Page 2 — Thursday, February 29, 2024 — The Hastings Banner
and is also coming up on the retirement of
another member.
BOARD NOODLES ON THE IDEA OF
EVENING MEETINGS
Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Com-
missioners was a brief one, clocking in at
under 30 minutes. In one of the few public
comments brought to the board in the session,
Nashville resident and former county com-
missioner candidate Gary White floated the
idea of changing the schedule so that the
Board of Commissioners and the board’s
committee of the whole would meet in the
evening rather than 9 a.m. on Tuesday morn-
ings as they do now.White pointed to the Feb. 13 wind and
solar energy informational forum that the
committee of the whole held at the Hast-
ings Performing Arts Center. That event
was held in the evening and was well
attended.
“With your meeting happening at 6 p.m.
to get public input on alternative energy that
really tells me that you know, if you want
public input and represent the people, to
have evening meetings,” White argued.
Commissioner Michael Callton weighed
in on the matter, as well. Callton had served
on the board over a decade ago and he said
they tinkered around with finding the opti-mal time for the weekly meetings.
“Half of our meetings would be in the
morning and half would be in the evening,”
Callton recounted. “What we found (with
evening meetings) was actually a smaller
turnout than in the morning. Plus, it created
an issue for employees of the county to give
us reports and such.”
During that era, the board held evening
meetings in various townships throughout
the county in attempts to make them acces-
sible to residents all over.
“We tried it for over a year and it was
worth trying but it really didn’t create a
larger public turnout,” Callton concluded.Meanwhile, the presidential primary race
played out in Barry County as expected.
Biden faced off against a couple of other
names on the ballot, but neither candidate’s
campaign has been active or was a legitimate
contender. However, statewide efforts had
grown leading up to the election where voters
were pushing to submit an uncommitted vote
in the Democrat primary to signal their dis-
pleasure at the administration’s inability or
lack of interest in brokering a ceasefire
between Israel and Palestine.
When the dust settled, 2,430 of the 2,
voters in Barry County who voted a Demo-
crat ballot selected Biden to run again in 2024
while 364 submitted an uncommitted vote.
Trump, who served as President before
being ousted by Biden last election, faced a
legitimate contender in former South Caroli-
na Governor Nikki Haley. Trump walked
away from election night with 6,948 votes
from a field of 9,794 Republican voters in
Barry County. Haley received 2,357 votes.
With Super Tuesday on the horizon next
week, Trump appears to be heading toward
this third consecutive nomination for the
nation’s highest office.
This week’s presidential primary election
was also the first of three different state and
federal elections this year that will require
nine days of early voting. Each polling loca-
tion throughout the county must provide nine,
eight-hour days of early, in-person voting,complete with a minimum of three election
inspectors per location. This required addi-
tional equipment and staffing to pull off. In
an effort to save on these expenses, many
townships consolidated with one another.
Early voting for the presidential primary
opened on Feb. 17. At the end of Sunday,
Feb. 25, a total of 953 voters had utilized
early voting to cast their ballots.
In addition to the upcoming primary and
general elections, parts of Barry County will
see another election on May 7, which will
feature ballot proposals for Thornapple Kel-
logg (non-homestead millage renewal),
Plainwell, Pennfield and Wayland school
districts.
That election will not feature a stretch of
early voting as it does not deal with statewide
or nationwide issues.
LAKEWOOD’S NON-HOMESTEAD
OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL
PASSES
Voters across the Lakewood Public Schools
district passed a non-homestead operating
millage renewal on Tuesday that will ensure
the district continues to receive its full per-pu-
pil foundational allowance in the coming
years and months.
Tuesday’s vote authorizes the district to
continue to levy 17.973 mills on non-primary
residences throughout the district. These
could include businesses, industrial or agri-
cultural properties and rental properties. Pri-mary residences are excluded from the tax.
The non-homestead millage renewal
passed with little struggle on Tuesday, with
1,896 voters across four counties voting in
favor of the renewal. No votes totaled 1,
across the district. According to Wednesday’s
unofficial vote totals, 3,059 Lakewood resi-
dents voted on the millage.
The renewal received the most support in
Barry County, where 577 residents (65.3 per-
cent) voted ‘yes’ and 307 (34.7 percent) voted
‘no.’ In Ionia County, where the majority of
the district resides, 1,005 voters (60.4 per-
cent) were in favor of the operating millage
renewal. Six-hundred and fifty-nine Ionia
County voters (39.6 percent) were against the
renewal. Eaton County voters passed the
renewal 311 yes votes (61.6 percent) to 194
no votes (38.4 percent). Finally, Kent County
voters in Bowne Township rounded out the
election results with three residents in favor
and three residents against the non-home-
stead operating millage renewal.
