Former village office sold

White Pigeon municipal officials have sold the former village office and adjacent parking lot.

The deal was announced last week after the village had previously announced it was accepting bids for the building and property.

Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene submitted a $14,000 bid for the parcel, at 118 S. Kalamazoo St. The church, which operates in a building just north of the former village office, has until early April to come up with the money.

Church officials indicated they would like to use the former office for a youth ministry program.

The site became available after the village moved its municipal operations across the street four years ago.

Sheteron resigns

The Centreville Village Council is one person short after longtime trustee Christine Sheteron turned in her resignation this week.

Sheteron, 44, submitted a letter Monday to the village council. In it, she indicated she has no interest in working for what she called a non-working and uncooperative body of elected officials and community members.

Sheteron did not elaborate on specific issues that resulted in her decision to step down.

The balance of her term is expected to be filled at the village council’s April meeting. Meanwhile, the council appointed Gary McClain to fill a village council position that was already open prior to Sheteron’s departure.

No brush pick-up this spring

Amy Roth, director of the Three Rivers Public Services Department, said the city will not conduct a leaf or brush pickup this spring.

Roth issued a reminder that it is against city ordinance to place yard waste or debris in the street or terrace area.

Residents must make their own arrangements to dispose of yard waste, limbs and brush, Roth said. The city’s compost area, at 1015 South Lincoln Ave., is open for residents to drop off yard waste.

Baker refuses request

Village officials in Centreville agreed this week to dismiss Department of Public Works director Randy Baker following an investigation related to gasoline allegedly taken from the pump designated for municipal vehicles.

The vote was made after Baker refused to act on the village’s request last week that he step down from the post.

Baker, a Colon resident, is suspected of allegedly fueling his personal vehicle from the municipal tank on at least two occasions last year. The matter is under investigation by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, which may uncover additional cases of fuel theft, sheriff officials said.

Additional developments may come out of the village council’s next regularly scheduled meeting Monday next week.

Flag lowered in honor of Bir

Sturgis officials announced the city flag will be lowered in honor of Sue Bir’s service to the community.

Bir, 56, died Wednesday at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

She was elected Precinct 2 commissioner in November 1989, and also served as vice mayor in 1996.

City officials believe she was the first woman to preside over a Sturgis City Commission meeting. Bir’s last meeting was in October 1997, as she decided to not seek re-election.

Village declines bid

White Pigeon village officials declined to accept a bid on the community’s former municipal office and property.

Instead of accepting the $12,500 offer from Joe Winkfine during a special meeting Tuesday, village council members decided to start a new round of sealed bidding. A deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday next week was set.

Those opposed to Winkfine’s bid said they believe the property, located at 118 S. Kalamazoo St., is worth more than what was offered. Village council members said they appreciate Winkfine’s plan to open a screen-printing business on the site and urged him to resubmit a bid in the current process.

The property is likely to be awarded to the highest bidder at the council’s March 20 meeting.

During previous sealed-bid opportunities, the village set minimum bids at $30,000, then $25,000. In both cases, no bids were received.

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