Page 6 — Thursday, September 30, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Fisk resigns as Middleville village president
Greg Chandler
Staff Writer
Middleville Village President Amanda Fisk
has resigned after eight months in the position.
Fisk, who was appointed to the position Jan.
12 after the death of longtime Village President
Charlie Pullen, submitted her resignation letter
to Village Manager Patricia Rayl and her council
colleagues Friday. Her resignation was effective
immediately.
Fisk’s resignation letter was in the packet for
Tuesday’s council meeting.
“The last 19 months have been hard on all of
us, and we have all carried our own stress and
worry as we dealt with an unprecedented (in our
lifetimes) pandemic,” Fisk wrote in her letter.“Staff and council went through countless chang-
es, none more difficult than the loss of Charlie.
We had to overcome and adapt challenges seem-
ingly every day, and we are better for it. I am
proud of the work that has been done and my role
in it, and proud of where the village is going. The
goals and plans for the coming year are exciting,
and I am glad to see growth continue.
“However, as a working single parent, the
stress of balancing everything is an ongoing
battle. It has become clear to me in the past few
weeks that my health is suffering, and it’s time to
take an inventory of my life and take the steps
forward to fix it. I no longer feel I can serve here
in the village the way I wanted to, nor do I feel I
am successfully balancing my careers and my
family. Both my kids and council and staff
deserve a better version of me, but my family
comes first.”
Fisk went on to say it has been increasingly
difficult to see people in the Middleville com-
munity turn on each other.
“I would never expect the world of local pol-
itics to be without some conflict, and I surely
have seen plenty of pushback on even small
issues like curbs and sidewalks for years. Those
discussions are easy to have,” she wrote. “We
have reached a fever pitch, however, and I can-
not bring myself to move forward in service
when any disagreement is met with rage, anger,
threats, and unnecessary disruption. The mob
mentality is disheartening and disappointing.
This has certainly made me question my future
career in service and politics, but more impor-
tantly, it’s taken a toll on my mental health.
“I am aware that this is a difficult time to
make this decision, especially with budget dis-
cussions happening as we speak. I sincerely
apologize for that. It is my hope that the timing
allows for a new appointment coinciding with
the beginning of a new year and a somewhat
easy transition into 2022,” she added.
Fisk, 35, was elected to the village council in- She was the top vote-getter among four
candidates running for trustee positions, captur-
ing 762 votes. In 2020, she initially announced
she was running for Barry County clerk as a
Democrat, but later withdrew her candidacy due
to work and family circumstances.
Fisk came under fire shortly after her appoint-
ment as president over a Facebook post she made
following the death of conservative radio talk
show host Rush Limbaugh. The post led to a
firestorm of complaints seeking Fisk’s resignation.
More than 340 people jammed a virtual council
meeting a week after Fisk’s posts, with community
members speaking out, both in support and in
opposition to her. Fisk apologized for the post.
Rayl and several council members expressed
sadness over Fisk’s departure at Tuesday’s coun-
cil meeting.
“It’s just sad that there’s so much contention
in the community, that people who have service
in their hearts are not able to continue in the
position,” Rayl said, referring not only to Fisk’s
resignation but also the recent resignation of
former Thornapple Kellogg Board of Education
president Kristen Cove, which was submitted
just a few days before Fisk.
“She worked hard,” Trustee Tom DeVries
said of Fisk. “I know we don’t all agree with
everything, but I appreciate her heart of service
for the community. She really had that.”
He suggested the idea of a token of apprecia-
tion for her.
“Amanda certainly had a servant’s heart, and
was very committed to the community. It’s sad
to see her go,” Trustee Kevin Smith said.
Village President Pro Tempore Sherry
Ronning presided over Tuesday’s meeting and
will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Village Attorney Mark Nettleton walked the
council through the process of finding Fisk’s
successor. Under Michigan law, the council will
appoint a successor to serve as president until
the November 2022 general election.
“There is no provision in Michigan law for
council to call a special election to fill the posi-
tion,” Nettleton said.
