Area polling stations have reported busy, steady traffic this morning for General Election Day. In the city of Three Rivers as well as in Lockport, Park, and Fabius Townships, officials said absent voter ballot returns have been high, and in-person voters waited in lines that stretched out of buildings.
Park Township
In a light regular meeting of the Three Rivers Public Library (TRPL) board Tuesday, Board Chair Julie Keefer and Acting Director Bobbi Schoon said public response to the former bank building at Main and Moore Streets has been good so far. TRPL staff moved into the new building in August as contractors were finishing up renovations on the building, which the board acquired in 2017. Curbside lending service resumed in September, and the building opened to limited visitation earlier in October. Board members also approved a snow removal contract, authorized Schoon to negotiate with Park Township over an ongoing issue, and discussed a possible archival tenant in the basement.
White Pigeon Township Supervisor Don Gloy appeared at a St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) work session Wednesday to ask commissioners to consider compensating some of the township’s residents for recent damage that occurred during a subdivision paving project.
The Park Township Planning Commission has set a date for a special meeting regarding a proposed commercial development on M-60. Nottawa Gas, a propane distributor, entered into a Buy and Sell Agreement last March for a property near North Fisher Lake Road, and submitted a request to have the land rezoned for Commercial/Light Industrial in August.
Neighbors are organizing in opposition to a proposed propane business on Highway M-60 near Fisher Lake. Nottawa Gas, which is currently located between Nottawa and Colon, is considering purchase of a 14-acre parcel of land on the west side of the highway between North Fisher Lake Road and Wilson Boulevard. Neighbors fear the development will negatively impact their property values and quality of life.
On October 8, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Fisher Lake Association (FLA) wrote a letter to the Park Township Board regarding a proposed commercial development on Highway M-60 a short distance northeast of North Fisher Lake Road. A piece of property on the southeast side of the highway is under consideration for development by Nottawa Gas. Watershed Voice has been researching the story and will provide fuller coverage later this week.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed funding assistance requests by local fire department for the purchase of new pagers at an Executive Committee meeting Wednesday morning.
Following the seizure of more than 150 domestic cats from a hoarding situation over the weekend in Park Township, St. Joseph County Animal Control and Park Township officials are struggling to provide proper care for the animals. The number of cats involved is significantly higher than facilities typically handle, and supplies are stretched thin.
As a result of the investigation, over 140 cats ranging from newborn to adult cats were seized from the inside the home. It took officials several hours to capture the animals. Several of the cats appeared to have health issues and will be evaluated by animal control staff and other professionals. It was determined that two of cats needed to be euthanized immediately.
Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 75 candidates running for elected positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. In the days leading up to the Michigan Primary on August 4, Watershed will publish the questionnaires it received back as well as an election preview. Park Township Trustee Tom Springer, who is running for reelection, gave the following answers.
The Park Township board discussed additional parking for recreational access, the township’s preparations for the upcoming primary election and other topics at their monthly meeting Wednesday.
Watershed Voice recently spoke with Park Township Trustee Tom Springer, Dave Allen of Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC), and Three Rivers consultant Bob Sills about what it would take to solve St. Joseph County’s rural broadband problem.