The commission will hold a second reading of the ordinance at its next regular meeting on Wednesday, November 12, again seeking public input. After the second reading, there is a 20-day waiting period before the ordinance could take effect.
The book follows two boys as they face challenges on each hole of an 18-hole course, learning about the world, teamwork, and friendship along the way. All proceeds from the event, including 100% of the author’s royalties, will be donated to the Cassopolis food shelf to help feed local families in need.
Representatives from Confluence were present at the meeting and said other cannabis companies that are not vertically integrated — that is, not growing and selling their own products — are struggling. They emphasized that Confluence is locally owned and operated, and that six of their employees have purchased homes in Three Rivers.
Commissioners plan to use the first and second readings to gather public input. During the September meeting, Commissioner Aaron Miller said he expects the city will hear from residents throughout the first year of the program.
The panel featured five journalists, each representing a different outlet within the collaborative, of which Watershed Voice is a member: Gordon Evans of WMUK, Lem Montero of Public Media Network, Aya Miller of MLive, Kathy Jennings of Second Wave Media, and Reed Williams of NowKalamazoo.
Co-organizer Dan Moyle said the challenge now is to translate a two-hour rally into sustained civic habits such as checking in on neighbors, showing up at meetings, supporting local service organizations, and making time for conversations across differences. “I can’t fix Washington, D.C., but I can help in my community,” he said. “Love thy neighbor — it’s pretty simple.”
Hankins has built his career around community development, neighborhood revitalization, and equity in local government. Before joining Des Moines, he held leadership roles in Aurora, Chandler, and Scottsdale, Arizona, where he directed housing and neighborhood services, launched customer service and blight-remediation initiatives, and advanced programs to improve housing stability.
Thursday’s meeting was expected to bring a decision, but the township canceled it because the data center amendment was the only agenda item and the property owner decided to “step back and better inform residents before moving forward,” Township Supervisor John Speeter told Watershed Voice. The proposal is expected to return in November.
Commissioners said they’ll consider both the interviews and public feedback before making their choice. Residents can submit feedback through the city’s online form or speak during the public comment period during the City Commission Committee of the Whole meeting at 5 p.m. ahead of Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting in order to provide feedback before decisions are made.
Judge Christopher P. Yates wrote in his October 14 opinion that while the changes “may seem unwise,” nothing in state law prevents the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from implementing them. If the state proceeds as planned, the 10 existing PIHP (prepaid inpatient health plan) regions — including Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health — would be dissolved after fiscal year 2026, and the new regional entities would begin managing Medicaid mental-health funding in FY 2027.
A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR
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