The Gogebic Range Water Authority will be conducting a capacity test of the City of Wakefield's Chicago Mine wells beginning Monday, December 6 and continuing through Friday, December 10.

Water customers in the GRWA service areas of Bessemer Township, Ironwood Township, City of Wakefield, City of Bessemer, Blackjack Ski Resort, and Indianhead Ski Resort could experience periods of low pressure or taste, clarity, and color issues.

City of Bessemer residents with questions or concerns regarding this test should contact City Hall at 667-4311 or the GRWA office at 667-0465.

The City of Bessemer will allow archery deer hunting within the City limits for the 2010 Archery Deer season. In order to hunt within the city limits, a hunter must come to the City Clerk's office at the Bessemer City Hall, 411 S. Sophie Street, Bessemer, MI., with a valid 2010 Deer License and obtain a Deer Management Assistance (DMA) Permit.

Landowners with three (3) or more continuous acres may hunt and/or allow hunters on their property. Landowners must come to the City Clerk's office to register their property and identify who will be hunting on their property. City-owned land will also be available for hunting. All rules and regulations will be given to hunters at the time they obtain their DMA Permit.

Former Bessemer Mayor Doug Olsen was selected by the City Council to replace Pete Matonich on the Council. Matonich resigned as a council member on September 7, 2010 to become the Gogebic County Sheriff. Olsen was one of four applicants seeking to fill the position.

The City of Bessemer will collect yard waste, including leaves, grass clippings, and garden waste between May 3 and May 7. All yard waste should be placed curbside in boxes or bags. The city's yellow bags are not necessary. Please have items curbside by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 3.

Absentee ballots are now available for City of Bessemer electors for the May 4 School Elections. Absentee ballots may be obtained in the Bessemer City Clerk's Office, 411 South Sophie Street, Besemer, MI, from Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If you wish to have a ballot mailed to you, please contact the Clerk's office for an application, or mail a completed application to the above address.

The City Clerk's Office will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010, the last day for City Electors who wish to receive an Absent Voter Ballot by mail for the May 4, 2010 School Election. The last day to vote absentee in the City Clerk's Office is Monday, May 3, 2010, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Jim Trudgeon, Bessemer City Clerk, at 906-667-0333 if you have any questions.

Approximately two dozen men, women and children dedicated their Saturday morning beautifying the US-2 corridor in Bessemer. Spearheaded by Corey Forslund, Chamber of Commerce President, Denise Stephens, Small Town Initiative and DDA member, Mayor John Frello, Melanie Fullman and a host of other Chamber members, moms, dads and children contributing to the days success.

The group participated in sweeping sidewalks, cutting edges, bagging debris and disposing of waste in cars and trucks. It was a team effort and once the morning was completed all felt both success in their efforts and a tired body needing to be rested.

"This has been a significant first step, an excellent beginning, to clean up our town and making it more presentable. By cleaning up our US-2 corridor we are showing both residents and visitors alike that Bessemer cares. We believe strong communities are smart communities and in so doing smart communities do well by the environment, streets, homes and sidewalks," stated Forslund.

Today we have shown all we are proud of our Bessemer community. Today four blocks both east and west of Sophie Street were cleaned up on both sides of the street. We confidently encourage all home and business owners to beautify their properties in the weeks ahead. Imagine if everyone took just an hour or two per week to touch up their yards, what a great set of neighborhoods all would enjoy, concluded a worker who invested better than three hours Saturday morning to dress up her city.

Pride in community and increasing public awareness in making Bessemer the best place to live, work and raise a family, is the goal of the Chamber. While many already understand, dressing up the city streets, resident's homes and lawns, can also make a difference to others passing through town. People who see a caring community remember and Bessemer is a pretty community to be remembered. Well kept lawns, liter free roads and highways impress all who see them. Everyone wins when store owners and property owners take pride in their establishments. Fresh cut and edged lawns, removal of debris, appropriate tree trimming and minor touch ups when needed can make Bessemer a showplace for all to enjoy, seek out and become a part of.

Forslund stated further, "It is gratifying to see what a couple dozen community activists can accomplish on a Saturday morning. All in all a great start on a beautiful day just a week before Mother's Day. Hopefully our residents will see what has been accomplished, take pride in what they see and make a point to carry on such beautification at their homes and surrounding areas.

A big thanks to all who participated. Hopefully residents will continue to step forward and more will be accomplished. "Its a good start here in early May. The enthusiasm among all participating was exhilarating and contagious. My family and I are headed home to fill a number of bags for the City of Bessemer to pick up next week. Bessemer should look really great for Mothers Day", the Chamber President concluded.