News across Montcalm County
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Barrus and Wellman seek seat on Greenville City Council
Seven years of experience on the Greenville City Council is being weighed against the perspective of a newcomer as voters decide who will fill a seat in the Nov. 3 general election. Incumbent Jim Barrus, 57, is seeking another term, while Lesa Wellman, 51, is challenging him for…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Stanton voters to choose among Basom, Holloway, Kuhn and VanHolstyn for City Commission
Three incumbents and one challenger are seeking three seats on the Stanton City Commission in the Nov. 3 general election, with experience, community involvement and the future of the city's amenities among the issues raised by candidates. Incumbents Jane Basom, Ray Holloway and…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: 3 seek 2 seats on Vestaburg school board
Two longtime members of the Vestaburg Community School Board of Education are seeking another term, while a local business owner and youth coach is hoping to bring a new perspective to the board. Incumbents Renae Caudill and Brian Zinn are seeking re-election, while Dustin Cook…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Second try, smaller ask
After Montcalm County voters rejected a proposed increase to the Commission on Aging’s operating millage in August, the agency is returning to the ballot in November with a smaller request: A renewal of the existing tax. In August, voters narrowly rejected a proposal to renew and…
Checks and balances
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar had just finished discussing the importance of checks and balances among the three branches of the federal government when Greenville resident Tim O’Brien challenged him on whether Congress was providing one of those checks. “You talked about checks and…
Outman raises concerns over power lines
State Sen. Rick Outman knows a major expansion of Michigan’s high-voltage transmission system is moving forward. What remains uncertain — and what could eventually matter to property owners in Montcalm County — is exactly where those lines will go. “The lines are coming,” Outman…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: 4 names, 2 seats
A career public-safety leader faces a local media personality challenger in the race for Montcalm County commissioner, while two longtime road professionals are competing for an open seat on the county Road Commission. Voters will decide both races in the Nov. 3 general election,…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Winfield Twp. seeks dedicated road funding
Winfield Township has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from its general fund on roads in recent years, and now officials are asking voters to create a dedicated source of funding for future repairs and maintenance. November’s ballot proposal calls for a new millage of .75…
Tension on the agenda
A city lawnmower, a cemetery flagpole and a $300 budget line might not seem to have much in common. But all three became flashpoints during a tense Stanton City Commission meeting on Sept. 22. The post Tension on the agenda first appeared on The Daily News .
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Candidates contrast experience, priorities
Two 58-year-old Michiganders are competing to replace term-limited 33rd District state Sen. Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes. Gina Johnsen is a seasoned politician with decades of experience in the healthcare industry and a staunchly conservative point of view. Stan Opal is a retired…
Pierson Twp. opts for value-based fire assessment
The Pierson Township Board on Monday took the next step of establishing two special assessment districts for fire and emergency services. The board voted 5-0 to approve a resolution of intent to create north and south districts, with the assessment amount based on the taxable…
GENERAL ELECTION PREVIEW: Michigan’s 2nd District
One points to more than a decade representing mid and west Michigan in Congress and leadership roles involving federal spending and China. The other points to 17 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and subsequent work on veterans policy and federal government modernization. The post…