Allegan County News editor Ryan Lewis is with Allegan County Clerk Bob Genetski up at Wayland Public Safety to walk you through what’s involved with voting. First time voting? They explain each easy step. Experienced voter? Get a look at what’s different with the new voting machines.

It’s all to take the mystery out of the process and encourage you to vote next Tuesday, Nov. 6.

A quick review of the tips:
• fill in the ovals completely
• expect lines before and after business hours (polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• get an advance look at your ballot at https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/MVIC/

Learn more about local ballot proposals and candidates by checking out our preview of the upcoming election: http://www.allegannews.com/allegan-news-news-union-enterprise/election-p...

The following highlights a few statewide races and proposals from the Nov. 6 general election, detailing Allegan County votes alone.

All totals are unofficial; canvassers are still in the process of certifying election results.

Prop 1: Legalize recreational marijuana

yes  23,765*  /  no  25,921

*Prop 1 passed with 56 percent approving, statewide.

Prop 2: Redistricting commission

yes  26,644*  /  no  22,005

*Prop 2 passed with 61.3 percent approving, statewide.

Prop 3: Reinstating straight-party voting; same-day voting, automatic registration

yes  28,515*  /  no  19,823

*Prop 2 passed with 67 percent approving, statewide.

Governor

Bill Schuette, Republican, 28,648

Gretchen Whitmer, Democrat, 19,497*

*Whitmer won with 53.3 percent of the vote; Schuette earned 43.8 percent.

U.S. Senate

John James, Republican, 29,834

Debbie Stabenow, Democrat, incumbent, 18,890*

*Stabenow won with 52.2 percent of the vote; James earned 45.8 percent.

U.S. House, District 6

Fred Upton, Republican, incumbent, 28,257*

Matt Longjohn, Democrat, 17,654

*Upton won with 50.2 percent of the vote; Longjohn earned 45.8 percent.

District 26 Michigan Senate

Robert Alway, Green, 530

Erwin Haas, Libertarian, 1,163

Garnet Lewis, Democrat, 17,265

Aric Nesbitt, Republican, 29,375*

*Nesbitt won with 56.8 percent of the vote; Lewis earned 40 percent.

District 72 Michigan House of Representatives

Ron Draayer, Democrat, 2,512

Jamie Lewis, Libertarian, 289

Steven Johnson, Republican, incumbent, 6,256*

*Johnson won with 53.7 percent of the vote; Draayer earned 43.4 percent.

Here are the unofficial results of the Nov. 6 general election. The county board of canvassers is currently looking over the results to certifiy them, not expected for days.

Turnout was high for a mid-term election, with 54.7 percent of registered voters turning out to cast ballots countywide; that's 51,274 people out of the 85,040 who registered.

Results are divided up between state, countywide and local municipalities or school districts, arranged alphabetically.

For state-level races that draw on results outside Allegan County, see our summary of "How Allegan County Voted."

State level:

District 80 Michigan House of Representatives

Mark Ludwig, Democrat, 14,275

Mary Whiteford, Republican, incumbent, 25,000

Allegan County:

Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney

partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

Myrene Kay Koch, Republican, incumbent, 37,220

48th Circuit Court

non-partisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

Roberts Kengis, incumbent, 35,399

57th District Court

non-partisan six-year term

William Baillargeon, incumbent, 33,892

Probate Court

non-partisan six-year term

Michael Buck, incumbent, 36,559

Allegan County Board of Commissioners

two-year terms

District 1

Christi Allen, Democrat, 3,746

Dean Kapenga, Republican, incumbent, 4,578

District 2

Jim Storey, Republican, incumbent, 5,085

Kenneth Whitcomb, Democrat, 2,036

District 3

Kathryn Bamberg, Democrat, 2,135

Max Thiele, Republican, incumbent, 3,986

District 4

D. Mark DeYoung, incumbent, Republican, 5,107

Mike Salisbury, Democrat, 2,338

District 5

Don Doggendorf, Democrat, 2,435

Tom Jessup, Republican, incumbent, 2,924

District 6

Gale Dugan, Republican, incumbent, 3,859

Benjamin Snape, Democrat, 2,556

District 7

Rick Cain, Republican, 3,693

Rachel Colingsworth, Democrat, 2,610

Local:

Allegan District Library

four* non-partisan four-year terms

Christopher Antkoviak, incumbent, 3,152

Keith Behm, incumbent, 2,732

Susan Buese, incumbent, 3,721

Kevin Huff, incumbent, 2,861

MartyRose McLeod, incumbent, 2,622

*Despite the fact that five incumbents’ terms are expiring at the end of this year, only four terms were up for election due to a filing discrepancy.

Allegan Public Schools

two non-partisan six-year terms

Nathon Kelley, incumbent, 4,508

Katherine Lake, incumbent, 3,879

Cheshire Township

Fire protection millage renewal, 0.6 mill, six years

yes  487  /  no  229

Fire protection and ambulance services millage renewal, 0.6 mill, six years

yes  516  /  no  208

City of the Village of Douglas

four nonpartisan two-year terms

Linda S. Anderson, 467

Patricia S. Lion, 459

Aaron M. Miller, 420

Neal Seabert, 418

City of Fennville

Operating millage Headlee override, 15 mills, four years

yes  244  /  no  154

Fennville Public Schools

two non-partisan four-year terms

(none filed)

two non-partisan four-year terms

Julio Almanza, 2,222

Ross Thiele, 2,081

Fillmore Township

Treasurer, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Leah Folkert, Republican, 1,148

Glenn Public Schools

three non-partisan four-year terms

Scott Bruursema, incumbent, 165

Rebecca Gunderson, incumbent, 161

(no third person filed)

Hamilton Community Schools

two non-partisan six-year terms

Loren Joostberns, incumbent, 4,027

Carl Marshall, 1,619

Heath Meyer, 2,340

Craig Van Beek, 2,845

one non-partisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2022)

Ben Randle, incumbent, 5,568

Hopkins School Board

two non-partisan six-year terms

Karen Ryan, incumbent, 2,985

(no others filed)

Village of Hopkins

Each of the two-year officer positions were re-elected unopposed: president Mary Howard, treasurer Mary Swainston and clerk Mike Alberda.

