Western Gateway Trail Authority seeks mile-marker sponsors

By TOM STANKARD

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Bessemer - The Western Gateway Trail Authority approved Wednesday to seek sponsors for mile-markers from local business and residents.

At the meeting in the Gogebic County Courthouse, Paul Anderson, Coleman Engineering Project Manager, said mile distance markers will be located every half-mile along the trail.

To get the community involved, City Manager Scott Erickson proposed businesses and residents could pay $250 to be a sponsor for one year.

In response, Joe Bonovetz, Gogebic County Board vice-chairman, proposed a lower price of $200. Then Tom Laabs, Gogebic County board member, suggested a three year sponsorship of $550. The board unanimously approved.

"That's reasonable for the exposure they will be getting," Bonovetz said.

Moving forward with the agenda, the board approved to hire Sandy Sharp, of Sharp Marketing, to make signs for the trail.

Anderson said Sharp is responsible for the signs at Ethnic Commons Park in Bessemer.

"She did a really nice job over there," he said. "She has artistic talent. It's nice to give her a piece of the pie."

Also on the agenda, the board approved Eric Anderson's $3,450 bid for tree clearing on behalf of ABR Trails.

According to Paul Anderson, the WGTA has approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to knock down trees along Phase two of the WGT and then remove them.

The WGT is part of the Iron-Belle Trail, stretching all the way to Detroit. Phase one runs from the Montreal River to the Ironwood city limits. From there, Phase two will go to Moore Street in downtown Bessemer. Phase three will then go from Moore Street onward to Sunday Lake in Wakefield.