Monthly Archives: December 2013

Longtime Jackson area High School Sports Officials Chuck Sprang and Chuck Walters were named the recipients of this year's Al Cotton Award by the Jackson Citizen Patriot and M-Live.  Their combined seven decades of service for the betterment of the community's sports and athletics served as the topic for today's visit.  Other guests:  Rick Collett and Steve Anderson, Anderson Distributing;  Downtown Development Authority's Jonathan Greene and Rebecca Rae with "Eve on the Ave";  The Bickel Family, Phil, Paul and Dan with brass selections for the Holiday;  Jack Travioli, Cork 'N Cap;  Nathan Brue, Jackson Coffee Company. Program Note:  This is the last show of the year and will replay on December 31.  Happy New Year from The Bart Hawley Show!

State Representative Earl Poleski counted down the top ten pieces of legislation of the past year;  at number one is the new law that will prohibit insurers from paying for abortions unless a woman has already purchased coverage through a separate rider.   Other guests:  Ric Walton, The Walton Agency;  Mike George, George's Gorgeous Garages and Mark Smith, Jackson Community Food Pantry.  Mike and Mark announced the winner of the Messiest Garage Contest:  Nicholas Kielhorn of Jackson.  Singer TR Krupa;  Coffee Talk with Robert Ernst, Jackson Coffee Company;  Jeremiah Hephzibah, Karinn Davis and Greg Walker, Bella Notte Ristorante. Program Note:  Today's show replays on December 24th.

State Senator Mike Nofs gives an update on the Senate bill he is sponsoring that would streamline the process phones companies would go through to discontinue local exchange service.  Nofs feels this would allow traditional phone companies flexibility in determining investments in cell towers, VOIP services and other new technologies. State Senator Mike Nofs of Battle Creek is chairman of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee.  Other guests:  Jackson Area Transportation Authority General Manager Cameron McCollum;  singer Kim Conant;  Cassandra Spicer, Beads to Live By;  Movie reviewer Dave DeBaker;  Leslie Daugherty, General Manager, One-Five-One.

Congressman Tim Walberg discussed the deliberations leading up to the passage of the budget bill which is now headed to the President for signature.  The Congressman is in the district for the Christmas recess and visited Alro Steel, Elm Plating and Allegiance Health for various discussions concerning industry and health care.  Other guests:  Andy Woell, BuilderWalk;  Julie Hand, Assistant Dean, Jackson College Maher Campus;  Steve Shotwell, Miller Shoes;  Flutist Brandon Marceal;  Kim DeVaugh, House of DeVaughn Bridal;  Chef Corey Bieber and Manager Coley Kennedy, Grand River Marketplace. Program Note:  Today's show replays December 27th.

Consumers Energy Senior Vice President & General Counsel Cathy Reynolds and Vice President, Customer Experience, Rates & Regulation Patti Poppe discussed the company's opposition to the proposed electric energy deregulation legislation being proposed by State Representative Mike Shirkey.   The officers cited evidence the bill would have negative impacts on the Jackson community, service reliability, costs, infrastructure investments;  and would force the company to divest itself of energy generation facilities likely resulting in substantial staff reductions.  In addition, deregulation has not lowered costs in other states and several states have abandoned electric deregulation.  Other guests:  Jackson Mayor Jason Smith;  Paragon Academy 7th Grade Choir;  Karyn Clow and Nick VanBogelen, Orthopaedic Rehab Specialists and Optimal Performance Specialists;  a visit to Gold Crown Jewelers with Paolo DiCola;  Holiday music with Kiley Ladwig;  Pet of the Week with Sue Lovell, Cascades Humane Society.

The Jackson Host Lions Club will continue their Holiday Nut Sale at Jackson Crossing this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Club President Jim Cavender and member Jim Dunn will be manning the booth located in front of MC Sporting Goods with a selection of Koeze nuts and other products.  Other guests:  Toys of the Month with Phil Wrzesinski, The Toy House;  Sue Stevens, Karmay's Flowers, Gifts & Candy;  Michigan Center Schools Superintendent Scott Koziol, teacher Matt Desmarais, students Paige Rochefort and Dani Zaborowski;  musical entertainment with Shannon Watts and Jeff Watts;  Recovery Technology CEO Greg Gallagher.