Trustee: six non-partisan four-year terms

Brian Ballard, incumbent, 182

Dawn Buist, 132

Gregory Buist, incumbent, 154

Craig Osborn, incumbent, 150

Jonathon Vanderwall, 157

Terry Weick, incumbent, 179

Benjamin Williams, 174

Manlius Township

Supervisor, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Lowell A. Winne Jr., Republican, incumbent, 1,159

Martin Public Schools

five non-partisan four-year terms

Angie Cameruci, 688

Melanie Conley, 989

Julie Pallett, 765

Rodney Pillars, 802

Vincent Tuinstra, incumbent, 926

John VandenBerg, incumbent, 1071

Village of Martin

Each of the incumbent officers were re-elected unopposed for their two-year terms: president Gary Brinkhuis, treasurer Alice Kelsey and clerk Darcy Doezema.

Trustees: two non-partisan four-year terms

Jason Dykstra, 91

Donald Flower, incumbent, 76

William Mohr, 49

City of Otsego

Brent Milhiem, 543*

Lauri A. Krueger, 658*

Robert J. Schurman, 357

Jayson Ennis, 504

Stacey Withee, incumbent, 718*

*If those results stand, Withee and Krueger have won four-year terms while Milhiem won a two-year seat.

Otsego Public Schools

two non-partisan six-year terms

Rodger Gibson, incumbent, 2,222

Amy Stender, 2,434

one non-partisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2022)

Rebecca Gross, 2,619

Otsego Township

Road maintenance and road improvement millage renewal, 1.5 mills, five years

yes  1,515  /  no  816

City of Plainwell

Trustee, three nonpartisan four-year terms

Stephen Bennett, 608*

Rick Brooks, incumbent, 800

Brad Keeler, incumbent, 769

Roger Keeney, incumbent, 608*

*The county clerk’s office said the race was likely to be recounted. If the tie stands, city charter calls for lots to be drawn (typically slips of paper drawn from a hat) to determine who wins the city council seat.

Plainwell Community Schools

four non-partisan four-year terms

Julli Bennett, incumbent, 2,279

Amy Blades, incumbent, 2,329

Chris Keator, 1,809

David Skinner, 1,903

Shannon Zabaldo, incumbent, 2,070

Martin Township

Trustee, partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

John Schipper, independent, 887

Fire and emergency services millage, 0.75 mill, four years

yes  733  /  no  324

Salem Township

Treasurer, partial term (expires Nov. 11, 2020)

Ashley Brower, Republican, 1,837

City of Saugatuck

four nonpartisan two-year terms

Mark Bekken, incumbent, 338

Barry E. Johnson, incumbent, 336

Ken Trester, incumbent, 335

Jane Verplank, incumbent, 306

Saugatuck Public Schools

three non-partisan four-year terms

Nicole S. Lewis, 2,029

Eric Birkholz, 2,409

Gordon Jay Stannis, incumbent, 1,862

Saugatuck Township

Supervisor, partial term (exp. 11/20/2020)

Christopher Roerig, Republican, incumbent, 1,289

Recall: each position is a partial term (exp. 11/20/2020)

Clerk:

Bradley Rudich, Republican, incumbent, 817

William W. Wester Sr., Democrat, 1,113

Treasurer:

Lori Babinski, Republican, incumbent: 875

Jon Helmrich, Democrat: 1,061

Trustee:

Abby Bigford, Democrat: 1,105

Roy McIlwaine, Republican, incumbent: 815

Trustee:

Stacey Aldrich, Democrat; 1,174

Douglas Lane, Republican, incumbent; 750

Valley Township

Trustee partial term (expires Nov. 3, 2020)

Timothy Batchelor, Republican, 632

City of Wayland

Mayor, non-partisan two-year term

Tim Bala, incumbent: 952

Brian Sweebe: 433

Trustee, three nonpartisan two-year terms

Abe Garcia, 886

Kramer, Joe Kramer, incumbent, 987

Timothy Rose, incumbent, 873

Wayland Township

Trustee, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Matthew Miner, Republican, 1,172

Wayland Union Schools

three non-partisan four-year terms

Janel Hott, incumbent, 4,217

Toni Ordway, incumbent, 4,159

Pete Zondervan, incumbent, 4,099

Two adults, two children and two dogs all got out safely from the old Miner Lake Store, at 2607 122nd Ave., Allegan, before it burned to the ground Wednesday morning around 2:40 a.m.

It was a five-alarm fire with Allegan and Hopkins fire departments still on scene at 8 a.m. putting out hot spots.

The age of the building and a high number of contents inside fueled the fire. Renters were using a pellet heater which may have been the source of the fire.

Smoke alarms were in the residence owned by Walter and Kathy Garrett.

Siding melted on a building next to the store, but did not catch fire. Trowbridge, Salem and Hamilton fire departments also assisted at the scene along with Life EMS, the American Red Cross and local law enforcement.

The family living in the building lost all of their possessions in the fire. A Go Fund Me page has been set up at this link.

Stephen Bennett has been elected to Plainwell City Council.

Because he and incumbent Roger Keeney both received 608 votes on election night, Nov. 6, the tie was broken by drawing lots at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Allegan County clerk’s office.

“It’s quite a finish,” Bennett said after being elected, noting he’d faced an uphill battle against longtime incumbents in the election. “It’s all been overwhelming and fascinating. And I’m very thankful for all the people who supported me.

“So, yeah, overwhelmed and thankful and I look forward to working on the council and to move forward on the challenges to Plainwell, the great island city.”

With more votes, Mayor Rick Brooks and council trustee Brad Keeler won the other two terms up for grabs in the election.

The drawing was done by rolling two slips of paper inside separate, plastic vials to conceal their writing and make them uniform to touch. They were both placed in a basket and held above eye level by county clerk-register Bob Genetski.

Keeney did not show up for the drawing. Bennett drew first, and the paper said “elected.” Chief deputy clerk Jackie Porter, in Keeney’s stead, drew the one that read “not elected.”

The election-night totals were certified by the Allegan County Board of Canvassers earlier that afternoon.

Before the drawing, Keeney had said he intended to request a recount, which is expected to cost $25.

At Monday’s city council meeting, he’d said, “When 608 voted for both, it feels like we’re throwing my vote away.”

He has six days to request the recount, which itself requires public posting at least a day in advance.

Contact Ryan Lewis at rmlewis@allegannews.com or (269) 673-5534.

The Old Jail Museum really did have a skeleton in its closet. Since 1964, a box at the museum had housed the skeletal remains of an American Indian unearthed in late fall of 1964 by workers on a Menasha construction site along the Kalamazoo River in Otsego—now USG.

