SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – Trying to keep things clean in Saugatuck may not be as big of a problem as has been described.
In his briefing to City Council ahead of last Monday’s (July 26, 2021) meeting, City Manager Ryan Heise said that he had “heard from many concerned citizens about deficiencies in maintenance, namely Oval Beach and Downtown. The uptick in concerns are legitimate … there is an increased demand on our infrastructure and fewer people to provide service.”
Mayor Mark Bekken downplays those concerns.
“Maybe there are trash bins overflowing a little bit, on occasion,” he said on “WHTC Morning News” during a Friday appearance. “Maybe the parks are not quite as pristine, housekeeping-wise, meaning there may be some weeds around trees and things like that, but overall, the community is still very attractive.”
Bekken did agree with Heise about staffing shortages, but added that municipalities are in the same boat as the private sector in having too many job openings and not enough persons to fill them. Heise asked council to implement recruiting efforts for seasonal workers, targeting high school and college students, and to promote volunteerism to assist in cleanup and other “minor maintenance items.”
