Deputy Chief Tobias was sworn in by City Clerk
The City of St. Johns and the St. Johns Police Department (SJPD) have announced that Andrew Tobias has been selected to fill the department’s newly created deputy chief position. City Clerk Mindy Seavey administered the oath of office to Tobias on Monday May 15, making the move official.
Deputy Chief Tobias is a veteran officer with more than 24 years of upwardly mobile law enforcement and leadership experience. Tobias served the Meridian Township Police Department for 21 years, most recently as sergeant. He achieved Master Police Officer designation in 2017 and has excelled in a variety of positions including police cadet program supervisor, field training officer, and K-9 officer to name a few. He is also recognized for his work integrating police K9 into the special response team’s tactical operations.
St. Johns Police Chief David Kirk says, “In a time when law enforcement agencies have some tough issues to navigate, the addition of someone of Andrew’s quality creates a great deal of optimism. We are incredibly excited to have him on board as we continue to improve the department and address priorities in the community.”
The deputy chief position was created to add specific skill sets, talents and experience to the force. “The executive team took great care and committed a significant amount of time to identify the characteristics of the ‘ideal candidate’ for this role based on the department’s recognized needs,” explains Kirk. “There are operational components, both investigative and patrol-based, and also administrative duties that relate to aligning our processes through assessment and development.”
During the interview and selection process, city staff partnered with law enforcement administrators who have deep experience assessing law enforcement candidates’ job knowledge and how their strengths match up to specific needs. In the end, Tobias was unanimously selected by the panel as the best match for the uniquely structured title.
“Andrew’s wealth of knowledge and operational experience checks all the boxes, and he’s willing to wear many hats,” explains Kirk. “He has an incredibly positive outlook, and a great record for mentoring and developing staff. The opportunity to partner with him to move our department forward is exciting on all levels.”
Spring Fling/Touch a Truck damp but fun
by Maralyn Fink
On Saturday I attended the Spring Fling downtown on Clinton Avenue.
I left my house and got to the event. It was raining and I had no jacket. I found that there were people attending the event anyway.
RESA squashes proposed agriculture programming
courtesy of Mitch Galloway, Farm News Media
Clinton County is saying no to an Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Program and FFA chapter for the 2023-24 school year, despite a 50% financial commitment from the local community to cover two years of salary for its open instructor position and half-time conservation technician.
The recent announcement is disappointing, said Mark Forbush, Michigan FFA state advisor and AFNRE outreach specialist. According to reports, Clinton County School District superintendents unanimously voted to cancel the proposed 2023-24 Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) AFNR program due to low student enrollment.
Michigan features 57 Intermediate School Districts, RESA, and Regional Educational Service Districts, which promote stable economies by creating a skilled-trades talent pipeline.
Forbush said it’s hard to recruit students into a new program when you don’t know if it will exist.
“They never start with 20 or 35 kids,” he told Michigan Farm News. “They start with smaller numbers, especially in career center-type programs when you have to come on a bus from somewhere else. And they grow with good teachers and good support, and there’s obviously good support in this community for this project.”
That financial support comes from business leaders like Clinton County Farm Bureau, AgroLiquid, Clinton Conservation District, and MWC Glanbia, which agreed to pay $50,000 for the instructor role and a half-time conservation technician, to make it a full-time job. (Read the Clinton Conversation District’s letter here.) “There’s certainly enough agriculture in Clinton County,” Forbush said.
“This is an industry opportunity for students. The goal was to start a program that would allow more students to get trained, and some would come from an agricultural background, and some would not. It would open the door to new people to work in the ag industry at all different levels.”
According to documents obtained by Michigan Farm News, the Clinton County RESA AFNR Advisory Committee met the criteria in the proposed hiring of an instructor, which included covering half of the full-time salary for 2023 to 2025 and writing the hybrid job description.
On Monday Bob Craig and other AFNR community members expressed disappointment in the superintendents’ decision, asking the Clinton County RESA School Board to reconsider.
“They didn’t change anything,” said Craig, chairperson of the Clinton County RESA AFNR Advisory Committee. “They’re basically standing by their superintendents’ decision.”
The Clinton County RESA agriscience program would have served the St. Johns, Pewamo-Westphalia, Fowler, Bath and DeWitt communities.
“We property owners pay one-half of a mill in Clinton County school millage property taxes county wide for vocational education programs,” Craig told Michigan Farm News. “We’re going to pay it whether we got an AFNR program or not. It’s disappointing the decision that was made, but we’re going to keep trying because we have great kids here in Clinton County.”
Michigan’s food and agriculture system accounts for 805,000 jobs or 17% of the state’s total employment.
Clinton County RESA Superintendent Wayne Petroelje said a program won’t exist until there are sufficient students. He said about 10 students initially enrolled in the program, but that number later dwindled.
“First of all, to save the program — we did not have the program,” said Petroelje, noting a teacher resigned in 2022 before the program got started.
“It’s not the disappointment that we discontinued the program. The disappointment is in the lack of number of students.”
When asked if it being a new program affected student enrollment, Petroelje said that “we have maybe 12 other CTE programs with overflowing numbers.”
“They’re established programs over the last few years, but you have to have a minimal number first to even start the program,” he said. “I told Bob Craig that we have to have a sufficient number of students to sign up otherwise we cannot start a program.”
SCH Surgical Department caregiver named Nurse of the Year
Sparrow Clinton Hospital is celebrating its highly skilled surgical nurse Robert Beals, RN, for his selflessness and providing compassionate care to patients.
