The year 2015 certainly was eventful in this area, and it was a mixed bag in terms of positive and negative developments.
Rating the top stories of the year is a hazardous task because the evaluator must consider two factors — impact and headline value — both of which are very different.
Regardless, here is a list of one man’s opinions of the top stories in this area:
The salacious Gamrat-Courser affair
This series of sordid sagas had
to be No. 1 because it was reported and commented on in national news. Comedian John Oliver, on “Last Week Tonight,” took no prisoners in his four-and-a-half minute rant on HBO.
That’s what you get when two “family values” conservative Christian Tea Party politicians fail horribly in living up to the image that got them elected, and even worse, they tried to cover it up, resulting in Courser resigning, Gamrat being expelled from the St
ate Legislature and both being turned away by voters at the polls in a special election.
And the fallout may still be seen and heard in the new year. Meanwhile, Mary Whiteford appears to be headed for taking over Gamrat’s seat in the 80th District, which includes Hopkins, Martin and Watson townships.
Wayland softball team wins state title
In any other year, this pleasant development would have taken the top spot.
It was a remarkable year for coach Cheri Ritz in claiming her second state championship and ace hurler Mallory Teunissen being named the state’s best pitcher. But a couple of others also can take great satisfaction. Hailey Houck delivered the biggest clutch hit of the year and her career with a triple that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and Caroline Miller drilled a two-run homer for the only runs in a 2-0 triumph in the road to the title.
Martin Township deals with marijuana shop
This made it as high as No. 3 because it was a huge surprise business in downtown Shelbyville as a combination “head shop” and medical marijuana exchange, which set off disputes about its legality.
The Planning Commission surprised a lot of people by recommending on a 4-2 vote that the Township Board reject a proposed new ordinance forbidding marijuana dispensaries. Now the issue goes before the Township Board in a Jan. 4 public hearing before it makes a final decision later in the month.
It also was a huge story because these kinds of debates about marijuana are being held in many communities all over the country.
Possible sale of Moline Elementary, old Dick’s Market
The Wayland Union School District mothballed Moline Elementary in 2003 and since then the building’s condition has deteriorated. Steve Austin has tried to make a deal to buy it and convert it into a business, but he still needs help in finding the capital. The old Dick’s Market on 142nd Avenue in Dorr just might become an Ace Harware Store.
Yankee Springs new fire, ambulance client
Yankee Springs Township severed its public safety ties with Thornapple Township Emergency Services and has asked and received permission to be service by the Wayland Fire Department and Wayland Area Emergency Services.
The fire department has been talking for some time about creating a fire district, and now WAEMS has 11 members in its service area.
Presley Hudson Miss Basketball runner-up
Presley Hudson, daughter of Wayland varsity boys’ basketball coach Mike Hudson, ended her four-year career by being named runner-up in the Miss Basketball contest, scoring more than 1,000 points for the Wildcats and beginning the new year as the leading scorer for the NCAA Division Central Michigan University team after nine games.
Perrigo resists takeover, but worries persist
Perrigo, which manufactu
res in-house brand over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and is Allegan County’s largest employer, eluded a hostile takeover attempt, but in the wake of layoffs and setting up headquarters in Ireland, there are worries the company is just moving toward pulling up roots and moving elsewhere, which would leave as many as 4,000 West Michigan residents without jobs.
Recreational Authority may be established
The City of Wayland, Wayland Township and Wayland Union Schools are exploring the possibility of creating a recreational authority to oversee and handle community recreations programs. Others have tried this and a special panel of key community people are looking at what Howell and Byron Center do in replacing what used to be known as community education and recreation programs until Gov. John Engler eliminated them 20 years ago.
Leighton Township still growing like cat-tails
The growingest part of Allegan County is Leighton Township, evidenced by issuance of many building permits, and now even more compelling because of the likelihood of “Switch” setting up shop in the old Steelcase pyramid facility, which some officials say will result in 1,000 new jobs and lots more residential growth.
The growth is so prevalent that township officials are serious about moving into a new building next to the library because the facility they’re in now is just too small.
Road conditions
remain as huge problems
The State Legislature horribly bungled a state-wide ballot proposal to fix Michigan’s roads in a March 5 special election that also brought down millage requests for local roads.
Caught in the mess, despite a very aggressive and well-thought-out campaign, was Dorr Township, which rejected a three-mill request spearheaded by community activist Carolyn Sandel.
Historical service may get a new home
Dorr Lownship Library Director Natalie Bazan has launched a fund-raising campaign to have an addition built at the library specifically to house the Then & Now historical library. The service now is located at the old library building near the main downtown intersection, but the Township Board would like to unload that old building on the market.
Wayland schools begin facilities campaigns
The Wayland Board of Education is in the first stages of a campaign to have a bond request in August or November to fund facility improvements, most notably the aging high school pool. A millage request may include funding a recreational authority.
Feeding local hungry kids over the summer
The Wayland schools and several businesses launched a summer series of free lunches and breakfasts for anyone under 18. It was reported they served 8,300 meals at local churches, schools and libraries and they dovetailed some of the meals with special educational programs.
New baseball field heads off civil rights suit
Former Wayland Board of Education member Shelly Salisbury Whitley threatened to file a Title IX suit against the school district, claiming the boys’ baseball program was not getting the same opportunities as girls’ softball because of fewer practice fields.
Rather than go to court, school officials agreed to have a new baseball field constructed to rectify the problem.
Uccello’s is now Salvino’s, Joe’s Way is Your Way
Stefano Levant, former proprietor of the Joe’s Way pizzeria in downtown Wayland, returned to the community last summer to reopen in the building that formerly housed Harding’s Market, next to Big Dipper Ice Cream and the Wayland Party Store.
Not everyone was happy about it, particularly Uccello’s, which bought the business from Stefano more than a decade ago. Uccello’s, which changed its name to Salvino’s, went to court, where Stafano was ordered to drop “Joe’s Way.” He changed it to “You Way” and remains in business.
Triple homicide is particularly tragic
Corey LaValley Sr. was arrested and charged with the murders of his girlfriend, Debbra Shepherd, her daughter Emma McComber and his son, Corey LaValley Jr. Authorities said he shot them in their Dorr Township mobile home and then set it on fire in a coverup attempt.
End of Border Wars for Hopkins and Wayland
The four-year experiment of starting the football season with Hopkins and Wayland meeting in “Border Wars” was halted by mutual consent.
Hopkins won all four of the season openers, but the last one was a nail-biter at 34-28. The two neighboring schools renewed their gridiron rivalry in 2012 after more than 40 years.
Special Mention: The ambassadors
Hopkins agricscie
nce teacher and FFA advisor Jessica Couch and Wayland High School art teacher Scott Gunderson were state and international ambassadors for Hopkins and Wayland, respectively. Couch continued the tradition and solid reputation Hopkins has gained over the years in farming-related activities for youth by winning state awards and even getting to meet Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo. Gunderson continued his wine cork creations, one of which was used for a television show and the one shown here is of the King of Spain and his wife.