An investigation ensued to identify the remains and determine if a homicide occurred. The remains were sent to the Michigan State Lab where the bones were dated to the late 1700s, with no cause of death determined. The skeleton was male, an American Indian, in his late 40s, about 6 feet tall and buried in an area that, prior to white settlers and paper mills, was a tranquil spot overlooking the river and surrounded by hot springs.

With no name, the police force affectionately named him “Charlie” and set about finding him a home.

Members of the Allegan County Historical Society stepped forward and said Charlie could stay at the Old Jail Museum where he would be treated with dignity, honor and respect since he was a direct connecting link between the present and the long ago past.

And that’s where Charlie sat, for 54 years, eventually forgotten in the archives after members of the historical society came and went, memorialized in their own graves.

“I didn’t know there were remains here until two-and-a-half years ago and knew it was important to have them repatriated having no business for being in our archives or in the museum as something to gawk at,” said Scott Kuykendall, president of the historical society. “We’ve been working two-and-a-half years to get him a proper resting place.”

On Friday, Nov. 9, that day came. Charlie was handed over to the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians who gave Charlie’s remains back to the earth on Pottawatomi Indian land that same night.

“He waited a long time for this,” said tribal cultural historian Kevin Finney. “Most institutions thought of remains and objects as a part of collections—academia massing—but now the injustice is being righted.

“It was the ultimate erasure of people—removing them from the land—but it’s right to turn them back over.”

Tribal elder Sydney Martin said most people now realize the injustice.

“In our culture, when you die, you give your body back to the earth,” Martin said. “It was common to be buried where you died and for many that was at their sturgeon spearing grounds.”

Martin is the Gun Lakes Tribe of Pottawatomi representative of the Michigan Anishinaabek Cultural Preservation and Repatriation Alliance.

Martin said since the tribe became federally recognized, the remains of eight of their ancestors have been repatriated through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; however, prior to that her family was sought out, mostly by farmers, to claim remains uncovered while plowing farms.

“We have unique skeletal features—shovel teeth, brow lines more pronounced and the toe next to the big toe is the longer one—these characteristics are only from the Great Lakes ‘Anishinaabe’—meaning first or original human,” Martin said.

Out of respect for the deceased, tribal members asked that the box carrying Charlie’s remains not be photographed.

The day Charlie was finally handed over to his ancestors, it was the first snow accumulation of the season.

“It is fitting,” said tribal elder Lorraine “Punkin” Shananaquet, also an Alliance representative. “Sacred snow came to bless Mother Earth and to purify.”

After signing papers transferring the remains from the museum to the Alliance, tribal members said they would have a feast as part of the ceremony for delivering the body back to the earth.

“We will eat a meal with him and leave a spirit plate for his journey to his forever place,” said Shananaquet.

Tribal members were also given a copy of a newspaper article, “‘Charlie’ has a new home,” written in January 1965 by Mrs. Otto Roller. The article told of the history of the area before and after white settlers came and how it was believed at the time that housing Charlie at the museum was the right thing to do.

And then Charlie finally went back home to where he was meant to be.

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or (269) 673-5534.

Here are the official results of the Nov. 6 general election. The Allegan County Board of Canvassers certified the results Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Turnout was high for a mid-term election, with 54.7 percent of registered voters turning out to cast ballots countywide; that's 51,274 people out of the 85,040 who registered.

Results are divided up between state, countywide and local municipalities or school districts, arranged alphabetically.

For state-level races that draw on results outside Allegan County, see our summary of "How Allegan County Voted."

State level:

District 80 Michigan House of Representatives

Mark Ludwig, Democrat, 14,275

Mary Whiteford, Republican, incumbent, 25,000

Allegan County:

Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney

partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

Myrene Kay Koch, Republican, incumbent, 37,299

48th Circuit Court

nonpartisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

Roberts Kengis, incumbent, 35,399

57th District Court

nonpartisan six-year term

William Baillargeon, incumbent, 33,892

Probate Court

nonpartisan six-year term

Michael Buck, incumbent, 36,559

Allegan County Board of Commissioners

two-year terms

District 1

Christi Allen, Democrat, 3,746

Dean Kapenga, Republican, incumbent, 4,578

District 2

Jim Storey, Republican, incumbent, 5,085

Kenneth Whitcomb, Democrat, 2,036

District 3

Kathryn Bamberg, Democrat, 2,135

Max Thiele, Republican, incumbent, 3,986

District 4

D. Mark DeYoung, incumbent, Republican, 5,107

Mike Salisbury, Democrat, 2,338

District 5

Don Doggendorf, Democrat, 3,095

Tom Jessup, Republican, incumbent, 3,581

District 6

Gale Dugan, Republican, incumbent, 3,859

Benjamin Snape, Democrat, 2,556

District 7

Rick Cain, Republican, 3,693

Rachel Colingsworth, Democrat, 2,610

Local:

Allegan District Library

four* nonpartisan four-year terms

Christopher Antkoviak, incumbent, 3,152

Keith Behm, incumbent, 2,732

Susan Buese, incumbent, 3,721

Kevin Huff, incumbent, 2,861

MartyRose McLeod, incumbent, 2,622

*Despite the fact that five incumbents’ terms are expiring at the end of this year, only four terms were up for election due to a filing discrepancy.

Allegan Public Schools

two nonpartisan six-year terms

Nathon Kelley, incumbent, 4,508

Katherine Lake, incumbent, 3,879

Cheshire Township

Fire protection millage renewal, 0.6 mill, six years

yes  487  /  no  229

Fire protection and ambulance services millage renewal, 0.6 mill, six years

yes  516  /  no  208

City of the Village of Douglas

four nonpartisan two-year terms

Linda S. Anderson, incumbent, 467

Patricia S. Lion, incumbent, 459

Aaron M. Miller, incumbent, 420

Neal Seabert, incumbent, 418

City of Fennville

Operating millage Headlee override, 15 mills, four years

yes  244  /  no  154

Fennville Public Schools

two nonpartisan six-year terms

(none filed)

two nonpartisan four-year terms

Julio Almanza, 2,222

Ross Thiele, 2,081

Fillmore Township

Treasurer, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Leah Folkert, Republican, 1,148

Glenn Public Schools

three nonpartisan four-year terms

Scott Bruursema, incumbent, 165

Rebecca Gunderson, incumbent, 161

(no third person filed)

Hamilton Community Schools

two nonpartisan six-year terms

Loren Joostberns, incumbent, 4,027

Carl Marshall, 1,619

Heath Meyer, 2,340

Craig Van Beek, 2,845

one nonpartisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2022)

Ben Randle, incumbent, 5,568

Hopkins School Board

two nonpartisan six-year terms

Karen Ryan, incumbent, 2,985

(no others filed)

Village of Hopkins

Each of the two-year officer positions were re-elected unopposed: president Mary Howard, treasurer Mary Swainston and clerk Mike Alberda.

