Local Government

Medical marijuana dispensary issues won’t go away

April 16, 2017

Kirk Scharphorn Jr. of Professional Code Inspections of Dorr, told the Wayland City Planning Commission last week he has been receiving a record number of inquiries about the possibility of locating medical marijuana grow, processing and distribution centers. Indeed, local township boards and the City of Wayland have been approached...

Ranger Rick: The musings of a right-wing deplorable

April 11, 2017

There are several things that bother me, and should you, in terms of judicial confirmation,education and local government. • Judicial – The senate confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch has been contentious and the Democrats have filibustered his nomination, to which Sen. Mitch McConnell, leader of the senate, said the nextoption...

Bygone Days: A look at the history of NE Allegan County

April 5, 2017

25 Years Ago — April 8, 1992 Gov. John Engler’s proposed deep cuts in state government spending on adult education programs will cause drastic reductions in services offered by the Wayland Community Edfucation program. Director David VanEerden said if Engler’s cutbacks are adopted, the local program wouldn’t survive another two...

Ranger Rick: Lack of fiscal discipline has consequences

March 21, 2017

If I was a Jihad Johnny, I would be smiling now after two federal judges overruled President Trump’s immigration order. The order excluded some Middle East country immigrants from entering the United States for a certain period (90 days), until proper vetting takes place and they are deemed not a...

Leighton Fire Chief wins stipend to attend classes

March 9, 2017

Leighton Township Fire Chief Tony Banas was granted a $500 stipend for attending a two-week course on fire codes in Muskegon, but there were some misgivings. The Leighton Township Board approved the expenditure because the course work upgrades the skills of the chief, but member aren’t sure how much longer...

City Manager still alarmed by lack of state aid support

February 20, 2017

Wayland City Manager Tim McLean Monday reiterated his alarm over recent actions and considerations by the Michigan State Legislature, once again asserting that local government may suffer severe consequences in loss of revenue sharing. McLean noted the City of Wayland's revenue sharing is scheduled to be frozen again this year...

Watson’s rejection of dispensary ordinance based on fear

February 3, 2017

ACHTUNG: This is not a "fair and balanced" story. It is an editorial by the editor. “There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present, and invoke the security of a comfortable past which, in...

Bygone Days: A look at the history of NE Allegan County

January 18, 2017

(From the archives at the Then & Now Historical Library in downtown Dorr) 25 Years Ago — Jan. 22, 1992 Patricia Birkholz of Fennville, Saugatuck Township Treasurer, has been appointed Allegan County Treasurer, succeeding the late Fred Edgerton. The other two candidates for the post were Undersheriff Larry Ladenburger and...

City manager confirms state shortchanged Wayland

January 16, 2017

Wayland City Manager Tim McLean last week attended a program on revenue sharing, sponsored by the Michigan Municipal League, and confirmed that Wayland and other cities have lost a lot in revenue sharing over the last 14 years. City Councilman Rick Mathis last year told his colleagues that Wayland has...

Bygone Days: A look at NE Allegan County’s history

January 11, 2017

25 Years Ago — Jan. 15, 1992 Three Caledonia teens, one age 17 and two even younger, have been arrested in connection with the damage done to Hooker Cemetery in Leighton Township. Lt. Steve DeBoer of the Michigan State Police Wayland post said Silent Observer played a major role in...

Tag: Local Government