Beals has been on the Sparrow Clinton Surgical Services team since February 2020. He’s considered by his peers as a leader who has taken on multiple tasks and responsibilities, and “is the guy” who knows where everything is in the department.
“Rob demonstrates professionalism, respect, teamwork, and compassion to his patients, their families, and his colleagues,” says Sparrow Clinton Chief Nursing Officer Mariah Hesse, BSN, RN, CENP. “Rob has received many DAISY nominations for his nursing practice which demonstrates how he goes above and beyond for his patients. He brings a positive attitude and strong leadership skills to his department and to our hospital every day.”
Beals takes pride in providing the best possible care to his patients, close to home. “I enjoy making sure that our community has an exceptional place to have a lot of procedures done. There are a lot of people who can’t or don’t want to go to Lansing for their care.”
Sparrow Clinton Hospital appreciates his willingness to help others and serve the community.
“If you took the time to look up specific qualities that every great nurse has, Rob exhibits each and every one of them,” said Surgical Services manager Lea Curtiss, BSN, RN. “He is caring, communicates well, has empathy, is detail oriented, has excellent problem-solving skills, uses humor in his daily practice, is committed to every patient as well as his team, uses critical thinking in his daily practice, is compassionate, is dependable, and a leader in both word and deed. This honor is well deserved, and we are extremely grateful he is a part of our Surgical Services team.”
For more information about Sparrow Clinton go to Sparrow.org/Clinton.
SJPS one step closer to new superintendent
The St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education moved one step closer to hiring a new superintendent on Tuesday. The Board initially interviewed five candidates: Anthony Berthiaume, Superintendent at New Lothrop; Kelly Corbett, Deputy Superintendent at St. Johns; Jay Larner Assistant Superintendent at Mattawan; Mark McGarry, Superintendent at Bellevue; and Greg Pratt, retired Superintendent at Lowell Public.
The Board decided to invite three candidates back for a second interview.
The interviews will be held on Thursday, May 25. Anthony Berthiaume will interview at 5:00 pm, Jay Larner will interview at 6:30 pm, and Kelly Corbett will interview at 8:00 pm. Prior to the interviews the district will host an open house from 3:30-4:30 pm at St. Johns High School.
The interviews will be held at the St. Johns High School Band Room, 501 W Sickles Street, St. Johns, Michigan. The public is welcome to attend.
Anthony Bertiaume has served as Superintendent of New Lothrop Area Public Schools since 2014. Previously, he served as Principal at New Lothrop Junior/High School for four years.
Kelly Corbett has served as the Deputy Superintendent of St. Johns Public Schools since 2013. Prior, she served as Financial Services Consultant at Ingham ISD for one year and Associate Superintendent for five years also with Eaton RESA.
Jay Larner has served as Assistant Superintendent of Mattawan Consolidated Schools since 2020. Previously, he served as Assistant Superintendent for two years and High School Principal for three years at Lakewood Public Schools.
Candidates will tour the district prior to the final interviews.
Pride Festival is Saturday, June 3
Please join the St. Johns Call-In Coalition in celebrating the freedom to be ourselves and honor those who made it possible with the 3rd Annual St. Johns Pride Festival on Saturday, June 3 from 12-4 p.m. in downtown St. Johns at Clinton Ave. and Higham St.
There will be food trucks, speakers, live performances, a family-friendly Drag Show, Rapper, Bands and much more.
Crystal d’ Light will be featured as MC. Drag has been apart of Crystal d’ Light’s life for almost 5 years now. A lot of her inspiration comes from theater, women in pop from all decades, and anything sparkly. A show with her will have high energy, be family friendly, have silly laughs and be a “d’Light”-full time.
She was born and raised in Lansing and wants to help St. Johns spread the love/ She says she is very happy and honored to help MC this years pride Fest,and she plans on bringing some fierce entertainers to the show.
Special Olympics is holding its 27th annual Golf Scramble June 17
Emerald Golf Club, north of St. Johns, will host the Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Scramble on June 17. They are looking for golfers and sponsors to help make the fundraiser a great success.
The money earned helps pay for equipment, uniforms, transportation and much more. Area 28 wants to include as many children and adults with intellectual disabilities with your support.
Special Olympics cannot provide its program to athletes free of charge without the support of donors and fund raisers. Area 28 is run solely by volunteers. They are now resuming events for area athletes.
Golf registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Payment of $75 per golfer due at the event.
For more information please contact: Chris Ward, (517)282-0558 cward@cmham.org
CSFP provides Free healthy foods to Seniors 60 years and older
With the prices at the grocery store at an all time high and the extra pandemic amount given for food stamps no longer available, Michigan Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) can help.
Food Boxes Provided Include
– Milk
– shelf stable milk
– Peanut Butter or Dry Beans
– Rice or Pasta
– Cereal
– Cheese
– Canned Fruits
– Canned Vegetables
Certification for the Program is required every 3 years, and you will need to bring:
– A Form of ID (Proof of Date of Birth)
– Knowledge of Income
Michigan offers CSFP in every county. CSFP foods are distributed at a variety of sites such as churches, senior centers, senior housing and
community buildings. If you cannot pick up your box, someone may be your
“proxy” and will need a note from you to pick up your box.
For more information or to sign up call:
Capital Area Community
Services
Clinton County:
(989) 224-6702