Trustee: six nonpartisan four-year terms

Brian Ballard, incumbent, 182

Dawn Buist, 132

Gregory Buist, incumbent, 154

Craig Osborn, incumbent, 150

Jonathon Vanderwall, 157

Terry Weick, incumbent, 179

Benjamin Williams, 174

Manlius Township

Supervisor, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Lowell A. Winne Jr., Republican, incumbent, 1,159

Martin Public Schools

five nonpartisan four-year terms

Angie Cameruci, 761

Melanie Conley, 1,088

Julie Pallett, 849

Rodney Pillars, 868

Vincent Tuinstra, incumbent, 1,000

John VandenBerg, incumbent, 1,156

Martin Township

Trustee, partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2020)

John Schipper, independent, 887

Fire and emergency services millage, 0.75 mill, four years

yes  733  /  no  324

Village of Martin

Each of the incumbent officers were re-elected unopposed for their two-year terms: president Gary Brinkhuis, treasurer Alice Kelsey and clerk Darcy Doezema.

Trustees: two nonpartisan four-year terms

Jason Dykstra, 91

Donald Flower, incumbent, 76

William Mohr, 49

City of Otsego

Brent Milhiem, 543*

Lauri A. Krueger, 658*

Robert J. Schurman, 357

Jayson Ennis, 504

Stacey Withee, incumbent, 718*

*If those results stand, Withee and Krueger have won four-year terms while Milhiem won a two-year seat.

Otsego Public Schools

two nonpartisan six-year terms

Rodger Gibson, incumbent, 3,871

Amy Stender, 4,170

one non-partisan partial term (expires Dec. 31, 2022)

Rebecca Gross, incumbent, 4,467

Otsego Township

Road maintenance and road improvement millage renewal, 1.5 mills, five years

yes  1,515  /  no  816

City of Plainwell

Trustee, three nonpartisan four-year terms

Stephen Bennett, 608*

Rick Brooks, incumbent, 800

Brad Keeler, incumbent, 769

Roger Keeney, incumbent, 608

*Per the city charter, the tiebreaker was made by drawing lots. Bennett was elected. A recount can be requested through Nov. 20.

Plainwell Community Schools

four nonpartisan four-year terms

Julli Bennett, incumbent, 3,602

Amy Blades, incumbent, 3,763

Chris Keator, 2,896

David Skinner, 3,048

Shannon Zabaldo, incumbent, 3,354

Salem Township

Treasurer, partial term (expires Nov. 11, 2020)

Ashley Brower, Republican, 1,837

City of Saugatuck

four nonpartisan two-year terms

Mark Bekken, incumbent, 338

Barry E. Johnson, incumbent, 336

Ken Trester, incumbent, 335

Jane Verplank, incumbent, 306

Saugatuck Public Schools

three nonpartisan four-year terms

Nicole S. Lewis, 2,029

Eric Birkholz, 2,049

Gordon Jay Stannis, incumbent, 1,862

Saugatuck Township

Supervisor, partial term (exp. 11/20/2020)

Christopher Roerig, Republican, incumbent, 1,289

Recall: each position is a partial term (exp. 11/20/2020)

Clerk:

Bradley Rudich, Republican, incumbent, 817

William W. Wester Sr., Democrat, 1,113

Treasurer:

Lori Babinski, Republican, incumbent: 875

Jon Helmrich, Democrat: 1,061

Trustee:

Abby Bigford, Democrat: 1,105

Roy McIlwaine, Republican, incumbent: 815

Trustee:

Stacey Aldrich, Democrat; 1,174

Douglas Lane, Republican, incumbent; 750

Valley Township

Trustee partial term (expires Nov. 3, 2020)

Timothy Batchelor, Republican, 632

City of Wayland

Mayor, nonpartisan two-year term

Tim Bala, incumbent: 952

Brian Sweebe: 433

Trustee, three nonpartisan two-year terms

Abe Garcia, 886

Joe Kramer, incumbent, 987

Timothy Rose, incumbent, 873

Wayland Township

Trustee, partial term (expires Nov. 20, 2020)

Matthew Miner, Republican, 1,172

Wayland Union Schools

three nonpartisan four-year terms

Janel Hott, incumbent, 4,692

Toni Ordway, incumbent, 4,614

Pete Zondervan, incumbent, 4,545

May Engeseth, 77, from the Delton area, died at the scene of an accident Thursday, Nov. 15, that occurred around 5 p.m. on Patterson Road, south of 131^st Avenue in Wayland Township.

Engeseth was the single occupant and driver of a white Kia. She was pinned in the vehicle and unresponsive when first responders arrived. The driver was determined deceased, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. 

The other vehicle involved was described as a black Cadillac SUV. Both driver and passenger in that vehicle suffered only minor injuries requiring no medical attention. 

According to witnesses, the Kia was traveling south on Patterson Road while the Cadillac was traveling north. The Kia lost control, likely due to slippery road conditions, sliding into the northbound lane and was struck on the driver’s side by the northbound Cadillac. The Cadillac was unable to avoid the impact due to a guardrail on the northbound side and oncoming traffic in the southbound lane.

The name is being withheld pending notification of relatives. 

The sheriff’s office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Wayland EMS, Wayland fire, and the Barry County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was updated to include the name of the deceased.

We at the Allegan County News and Union Enterprise are beginning to prepare for this year’s Christmas Wish program. The holidays are a time of giving, particularly to the less fortunate, and we want to help out as many area families as possible through our Christmas Wish Program.

In the next few weeks, we are asking readers who find themselves or their family in a dire situation to write us and, in detail, tell us what you or your family would like to make Christmas a happy occasion.

Despite what many experts say is an improving economy, I believe that improvement has been slow to come by for many folks in this area. Allegan County, minus the lakeshore, is not exactly a prosperous, well-to-do Michigan county.

This simply accentuates the fact that many of us are going to have difficulty providing for our families this Christmas. That’s where this newspaper, with the help of area businesses and more fortunate individuals, comes into play.

If you need help, write a letter to us explaining why. Please do not ask for a new car or cruise vacation. Please be realistic in what you ask for. We will be selective and help only those families who truly need help. Mail your letter to the Allegan County News at P.O. Box 189, Allegan, MI 49010. Better yet, email editor@allegannews.com.