If the non-homestead millage renewal had
not passed on Tuesday, the district could have
lost over $2 million each year. This loss
would have adversely impacted all educa-
tional and extracurricular programming
throughout the district.
Lakewood’s operating millage was set to
expire in December.
Copy editor Molly Macleod contributed to
this reportSeasonal weight and speed restrictions
lift in Barry County tomorrow
Seasonal weight and speed restrictions will be lifted on Barry County roads starting at
6 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 1. The move comes just a few weeks after the Michigan
Department of Transportation lifted seasonal speed and weight restrictions on all
trunkline highways in the Lower Peninsula.
Frost restrictions are still in effect for the remainder of the state and will be imposed
and enforced on all state trunkline highways north of US-2 and on M-185 on Mackinac
Island. State routes typically carry M, I, or US designations.
In the restricted areas, the following will apply:- On routes designated as “all-season,” there will be no reduction in legal axle
weights. - All extended permits will be valid for oversized loads in the weight-restricted area
on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads
or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length on the restrict-
ed routes. - On routes designated as “seasonal,” there will be a posted weight reduction of 25
percent for rigid (concrete) pavements and 35 percent for flexible (asphalt) pavements
and a maximum speed of 35 mph for some vehicles.
Drivers must follow the speed limits for weight-restricted roads, per state law.
Those with truck-related questions may contact the Michigan Center for Truck Safety
at 1-800-MTA- 4MTA.
Registration open now for YMCA
spring youth sports
The YMCA of Barry County has opened registration for its spring youth sports.
Participants can choose from a range of sports offerings, including soccer, baseball and
Y Run, which is a five-week running program for kids. The YMCA offers spring pro-
gramming for kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade.
Kids can play for free if their parents decide to coach. Financial assistance is available,
as well.
Registration for spring sports can be completed at ymcaofbarrycounty.campbrainreg-
istration.com. Those interested in learning more can contact the YMCA at ymcaofbarr-
county.org or by calling 269-945-4574.HPL gearing up for March
is Reading Month
With the new month just around the corner, the Hastings Public Library is preparing
for March is Reading Month.
Readers can register now for the library’s space-themed reading challenge, “Every Star
Has a Story.” Participants can start logging their reading minutes on Friday, March 1.
This challenge is for kids from birth to fifth grade to read 600 minutes in March. Prizes
are earned at the midway point and upon finishing the challenge. Register online at hast-
ingspubliclibrary.beanstack.org or visit the library.
The library will continue its space theme with a family-friendly eclipse program
held in conjunction with the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society on Saturday, March 2
at 2 p.m.
Science Storytime will be held on Friday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Park in
partnership with Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Eclipse glasses will be handed out at these
two events in preparation for the April solar eclipse.Nominations sought for 2024
Governor’s Service Awards
LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Community Service Commis-
sion are encouraging Michiganders to nominate individuals, businesses and organiza-
tions that have made a difference for others for the 2024 Governor’s Service Awards.
The Governor’s Service Awards ceremony is an annual statewide recognition event
acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan volunteers.
“The Governor’s Service Awards honor exceptional Michiganders who make Michi-
gan a better place to live, work, and play,” said Gov. Whitmer. “By recognizing volun-
teers who go above and beyond, we can all be inspired by the power of their example and
give back in our own ways too. I encourage every Michigander to find a way to serve
their community and submit nominations of exemplary Michiganders for these awards.”
The awards will honor organizations, individuals and businesses in several categories
including volunteerism, national service and philanthropy. To recognize those who go
above and beyond, Michigan’s governors have presented the Governor’s Service Awards
since 1994.
The deadline to submit a nomination is April 5.
More information on the Governor’s Service Awards, including how to apply, can be
found at Michigan.gov/GovernorsServiceAwards.Space still open to participate in St.
Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is slated for March 16 in Hastings. Businesses,
organizations or individuals that are interested in participating in this year’s parade,
which moves along South Jefferson Street in downtown Hastings, are asked to call the
offices of 100.1 FM-WBCH to reserve a spot. Participants are asked to line-up in the
alley behind WBCH at 4 p.m. the day of the parade.
This year’s parade features Brian and Angel McGraw, owners of Somebody Slap Me
That’s Good BBQ, as grand marshals.NEWS NEWS BRIEFSBRIEFS
MICHAEL KINNEY
PLUMBING
Licensed Master Plumber
Licensed Journeyman Plumber
New construction, remodel, repair, drain cleaning.
BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS
Same Day Installation
Office (269) 948-
Mobile (269) 838-License
#
& InsuredCity moves to sell land to developer looking to
build subdivision after reviewing two proposals
Hunter McLaren
Staff Writer
The city is working with a developer to
create a new subdivision.
