Volume 1, Issue 1 1st Quarter – Jan. – Mar. 2007
The Bridge
City of
Mayor’s Message - Michael Beyer
Winter is coming to an end and spring is within
sight! Mark your calendars for our first
events of the spring. On the 5th of May the City Wide Clean-up Day takes place at
the public works site. It is a great
time to find the garage and get rid of that stuff that just doesn’t have any
purpose anymore. The following day May 6th is the Fire Departments pancake Breakfast. Come on out and show your support for our
Volunteer Fire Department.
Even with the slow housing market the city issued
51 new housing permits in 2006.
The city is also moving forward with the
construction of a new public works facility.
The plans and specifications will be approved on February 27th and advertisement for bids will be
published. The new building will be
located north of the existing building behind the Fire Station. The existing public works facility is a metal
post frame building that has served its purpose. The other project the city has been
discussing is a new City Hall. The city council has not given the final
approval on this project yet, but this building is in need of expanding.
At the last election the ballot included a
question on whether to allow a ˝ percent local sales tax to raise money to
repair the levee. Unfortunately it did
not pass. The city council has decided
to ask the state legislator’s to authorize the city to impose the one-half
percent sales tax for the same purpose.
If the state authorizes the City of
One last thing that has been a personal mission of
mine since being elected Mayor is getting all of
As always I want to thank you for calling
Mike
“ALL YOU
CAN EAT” PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Rockford
Fire Department will host’s it’s annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, May 6th from 7:00 a.m. until Noon at the fire station,
The menu
features all you can eat pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs and sausages. Coffee, milk and orange juice are also served. Cost is $4.00 in advance,
$5.00 admission at the door.
A Family Pack (4 people) can be purchased for $15.00. Children under 3 years of age
eat free.
Tickets are available at city hall.
This is a
great way to support your Fire Department and meet your neighbors.
ADMINISTRATOR’S
REPORT
Nancy Carswell
Last year the city council was faced with some big
decisions regarding the undersized public works and city hall facilities. Then throw into the mix the proposed levee
repairs. After a few workshop meetings,
the city council prioritized these three projects. The public works facility rose to the top of
the priorities, due to the possibility of mold in the building and the
dilapidated state of the existing structure.
The second project on the list of priorities is
repairing the levee and stabilizing the Bank of the
A task force of two council members and the city
administrator are working on establishing criteria for small business
loans. The task force is also
discussing establishing an Economic Development Commission to promote the
development and redevelopment of commercial sites throughout the city. As you are all well aware the only local
grocer closed their doors recently. City staff is contacting small grocery
franchises and builders searching for a grocer to locate in our city.
The city is also focusing on development and redevelopment
of commercial sites located along Highway 55.
These sites are located on the city’s web site along with contact
information. The planning commission is
reviewing guidelines for the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the
downtown. Business owners will be
invited to attend a future meeting to provide their input on the proposed
guidelines.
Weekly Story times For Children
Weekly story times are offered
for children ages 3-6 on Mondays, 6:30 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
Story time
themes are:
Mar. 5
Mice Apr. 2 Insects & Spiders
Mar. 12 St. Pat’s Day
Apr. 9 Gardening
Mar. 19 Food Apr. 16 Spring
Mar. 26 Silly Stories
Wednesday
morning story times are held every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. from March
- May. Story themes vary from week to
week.
All story
times include crafts, finger plays and more. Registration begins 30 minutes before the program. Attendance is limited
to 25. Monday evening story
time will not be held during the month of May.
Book Club For Adults
Rockford
Library Adult Book Club meets the 4th Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. New
members welcome! Contact the library for more information.
For information about library services and programs
contact library staff at 763-477-4216
www.griver.org
Hours: Mon-1-8,
Tues. 4-8, Wed.
10-6,
Thurs. 4-8, Fri.
2-6, Sat. 10-2
The City of
Nominee forms are also available at the Rockford Public
Library and the city’s website at www.cityofrockford.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Annual
Spring Clean-up day for
Appliances, tires,
florescent lights, furniture,
scrap metal and
general household garbage will be accepted for a fee. The Epilepsy Foundation
will be on hand to collect articles of clothing and general household items that are in good condition.
Additional information will be published in the April
issues of the
CITY WIDE GARAGE SALES
To
make shopping easier, the City will provide maps showing where all the sales
are located and include a brief notation of available items at each address.
The maps will be available at City Hall and area businesses.
Further sign-up information will be published in
the May issues of the South Crow River News or if you have specific
questions, please contact Kathy at City
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Rockford Community Education & Community Center invite residents
to attend the annual Rockford Area Business Expo on April 14th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:30
p.m. The expo will be held at the Rockford Community Center Field House (located
on the east side of the
Visit over 50
booths of businesses and organizations and see what they have to offer. There
will be cash
prize drawings, door prizes and free giveaways. Concessions are also
available. There will also be
entertainment on the stage.
Booths are
still available if your business would like to participate. If you have any questions, contact Barb Northway with
the
The Rockford River Days Festival
will be held on August 10th, 11th &
12th.
The festival hosts lots of fun events and activities including; a teen
dance, 2-mile fun run, walleye fishing contest, carnival games, bingo,
volleyball and horseshoe tournaments and many more other events. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August
12th. This is a
great community event and a even greater way to meet
your neighbors.
The festival committee is
seeking new members to help plan events.
If your interested contact Karen Fuller at 763-477-5907. The committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of
the month at 7 p.m. at Our Father’s
Compost Site Opens April 16, 2007
The City compost site located on
Grass clippings, leaves and brush no larger than
3” in diameter are accepted. All bags used to transport composting must be removed.
Mayor: Michael
Beyer
Council Members: Greg Altringer,
City
Administrator: Nancy Carswell
Public Works
Supervisor: Dennis Peterson
Police:
CITY OF
City
Council: 7:00
p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesday City Hall
Planning Commission: 7:00 p.m. 2nd Thursday City
Hall
Park
Commission: 6:00
p.m. 1st Tuesday City Hall
Fire
Relief Association: 8:00 p.m. 1st Monday Fire Station
City of
City Hall :
763-477-6565
Fax: 763-477-4393
Public
Works: 763-477-4346
City
Hall Hours
Mon-Fri. 8:00 a.m.-
4:30 p.m.
Website
www.cityofrockford.org