The deadline for us to receive letters is Dec. 7.

Please include reliable, daytime contact information (such as a cell phone number).

We, in turn, take the best letters to area businesses, who will provide money and donations to see that our Christmas Wish list is fulfilled. We and area businesses have literally helped hundreds of families over the years in areas we serve. Although this is the third year here in Allegan County, we are hoping to help nearly a hundred families with cash and gifts.

In the past, we have been surprised by the generosity of community members. A couple of donors have provided $1,000 in cash to help the program. In one instance, I was vacuuming our office when I came upon an envelope lying on the floor. I opened the envelope and lo and behold, inside were 10, crisp $100 bills. An anonymous person had simply opened the office and tossed the money inside without anyone noticing.

For a closet Scrooge, like myself, I can’t believe the generosity of businesspeople and residents in the area. The old adage “we take care of our own,” certainly applies. I’m sure the same will be said for Allegan County and its business owners and residents.

Letters we have received in previous years have motivated us to find an apartment for a homeless couple, purchase a gravestone for a distraught widow, provide a vehicle and gas money for a family to travel 200 miles to meet relatives for Christmas dinner—as well as provided countless articles of clothing, toys by the truckload and groceries for dozens of families in need.

Thus, if you legitimately need help—and I stress LEGITIMATELY—write us a letter. Who knows? Our selection committee might pick your letter. Here’s to a happy and bountiful holiday.

Mike Wilcox

One more reminder: please include your email, street address and phone number so we have a way of contacting you if you win. We won’t publish them.

A man charged with committing two armed robberies in one July day has been bound over to circuit court.

Justin J. Marroquin, 26, Holland, is accused of robbing the Hamilton Mobil Mart on M-40 in Overisel Township about 6:45 a.m. and Holland Mobil Mart on Lincoln Avenue in Holland just a few minutes earlier on July 23.

Marroquin is charged with two counts of armed robbery as a third habitual offender and two counts of felony firearms.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Nov. 7, on the charges and was bound over to Allegan County Circuit Court by Judge Joseph S. Skocelas. Marroquin waived his right to the hearing by video conference from the Ottawa County Jail, according to court records, where he remains incarcerated having not posted a $75,000 bound. Jail officials there said Marroquin was a security risk, records stated, in discussions about whether to bring him to Allegan for the hearing. Allegan County prosecutors would have had to provide evidence at the hearing that the crime happened and that Marroquin committed it.

Contact Daniel Pepper at dpepper@allegannews.com or (269) 673-5534.

The man accused of a September burglary at the Star of Saugatuck tour boat and office has been bound over to circuit court on those charges and been accused of committing another crime while he was locked up in the Allegan County Jail.

Edward George Allen IV, 58, of Saugatuck was arrested Oct. 5 after an investigation of the Sept. 23 burglary by Allegan County Sheriff’s Office detectives and a contract deputy assigned to patrol Saugatuck city. The recent parolee is charged with two counts of breaking and entering with intent, two counts of safe breaking and one count of larceny in a building in connection with the incident. Allen was also charged with a separate count of domestic violence.

He waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges Oct. 23 and was bound over to Allegan County Circuit Court by Judge William A. Baillargeon.

Allen was also arraigned Tuesday, Nov. 6, on one count of malicious destruction of fire/police property, according to court records. The offense date was listed as Oct. 17 and a preliminary hearing in that case was set for Nov. 20.

The burglary at the Star of Saugatuck office was accomplished by unplugging cash registers, phone lines and internet connections, dismantling camera systems and taking the cash left in registers. The office was left in good order without obvious evidence of a robbery in apparent hopes employees coming in would destroy evidence. A similar crime happened the night before at another Saugatuck business, Uncommon Roasters.

Allen’s criminal record includes prison sentences for attempted murder, armed robbery, attempted larceny and attempted prison escape.

Contact Daniel Pepper at dpepper@allegannews.com or (269) 673-5534.

The Nov. 6 midterm general election saw many incumbents hold onto their seats in Allegan County along with several local ballot proposals pass. See all official vote tallies here.

With the major exception of Saugatuck Township, where four Democrats ousted four incumbent Republicans in a recall election, incumbents were generally winners at the state level on down to village councils.

State Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, won her second full term to the Michigan House of Representatives, District 80, garnering nearly twice as many votes as her Democratic challenger. In District 72, Republican Rep. Steven Johnson won reelection with nearly 54 percent of the vote.

While Democrats had an unprecedented presence on this ballot, they did not manage to break into any long-held Republican incumbent seats. That was most evident on the Allegan County board of Commissioners, where none of the sitting GOP commissioners lost their races.

It was closest in District 5—the group of six townships in the southwest of the county—where Tom Jessup’s Democratic challenger came within 450 votes. Even in District 1, which includes the northwest corner of the county with the Saugatuck and Douglas areas, the Democrat garnered approximately 3,700 votes to board chair Dean Kapenga’s 4,500-plus total.

Even where District 7’s Don Black was stepping down, Republican Rick Cain topped the Democratic challenger by more than 1,000 votes.

Only one incumbent lost at a local level, except on the Allegan District Library board, though that may change. There were contested races for Hamilton, Martin and Plainwell school boards, the Hopkins and Martin village councils, the Otsego city commission and the Plainwell city council.

The only incumbent to lose was Roger Keeney on Plainwell City Council. There were three seats total up for election; Mayor Rick Brooks and council trustee Brad Keeler had enough votes to secure their reelection. Keeney and Stephen Bennett, the fourth candidate in the mix, both wound up with 608 votes. Per city charter, lots were drawn and Bennett won the tiebreaker. That drawing was Wednesday, Nov. 14, after The Allegan County News went to press. There is a six-day window in which a recount may be requested, costing $25, which Keeney said Nov. 15 he intended to take advantage of.

Each ballot proposal passed by wide margins. That includes two millage renewals for fire protection and ambulance services in Cheshire Township, a Headlee override for Fennville, a fire/emergency services millage for Martin Township and a road millage renewal for Otsego Township.

Turnout

Turnout was high for the election, with 54.7 percent of registered voters casting ballots. That’s 51,274 voting out of 85,040.

Turnout was nearly double that of the August primary, which had 28.5 percent.

Allegan County Clerk-Register Bob Genetski said high turnout made for very busy polling locations, especially considering the thousands of absentee ballots the workers needed to process.

Genetski said, “Usually, there’s a lull to process the AV ballots, but there really weren’t in any of the precincts.”

