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Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, June 10, for a regular business meeting. Commissioners have a relatively light agenda Wednesday, however, in recent months, much of the commission's controversy has unfolded during commissioner comments rather than through scheduled agenda items. Commissioner Aaron Miller recently introduced a resolution calling for an external investigation into alleged wrongdoing by members of the commission, the scope of which will include Mayor Frank Perez, Miller, Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins, Commissioners Richard Bir and Cathi Abbs, and former Commissioner Linda Harrington. Miller later added both his own name and Mullins' after they said residents questioned why they were not including themselves in the investigation.  Watershed Voice reached out to Miller to ask whether he will continue introducing resolutions to censure and remove Perez despite the opening of an investigation. Miller said he will no longer introduce those resolutions but remains of the opinion that "change is badly needed" in the City of Sturgis.

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Farrand Hall owners ordered to repay customer for prepaid dinners

Farrand Hall owners James Gray and Jacob Hagan have been ordered to repay a customer more than $2,100 after failing to appear for a small claims court hearing. According to St. Joseph County court records, a default judgment of $2,145.65 was ordered June 1 in favor of Michael G. Timmers. The judgment includes $2,043.65 sought by Timmers and additional court costs.

Kingbird and the Ordinary aims to build community around the table

The restaurant opens in a location that has seen several businesses come and go in recent years, most recently the Farrand Hall Diner before the company announced its closure and sale. But Chef Ken Miller says he viewed the building’s restaurant-ready setup as an opportunity rather than a warning sign. At the heart of the restaurant, Miller said, is a focus on approachable food made with local ingredients from Southwest Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region. “Our goal is to create an experience that’s equal parts delicious, familiar, exciting and welcoming,” the restaurant states in its opening materials.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet for a regular business meeting this evening at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Commissioners will consider Rural Heritage Partnership grant applications, the transfer of 124 Middle St., hold the second and final hearing on the city's user fee schedule, and make appointments to various city boards. City documents currently list 23 board vacancies.

Sturgis commissioners unanimously approve outside investigation as tensions over Mayor Perez continue

The investigation follows multiple failed attempts by Vice Mayor Jeff Mullins and Commissioner Aaron Miller to censure Mayor Frank Perez or remove him from his mayoral duties during previous meetings. Those efforts stem from allegations by some commissioners that Perez and others violated Michigan law, commission procedures, and the city charter — accusations that have largely remained shielded from public discussion because they were raised during closed session meetings. Tuesday’s vote represented a significant shift after two previous investigation resolutions failed on 4-3 votes. Mayor Perez was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Local meeting primer: Sturgis City Commission

The Sturgis City Commission will meet Wednesday, May 27 amid ongoing internal turmoil within city leadership. During the commission’s last two meetings, Commissioners Aaron Miller and Jeff Mullins have attempted to censure and remove Mayor Frank Perez over alleged illegal conduct, though many details remain unclear to the public because discussions occurred during closed session meetings. The dispute has created a divide between what commissioners say they know privately and what residents have been told publicly. Commissioners are expected to discuss the search for an interim city manager, consider multiple land-related items, and make annual board appointments Wednesday. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Sturgis City Hall.

Fatal hit-and-run under investigation in Cass County

Investigators say 24-year-old Timothy Johnson of Benton Harbor was walking on M-152 in Silver Creek Township when he was struck and killed by an unknown vehicle. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the tip line at 800-462-9328 or visit the county's website.

Three Rivers approves budget as water concerns spark heated commissioner exchange

Commissioners applauded Finance and Administration Director Bobbi Schoon for preparing what several described as a strong budget. During the public hearing, only two residents commented — one raising concerns about road conditions and another asking what provisions the city had made for people experiencing homelessness. As the meeting came to a close, Commissioner Torrey Brown and Mayor Angel Johnston engaged in a heated exchange over resident complaints about water quality.

Three Rivers Commissioners act to improve audio quality for meeting livestreams

City staff has been directed to draft a formal policy governing media access to the city's audio-visual system, a policy the Three Rivers City Commission could consider adopting as soon as their next regular meeting on June 2. Watershed Voice asked City Manager Joe Bippus on April 9 for permission to connect directly to the city’s audio system in an effort to improve the sound quality of its livestream. Bippus responded April 14 and denied the request. “I think it would be best if you found another option for improving your sound quality,” Bippus wrote in an email to Watershed Voice. “If I allow you access, I have to allow anyone else access to our system. I don’t think that is a good idea for the city.” Tuesday’s vote reversed that position and formally began the process of establishing a policy that would permit media access.

Contested state and local races set for St. Joseph County primary ballot

St. Joseph County voters will decide a number of competitive federal, state, and local races when they head to the polls for Michigan’s August 4 primary election. Three Rivers voters in the city’s 2nd District will also have a competitive local race. Josh Hoeppner, Maurice D. Kelly, and incumbent Steven Haigh are seeking the seat. Because the office is nonpartisan, the top vote-getter in the primary will advance according to the city’s election rules. 

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