Allegan County Clerk-Register of Deeds Bob Genetski appeared at Monday night’s City Council meeting and told local officials the City of Wayland had a whopping 69.13% voter turnout in the Nov. 6 general election.
The city’s voting percentage topped the county-wide count of 56.7% and the state’s 57.5%.
Perhaps notable was that voters in the city passed the state-wide proposal to legalize marijuana by a margin of 897 to 654, or 58.2% in the affirmative. Statewide, the ballot proposal was approved by a 56% to 44% tally, but it failed in Allegan County, with 52.2% voting in the negative.
This is significant because City Manager Joshua Eggleston has a draft ordinance for the city to opt out of permitting dispensaries within the city limits, but he cautioned that a “wait and see” attitude on the issue is best.
“I think we should at least re-commit to looking into this once we get the state guidelines,” he told council members, many of whom already have stated they don’t want the substance bought or sold here.
The Michigan Licensing And Regulations Authority (LARA) has been authorized to develop guidelines for regulating the growing, selling, buying and distribution of the substance, which was legalized for medical purposes in 2008.
In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the council:
• Finally welcomed a Wayland High School student representative, senior Emma Helrigel, who indicated she is delegation leader for the Youth in Government program. The student rep. normally is seated at the beginning of the academic year in September, but city officials this year had to solicit students for their interest in serving.
• Noted there will be a public reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at the Jayda Gale Distillery and Restaurant on South Main Street for the four finalists seeking the vacant police chief’s post. The appointee will succeed Steven Harper, who is leaving next month.
• Will have a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, in council chambers to talk about the city’s street projects for spring and summer of 2019.
• Agreed to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, instead of Monday, Jan. 21, because that will be a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Day.
COVER PHOTO: Emma Helrigel is the student representative from Wayland High School.