He said that while new ballot counting machines performed well overall, there were some scattered problems.

“We had a few machine malfunctions or issues, but nothing across the board,” he said. “I give a lot of credit to our election workers for working those out. In one case, there was a power outage in Valley Township. I’m thankful for Allegan County Facilities for getting a generator out there.”

Some machines slowed down in their processing of the ballots, others had paper jams.

“A lot of the problems were where the machine didn’t recognize the ballot, and we had to restart them or put a new tabulator in place,” he said. “There will be a lot of training coming up in off-election years so we’re all skilled at taking care of some of the more detailed messages given from the machines.

“Overall, I’m pleased. Any issues or delays weren’t things clerks were directly responsible for. A lot of the machine malfunctions were things they weren’t necessarily familiar with.”

Compare

To demonstrate the kind of bump the high voter turnout gave to the vote totals: 10,679 voted for Whiteford in the primary, where she ran unopposed. She garnered 25,000 votes last week. By comparison, the two Democrats, Erik Almquist and Mark Ludwig, had 6,140 between the two of them in the primary. Ludwig won and got approximately 14,000 votes last week.

It’s all still a step down from 2016’s presidential election turnout of 67 percent. Then, nearly 30,000 voted for Whiteford while a little over 12,000 voted for her Democratic challenger. And, overall, this midterm turnout was way above that of 2014, which had 37.5 percent.

On the heels of the election results, Whiteford was elected by her fellow legislators as assistant floor leader for the 2019-20 legislative session. Though Democrats captured all the major statewide offices, Republicans continue to hold a majority in the state House. As assistant majority floor leader, Whiteford “will be responsible for assisting the majority floor leader in directing activities on the House floor,” according to a press release last week from Whiteford’s office.

She wasn’t the only one with a leadership position with connections to Allegan County. Republican Aric Nesbitt of Lawton, a former three-term state representative, won his bid to return to the legislature, this time as a state senator, having won the District 26 seat Tonya Schuitmaker must leave due to term limits.

This week, Nesbitt announced he will serve as the president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate, a senior officer authorized to perform certain duties in the absence of the lieutenant governor.

During Allegan’s Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park along the riverfront, the community joined local veterans to thank them and their families for their service to their country and to mark a significant day.

On behalf of American Legion Oscar Briggs Post 89, Pete Antkoviak said it was the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day, which originally began when World War I ended in 1918.

Citing an article he read about the anniversary, Antokoviak said there has been six different wars since World War I, and the last one, the Global War on Terrorism, is still going on.

“What struck me reading this article were the deaths in World War I,” he said. “Sometimes you forget what you read but it was pointed out there were 9.7 million military deaths in World War I, and along with that 10 million civilians killed, so we had a loss in one war of almost 20 million people.”

Antkoviak was also joined in the program by Judge Bill Baillargeon’s Allegan Veterans Court group who held color guard duty and gave the gun salute. American Legion Post chaplain Sam Schulz gave the prayer after a moment of silence.

Usually commemorated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when the armistice called for a ceasefire, the 11th day fell on Sunday when most people were still in church. Therefore, Veterans Day was moved to Monday, Nov. 12.

Vietnam veteran and post member Tessa Pierce Thomas also gave perspective to the significance of the day by presenting to the Allegan County Historical Society an ammunition casing from a German 8x57 mm Mouser rifle used in World War I.

Thomas explained that the building behind Veterans Memorial Park was full of relics being cleaned out by previous owner John Watts and he would sell her any ammunition he found because Thomas collects it. Going through the shells, it was discovered one unfired round of ammunition scratched with a date.

“I can imagine this poor German soldier out in the field and he has just been told the Great War was over you don’t shoot anymore,” Thomas said. “He took the shell out of his rifle and scratched a date.

“The date on this is Nov. 12, 1918—this case today is 100 years old.”

Thomas also presented a plaque that tells about the casing so all can view it at the Old Jail Museum. V.F.W. Post 3667 commander Leo Cassidy accepted the gift on behalf of the Allegan County Historical Society of which he is a member.

Local resident Barb Thierwechter explained why an empty chair was part of the ceremony. The POW/MIA Chair of Honor is reserved for the 82,000 American servicemen who are sill missing.

“It serves as a reminder of all the sacrifices made for our country by these American servicemen, who have for too long been forgotten by all but their families and friends,” she quoted from an article asking communities to pass it on.

Thierwechter also shared some stories of wearing two POW wristbands during the Vietnam War and remembering Lt. Col. Peter Frederick, the one that did not come home; of a 96-year-old World War II veteran still shuffling out to his flagpole each morning using a walker to salute his country’s flag; of raising the spirits of troops overseas with mail call; of the prayers of a woman working at a Naval ordinance assembly line on Thanksgiving Day during World War II and nearly losing her life when a worker dropped a bomb that landed lengthwise on the tops of her shoes; and the heartache of a young bride whose husband has been deployed overseas.

“Remember the fallen but don’t forget the living,” she said. “They deserve our honor, do not forget their sacrifices and do not allow ourselves to fall on indifference or entitlement.”

Vickie Heckman, whose father Doran Wedge, 91, was the oldest World War II veteran at the ceremony, said while he doesn’t joke about the war, he does joke that he did such a good job in World II, they called him back to Korea.

Heckman read a poem, “The Veterans Endless Battle,” penned by Thomas. It spoke of the disabled veterans at the VA hospital still carrying on with the pain caused by their service.

Erin Dye, the wife of Allegan’s city manager, said she was given the honor and privilege to read the poem “Memorial Day” also penned by Thomas. It told of wearing the clothes of a warrior in battle, crying for the lives lost and sitting among their ghosts to tell of their great deeds.

“All gave some, some gave all—58,318 names on the wall.”

Taps followed the three-volley gun salute, a tradition from battle ceasefires where each side would clear the dead.

Antkoviak said, “Hopefully we’ll all be around next year for another one.”

Veterans were then invited to the Allegan Eagles 2315 for coffee and donuts as well as Immanuel Lutheran Church for a full-course appreciation meal.

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.

Wings of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care is one of the nonprofit finalists for West Michigan Better Business Bureau’s 2018 Torch Award for Ethics.

Each year, the BBB recognizes businesses and nonprofit organizations that generate trust among their employees, clients and communities by operating at the highest level of trust and integrity.

Wings’ Executive Director Theresa Lynn states, “We are honored to be a finalist for this award. The BBB looks at everything from how the leadership of an organization operates to how it communicates its ethical practices to how the mission and vision of the organization are operationalized and much more. I’m sure they had many fine organizations to choose from, so it is an honor for Wings of Hope to be a finalist.”

