WHITEHALL — Whitehall’s city council again discussed safety concerns regarding student pick-up and drop-off at Ealy Elementary School at its meeting Tuesday.
Councilman Scott Brown voiced his concerns previously at the Aug 13 meeting, with city manager Scott Huebler saying the city would talk to the school to find possible solutions. Huebler said Tuesday the school will send out reminders to parents about, among other things, not blocking intersections. Huebler said he feels as of right now, there is nothing to change and not much the city can do to improve these traffic concerns.
Councilwoman Tanya Cabala reiterated her concerns about emergency weather warning protocols. This has been voiced a few times since the devastating thunderstorm in June. At the time, Cabala was shocked no sirens were sounded prior to or during the storm. It was later discovered that Muskegon County, like other counties and cities, no longer uses sirens because of the high cost of maintenance. Cabala wants to research what other communities are doing to warn residents to take shelter from dangerous weather and has also requested a meeting with the county official who is in charge of emergencies.
“We have different populations with a variety of needs and I want to know how we’re reaching those folks,” Cabala said.
Cabala also shared that 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of White Lake being delisted as an area of concern by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Great Lakes Commission recently reported high, unsafe levels of toxic algae in Muskegon Lake, spilling into Lake Michigan. A member of the White Lake Association present at the meeting said they have already received funding and will be receiving water testing to ensure White Lake is still safe.
