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Three Rivers commission debates housing board appointment tied to ongoing litigation
The dispute began during board appointments listed near the end of the meeting agenda. Commissioner Torrey Brown questioned why Anthony Mayer — whose previous term on the housing board had expired — was not included among the recommended appointments. Brown later moved to appoint Mayer to a new term, arguing the board benefited from members with experience and institutional knowledge.
Mayor Angel Johnston said the city had moved away from automatically reappointing board members in an effort to bring in new members and perspectives.
Early in discussion of the motion, City Manager Joe Bippus said Mayer had ongoing legal disputes and multiple civil infractions involving Lockport Township as another reason why his reappointment got “pulled,” though he also stated the issues did not legally disqualify Mayer from serving on the board.
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Watershed Voice is an independent, nonprofit civic news magazine based in Three Rivers, Michigan. We seek to highlight solutions to your pressing concerns in an effort to make our community a better place.
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Aundrea Sayrie: Introducing Good Grief. Creating space for awareness, honesty, and repurposing pain
Watershed Voice columnist Aundrea Sayrie is introducing a new series exploring how loss lives in everyday lives, and its impact on mental health. This month she will examine the “mother wound,” and how a month she once looked forward to feels different, forcing her to “confront the distance” between who she is and who she wants to be.
Construction begins on South Front Street streetscape project in Dowagiac
The project received support through a $668,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 program, along with matching local funds from the city. City officials said Market One assisted with the grant application process.
Assistant City Manager Amanda Sleigh said the funding strategy allowed the city to combine infrastructure improvements with downtown-style streetscape work.
May 5 Election results: Voters weigh in on school bonds, a trash ordinance, and commissioner terms
Kalamazoo County voters considered several school funding proposals, along with the high-profile Portage single-hauler trash ordinance proposal, which generated significant public debate ahead of Election Day.
The proposal would require waste haulers to register and publish fee schedules while prohibiting the city from creating an exclusive single-hauler trash contract. The measure failed with 44.73% of the vote in favor (5,381 votes) and 55.27% opposed (6,649 votes).
Voters reject Sturgis Public Schools $98.4 million bond proposal
Voters rejected the $98.475 million proposal with 54% voting no (1,501 votes) and 46% voting yes (1,277 votes). A total of 2,778 votes were cast on the proposal.
Superintendent Arthur Ebert says the district will now need to reevaluate how — or whether — many of the projects it had planned to pursue will move forward.
“All of the projects contained within the bond proposal will either need to find an alternative funding source, be reduced in scope with an alternative funding source, or not be completed.”
Disaster support hotline available for those recovering from March tornadoes
Through a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant administered by Cass County, the three-county region including Cass, Branch, and St. Joseph counties, has partnered with After the Storm to provide long-term disaster recovery support. The program will deliver comprehensive, client-centered disaster case management services to individuals and families recovering from the storm.
Find your polling place: Southwest Michigan Election Day guide
It’s Election Day! Watershed Voice has compiled key information you might need — from polling locations to hours and what’s on your ballot.
Voters can still register on Election Day at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. They can register and vote in person there until 8 p.m. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license, utility bill or bank statement showing a current address.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across Michigan.
