Thursday, June 1, 2023
Since 1854 — News from Montcalm County and Ionia County, Michigan
Multiple signs placed along the White Pine Trail currently state “Trail Closed” … and Pierson Township Supervisor Dan Buyze couldn’t be happier about it.
After nearly two years of work by Buyze and other local and state officials, a section of the trail is finally set to be paved from Sand Lake north to Howard City — bringing Pierson into the paved portion of the 92-mile trail, which is part of the 150-year-old Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad line.
Village of Pierson officials are hoping federal and state grants will help mitigate the cost of a planned $2.4 million sewer project.
The tiny village on the far northwest side of Montcalm County’s Panhandle is home to less than 200 people, and accordingly the Village Council is mostly a family affair.
The village of Pierson and the township of Pierson have historically had a bit of a touchy relationship.
One example — since the tiny village doesn’t have an online presence, the township clerk began posting village contact information and Village Council meeting minutes on the township’s website as a free service. The Village Council voted to ask the township to stop.
While Howard City enjoys a paved section of the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail Linear State Park running through the village, the trail remains gravel north and south of Montcalm County’s Panhandle area.
Howard City and Pierson Township officials are hoping a portion of the state of Michigan’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money can change that.