Winners of the Torch Awards for Ethics will be announced at a luncheon in Grand Rapids on Monday, Nov. 19.

The body of a Wisconsin man was found washed up at the shoreline of Lake Michigan, north of South Haven in Allegan County on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

The Michigan State Police Wayland Post identified the body as 59-year-old Daniel Sprecksell, of Racine, Wis.

Sprecksell had last been seen fishing on a pier in Racine on Oct. 13. A missing person report was filed with the Racine Police Department on Oct. 17.

A preliminary investigation does not indicate any suspicion surrounding the death, which remains under investigation, according to a press release by the MSP Wayland Post.

An empty chair has been sitting at the Wayland City Council table since the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. Reserved for a student representative from Wayland Union High School’s student council, the city council has not received any interested applicants.

After Mayor Tim Bala announced a student representative would be “forthcoming,” during the council meeting on Monday, Nov. 19, the selection rules were changed, to open applications to the entire student body.

“I was informed that there were only seven student council members and none were interested,” said mayor pro-tem Jennifer Antel. “With a school of about 1,000 students, I guarantee there’s more than seven that are leaders.”

City manager Joshua Eggleston said a general presentation could be made at the school opening applicants to any student in grades 9-12 and offering a recommendation to those applying for scholarships.

Antel said they wanted to get a student who wanted to participate, not one who just got stuck with it.

“I’ve talked to some students who said they’d love to do it but they weren’t on student council,” she said.

In other business:

• Council approved a benefit revision to the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System that “helps right the ship,” according to Eggleston. The revision only affects new hires. “Twenty years from now it will start saving $80,000 annually and the savings will be quicker if there’s a big turnover.”

• Heather Nesbit of Dahlia City Floral and Gifts, was approved for appointment to the DDA. She will replace Chase Johnson whose term expires December 2021. Jason Hancock was also reappointed to a term ending in December 2021.

• Eggleston reported that on the deadline for the police department secretary position there were more than 140 applicants but several were from Indeed.com and did not complete the application. Applications for the police chief position must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 26. A public reception for police chief finalists will be at Wayland Union Schools Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at either 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on the number of finalists.

• Council member John Sloan was thanked for his service during his last meeting before retiring. In November elections, which Eggleston said were nearly a presidential turnout, Mayor Bala, Tim Rose, Joe Kramer were reelected and newcomer Abe Garcia was elected to fill Sloan’s seat.

• Road closings were approved for Wayland’s Art Hop schedule of events from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. Main Street executive director Ingrid Miller said there was a lot of buzz and excitement with a little extra this year including a window-decorating contest that will make the experience more engaging.

• Miller also invited everyone to the ribbon cutting for the ITC Pavilion at the corner of Pearl and Pine streets in downtown Wayland on Tuesday, Nov. 20. She thanked DPW department members for constructing the pavilion. “It’s not common to have that resource in house.” The pavilion includes the previous creation of a rain garden and high school students will be adding to it by designing and constructing furniture for the space.

• Council member Joe Kramer gave a reminder that during the Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m., the Wayland Boy Scout Troop 97 is encouraging parade spectators to bring non-perishable food items or gently used or new coats, gloves, scarves, boots, and hats. Many Boy Scouts walking in the parade will be picking up these items along the route. Items can be handed to the Scouts as the walk by. All items will go to help local families in need through the Christmas Project.

Rachel McKenzie was elected the new mayor of Allegan and sworn in during the Allegan City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Charles Tripp was elected Mayor Pro-Tem and was also sworn. Both will serve in that position through the upcoming year. Elections for the seats are held after each election in November. They must be elected by a majority (4 votes) of the council.

Traci Perrigo nominated McKenzie for mayor. There were no other nominations and after a paper ballot vote, McKenzie won 6-1.

The previous mayor was Stacie Stotmeister who resigned Monday, July 9, due to an out-of-state job opportunity. McKenzie had been mayor prior to Stotmeister.

Mike Manning, Patrick Morgan, Tripp, Perrigo and Nancy Ingalsbee were all nominated for mayor pro-tem. Ingalsbee declined the nomination and Delora Andrus declined before she could be nominated.

With the vote not producing four votes, a revote was taken of the top two nominations, which actually included three nominations because of a tie between Perrigo and Manning with 2 votes and Tripp with 3. In the tiebreaker, Tripp received the 4 votes needed.

McKenzie has served on the council since 2009 and Tripp since 2011.

In other business:

Tax freeze approved

An Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act Certificate was approved for 420 Water St., formerly known as The Little Shop of Hoarders. The property is being renovated by Ben Schaendorf to include a brewery in the basement, a store and extended restaurant on the first floor and an events hall on the second floor.

The current value is $188,248 and Schaendorf’s rehabilitation investment will be $600,000.The current city tax is $1,551.55 per year which will be frozen for 12 years.

With the investment in place, the potential value will be $400,000 and potential city tax $3,297.68 per year, giving Schaendorf’s an almost $21,000 tax incentive.

During the hearing, Schaendorf said he grew up here and this is his home.

“This (420 Water St.) used to be an antique store but we think it will best be served as a restaurant expansion for what we want to do,” he said.

Mayor pro-tem Charles Tripp thanked him for investing in Allegan.

SME oversees EPA grant

The council unanimously approved SME of Kalamazoo as consultant to oversee and administer a $200,000 Brownfield EPA grant.

Allegan was one of three communities to receive this funding and it will be used to carry out environmental studies required by the EPA prior to development taking place. The targeted area is the historic downtown and mill district bounded by the Kalamazoo River.

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.

Here it is.

The design plan for Allegan’s new city hall at the corner of Trowbridge and Chestnut streets is in stark contrast to what stands there now.

A dark wood exterior finish will be installed to give the building a milltown look to reflect on Allegan’s origins. Floor to ceiling windows will not only provide natural light but also identify each staff office. Downlighting from the eaves will illuminate the structure and spill light onto the sidewalks.

Three flag poles will be placed outside near the entrance. Also setting it apart as a civic building is a two-story brick wall partition displaying a clock and dividing the one-story building’s entryway from the council chambers that will seat up to 60 people.

The estimated $1.3 million building renovation project is being designed and built by Progressive AE of Grand Rapids.

With city staff going from 4,000 to 22,000 square feet of space, there will be plenty of amenities inside for both the public and staff.