There is no specific timetable for when the
president’s position should be filled, only that
the appointment be made in “a reasonable
amount of time,” Nettleton said.
Ronning said the council should take its time
in filling the vacancy.
“I don’t want to rush this,” she said. “We need
to digest what’s going on here, because last time,
I felt it was rushed, and mistakes were made.
“I felt that when we lost Charlie, there were
people here that had been with him a long time
who didn’t get that chance to process and grieve
[his death]. I want to slow down,” Ronning
added.
Fisk was appointed two months after Pullen’s
death. He died of COVID-19 on Nov. 20, 2020
at the age of 71. Pullen had been village presi-
dent for 11 years.
Trustee Mike Cramer echoed Ronning’s sen-
timents.
“I would like to get through the budget before
we add something else to our plate,” Cramer
said.
Smith called the last process of choosing the
village president “sloppy.”
“It was like having two left feet the last time.
It was uncomfortable and strange,” he said. “If I
may be so bold as to say, we should really focus
on what process makes sense to all of us, that we
feel confident that how we appoint is the focus.”
Trustee Ed Schellinger suggested the council
first appoint a new member, and then have the
full seven-member council choose the president
from there. But Nettleton said that’s not the rec-
ommended process under Michigan law.
“You have only one vacancy,” he said, refer-
ring to the village president position. “You need
to fill that vacancy.”
Fisk concluded her letter by expressing her
gratitude for the support and kindness village
staff has shown her this year.
“I cannot thank you enough for helping me
through what was certainly one of the toughest
times in my life,” Fisk wrote.
“Not only are you great at your jobs, but you
are all incredibly kind people, and I truly appre-
ciate you. I am sure our paths will cross again in
the future – this is still a small town, after all.”
Fisk is a 2003 graduate of Thornapple Kellogg
High School. She holds an associate degree in
sociology and psychology from Lansing
Community College, a bachelor’s degree in psy-
chology from Michigan State University and a
master’s in public administration from Walden
University.Donna Fox, age 73, of Hastings, passed
away on September 22, 2021. Donna was
born on November 9, 1947, the daughter of
Wink Closson and Bernice Gay Walton
(Closson) Stehr.
She was a graduate of Thornapple Kellogg
High School in Middleville. On February 14,
1987, Donna married Stephen Fox, and they
enjoyed 34 years together.
Donna was preceded in death by her par-
ents, Bernice (Harry) Stehr, Wink Closson,
and brother, Rick Stehr.
She is survived by her sons, Chad (Sherri)
Nixon, Bryan (Maureen) Nixon, Travis (Holly)
Turnes-Robertson; her daughters, Bernice
“Bunny” (BJ) Gallardo, Sarah (Corey) Fox,
and Jacqueline (Joe) Nixon-Tribanas; sisters,
Nancy Striegle, Gayelynn (Mike) Goodenough;
brother, Michael (Sue) Stehr, and many grand-
children, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Visitation for Donna was held
on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at Girrbach
Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings,
MI 49058.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Phyllis May (Kelley) Settles, age 95, of
Hastings, , passed away on September 21,- Phyllis was born on May 3, 1926 in
Lafayette, Indiana, the Daughter of Jesse and
Ethel Amy (Grove) Kelley.
She attended Hastings High School, gradu-
ating in 1944. She attended Grace Hospital
School of Nursing in Detroit, graduating in
1947 as part of the Army Corps of Nursing
program at the end of World War II. Phyllis
was married to David Settles of Hastings on
November 15, 1947. They were married for
64 years.
Phyllis had a beautiful alto voice, singing
for many years in the choir at Emmanuel
Episcopal Church in Hastings. She was also a
guest soloist at several other Hastings church-
es. Phyllis participated in the yearly produc-
tion of Handel’s “Messiah” presented by the
Grand Rapids Symphonic Choir. She and
David lived in Gainesville, Georgia with
Mary and Charlie for nine years, during
which time she sang in the choir at St.
Gabriel’s Episcopal Church. She remained an
active member of Emmanuel Church in
Hastings until her death.
