Residents ask to meet with commissioners

Two Sturgis residents asked members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners if they would be willing to meet one-on-one to discuss plans for a proposed senior center in Sturgis.

Lois Ware and Bob Holt said they weren’t happy with the lack of answers during past meetings with representatives from the county’s Commission on Aging. They said the proposal is a major expense of taxpayer money and county leaders should make themselves available to field questions and take the time to meet with their constituents.

Board chairman John Dobberteen, whose jurisdiction includes the city of Sturgis, said the issue is in the hands of the COA and its officials are more at liberty to discuss the concept.

Ware and Holt said they object to the taxpayer money that could be spent to build a senior center in Sturgis. They suggested the money be spent to refurbish the current facility, the John H. Cassault Center on North Jefferson Street.