The Wakefield News from Wakefield, Michigan • Page 1

0 Cottunanicatioii Wakefield. Mich, I July 20. 1944 Tortile" residents of the city of Wakefield and Gogebic county: Late in the evening on 10, 1944. there appeared en the streets and by-ways -of the communities of this county a certain circular or so- called "Election addressed to the City of Wakefield and Gogebic county tax money grafters which, were distributed presumably by disgruntled persons and cohorts in a manner which can readily be attributed to the phrase "like sneak thieves in the It is my opinion that there are persons more intimately connected with the answers to the accusations frfem I myself and -who would provide very astonishing answers if a serum" were used. However, I tshn endeavor to clarify the meaningless jumble in said circular by to public records.

The various churches in the City of Wakefield were receiving electric light service at a charge of 50 cents per month, which was well and good until it was called to the attention of the City Commission, that the consumption was running high in some instances because various electrical appliances were installed in. church basements thereby causing the increase with no additional revenue being derived there- from. A meeting of the various pastors was arranged and held according to instructions of the City Commission. The matter was presented to them and it was unanimously agreed that a charge of 1 cent per kilowatt hour was very fair inasmuch as tht-s is less than cost to the city. Therefore, it was the concensus of the pastors and.

members of the City Commission that such a charge was fair and billings have been made in. accordance therewith since July, 1943. The Commissioner of Light and Power hag no authority to reduce or increase rates without the sanction of a majority of the City Commissioa. Criticism cannot be directed aganst any one individual for the established rate to churches because many factors enter into the picture and the matter of finance must be into consideration because all electric energy mast be paid for by the City. -The marked increase of the total electric energy used by all the churches prompted the action that was taken and such action was agreeable to the representatives thereof.

No diamond arSls received water from the City without cost. A Sat rate per month was charged because it would not have been economical for the City to purchase special meters required for such purpose- Also, the drilling- operations were for one purpose only and that was to keep the Wakefieid Iron mine operating- if possible and it was mainly because of this incentive that the water was supplied. There was no dire water shortage at the time and when the shortage developed, due to seepage through the dam at the Chicago mine, the drills were told to find their own supply, which they did. The dam at the Chicago mine has been repaired and again we have an adequate supply of water. The Theatre in the Memorial- Comiaunity building- has always been and will always be a "bone of contention" and a source of agitation insofar as the Commission is concerned.

I consider Mr. Giansanti an upright citizen of our community and at no time have any of mv actions' been directed against him! Mr. Giansanti received his first contract because bids were called for in order to derive more revenue from the rental of the building. Another bid identical to the one submitted by him was also submitted by local persons but Mr. Giansanti- was awarded the contract.

Under said contract the city received a yearly rental of $3 060,00. tlnder date cf Dec. 19, 1341, the rental was reduced to $1,800.00 per year with a clause added thereto whereby an additional amount of 15 percent over and above gross receipts of $18,000.00 would be paid. In my opinion, the revenue derived from theatre rental is not sufficient to warrant upkeep of the theatre and when the matter of a. neve contract again came up before the Commission it was my recommendation, and I voted accordingly, to call for bids for the rental of said premises, having been, approached by various local individuals on the matter.

However, the contract was awarded on the same basis as last stated. At one time plans were presented to the City Commission by local residents for the erection of a fifty thousand dollar theatre building on our main street provided the theatre in the Memorial-Community building would not be used in direct competition. Why wasn't tbis done? Contradicting: the statement made in the circular, there was no meeting of any nature, official or other" wise, held by the City Commission with Power Company officials on June 13, 1942, and the first appearance of William G. Cloon, as a representative of the City nnTnmicjqon, although no official record of his engagement as such was ever published in the transactions of the City (Contunwd THE WAKEFIELD VOLUME XXX, NO. 39 WAKEFIELD MICHIGAN FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1944 SUBSCRIPTION $2.00 PER YEAB LT.

MCNICHOLAS, PFC. BULLEN DIE ON BATTLEFIELDS LOCAL HAPPENINGS News of Servicemen Lt. Carlton McNicholas, Marenisco, and Pfc. David Bullen, Wakefield, died oa the battlefields of Prance aad Italy during June, according to official notices received by parents this week. Pvt.

John Haglund was wounded in Prance, is the information received from him this week. He is at a base hospital in England Pfc. David Bullea was killed in action in Italy Jane 2, was the further information received this week from the war department by the young soldier's parents, Mt. rnd Mrs. Bullen, Pike location, On July 3 the famliy received notice their son was missing in action in Italy, but the later telegram confirmed their fears of his deach on the battlefield.

