Observations...

No word yet on who will be appointed to replace County Commissioner Howard Payton, who died this week after a lengthy term of service. He served the northern portion of Delaware County including parts of Grove…The Blue Ribbon Committee will unveil its recommendations Monday at 5 p.m. before a joint meeting with City Council and GIDA. Insiders say the proposals are "excellent" but the group is nervous as to how the Council will receive them…Is this any time to own a car wash?...Did you know that in the past six years Ottawa County's population has decreased by a half percent while Delaware County has increased 8%? Building permits in 2005 totaled 39 in Ottawa County, 144 in Delaware; the median value of housing in Ottawa County was $47,200, $81,900 in Delaware. But Ottawa received $2.8 million in Federal monies while Delaware got $2.0 million…The Grove Police Department is enforcing the city's long established curfew law, with some parents complaining. Look for a statement on this issue later this week...City Council is meeting in Executive Session Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week to interview the final three candidates for the new City Manager... Please Note: There will be no issue of The Observer next week, the Editor will be on vacation.