FeedsGroup praises barn movers
April 28, 2009 is a day Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue will never forget.
That day came after almost a year of planning but Gasper Recycling in Willis did a fantastic job of maneuvering a 1,200 square-foot barn almost 5 miles on Rawsonville Road to our shelter at 51299 Arkona Road.
The day was damp, drizzly, and overcast but it didn’t seem to have any effect on Van Gasper or his crew’s demeanor and determination to ‘move that barn’. Although there were times when our “foot crew” held their breath as Van Gasper moved the building ever so slightly 3 – 6 inches to avoid a mailbox or street sign, all of the volunteers were in high spirits as our anticipation of a new barn came closer to reality.
Gasper Recycling’s attention to detail was nothing short of professional. Not only did they have to focus on the barn, their equipment and rigging, they also had to coordinate communications with the Washtenaw County Road Commission and Sumpter Township police to make sure road signs, mailboxes and other obstacles were safely dealt with.
Our neighbors along Rawsonville Road were amazed at the sight of a 30 by 40 foot building moving past their homes and many of them cheered us on as we crept along. While the various utility companies on the scene lifted wires or cables the Sumpter Township Fire and Police Departments blocked intersections, rerouted traffic and blocked the road behind the building amidst an impressive display of flashing lights. Everyone worked great together and the move went off without a major hitch or complaint.
Not only were there people from the various utilities and municipalities, there were several volunteers there to walk behind the building and pick up debris as it fell from the trees. We all had a special job to perform. Julie Devereux and Bill Jacobs were our photographers, as Brenda Wade and her daughter Brenna proudly held the FMAR banner for all of the pedestrians to see, Anne Meade picked up sticks as Eileen, Leo Pawelski, Bob Smith and I watched for close calls and held our breath in anticipation of the barn’s demise (in other words we really didn’t have much to do but walk and enjoy the day.
Our current shelter is in the process of being renovated and soon, thanks to the businesses and agencies involved in the acquisition and relocation of this “new” building, we will have separate facilities for the dogs and the cats that come to stay with us.
FMAR continues to be blessed by all of you. It is important to all of us at FMAR that you know the pride we feel in being part of such a generous community – a community whose unselfish support has helped us to grow every year. Our goal is to have all of you know us and feel as proud of us as we are of you.
Please visit our website at www.fmar1.org for pictures and updates on our shelter renovations.
FMAR Board of Directors
