ELM RIVER TOWNSHIP NEWS THANK
YOU TO RETIRING FIRE CHIEF PHIL KANGAS AND WE WELCOME CHIEF JOHN REYNOLDS Website 2 Fire Department Cont’d 2 Planning Commission 2 Miscellaneous 3 Summer Clean Up 3 Snow Plowing 3 Election for Millage Renewals 4
Elm River
Township Fire Fighters This is our new fire truck. We were able to purchase the truck with a
grant that we received from the USDA in the amount of $32,000 along with a
loan in the amount of $133,000. This loan is being repaid with the millage
that was passed by the voters in Elm River Township. The balance of $30,000
was paid by the township through the general fund, the fire department fund
and the Ladies Auxiliary. Gene
DeRossett, USDA Rural Development Director for Michigan, presented the
ceremonial check to the township at the open house that the fire department
held for township residents and taxpayers. The members of the fire
department did an excellent job with the open house. It was well received
by the many people who attended. We
not only have a new fire truck but also, a new fire chief. After 8 years of
service to the township as the fire chief, Phil Kangas decided to retire,
citing health reasons that led to his decision. Phil has lived in this
township for over 26 years. Phil has performed an excellent job to the
community as the fire chief and we all thank him for that. I
had asked Phil what was the worst experience he had as the fire chief, and
he said that it was the fire at the Dolan residence. The weather was extremely cold, everything was freezing up including the firemen. He
said his best ex- We
can’t say enough to Phil for his service to the community. Best wishes to
him and a Happy Retirement. To John, we are thankful that you stepped up to
accept the responsibility. You will
do well. The
dedicated volunteers of our fire department have been taking the new fire
truck out on some practice runs.
They have determined that some of the new residences have driveways that make it quite difficult to
maneuver the new fire truck as the driveway may be too narrow or curvy. Your driveway should be at least 12
feet wide and tree branches should be at least 14 feet high in order for
the truck to have some clearance. If you are unsure if your driveway meets
these desired requirements, please
contact one of the members of the fire department and they will be happy to
come to your property to conduct an inspection. perience was to be of service to the community and he was glad to have had the opportunity. Phil said
he “loves this township and the people who live here”. Our new fire chief is John Reynolds. He has over 10 years of experience
as a fire fighter with the City of Houghton. John has been a resident of
Elm River Township for over 7 years. John has had the honor of being the
Copper Country Fire Fighter of the Year as well as the U.P. Fire Fighter of
the Year in 2006. He is married to
Cheryl Glasson and works at Advanced Tech. You may E-mail John at tlfd@alphacomm.net. Phil said that John will do a great job as the fire chief. He said it
is what our community needs, “someone young and energetic with the
experience”. John also thanked Phil for his service as the chief and said
that he has some “pretty big shoes to fill”. 
PHIL and JOHN
Township Has A New Fire Truck and Fire Chief