Local Government

Supreme Court finally ends suit against Gun Lake Casino

February 27, 2018

Officials at the Gun Lake Casino and of the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatmis are breathing a sigh of relief today. The long legal war against their existence is officially over. The Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Congress acted properly and legally when it ended a lengthy...

Traffic is Dorr residential development’s biggest problem

February 25, 2018

ACHTUNG: This is not a "fair and balanced" story. It is an editorial by the editor. • "I moved out here to get away from the city." • "Not in my back yard (NIMBY)." • Ninety percent of the people who show up at meetings come here to bitch." The...

Gun Lake Tribe ends contract with Stations Casinos

February 7, 2018

The Gun Lake Tribe announced today that its contract with Station Casinos LLC to manage the Gun Lake Casino expired Tuesday, Feb. 6, pursuant to federal Indian gaming law limiting the term of management contracts to seven years. “This is a significant milestone because we are taking another step toward...

Watson medical pot dispensary ordinance in trouble?

February 1, 2018

Scott Hershberger (left) and John Caras. A proposal to draft an ordinance permitting marijuana dispensaries in Watson Township may be in trouble. The Township Board Thursday evening received more public input in opposition to crafting local rules to permit the growing, processing and delivery of medical marijuana, as permitted by...

Yes It Is, It’s True: Local tax issues are complicated

January 25, 2018

“My goal is to cut government in half in 25 years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.” — Grover Norquist Columnist Ranger Rick has been pressuring me to let the world know the highest total tax rate in Allegan County is...

Let’s not forget an interim manager who did a terrific job

January 22, 2018

ACHTUNG: This is not a "fair and balanced" story. It is an editorial by the editor. Before he rides off into the sunset, many of us should take a little time to offer the handshake of appreciation to Wayland's interim city manager, Larry Nielsen. It is entirely possible that new...

Leighton has no interest in pot dispensaries ordinance

January 11, 2018

The Leighton Township Board Thursday evening adopted a resolution to opt out of developing any ordinance permitting medical marijuana dispensaries. The 4-0 vote was taken after a discussion of the issue, which has been brought before the board several times by interested parties who wanted to establish facilities for growing,...

Prosecutor seeks open Circuit Judge’s position

January 10, 2018

Robert Kengis Word at the Martin Township Board meeting Wednesday night was that it's a solid bet that Allegan County Prosecutor Roberts Kengis will be the next Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. County Commissioner Don Black told Township Board members that Kengis has expressed a strong interest in filling the...

Editorial

Your hometown paper isn’t just for Wayland folks

January 8, 2018

To the editor: Let’s discuss the Townbroadcast and its grounding in the five communities and surrounding areas. A few years ago, this newspaper was named the Wayland Townbroadcast and it led folks to assume it served Wayland City and Township exclusively. The proprietor and editor soon realized (with some prompting...

Watson marijuana issue prompts standing room only

January 4, 2018

Scott Hershberger and John Caras Not long ago, the Watson Township Board indicated a serious and well-attended meeting was sorely needed to gain public opinion about moving forward in crafting a local ordinance permitting medial marijuana dispensaries. The board got its wish Thursday evening when more than 60 people made...

Tag: Local Government