 30
The annual Memorial Day Parade will be held in downtown St. Johns on Monday, May 30th at 10:00 AM.
The parade will proceed to Mt. Rest Cemetery, followed by the traditional ceremony.
Nationally Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Performs in St. Johns – Thursday, June 2
The Wilson Collective will present a great evening of Indy-folk music on Thursday, June 2, 2016 in the Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns. Featured on this special concert will be the critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, Simon Joyner, who is doing a solo acoustic tour of living rooms and art spaces in support of his latest album, “Grass, Branch & Bone” and his new book, “Only Love Can Bring You Peace: Selected Lyrics 1990-2016.”
“Simon writes amazing music,” exclaims Aidan Pope, concert coordinator. “This is a rare opportunity to hear such a renowned musician in our own community.” Joyner comes to St. Johns from doing shows in Chapel Hill, NC and Providence, RI. Opening acts will be St. Johns singer-songwriters Aidan Pope (The American Automobile) and Elliott Eremita (Nathan Elliott).
Highlighting the evening’s program will be Omaha singer-songwriter Simon Joyner who is on tour promoting his latest album and book of lyrics. He has an extensive catalog of records, pioneered the indie rock scene in Omaha, as well as having influenced artists such as Beck, and Conor Oberst of the band ‘Bright Eyes’. He has received praise from British DJ John Peel, who played his album, The Cowardly Traveller Pays His Toll, from beginning to end on air, saying “Little bits of several folks that I like in what Simon does, but he ends up being his own man, no question.” as well as Bright Eyes’ front man Conor Oberst saying of Joyner, “Pound for pound Simon Joyner is my favorite lyricist of all time. He has shades of all the greats (Van Zandt, Cohen, Dylan) but exists in a space all his own … He truly is an American songwriting treasure. It is my hope that more people will discover his music and share in the unique joy that it brings.”
Opening the concert will be Elliott Eremita, a St. Johns native now based out of Lansing performing songs from his upcoming solo release. His sound is akin to that of Elliott Smith, Tom Waits, and Conor Oberst. Elliott has performed with numerous metal bands including Milestone, and Faltered Step, but is now focusing his sights on a more intimate, solo acoustic project. The second performer is St. Johns singer-songwriter Aidan Pope of the band The American Automobile. He will be performing various country and folk songs from The American Automobile’s upcoming album ‘Citizen Dance’.
There will be a $7 admission charge at the door. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in downtown St. Johns, just south of the Court House. For more information about The Wilson Collective and/or upcoming concerts and events, please visit the Wilson Center Auditorium web site at: wilsoncenterauditorium.org and/or the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook page.
Patrons of the Shell Buttons on sale
Area residents can show their support of the William E. Tennant Performance Shell Concert in the Park summer series by purchasing and wearing 2016 POTS (Patrons Of The Shell) buttons, designed by local artist, Marti Cooper.
The weekly summer music series began June 15 and concludes Aug. 31. There is no admission charge for Concert in the Park shows that begin at 7 p.m.
POTS buttons are $25 each, available at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery, 215 N. Clinton Ave., downtown St. Johns. POTS 13th season patrons are encouraged to wear their buttons each Wednesday throughout the day showing their support of the summer series.
In addition, patrons who wear their buttons at the St. Johns Big Boy Restaurant on any Wednesday throughout the rest of the year will receive 10 percent off their entire bill.
The Shell Committee hopes to see a lot of the 2016 buttons worn around town on Wednesdays throughout the summer, drawing attention to the concert that evening.
Armed Forces celebration at Depot – May 30
Clinton Northern Railway Museum at the St. Johns Depot will host a celebration of our men and women who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces on Monday, May 30 during its regular open hours: 1 – 3 PM.
Exhibits will include written memories of men who left from that depot to go fight in World War II; a display about the Morse code, which was essential for communications throughout many wars fought over the years; copies of actual telegrams received at the depot during a 3-month period of WWII regarding men from Clinton County; and an historic military stretcher.
Starting at 1:30 p.m. all who have connections in one way or another to service men or women are invited to share their stories, while others listen and learn.
“We encourage the community to join us in showing our appreciation of those who help maintain our cherished freedoms,” said Jenny and Gary McCampbell, co-managers of the museum.
Clinton Northern Railway Museum is a branch of the Clinton County Arts Council, which gratefully receives some grant funding for operations from the Michigan Council for Art and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Historical Society invites you to Come to Eat and to Meet – Tuesday June 21
The Clinton Couunty Historical Society Board, Archives and Paine-Gillam-Scott House Museum volunteers would like to get to know you and share a little about what we do and try to answer any questions you may have.
Wayne Summers will speak about the One Room School book update project.
The Luecht School was located on the southwest corner of Price and Wright Roads.
Please bring any pictures or documents you may have from a Clinton County one room school for us to scan and possibly use in the new book. Your photo will not be kept, just scanned and returned to you that night.
Tuesday June 21
6:30 p.m.
AgroLiquid, 1130 S. DeWitt Rd (corer of M-21 and DeWitt Rd)
Potluck: Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Beverages will be furnished.
Kiwanis serves Relay dinner
St. Johns Kiwanis Club 707 had the honor again this year to provide and serve at the Survivors’ Dinner at the Clinton County Relay For Life event held at the Clinton County Fairgrounds on May
13.
Marsha Dollarhite, Sharon Bassette, Terry Strickler, Dave Hunt, Sally Rice and Mark Smith at the Relay for Life Survivor’s Dinner
Sue Lounds, Eileen Bostwick, Tony Hufnagel, Ken Perrin, Jennifer
McNeely, Maralyn Thelen at the Relay for Life Survivor’s Dinner
Bike to Build 2016 is August 6, 2016
Looking for a fun way to spend a sunny summer day with friends, promote your business and support Habitat for Humanity at the same time? Take a ride around for Bike to Build.
Bicycle riders can choose 75, 50, 20 mile rides or a shorter 3 mile family fun ride. All routes begin and end at Northpointe Community Church. Riders will be served lunch between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the church. And all routes pass through at least one refreshment stop.
Registration forms are available on the website, www.habitatclinton.org. You may mail in a form or select our registration links to complete the forms online. In addition, you can search for our event on the websites: active.com and firstgiving.com, just type “Bike to Build 2016” and select the first link.
How to get a Bike to Build Jersey!
– Gather your friends and visit our website: www.habitatclinton.org.
– Fill out a pledge form, $250 or more will receive a cycling jersey
Sport your stylish Bike to Build jersey on every ride through the countryside.