By Bruce Rolfe
The Galesburg City Council considered a request by a resident to rename Community Park after a longtime resident, however the Council decided to keep the name Galesburg Community Park.
A request was made at a previous meeting by Galesburg resident Steven Phillips for the Council to consider renaming Galesburg Community Park after long time Galesburg resident Gary Allen.
Over the course of many years, Allen has engaged in public and community service.
He served 40 years on the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department including 13 years as fire chief. He was elected four years to the City Council and elected four years as mayor. In his last term as mayor, Allen helped secure a $614,000 grant from the state for downtown Galesburg to repave city roads, replaced sidewalks and to install street lights, bench seats, flower planters and banners. He has also served on the Planning Commission, Board of Review and Zoning Board of Appeals.
After brief discussion the Council agreed since there have been many individuals over the years who have given a lot to the community, it’s hard to select one name.
“There are so many people in Galesburg that have done such tremendous things, living and not living, that personally, I would just hate to pick a person to name after our park,” said City Mayor Linda Marble.
“I know he (Allen) has been around for years and he’s done a lot for the city, but so have a number of other people too,” adds the mayor.
The Council unanimously voted to maintain Community Park, the name of the park.
It was noted a bench in Community Park was named after a person and that same opportunity is available.
Marble adds if someone wants a plaque placed on a bench, they are encouraged to approach the City Council and make a request.
First Amendment Fire Department Interlocal Agreement Approved by Council
The City Council unanimously approved the First Amendment Galesburg-Charleston Fire Department Interlocal Agreement between the City of Galesburg and Charleston Township Board with some minor changes.
A mediator was secured to help settle some differences between the city and Charleston Township regarding the joint fire board.
Marble said the Amended Fire Agreement the Council approved July 6 had a couple of additions that was originally approved several months ago by both municipalities. She said Charleston Township made the additions and sent those additions to the attorneys to re-do the Amended Fire Agreement.
Marble said Charleston Township never sent the changes to the City of Galesburg for its approval. She adds she eventually received the amended agreement with the changes, leading to the council’s consideration July 6.
Marble said she will contact Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry VanderRoest informing him that the city approved Charleston Township’s changes with the corrections.
Marble said the changes did not affect the actual content of the agreement.
The amended agreement includes a table outlining costs for the City of Galesburg and the Joint Fire Board.
The City of Galesburg is responsible for liability insurance for City of Galesburg - occupied portions of the building; Security Systems for City of Galesburg -occupied portion of the building; Utilities for City of Galesburg - occupied portion of the building; and grounds maintenance, repair and replacement including refuse, removal services, parking lot and driveway (entire facility).
The Joint Fire Board is responsible for Liability Insurance for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; Security Systems for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; utilities for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; maintenance, repair and replacement of roof, furnace, air conditioning and all other building structures (entire facility).
Marble felt it was important to have the amended agreement signed by the City Council since the agreement took effect July 1, 2026.
The agreement includes the continuation of a Joint Fire Administrative Board that was created January 1, 1994. The Joint Fire Administrative Board is a separate legal and administrative entity and has full authority and responsibility for the management and operation of the fire department subject to the limitations set forth in the agreement or otherwise provided by law.
Police Report
Deputy Gallagher of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department reports for the month of June there were 74 citizen initiated calls for service. The top two was check welfare with seven calls and six assist calls and six follow up calls.
Fire Department Report
It was noted the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department responded to 21 calls for service in the city, 31 calls in Charleston Township and six mutual aid calls for 58 total calls. The yearly total is 286. Last year at the same time of the month there were 256 calls for service.
Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg said the Fire Academy has been completed and three graduated from the Academy.
DPW Report
DPW Manager Ryan Ranes said work on East Michigan is scheduled to begin in the middle to end of July.
Work will take place on East Michigan Avenue from the Time Out Lounge to the stop light at the 5 way intersection in the middle of the city. The project will include storm sewer repair, multiple sewer and water connections and complete paving.
Paving is scheduled to begin August 19. There will not be a complete shut down, however one lane or work at a time will be performed.
In other items covered at the July 6 meeting:
• The Galesburg DDA will be hosting a golf fundraiser, Saturday, August 8, at 8 a.m. at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. This will be a four-person team event. Food and lots of prizes are planned.
• The City Council unanimously approved a resolution for the appointment of election inspectors for the August 4 Primary Election
• The Council unanimously approved a resolution for the appointment of a Receiving Board for the August 4 Primary Election.
• After City Mayor Linda Marble noted the city did not have a water rate study performed, the Council unanimously approved to keep water rates the same as 2025-2026.
The new budget also reflects no water rate increases.
The Galesburg City Council considered a request by a resident to rename Community Park after a longtime resident, however the Council decided to keep the name Galesburg Community Park.