David Sullen left Wakefield with a county contingent Nov. 27, 1941. He had not been home since that time. Receiving his preliminary training in South Carolina, he went overseas with one of the first trooo shipments. He received further training in Ireland and was with the American forces which landed in Africa in November, 1942.

He had seen service on that continent, in Sicily and later in Italy! The young soldier was 27 years of age. born in Wakefield June 6,. 1917. Another brother, George (Moosey) Bullen is believed to be in England or Ireland. No word has been, received from him since ApriL Besides the parents, there are three brothers at home: Alfred, Caleb and Aldred.

The sisters are: Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, Ramsay; Mrs. Lloyd Kenny. Chicago; Mrs. George Moen, Calumet, and iMJss Bernice, Ypsi- lantL LL Carleton MeNIchoIas, 23, youngest son of Mr.

ad Mrs. John 2. McNicholas, Marenisco, was killed in action on D-day, June 6, in Prance, was the information received by the parents Monday afternoon from, the war department- Lt. McNicholas was serving with a unit of combat engineers been overseas since October. 1943.

He enlisted in November, 1942, and receivee his commission at Fort Belvoir, Va. in Mav 1943. Born at Marenisco, June 24, 1921, he was a graduate of the high school there and at the time of enlistment had completed his second year in the college of engineering at the university of Michigan, Besides nis parents, ha leaves a sister, Miss Virginia iPac), who is a civilian employee at Truax Field, Madison, and two brothers, Lt. James McNicholas, with a medical administration unit in England, ana John McNicholas, with a medical unit, now on the way to a foreign port. John Haglund, son of Mr.

and Mrs. Jchs R. Haglaad. Brotherton location, is recovering from wounds received in France, according to a letter received from the young man by the parents this week. The young soldier, writing from a lx.ie hospital in England, said he hact sustained painful shrapnel Bounds in the thigh.

No word has been received from the war department by Mr. and Mrs. Haglund The son apparently had been in France and was on his second mission whea he was wounded. No date of the casualty was given, but Jack wrote he living the life of Riiey in the hospital, was able to get around and not to worry:" Pvt. Haglund went into service in September, 1S43, and received his training in Mississippi.

He was a member of the Mgfc 'school graduating class of June, having completed sufficient work while in the army to finish with his Arnold Kangas, Libertyvffie, HL is visiting with his parents, Mr. and Gust Kangas. Mrs. Phillip Mattson has returned from Waukegan, HL, where she spent a month. Mrs.

Dean Baker and daughter, Sharron, are visiting relatives and friends in Gary, Ind. Mrs. Baker is the former Mildred Koivula. Mrs. Onni Somppi has returned to her home in Oulu, after visiting with her mother, Mrs.

Ida Rintamaki, for a few days. Mrs. Edward J. Mill has returned to Berkeley, after visiting at the home of her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs.

Kenneth Grant. Mrs. John Rudna Sr. left Wednesday for Detroit, to visit her son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs, Ted Wasielewski.

Miss Jean Zuidmulder, student nurse at Ashland, spent the weekend visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Zuidmulder. Mrs. Ben Novak and sons are spending this week in Iron River, visiting Mrs.

Novak's parents, Mr. and Mrs Chris Olson. Mr. and Mrs. Albin Holmberg, Florence Holmberg-, and Gladys Mustapaa, all of Waukegan, are visiting at the home of their mother, Mrs.

Selma Mustapaa. Miss Mary MacDonald has return- the annual conference on reading ed from Chicago where she attended -which was held the university of Chicago. She was accompanied by her sister, Miss Agnes. Mr. and Mrs, Frank Patyk, SauJt Ste.

Marie, have been visiting Mrs. Patyk's parents, Mr. and Mrs. August Monti, and Mr. Patyk's mother, Mrs.

Marcella Fatyk, and other Miss Florence Hill has returned to Chicago where she is employed, after spending two weeks. visiting her mother, Mrs. Bertha Campbell. On her return she was accompanied by her mother who will visit relatives in Chicago, Madison and Wau- gesha. Mrs.

George Gorich, and daughters, Gloria and Georgiana, have arrived to -visit-lier parents, Vincent Ribich, and her husband's parents. She was called here because of the illness of her mother, who is a patient at the Grand View hospi- taL Mrs. John ILeMleux has returned to Muskegon after spending two weeks visiting her mother, Mrs. Augustina Saari. She is the former Dagmar Saari.