Hastings city council members motioned
for City Manager Sarah Moyer-Cale to create
a purchase and development agreement with
Grand Rapids-based Valorem Construction
Group. Valorem’s proposal outlines the con-
struction of up to 20 homes in a city-owned
parcel south of Hayes Street and Orchard
Street, along with extending Hayes Street and
installing sewer, water and storm infrastruc-
ture on the site.
Council members compared Valorem’s
proposal to another from Portage-based Allen
Edwin Homes at their meeting Monday night.
Six council members voted to approve Valor-
em’s proposal, with one dissenting vote from
Mayor Dave Tossava. Council members Don
Bowers and Bill Nesbitt were absent.
Tammy Tiscareno, co-owner of Valorem
with her husband Diego Tiscareno, shared
information about the group’s proposal with
council members. She said their company
was hoping to develop 17 to 20 houses on
the 7.5 acres, offering the city $100,000 to
purchase the parcel. The units would likely
be a mix of single-family condos and hous-
es, she said.
“That’s our goal. We looked in different
areas in the state, and we really liked the areahere in Hastings,” she said. “There’s not
much to us. We’re a smaller company. We’re
just looking for an opportunity to start some-
where.”
Tiscareno said the project would be Valor-
em’s first time developing a subdivision,
although she was confident they were familiar
with every step of the project. She said Valor-em planned to start installing the street and
utilities this year, before building the homes
three at a time on the lot. Valorem was not
seeking a tax abatement through a payment-
in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement, although
Tiscareno said they were still unsure what
financing options, if any, they may utilize.
Council member Mandy Furrow said she
supported Valorem’s proposal because of the
smaller size of the homes and because the
homes would be available to purchase, not
rent or lease. Homes in the Allen Edwin
Homes proposal would be around 2,
square feet and available to lease, whereas
Valorem’s proposal calls for closer to 1,
square feet and homes available to purchase.
The proposal from Allen Edwin Homes also
called for a PILOT agreement or tax incre-
ment financing.
“I really support the smaller homes. House
prices have gotten unattainable for most peo-
ple and we have a shortage of these small-
er-style homes,” Furrow said. “I really think
they can be an asset to our community.”
Brian Farkas, representing Allen Edwin
Homes, shared information about their pro-
posal. Farkas said the developer found the
site after proposing the development of 13
duplexes near Williams Street last year. The
project ran into issues with stormwater runoff
and drainage at that site, which led to the
developer looking at the Hayes Street parcel.Hastings police arrest man holding
woman, child captive with bow
Hunter McLaren
Staff Writer
A Hastings man was arrested and jailed over
the weekend after allegedly holding a woman
and child in the home with a compound bow.
Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter issued
a release chronicling the incident. According
to the release, police responded to a reported
domestic violence incident around 9:30 p.m.
on Saturday on the 900 block of Boxwood
Drive. A 31-year-old Hastings woman told
someone else she was being held at the resi-
dence and wasn’t allowed to leave.
Upon arriving, officers found a door to the
home open with a closed screen door. When
officers tried to speak to the 33-year-old Hast-
ings man at the residence, identified by police
as Cory Mulder, officers saw the man carrying
a compound bow before he closed the door.
Officers saw what appeared to be drops of
blood on the front porch and continued to try
convincing the man to come outside.
Eventually, the woman was able to exit the
house and talk to officers. She told them
Mulder had pointed the bow with an arrow at
her, telling her he was going to kill everyone in
the house and the police. The woman said the
blood outside was from her hand after pushing
away the razor-broadhead tip of the arrow. She
told officers her 18-month-old child was inside
asleep in bed. Officers continued trying to con-
vince the man to exit the house.Hastings police requested assistance
from the Barry County Sheriff’s Office
entry team to enter the home with a search
warrant. Police found Mulder hiding in a
back room of the residence and took him
into custody, the release states. The child
was found and returned to her mother
unharmed.
Mulder remained lodged in jail as of
Wednesday morning, Boulter said. Mulderwas arraigned this week on charges of felony
unlawful imprisonment, felonious assault,
resisting and obstructing arrest, misdemean-
or child abuse, interfering with an electronic
communication device, and a domestic vio-
lence second offense as a third time habitual
offender. He also faces an additional domes-
tic violence charge stemming from an inci-
dent occurring a few days before the events
of Saturday night, Boulter said.VOTERS, continued from page 1 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
NEW DEPUTY, continued from page 1 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Tammy Tiscareno, representing Grand
Rapids developer Valorem Construction
Group, presented information on a pro-
posal for a 17- to 20-home subdivision
near Hayes Street and Orchard Street.
(Photo by Hunter McLaren)Hastings Police Department officers called the Barry County Sheriff’s Office for
assistance in arresting a Hastings man after he threatened a woman with a bow and
arrow. (file photo)