Anonymous donor picks up all the checks at coffee shop

Renee Waddell, owner of Respite Cappuccino Court, 48 Center St. in Douglas, makes a drink on Monday, Jan. 7.

Respite Cappuccino Court, 48 Center St. in Douglas

The donor of a pay-it-forward day at a Douglas coffee shop had fun watching the joy on people’s faces as they got their order paid for free.

“I sat there for awhile to quietly observe, and that was fun, too,” said the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, about the Dec. 11 event at Respite Cappuccino Court, 48 Center St. in Douglas.

Owner Renee Waddell left a notepad for customers to write to the donor.
 
“They expressed their pleasure and surprise, and also felt inspired by this rather small deed,” the donor said.

Waddell was at first taken aback when the donor asked how much the shop makes in daily off-season business.

“When I replied, there seemed to be a light that came on in his head,” said Waddell.

“The idea came on its own accord, meaning that there is a higher consciousness/awareness operating all the time in each of us, and if we are ‘listening,’ so to say, then we become open to whatever serves best. Surprising things will happen,” the donor said. “I strongly believe that if we all, individually and collectively, can make supporting each other any way we can a steady impulse, then we will be lovingly guided all the time.”

Patrons were grateful and some left money to pay for the next day.

“The reaction from patrons was a gift to us. We were able to deliver the message and enjoy their reactions,” Waddell said.

The donor would like to do it again next holiday season as well.

A look ahead: Consolidation talk, jail tour

Pre-formed jail cells are worked on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the new Allegan County Sheriff’s Department & Corrections Center. The commissioners will tour the facility on Thursday.

Here’s what’s ahead this week in Allegan County:

Monday

• Douglas city council — The council will discuss the issue of consolidation and what the next steps in the process will be once the director of the department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs OKs the State Boundary Commission recommendation to merge Saugatuck and Douglas.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at city hall, 86 W. Center St.

For the agenda, visit http://www.ci.douglas.mi.us and scroll down to “Current City Council Agenda” on the right.

Tuesday

• Douglas Downtown Development Authority — The authority will consider capital expenditures.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. at Douglas City Hall, 86 W. Center St.

• Fillmore Township — The township board meets at 7 p.m. at the township hall, 4219 52nd St. An agenda is not available.

Wednesday

• Police committee — The Saugatuck-Douglas Joint Police Commission meets at 4 p.m. at Douglas City Hall, 86 W. Center St. There is no unfinished business or new business on the agenda. The commission will review the revenue and expenditure summary and hear the report from the police chief.

• Laketown Township board — The board will discuss a liquor license proposal for the Red Barn Events Center, 3657 63rd St. The action will not be the final approval but will start the permit process at the state level. The board will also set the annual meeting date and make its annual salary resolution.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

• Douglas Planning Commission — Planners will discuss draft updates to the zoning ordinance and hear presentations on draft multi-family guidelines and draft private road acceptance standards.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Douglas City Hall, 86 W. Center St.

Thursday

• Allegan County Board of Commissioners — The board meets twice:

At 9:30 a.m., the group will assemble at the new jail, 640 North St. in Allegan for a jail update and tour.

At 1 p.m., the board meets at the County Services Building, 3283 122nd Ave. to elect a new chairman. The board will also affirm the Police Officers Labor Council Road Patrol Deputies Unit settlement agreement, renew the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality services agreement and authorize $74,000 for work on the mezzanine system at the jail.

For a copy of the agenda and supporting material, visit http://cms.allegancounty.org/sites/pages/Calendar/default.aspx and under “Upcoming Events,” click on “Board of Commissioners.”

This will be the first meeting of the full board since redistricting and the November elections that reduced membership from 11 to seven members. For a list of the new members and the areas they represent, visit http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/BOC/Members.asp?pt=Government

Saugatuck Township starts new year with quick action

The participants in the third annual Shiver on the River on New Year's Day in Saugatuck.

 With the New Year’s holiday over, local governments started returning to their normal meeting schedules this week.

On Jan. 2, the Laketown Township board began considering the renewal of its single waste hauler contract with Chef Container. The contract expires March 31, 2014. Also at the workshop, the board set a meeting of 3 p.m. Jan. 16 to start work on the 2013-14 budget. http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1665857144/Laketown-will-consider-liquor-license-proposal-from-events-facility

The Saugatuck Township board hit the new year running. The board:

• Set up a committee to examine the need for additional legal counsel or a new attorney to handle the Aubrey McClendon development: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1353229353/Saugatuck-Township-sets-up-committee-to-look-at-attorneys-role

• Announced plans to revive negotiations for cemetery maintenance with Saugatuck and Douglas cities: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1353229414/Cemetery-maintenance-no-longer-a-dead-issue-in-Saugatuck-Township

• Put plans in motion to make the part-time manager position a full-time hire when the current manager retires this spring: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1353229614/Full-time-manager-might-be-in-future-for-Saugatuck-Township

The crowd at the first township meeting of the year was a little sparse — five people. The meetings usually draw at least a dozen people if not 20 to 30.

And a New Year’s Day tradition brought 18 people out to kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the Kalamazoo River. It was cold with light snow falling, but the river was calm: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1233663874/Stand-up-paddleboarders-kayakers-welcome-new-year

Water levels in Lake Michigan hit a new low as the National Weather Service reported that 2012 was the warmest year on record in West Michigan: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/topstories/x1665857288/While-temperatures-hit-record-highs-lake-levels-at-record-lows