On her return she was accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Edythe Teppo, and her daughters, Dagmar and Joyce, who will visit there for a few weeks. Miss Myrtle Martinson has returned to Minneapolis, where she is employed, after spending several weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Martinson.

Mrs. Peter Peszetti and daughter are in Detroit visiting relatives and iriends for several weeks. Miss Heda Olson, Buffalo, N. si visiting "her mother, Mrs Antti Olson. J.

H. Trebilcock and Nels Simonson are in Lansing, attending to business for the city. Miss Mae DelFavero is in Chicago -visiting her sister, Miss Lois, who is employed there. 3 Miss Alma Ranta, who is employ- ed in Chicago, is visiting with rela- here. Miss Elizabeth Mesich is in Du- riuth, visiting her sister, Mis Mary, 'who is employed there.

Mrs. Kenneth Kitto has returned to Pontiac, after spending two weeks with her mother, Mrs. Ida Rintamaki, and other relatives. Patricia Savinski is- in Detroit visiting her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs.

Ferdinand Remon: 3ino. J. Mis Sue Lipske, Hart, is a at the home of Trooper and Reed Harris. Miss Lipske is a iuiece of Trooper Harris. Mr.

and Mrs. Erwin Cormier and 'son, Phillip, have returned from a with relatives and friends in Detroit and Gary, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Koivu, Mr.

and Mrs. Nels Seppa, and Mr. and Mrs. John Tosco are visiting relatives and friends in Detroit. Jack Murray of Coleraine, is visiting at the home of Mr.

and Mrs. J. H. Brown. Mr.

Murray and Mrs. Brown are brother and Bister. -Air. and Mrs. Charles Carney spent the week-end in Iron where the Carney family held family re-union.

and Mrs. Ted Goldsmith and son, Waukegan, are visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gust Goldsmith is the former Ruth Niemi. Luoma has left for Louisville, where he wiU join a traveling orchestra, as trumpet player.

Mrs. Luoma is here visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. Tosco.

and Mary-Ann, and son Peter Milwaukee, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Zielintski, and other relatives. Mrs. Rosa is the former Eleanor Zielinski.

Mrs. George Maid and children, Dennis and Nancy, Algoma, are spending the summer at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gust Koski. Her husband is taking a course in veterinary at Ames, Iowa.

Mrs, Bill Geen, Detroit, ia spending a two vacation with her Ivlrs. Ida Saari, and other relatives. Ker husband will arrive this week to visit here and with his parents in Irbnwood. Mrs. Geen ia the former Mae Saari.

Completes School Marine Pvt- George Vidakovich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Vidakovich, Wakefield, has been graduated from the Infantry and Browning Automatic Rifle Section training school at Camp Pendleton. CaL Graduates of this school have completed thorough training with the il-l Harand and Carbine rifles, hand grenades, anti-tank grenades and are exceptionally well versed in the use of the bayonet and knives for iuagie warfare. Marines graduating from this school will be assigned tp Infantry battalions and their training has prepared them for amphibious landings and establishing and securing beach heads, Pvt.

Vidakovich is a graduate of the Wakefield high school in 1943. Whfle he was a student here he won three letters in baseball. An engineers helper with the Plymouth mine he entered the Marines Corps Nov 10 1343. Pfc. Rudolph Wedenoja.

son of Mrs. Mary Wedenoja, Wakefield, has been promoted to corporal. He is serving witfc the 34th "Red Bull" ISWOB. of the Kfta j- Band Concert At Eddy Park Sunday Afternoon Because of inclement weather, the band concert which was to have been held at the Memorial building grounds last Wednesday evening, will be held at Eddy Park Sunday afternoon commencing at 2:30. Former Director C.

A. Rydeski will be guest conductor during the concert and Director Norgard will assist by taking over the solo clarinet chair. The following numbers has been arranged for the enjoyment of the public: "Colonel March--Alford; "That Naughty Waltz''--Levy; "Light Cavalry Von Suppe; Foxtrot--Kahn, King and Harold; "American Ideals, March--Potts. Intermission. "The Steel March St.

Glair; Selection from "The Chocolate Straus; "Rock and Rye "Tiger Foxtrot--LaRocca; "The Crusader "The Star Spangled Although the band got off to a slow start because of the loss of talent to the armed forces, the organization is fast improving and is a credit to the community. Music lovers of the community and the Range are invited to come and enjoy the performances the municipal band for the rest of the concert season. Director Norgard will announce the programs of coming events as they become due. Blood Donor Clinic Here August 7 to 11 A blood donor clinic will be held in Gogebic county Aug. 7 to 11, under the sponsorship of the Michigan department of health.

