“Full Guns – BOOM! Over the top enthusiasm” is how Allegan City Councilperson, Mike Manning, describes Mel Brummel’s zeal for the Allegan Mountain Bike Trail project. Brummel, winner of the Community Service, Individual award (Sponsored by Ropes Courses, INC), along with Sandy Savage (Lifetime Service – Sponsored by Tibbitts Financial Consulting); Allegan Jaycees (Community Service, Organization); Carol Sneller (Business Professional – Sponsored by Perrigo), Dr. John Walstrum (Healthcare Provider – Sponsored by Allegan General Hospital); Michelle Liggett (Spirit of Allegan); and Yvette Houser (Education Professional) were honored by the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce at their annual Evening of Recognition Awards Gala on Thursday, February 22.
Police Chief, Rick Hoyer, said Brummel “approached [the mountain bike trail] with unbridled enthusiasm, which is typical for any project that involves Mel. His vision was to create a healthy and fun outdoor activity that would encourage families to exercise together while attracting people to the City of Allegan. The time and effort for this project where all done on Mel’s personal time, without compensation, and without a budget. He identified the route, secured easements from property owners, received funding from private entities, and organized a jail crew which he oversaw and worked alongside with to clear the trail.”
Of note was the utilization of the County Debts Crew and others in need of community service hours. The Trail was much more than an opportunity for those “volunteers” to log their hours: Mel provided a true mentoring situation teaching people pride both in what they can personally accomplish and in how they can have a positive impact in service to their community. Mel encouraged his crew to bring their kids and family to the trail – “Look what I built!”
Allegan City Manager, Joel Dye, offered, “Mel was the driving force behind the Allegan mountain bike trail, dedicating his own personal time and effort into making this vision become a reality. His ability to identify an essential community need, along with his aptitude for bringing local community leaders together was impeccable in the development of this new community asset and regional destination. Now thanks to Mel, the Greater Allegan Community will now be able to experience a brand new recreational opportunity that will extend over 5 miles long and will feature the longest Mountain Bike Bridge in the State of Michigan.”
It is always the great privilege of the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize the individuals that make Allegan such a great place to call home. We thank each and every one of them for their service to our community, as well as extend a heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors and those who joined us at the event to pay tribute to these individuals.