Phyllis was a dedicated writer. She was
best known for her poetry, but she also wrote
volumes of prose. She left dozens of stories
about her early life in Battle Creek and
Hastings. She belonged to several writing
groups through the years and turned out hun-
dreds of poems. Her favorite medium was
haiku.
Several of her poems were published in
poetry journals. She was also a dedicated
journalist, writing daily entries in dozens of
notebooks through the years.
Phyllis’ spirit will live on as a singer of
songs, a leader of neighborhood Christmas
carols, a player of autoharps, a writer of
poems, a knitter of afghans, scarves and
mittens, a watcher of movies, a prolific
gluer of scrapbooks, a keeper of gardens,
kittens, puppies and fish, a raker of leaves, a
lover of big sandwiches, a cooker of scrump-
tious meatballs and firepit stews with that
special smokey taste, and a lover of life, in
all that it had to offer her. She will be
missed.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her par-
ents; her husband, David, and her brothers,
Jack Sage and Keith Sage.
She is survived by brother, Dick Kelley of
Marshall; daughter, Mary Lynne Settles
(Charlie) Andrus of Fishers, IN; son, Michael
David Settles of Decatur; grandchildren,
David (Courtney) Andrus of Fishers, IN,
Jonathon (Amy) Andrus of Greenville/
Spartanburg, SC, Ericka Andrus of South
Pasadena, CA, and Amy Jo Andrus of South
Haven. She is also survived by seven
great-grandchildren and one great-great
grandson.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions be made to Emmanuel
Episcopal Church “Solar Array Project”, 315
W. Center St. Hastings, MI 49058.
Graveside burial service for Phyllis will be
conducted by the Reverend Mother Linnea
Stifler at Riverside Cemetery (North) in
Hastings on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Area Obituaries
Donna Fox Phyllis May Settles1699 W. M43 Highway,
Hastings, MI 49058.945-1351 North M-43 Hwy.
Hastings
945-1301 W. Green St.
Hastings
945-This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches
and these local businesses:HASTINGS FREE
METHODIST CHURCH
"We Exist To Be An
Expression Of Who Jesus Is
To The World Around Us".
2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box
8, Hastings. Telephone 269-
945-9121. Email hastfmc@
gmail.com. Website: http://www.
hastingsfreemethodist.com.
Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant
Pastor Emma Miller, Worship
Director, Martha Stoetzel.
Sunday Morning Worship:
9:45 a.m. Kids Church and
Nursery are available. Our
worship center is set up for
social distancing. Aftermath
Student Ministries: Sunday 6
p.m.SOLID ROCK BIBLE
CHURCH OF DELTON
7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765,
(corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-
43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor
Roger Claypool, (517) 204-- Sunday Worship Service
10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and
Children’s Ministry. Wednesday
night Bible study and prayer
time 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
ST. ROSE OF LIMA
CATHOLIC CHURCH
805 S. Jefferson. 269-945-
4246 Pastor Father Stephan
Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m.
Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m.
Sunday.HASTINGS
BAPTIST CHURCH
309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings.
Matt Moser, Lead Pastor.
Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages;
10:30 a.m. Worship Service;
Senior High Youth Group 6-
p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Family Night
6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth
(Children Kindergarten-5th
Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle
School Youth Group; 6:
p.m. Bible Study and Prayer.
Call Church Office 948-
for information.CHRIST THE KING
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH (PCA)
328 N. Jefferson Street.
Worship 10 a.m. Nursery
provided. Pastor Peter Adams,
contact 616-690-8609.WOODGROVE
BRETHREN
CHRISTIAN PARISH
4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor
Randall Bertrand. Wheel-
chair accessible and elevator.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Time 10:30 a.m.
Youth activities: call for
information.LIFEGATE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273,
Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor
Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-- Website: http://www.lifegatecc.
com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m.
Wednesday Life Group 6:
p.m.
PLEASANTVIEW
FAMILY CHURCH
2601 Lacey Road, Dowling,
MI 49050. Pastor, Steve
Olmstead. (269) 758-
church phone. Sunday
Service: 10 a.m.WELCOME CORNERS
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
3185 N. Broadway, Hastings,
MI 49058. Phone 945-2654.