A large gathering and seating area by a gas fireplace will be in the reception and customer area. Some other amenities include 2,200 square feet of leasable space to the public, a map collaboration area, conference rooms, a garage for the city’s event golf cart and an employee wellness area for exercise equipment.

Priorities when designing the building were to promote teamwork with collaboration zones, improve efficiency and productivity with systems for easy user interfaces, high quality visual and audio communication systems, and seamlessly integrated technology.

Better access, visibility and information-sharing was designed to encourage community engagement and business opportunities as well as employee morale, pride and retention.

Asbestos removal will be completed by December and the project will go out for bid the first week of December. Construction will start in January with a goal for completion by late June.

“Hopefully we will have moved in by July 3 and in March, (112) Locust Street will be placed on the market,” said city manager Joel Dye. “Then we’ll start talking about new life for the council chambers (at Griswold Auditorium’s Marilla Room).” 

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.

With the final stage of Allegan’s Riverfront project nearing completion, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 10 a.m.

Pouring of concrete at the new splash pad was completed the day before the first snow cover; however, the glass shield for the nearly 18-foot-long fireplace wasn’t finished in time for a Nov. 20 ceremony as previously planned.

Besides a splash pad and the gas fireplace, visitors will find 11 newly paved parking spaces—three reserved for handicapped; a new turnaround drive; new concrete to remove trip hazards; seating walls, shades structures; and landscaping accenting new and previous improvements.

The city also has plans to build a restroom facility along the riverfront with privacy for splash pad users to change clothing; however, with inclusion of a permanent concession area added to the facility, the plan hit a snag at the Tuesday, Nov. 13, council meeting.

Council members voted 4-3 to table a request for services in an amount not to exceed $25,750 by Abonmarche, the firm that helped design the riverfront, to design the concession and restroom facility as well.

Council members Charles Tripp, Nancy Ingalsbee, Patrick Morgan and Mike Manning voted to table the facility design until cost comparisons could be reviewed of the facility with and without the concession stand included.

City manager Joel Dye explained that while Positively Allegan began serving beverages from a temporary concession stand at the Friday night concert series “Rollin’ on the River,” Bridgefest and the New Year’s Eve party, it became apparent a permanent concession stand was needed, as well as storage for events equipment and a “green room” for band performers.

Not wanting to clutter up the riverfront with a new 20-by-20 structure in the middle of it, existing options were examined and 217 Hubbard St. became available and was close to the stage.

The location is owned by JML Real Estate, aka Jim and Michelle Liggett who own Allegan Event, Ropes Course Inc. and now other properties along the riverfront. Dye said JML removed an enclosed porch at the riverfront walk-out level and it is that basement level where the city would like to build the restroom, storage and concession area.

With the city building out onto city property for the restrooms and utilizing JML’s existing basement footprint for storage and a room for entertainers to prep, JML’s plans for the Hubbard Street-level business are for a possible deli restaurant with outdoor seating on a deck above the city restroom and concession facility.

With a new riverfront restroom and storage facility included in the city’s $2 million building bond for a new city hall and improvements to the Regent Theatre and Griswold Auditorium, the building authority plans to lease the space for $1 annually for five years from JML with a buyout option to each party should one leave the premises. A third party appraiser would determine the price.

“We view this as the critical next step to bringing people downtown,” said Dye.

Abonmarche gave a high-end estimate of $215,000 for the project; however, a local contractor said it could be done for $150,000. After taking out one restroom from the original floor plan, each of which cost between $12,000 and $15,000, the cost would cost less than $150,000, said Dye. The bathroom was removed from plans due to an intersecting gas line. The design firm typically receives 10 to 15 percent of the project cost.

Tripp said originally the plan was for 10 restrooms, but now it involves three restrooms and a concession stand.

“I don’t like how it keeps changing—we were told one thing and now it’s different,” he said. “Now it includes a concession stand for the city to sell beer at a cost of about $100,000 to the taxpayers. I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the public.”

Tripp said he also talked to a business owner concerned about the city owning a concession stand selling beer in competition with those who sell it and pay taxes.

Dye said while the heated and air conditioned restrooms would be open year round from dawn to dusk, the concession stand would only be open for Positively Allegan events and the temporary liquor permit will only allow up to 12 days use in a calendar year. He also mentioned the inaugural New Year’s Eve bash packed the local bars.

Morgan asked if the concession stand could highlight beer from local breweries—Tantrick’s and Schaendorf’s (coming soon). The city manager said Positively Allegan has already sold Tantrick’s beer at the Friday concert series and it was a sell-out.

Morgan also said he didn’t think the concession stand would cost $100,000.

“Putting up walls of the building is the biggest cost,” he said. If we put up an additional 8-by-8-foot corner, it’s not going to cost $100,000.”

He asked for a comparison of what it would cost if the city built the restroom with and without the concession.

Ingalsbee said originally a 50-year lease was on the table and asked why it was now only a five-year lease.

One reason was because the city charter only allows the council to enter into contracts which will be fully executed within a period of 10 years.

“So we could enter into a 10-year contract and renew it five times,” said Mayor Rachel McKenzie.

Ingalsbee was also concerned with liability issues involving selling beer and was told the city already has the maximum coverage on all events.

Had the council approved the design firm, Abonmarche estimated the completion date for facility was May 20, 2019. Those plans are on hold for further review.

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.

Allegan City Council set a public hearing for Dec. 10, for the rezoning of 10 parcels along the eastern portion of North Main Street from M-1 Manufacturing to R-3 Multiple Family Residential.

The parcels are from Green Street almost to Summit Drive.

The Allegan City Planning Commission recommended 5-2 to rezone the property as part a process to bring the City’s Zoning Map into conformance with the Master Plan.

During the planning commission’s public hearing, two property owners of 700 and 770 Main Street spoke against the rezoning over concerns the residential zoning limited their ability to sell their property. 700 N. Main currently has warehouses and a shop for Waanders’ Concrete, and 770 N. Main is the now-defunct H&K Construction owned by Ted Heckman. The rest of the properties are vacant.

Heckman also attended the city council’s Monday, Nov, 26, meeting to tell the council that rezoning would be financially disadvantageous.

While the future land use plan is to zone the area to be used for affordable residential purposes, Heckman said the property had been zoned industrial since the late 1940s.

Except for the industrial park to the east, which does not have access to North Main Street, the properties are residential to the north, south and west with access to North Main.

Council member Mike Manning said he had been one of the planning commission’s two dissenting votes to recommend rezoning because there wasn’t a current need to rezone and it would be a game changer for the property in which Heckman had invested for many years.

Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.