Cornell City Council; Halloween hours set for community’s enjoyment

By Ginna Young

With daylight hours dwindling and the time of spookiness drawing near, the Cornell City Council approved this year’s Trick-or-Treat hours, during a regular meeting Oct. 7. Little (or big) ghouls and goblins can “beg” for candy, Sunday, Oct. 31, from 3-6 p.m., throughout the city, at houses or businesses that have their porch lights on.

In previous years, the hours went later into the evening, but concerns of safety for those out and about after dark, caused the hours to change last year.

“We thought, if we had the opportunity to shorten it, that’s what we wanted to do,” said council member Ashley Carothers.

“It’s a good idea,” said Floyd Hickethier, council member.

To coincide with the event, Trunk-or-Treat will be from 3-4 p.m., at Mill Yard Park that day. People who wish to hand out candy from their cars can still sign up with Carothers, with hundreds attending last year’s event.

Carothers says she would like the public to understand, that the Trunk-or-Treat event is not done through the city, but is put on by her as an individual, with the blessing of the city.

Members also approved Resolution 21-6, to establish ward boundaries within the city. It’s a requirement to have the resolution, post census, since redistricting is based on population growth.

“Our current ward boundaries still meet all the criteria,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh. “So, rather than change them, I thought it’d make sense to just keep the ward boundaries as they are.”

Hickethier also reported that at a recent Ambulance Board meeting, it was decided on a 50 cent an hour raise for all the personnel on the service.

Although it’s not set in stone, Cornell may have a chance at collecting some funds from the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP), by city officials attending an LRIP meeting Oct. 19, to ask for a share of available money.

“We have a chance to get probably somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000 to do a road,” said DeJongh.

In the past, the LRIP used to keep track of who received money from previous years, and spread it out, based on population. Now, the funds are pooled together, and given to one or two communities.

“Did we get any last year?” asked mayor Mark Larson.

DeJongh said no, Cornell has not received any funds from the LRIP for a number of years, which is why someone should attend from the city. It was decided that the mayor will go to the meeting, as well at least one council member and possibly the city works superintendent.

Something else happening that week, is the annual fall clean-up Oct. 18-22, for yard waste only. With the week, the city works department will pick up brush and small diameter limbs that are set at the curb, as well as leaves and grass clippings in bags, or containers.

Resident are reminded not to rake leaves into the street gutters. Individuals may also haul the yard waste to the designated piles behind the city shop.

Cornell and Holcombe residents should also mark their calendars, as the Spirit of Christmas through Chippewa County is a go. Through the program, those in need in the community who meet eligibility requirements, can apply for help for gifts this Christmas season. The deadline to receive applications is Nov. 28.

Trees with gift tags waiting to be “adopted” will be located throughout Cornell and the surrounding areas, within a short time.

“We will be doing a pick-up here again (city council chambers) this year, on Dec. 18,” said Carothers, adding she is looking for volunteers to help with the confidential distribution.

DeJongh also brought up the Cobban Bridge (over the Chippewa River), which private parties are trying to preserve. Now that the bridge is slated for dismantle within the next year or so, if the city wants to obtain part of the structure, it could be set on property somewhere in Cornell to pre- serve at least a portion of the one remaining truss bridge like it in the state.

However, it’s likely the bridge removal, transport and placing would be at the city’s expense. A suitable site would also have to be determined.

DeJongh said he was asked to pass that information along and that if a private individual wants to know more, they should contact Chuck Nagle, at 651-483-3982. Hickethier says, to many, Cobban Bridge is a large part of their lives and has been for as long they can remember.

“It’s history,” he said. “It’s means something to them.”