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Sturgis commission rejects calls to investigate and censure Mayor Frank Perez
Commissioner Aaron Miller introduced a resolution asking the commission to authorize an investigation by outside counsel.
The proposal would have examined whether Mayor Frank Perez, Richard Bir, Cathi Abbs, and Linda Harrington potentially violated Michigan law, applicable case law, commission procedures and the city charter.
Miller said an outside review would provide a path toward greater transparency.
City Attorney T.J. Reed clarified that any investigative report would first be reviewed by the commission, which would then determine what information, if any, could be released publicly.
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American Axle workers seek ‘fair share’ after 98% strike authorization vote
The union said American Axle has earned $8.4 billion in profits over the past decade while CEO compensation totaled $111 million during that period. Combined compensation for the company’s five highest-paid executives reached nearly $231 million, according to the union.
Good Grief. The Mother Wound, Part Two
Watershed Voice columnist Aundrea Sayrie’s new series “Good Grief.” explores how loss lives in everyday lives, and its impact on mental health.
In The Mother Wound, Part Two, Sayrie looks at the “absence you can’t name,” as some grief isn’t about losing someone but rather “never fully having had them in the way you needed.”
Hyperscale Data reports customer interest in expanding Dowagiac data center, residents still in the dark
The latest announcement indicates that Hyperscale Data is continuing to pursue expansion in Dowagiac and has spent money to prepare for possible growth.
But the company has not announced signed contracts, identified its potential customers, or publicly disclosed new permit applications.
For residents concerned about electricity use, noise, land development and environmental impacts, the company’s announcement did not address those issues.
Kalamazoo approves Portage Street road redesign, advances rail relocation planning
The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a $1.04 million agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation Monday to move forward with a Portage Street redesign. The project will reduce the road from four lanes to three, and add bike lanes between Cork Street and Stockbridge Avenue.
The project, approved on a 6-1 vote with Vice Mayor Drew Duncan dissenting, is funded with $750,000 in federal grant money and $289,402 from the city’s Major Streets Capital Budget. City officials say the redesign is intended to improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians along one of Kalamazoo’s busiest corridors.
Cass County prosecutor resigns as board tensions continue over pay dispute
The resignation comes less than a week after a contentious May 7 Cass County Board of Commissioners meeting, where prosecutors warned commissioners that more attorneys could leave if the county did not provide additional support to retain staff.
Watershed Voice has previously reported on the growing dispute between the prosecutor’s office and county commissioners over attorney retention, compensation, and the county’s recently implemented classification and compensation study.
Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission
Sturgis city commissioners will meet Wednesday for their first regular meeting since a contentious April 22 session in which Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins publicly asked Mayor Frank Perez to resign, two efforts to formally discipline Perez failed on tied votes, City Manager Andrew Kuk announced his resignation, and Commissioner Linda Harrington announced she was stepping down from the commission.