A request was made at a previous meeting by Galesburg resident Steven Phillips for the Council to consider renaming Galesburg Community Park after long time Galesburg resident Gary Allen.
Over the course of many years, Allen has engaged in public and community service.
He served 40 years on the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department including 13 years as fire chief. He was elected four years to the City Council and elected four years as mayor. In his last term as mayor, Allen helped secure a $614,000 grant from the state for downtown Galesburg to repave city roads, replaced sidewalks and to install street lights, bench seats, flower planters and banners. He has also served on the Planning Commission, Board of Review and Zoning Board of Appeals.
After brief discussion the Council agreed since there have been many individuals over the years who have given a lot to the community, it’s hard to select one name.
“There are so many people in Galesburg that have done such tremendous things, living and not living, that personally, I would just hate to pick a person to name after our park,” said City Mayor Linda Marble.
“I know he (Allen) has been around for years and he’s done a lot for the city, but so have a number of other people too,” adds the mayor.
The Council unanimously voted to maintain Community Park, the name of the park.
It was noted a bench in Community Park was named after a person and that same opportunity is available.
Marble adds if someone wants a plaque placed on a bench, they are encouraged to approach the City Council and make a request.
First Amendment Fire Department Interlocal Agreement Approved by Council
The City Council unanimously approved the First Amendment Galesburg-Charleston Fire Department Interlocal Agreement between the City of Galesburg and Charleston Township Board with some minor changes.
A mediator was secured to help settle some differences between the city and Charleston Township regarding the joint fire board.
Marble said the Amended Fire Agreement the Council approved July 6 had a couple of additions that was originally approved several months ago by both municipalities. She said Charleston Township made the additions and sent those additions to the attorneys to re-do the Amended Fire Agreement.
Marble said Charleston Township never sent the changes to the City of Galesburg for its approval. She adds she eventually received the amended agreement with the changes, leading to the council’s consideration July 6.
Marble said she will contact Charleston Township Supervisor Jerry VanderRoest informing him that the city approved Charleston Township’s changes with the corrections.
Marble said the changes did not affect the actual content of the agreement.
The amended agreement includes a table outlining costs for the City of Galesburg and the Joint Fire Board.
The City of Galesburg is responsible for liability insurance for City of Galesburg - occupied portions of the building; Security Systems for City of Galesburg -occupied portion of the building; Utilities for City of Galesburg - occupied portion of the building; and grounds maintenance, repair and replacement including refuse, removal services, parking lot and driveway (entire facility).
The Joint Fire Board is responsible for Liability Insurance for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; Security Systems for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; utilities for Fire Department - occupied portion of the building; maintenance, repair and replacement of roof, furnace, air conditioning and all other building structures (entire facility).
Marble felt it was important to have the amended agreement signed by the City Council since the agreement took effect July 1, 2026.
The agreement includes the continuation of a Joint Fire Administrative Board that was created January 1, 1994. The Joint Fire Administrative Board is a separate legal and administrative entity and has full authority and responsibility for the management and operation of the fire department subject to the limitations set forth in the agreement or otherwise provided by law.
Police Report
Deputy Gallagher of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department reports for the month of June there were 74 citizen initiated calls for service. The top two was check welfare with seven calls and six assist calls and six follow up calls.
Fire Department Report
It was noted the Galesburg-Charleston Township Fire Department responded to 21 calls for service in the city, 31 calls in Charleston Township and six mutual aid calls for 58 total calls. The yearly total is 286. Last year at the same time of the month there were 256 calls for service.
Fire Chief Kevin Roomsberg said the Fire Academy has been completed and three graduated from the Academy.
DPW Report
DPW Manager Ryan Ranes said work on East Michigan is scheduled to begin in the middle to end of July.
Work will take place on East Michigan Avenue from the Time Out Lounge to the stop light at the 5 way intersection in the middle of the city. The project will include storm sewer repair, multiple sewer and water connections and complete paving.
Paving is scheduled to begin August 19. There will not be a complete shut down, however one lane or work at a time will be performed.
In other items covered at the July 6 meeting:
• The Galesburg DDA will be hosting a golf fundraiser, Saturday, August 8, at 8 a.m. at Hickory Ridge Golf Course. This will be a four-person team event. Food and lots of prizes are planned.
• The City Council unanimously approved a resolution for the appointment of election inspectors for the August 4 Primary Election
• The Council unanimously approved a resolution for the appointment of a Receiving Board for the August 4 Primary Election.
• After City Mayor Linda Marble noted the city did not have a water rate study performed, the Council unanimously approved to keep water rates the same as 2025-2026.
The new budget also reflects no water rate increases.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