The campaign in Wakefield to obtain donors for this clinic ia in charge of Mrs. J. M. Hammer, and I. L.

Voyer and Arthur J. Moran, members of the Wakefield Rotary club. The purpose of the clinic i 3 to provide free plasma for the use of local physicians in treating people locally. Only persons between the ages of IS and 50 are acceptable as blood donors. Those under 21 must have xvritten consent of one of their parents.

Persons underweight or who weigh less than 115 pounds are not accepted as donors. Donors should notify members of the local committee so that time and transportation may be arranged. Cpl. Delbert R. Keast was recently authorized by the war department to wear a bronze star on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon indicating his participation in the occupation of th Marshall Islands CpL Keast, 26, son of Mr.

and Mrs. Irving Keast, Milwaukee, enlisted in the armed forces Jan. 12, 1943 and was assigned to overseas duty Dec. 15, 1943. Mrs.

Marion A. Keast his wife, resides at 702 Putnam street Terms of Bedell, Lusa Expire in September Two commissioners to the city commission will be elected at the annual election to be held August 22. The terms of Roy Bedell, commissioner of light and power, and Elmer Lusa, commissioner of accounts and finance, will expire in September. Both commissioners will toe candidates for re-election. Petitions for the nominations for both offices must in the hands of the city clerk later than Saturday, July 29.

Petitions must carry at least 60 and not more than 120 names of registered voters. Besides the two commissioners who will run again, James Hoskins has obtained a petition for the office of light and power. Andmv Forte has taken a petition for the office of constable. Pvt. and Mrs.

Nels Laakso are in the city spending a week visiting his parents, Mr. "and Mrs. Alfred Laakso, Pike location. Pvt. Laakso is stationed at Camp Sibert, Ala.

Harold Berga returned to Great Lakes naval station this Viljo E. Harju, is now stationed at the U. S. Naval training station, Ames, Iowa, where he is taking special training for sixteen weeks. Pvt.

Clarence Nelson spent a few days visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Nelson. He is with the air. corns and is stationed at the Midland Army Air Field, Texas.

Cpl. Vernon Jarvi is leaving Friday after spending a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Jarvi. He is stationed-at Fairfield, in the air corps.

Pfc. Arthur Windberg, who is stationed at Alaska, is home on furlough 0 visit his wife, the former Irma Seppa, and daughter, and his father, Charles Windberg. John Negro, and his wife have spent a leave visiing his parents here, and her parents at Bes- Seaman Negro, who has been stationed in the Caribbean has been transferred to Duluth. His wife has been employed in Detroit. Pvt.

John Lewanrtowski has been promoted to private first class at Camp Bowie, Texas. He has been in service since September, 1943. Pfc. John is a graduate of the Wakefield schools in 1943 and ia the eon of Mr. Walter Lewandowski.

Alvin Luoma, sou of Mr. and Mrs. Waino Luoma, has been promoted, to corporal at army base in New- Guinea. He is a graduate of the Wakefield schools in 1942. A brother, Cpl.

Tauno (Pat) Luoma ia with a special service company in England. Howard Clark, who is in the Marine Corps, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant, according- to word received by his parents, Mr and Mrs. Jack Clark, He is somewhere in the South Pacific area. Pvt. Jack Wojciehowski has been discharged from a hospital in England, so writes hia parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Frank Wojciehowski. He was wounded during the early days of the France invasion. and Mrs. Donald Ethier, Xiib- eral, are visiting at the home of Mrs.

Ethier's parents, Mr and Mrs. Alfred Laakso, and with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ethier, Ramsay. Lt.

Ethier is a flying officer, and Mrs. Ethier i a the former Eileen Laakso. Pfc. Carl Nurmi spent this week visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs.

Victor Nurmi, his parents. Pfc. Carl has been stationed at Camp Howzie Texas. Cpl. Lee Wilson is spending his furlough with his parents, Dr.

and Mrs. L. G. Wilson. Cpl.

Wilson ia with the air corps and is stationed at Avon Park, Fla. S-Sgt. and Mrs. Waldo Kastelnak are spending a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs.

Joseph Kastelnak. He is stationed at Dyersburg, with a medical attachment of the air corps. Sgt. T-4 Carl A. Oman has arrived to spend a furlough with his parents, Mr, and Mrs.

John Oman. Sgt. Oman has seen service in Africa and Italy, and is with the medical corps. He has been overseas more than a year. Pfc.

