Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Sunday Lake campground proves popular destination

WAKEFIELD — Getting a reservation at Sunday Lake Campground can be a hard thing to do, according to discussion at Monday’s city council meeting in Wakefield.

The first day to reserve a spot for the season is Jan. 2 and interested campers are lined up at City Hall or call on the phone that day to reserve a spot.

“We know that day is going to be crazy every year. It’s worked that way for the past six years,” said city clerk Jennifer Jacobson.

The campground has 90 camp sites, 79 with water and electric service.

Carrie Braspenick, a Wakefield resident, called the park “a little gold mine,” and said that 95 percent of the campers are local. Braspenick asked that an alternative plan be made for locals to make early reservations. Mayor Richard Boleyn directed city manager John Siira to bring the issue to the planning commission.

Some campers are taking issue with the new rule that no outside refrigerators larger than 12 cubic feet are allowed, as some campers do not have indoor refrigerators. Another issue is some campers come and set up their campsite for up to two weeks before registering.

Siira said that wireless internet will be available at the campground soon, as the city has chosen Black Bear Appliance and Computer Repair of Marenisco to provide the service to campers at a cost of $1 a day, $5 a week or $10 a month. The city will incorporate the cost into next year’s camping rates, as sharing of the access password is anticipated.

Volunteer fire chief Mike Yon brought a new air pack to show the city council. He purchased two of them, at a cost of $4,200 each. The fire department currently has eight air packs, he said. Yon said the $10,000 raised at an ice fishing contest covered most of the $10,644 spent. “The community takes such good care of us with fundraisers,” he said.

Yon asked the council to consider changing the fire department budget from a $13,000 payroll to a point system which would cost $10,000 per year. Fire department members would earn points for attending trainings, putting out fires and attending practices.

In other business, the city approved an agreement for technicians from the Michigan Rural Water Association to assist with training city employees on smoke testing of the sewer system July 23 and 25. Smoke testing will show if and where repairs need to be made.

The city approved their 2013-14 fiscal year budget. The library will get one additional mil, or $23,527. Electric rates are going up from $3.25 to $4.25.

The city approved the draft articles of incorporation for the recreational authority, which will provide for development and operation of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a non-motorized trail to be developed through Gogebic County in conjunction with Wakefield Township, Bessemer, Bessemer Township, Ironwood and Ironwood Township.

 
 
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