Outgoing Schroeder Township Treasurer Mary VanDoren (right) passes the “baton” over to Alicia Kangas after the annual elections and town meeting Tuesday, March 8, 2011. She was relieved to have a break after 11 years in the position. In recognition of all her dedication and service, she was named Citizen of the Year.
It was a bitter competition in the Schroeder Township elections this year, but the victors were gracious and the losers took it well.
With 16 people sitting anxiously on the edge of their seats after the polls closed on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Town Clerk Carol Tveekrem (standing) announced that Roger “Bill” McKeever had kept his seat on the town board, with 19 out of 20 votes in his favor. The one opposing vote was cast for his daughter-in-law Tina McKeever, who didn’t qualify for his position anyway because she is already in the middle of her own term on the board.
Mary VanDoren lost her role as township treasurer, with three votes to Alicia Kangas’s 17 votes. It is suspected that Mary was Alicia’s No. 1 campaign crusader, however, since she’s been trying to hand over the baton for some time.
VanDoren received her just desserts for her 11 years as town treasurer, however, by being named Schroeder’s 2011 Citizen of the Year.
The other 112 of Schroeder’s registered voters missed out, however, because they would have been treated to lemon bread, lemon bars, and frosted spice cookies had they turned out to vote.
Budget and levy
A 2011 budget of $118,940 and a levy of $29,940 were approved by those in attendance.
Requests from numerous local groups resulted in the following donations: $1,000 to Tofte for its Fourth of July fireworks (20 percent of Tofte’s total cost), $3,500 to the Birch Grove Foundation, $5,000 to the Schroeder Area Historical Society, and $500 to the Superior Timberwolves, a group that maintains nearby trails.
Voters did not grant a request from the Lake County Ambulance Service. Bill McKeever stated that residents already help fund Cook County Ambulance services through hospital district taxes. He said he has personally donated to the Lake County Ambulance Service but did not advocate donating Schroeder tax dollars to the service. The Lake County Ambulance Service serves Cook County west of Taconite Harbor.
Fire and rescue report
Fire Chief Phil Bonin gave a report on the fire department, saying they have 15 firefighters on call 24/7. While they didn’t fight any “real” fires, he said, they dealt with six vehicle accidents and assisted with two helicopter medical transports.
The fire department is giving out nine-volt batteries donated by Energizer for use in smoke detectors. They have had them since fall, and they need to be used, Bonin said.
“We could always use more people,” Bonin said. “The pay is great!”
Bonin read a Rescue Squad report written by Rescue Chief Louise Trachta. She said people have been receiving training as First Responders and EMTs and expressed her appreciation for the efforts of those who give of their time. She was successful obtaining grants for a $1,000 litter used in transporting people out of the woods and for a $1,345 device that measures pulse and oxygen level.
Road report
Bill McKeever gave a report on Schroeder’s roads. “The roads were in good shape in the fall,” he said. “What they’re going to do in the spring, I have no idea. …Beaver? It’s going to be a problem.” The DNR won’t let them shoot any beaver that dam up rivers and flood the roads. “We can’t have people being arrested for shooting beaver to keep the road open,” McKeever said. “Somehow we have to resolve this, but we’re not sitting in the middle of it.”
Citizen concerns
The meeting ended with time for citizens to express their thoughts and concerns. Harry Johnson suggested that the township recognize Mabel Skou on her 100th birthday. He also suggested they put up a picnic pavilion at Father Baraga’s cross. Others supported his ideas.
Don McKeever suggested the township send a letter to the county requesting that at least 20 percent of the labor and materials spent on the county’s 1% tax projects be spent locally. A motion to that effect passed unanimously.
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