Carlo Valesano, son of Mrs. Mary Valesano, was one of 20, out of a company of 100., to be chosen to attend a laboratory school. He is with a medical unit, and is stationed at Springfield, Mo. Sgt. Clarence Grayson has arrived to spend a furlough visiting his parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Claude Grayson, Thornaston. He is with the artillery, and is stationed at Camp Livingston, La. Arvo Kujala, son of Mr. and Mrs.

Jacob Kujala, who as been employed as engineer by the Cleveland- Cliffs Iron Negaunee, has enlisted in the Navy. He has received his commission as an ensign and will report to New York August. He graduated from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in 1942. has arrived to visit his parents before leaving for New York. Pvt.

Harvey J. Grayson who lives in Thomaston, is now taking basic training in that branch of the service known throughout our history as the proud "Queen of Infantry. This "basic" is a carefully planned, fast-moving period of 17 weeks. It includes many hours of progressive physical conditioning many hours of drill in the manner in-which a soldier must live and work, hour upon hour of training in the use of the rifle and the other weapons. A rugged intensive training that transforms the civilian into a soldier, makes of him a cog in a great combat team and at the same time an individual skilled in the arts of war and taking care of himself anyplace in the world.

This Infantry Replacement. Training Center Cftmp Fannin, Texas--is located 10 miles from Tyler, Texas, la the heart of the famous East Texas oil lielda In civilian life, Pvt. Grayson was employed as a wood worker. PAY COSTS OF GRAND JURY The -county will pay the compromise sum of $3,056.54 to the for the recent grand jury investigation held by Judge Herman Dehnke, it was finally decided by the board of supervisors at a meeting Tuesday. The final decision, however, was accompanied by dissenting votes from members who believed that the board should have abided, by its decision, at the last meeting to withhold payment until the state declared the grand jory investigation closed.

Voting against the motion to "rescind the preceding action of 1342 relative to costs of a state audit. and that the state claim for the grand jury investigation as compromised be paid in the sum of were E. Clarence Johnson, Mezzano, Olson, Randa, and Slivensky. Fifteen voted for it. Th original bill from the state for the grand jury investigation was 57.574.70.

The discussion was brought about by a letter from Circuit Judge Herman held the investigation, in answer to one sent to the state by the county board telling of a vote motion to pay the reduced, bill "upon, the state'a written, assurance that the grand jury investigation is closed." The board's letter Was referred to Judge Dehnke, whose reply precipitated the decision, of board. Judge Dehnke, in his letter, it clear that orders and desires of the court are "not on. the auction block" to be used in "gaining consent of or litigants to agreements," and that therefore court could not make any ment intimating that th court is in nowise concerned as to payment of the costs of the investigation, to date. The bill of $3,056.54 be taken from a sum of $3,092.72 left over in the general fund last year, thus not interfering with the present budget balance. A report from the county forestry commission regarding the cutting of firewood by county residents on lands beside the Chaney Lake road, stated that the land does not belong to the county and that permission must be secured from the Mosinee Paper Mills and the Christenson firm to cut such.

wood- Supervisor Heikkinen. has contacted, those officials and they have expressed their willingness to allow- the taking of firewood. The report was accepted by the board. The board accepted the recommendation of th airport committee that the county of Gogebic make application for the lalocated sum of $1,862 to the state for survey and. plans for improving the present county airport, work to be done by the Gogebic county road commission.

The director of the board of aeronautics had written to the couaty road commission advising that the above named sum has been allocated to Gogebic county for the survey and planning of an expanded project at either the present countv airport or at the site considered bv the city of Ironwood. The allocated, sum will be used on the county airport, it was decided. Auditor William B. Fauhl reported that the entire county was operating within its budget. The relief department has spent $44.000 for the first half of the year and has 000 left for the second half, he stated.

But the estimated income for the next six months will be S3 000 which makes $42,000 for the 'last six months. He stated that the Belief department has paid mately $3,000 in bills to date this year and is doing a good job of handling finances. The board voted to support a resolution to the state legislature made oy the Baraga county board that appropriate legislation be introduced whereby townships would be reimbursed at the rate of $100 oer precinct for the fall primary and general election. The townships must hold the elections at great expense and no township officers are elected, the Baraga. communication brought In regard to the board's previous motion to purchase more east of the Chaney lake road, a communication from Alosinee owners, stated that it is not totaled In contracting for the sale of any more cutover land.

Engagement Announced Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sporcich announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Ann, of Chicago to Lt. Scott is a pilot in th armv air forces and ia at present instructing at the Blytheville Air Field. Arkansas Both are graduates of the WakefzeJd high.