Worship Services: Sunday,
9:45 a.m.Worship
Together
...at the church of your choice ~
Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches
available for your convenience...
Fiberglass
ProductsSYNOPSIS
Hastings Charter Township
Regular Meeting
September 14, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
All board members present
Approved all consent agenda items
Leach Lake Weed Control renewal
Social Security for elected officials
Approved payment of bills
Dept. reports received and put on file
Motion to adjourn 8:44 pmRespectfully submitted, Anita S. Mennell – Clerk
Attested to by Jim Brown – Supervisor 168848In Loving
Memory of
Keith
Meaney
11/6/1946 - 10/2/The world changes
from year to year,
Our lives from day to
day,
But the love and
memory of you
Shall never pass away.Forever in our hearts,
Gloria
Matt & Pyper
Andrew, Mel, Amelia &
Emerson
Jerrod, Mel, Jackson
& HannahBy Elaine Garlock
Football rankings listed this week include
Lakewood whose record thus far is three wins
and two losses. Meantime, Portland has won
all five games. Dewitt and Grand Ledge each
are 4-1. In schools a bit smaller Pewamo-
Westphalia and Portland St. Pats each have
5-0 records. It should be interesting to see
how they fare in the rest of the season.
The annual fall rummage sale at the
Fellowship Hall of Central United Methodist
Church on Fourth Avenue is on for three days
starting today with hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and shorter hours Saturday. Also there will be
fresh doughnuts for sale, especially in the
morning hours. They might be sold out by
afternoon.
Sunday was observed as the annual United
Methodist Women Sunday with the lady
members doing a skit, each wearing black as
a background for the props each held. The
theme was the Great American Pie with over-
tones related to the Purpose. To take the
theme to a nice conclusion, warm apple pie
was served during coffee hour that followed
the service, which included communion.
Green beans are still rolling in. Tuesday, a
double-bottom semi was noted carrying away
a heaping load of snippings. Another feature
of the season is that the siding at Twin City
Foods this week has five refrigerator railcars.
That will hold a lot of green beans.
Both the Raffler and Allen rural homes
have been razed. One of the building sites
overlooks a lake. The other is pure country.
We will wait to see what transpires at each
site.
Members of the Michigan Association of
Retired School Personnel organization this
week received the first issue of the state pub-
lication in a long time. Some chapters are
starting to meet or are making plans for future
meetings. Clarksville’s own Georgia
Richardson, now Sharp is the co-chairman
for legislative affairs for this statewide group,
which operates in behalf of retired school
personnel, whether bus drivers, cooks or
superintendents.
We read about shortages of teachers. The
latest is that one urban school district had to
call the National Guard in order to have driv-
ers for all of its buses. With illness and quar-
antines, some schools have trouble being
fully staffed.Ryan James Flynn, Middleville and Janelle
Lyn Westlake, Middleville
Zachary Scott Webb, Nashville and Megan
Nichole Ethier, Nashville
Anthony James Hull, Hastings and Haley
Nicole Johns, Hastings
Abigail Rose Brooker, Middleville and
Ryan Matthew Holcomb, Kalamazoo
Quinn Menno Grassmid, Middleville and
Gillian ISabel Van Duine, Alto
Bridgett Nicole Hilton, Middleville and
Timothy Trent Doxtater Jr., Hastings
Caitlin Elaine Branch, Hastings and Joshua
David-Hubert Newell, Hastings
Ferris Joshua Abdallah, Red Lion, PA and
Courtney Elizabeth Barker, Middleville
Caitlin Jane Dyer, Middleville and Jeremy
Brian Heavner, Middleville
Angela Marie Metzger, Hastings and Brad
Allen Jousma, Hastings
Isabelle Sue Rapson, Middleville and
Nathan Dale Stahl, Freeport
Shaun Michael Engle, Hastings and Jaimie
Marie Perry, Nashville
Elizabeth Grace Cason, Bancroft and Craig
Lee Ross, HastingsMarriage Licenses