“Fake News” and the rumor mill sometimes can get local, and it’s just as ugly as on the national scene. Just ask Wayland City Manager Joshua Eggleston.

Eggleston told the City Council Monday night there have been false rumors floating around about the newly-approved Village Green Apartments expansion project, suggesting he personally and financially will benefit from the project and that the rule of eminent domain will be used by local government to seize the property.

The city manager said he can understand some residents’ frustrations with not being able to stop the expansion, but spreading lies about the situation only makes things worse.

“I am not happy about this,” said Eggleston, who came to town earlier this year to take the city manager’s post. “By right, it is a project that they (the developers) can do.”

The Wayland City Planning Commission recognized objections to the project as having the potential to create traffic and flooding problems near the corner of Oak and Forrest streets, but noted project plans fit in with the city’s master plan and is a legitimate permitted use for the area.

The Planning Commission voted 5-0 last week to approve the site plan to permit construction of 56 more apartment units in seven buildings.

In other business at Monday evening’s meeting, the council:

• Watched as the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a request for a variance from Chris Rison to construct maintenance facility for his cargo vans to haul tool and die materials, permitting a B-2 business use use on industrial property at 10th Street ands 133rd Avenue. The Planning Commission a week earlier approved Rison’s site plan.

• Learned from Police Chief Steve Harper that officer Mark Riemersma played an important role in helping to apprehend a 49-year-old child sex offender eventually charged in Philadelphia. The man, who was in contact with a local juvenile boy at one time, was slapped with 16 charges.

“Our guys are doing stuff here,” said Harper. “They’re putting in a lot of hard work.”

• Collectively applauded the work of chalk artist Tess Tobolic Marhofer and Main Street volunteers in painting an attractive mural on the West Superior side of the Hotel building. The project has been completed just in time for the Wayland Sesquicentennial celebration Friday and and Saturday.

• Was told by Councilman Rick Mathis that ZBA Chairman Joe Hamilton had just conducted his last meeting, as he and his wife are moving out of the community.

COVER PHOTO: Joe Kramer is sworn in as the newest City Council member by Clerk Michelle Herman. Kramer was appointed to the post July 2, succeeding the resigned Tracy Bivins.