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Volume 3, Issue 3 June 13, 2025 Total Raised: $61,118 Lead this Legacy
: Rotary club presents donation to Haiti well project
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New 'Reclaimed Beauty' art mural installed in Hesperia By Scott Kroepel
social media page. The project was The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent funded by a grant from the Michigan A new art mural was Arts & Culture Couninstalled June 5 at Vida cil through TrueNorth Weaver Park in Hes- Community Services. The class started peria. The mural titled recycled “Reclaimed Beauty,” collecting was the brainchild of items last fall by parHesperia Art Instructor ticipating in a few Monica Grimard’s 3D trash cleanup days, as Art class, made from well as asking the pubrecycled materials. It lic for donations. After was created by the 3D the first semester, the Art class students, with class was asked for assistance from Ryan proposals, and ElizaWyrick, a Trash Artist beth Chaney’s design from Grand Rapids, was chosen. Mark Kraus, Deand other local businesses and volunteers. velopment Director at The 24’ mural coin- TrueNorth Commucides with the Hespe- nity Services, stated, ria Public Art Program “Especially in rural that was recently cre- communities, it takes ated to help “enhance collaboration and copublic spaces, foster ordination from indipride, and attract vis- viduals and organiitors,” according to its zations, and this is a great example of that.
Bart Zachrich posthumously named 2025 Pentwater Citizen of the Year We are grateful for the school, the village, Monica, the kids and everyone else who was involved in making this happen.”
Hart City Manager Rob Splane announces his resignation By Sharon Hallack scious caution that I must “It’s hard to please evThe Oceana Echo Community Correspondent
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The Hart City Council sat in shock and disbelief at the end of the May 27 city council meeting, as City Manager Rob Splane regretfully announced his resignation during his city manager’s report. “It is with an abundance of health-con-
step down from my appointment as city manager. Over the past four years, the erratic hours and stressful nature of the city manager position have negatively affected my physical health. My hospitalization last month was a strong signal that my current role with the city must be cut short from my planned tenure,” Splane’s letter of resignation read. “Working with the city has been a great honor, and I appreciate the support of city council members and our community for the past 11 years. I look forward to continuing to be a member of our community for years to come and am excited to see our town remain an amazing place to live for our children and grandchildren,” his letter continued. “It’s not good-bye forever,” he said. “But after meeting with my medical teams, besides diet and exercise, reducing stress was among the top things I could do to take better care of myself. It’s hard to do in this position. I care about our community. I’m a people pleaser by nature, and it’s hard for me to say no,” Splane shared in an interview on Wednesday.
eryone. For example, it’s hard for me to authorize a utility shut-off. Then I go home and dwell on it. But in the end, I am responsible to the city as a whole, and I have to do my job. “I wasn’t sure when the right time was to announce my resignation. I asked myself, ‘Should I wait until the BioPure project is complete?’ ‘Should I wait til Ceres property is developed or the community college opens in the old Gales building?’ But in reality there’s always going to be another project. This wasn’t a decision I made lightly, but after some deep reflection, I had to make the choice in favor of my physical health.” “(My wife) Lyn and I chose to move our family to Hart 14 years ago, and we will continue to enjoy the beautiful community around us as I move on to a new chapter in my professional life. We plan to continue to dedicate our time to various Oceana County community organizations for years to come!” he shared. Splane currently holds positions with the Hart Recreation Club, the Hart Historic Preservation Group and the
Shelby Optimists, and indicated he has no intention of leaving his responsibilities with any of those groups. Splane’s dedication to the city is evident. In his letter to the council, he offered to help facilitate the recruitment process. At this past Tuesday’s council meeting, Splane announced he had already gathered quotes from the Michigan Municipal League and one other third-party municipality recruitment firm, who may be able to help with the recruitment process. He is also looking for a third quote. “The pool (of municipal managers) is small, so a broad search is a good thing,” he said. There are many details that will need to come together, and the process will add to
Splane’s task list, however, he said he plans to wrap up near-term priorities and hand off essential tasks to minimize disruptions through the transition. He also suggested to the council Tuesday, it might be a good time to get the Personnel and Finance Committee involved to do some of the legwork of vetting possible candidates. When asked what he felt most proud of during his time with the City of Hart, he replied, “The biggest thing I’m most proud of is, I see a spirit of collaboration that didn’t exist 10 years ago. We’re seeing more conversations at the board and committee level that are focused on the future and not ‘but that’s the way we’ve always done it before.’” Splane will be leaving big shoes to fill. However, until then, even in a reduced capacity, he will continue to do what he does best - lead. “I will continue to serve as city manager at the pleasure of the city council until my successor is hired,” he said. “My wish is that this is a seamless transition to best benefit the city and our community.”
The Pentwater Service Club (PSC) announced that Bart Zachrich has posthumously been named 2025 Pentwater Citizen of the Year. Zachrich, who passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2025, becomes the 52nd Citizen of the Year and only the second to receive the award posthumously. “It is with both sadness and pride that the PSC has recognized Bart with an award that is synonymous with the kind of extraordinary public service that has made Pentwater such a great place to live and raise a family for more than 50 years,” said Rob Cunningham, incoming club president. “Bart was a retired principal who worked tirelessly and passionately in countless community leadership roles to make Pentwater the exceptional community that it is today.” A special dinner and celebration will be held to honor Bart on October 7, 2025, at the Pentwater Yacht Club. Tickets will go on sale beginning September 4, and can be purchased at Port View Wine and Spirits, Up North Market or from any Pentwater Service Club member. Lynne Zachrich, Bart’s spouse, will be in attendance, as will their children and grandchildren. “This award is acknowledgement of all that Bart did to help others, provide leadership for countless Pentwater organizations, and his generous, gentle spirit that touched so many lives,” Lynne said. Our family is so proud that his legacy will live on in this special way.”