Clerk and Treasurer to continue to be elected posts

The positions of clerk and treasurer in Constantine will continue to be elected by village residents.

A special vote Tuesday on whether to adopt an ordinance to change the current method yielded a result of 86 people against the measure to 42 in favor of the proposal. The turnout represented 8 percent of the village’s 1,569 registered voters.

The village clerk and treasurer are paid $3,500 each and are not voting members of the council. They are elected to two-year terms, which expire in November 2014.

Proponents of the plan said the measure would have ensured qualified candidates are interviewed and chosen by the seven-member council. Opponents, meanwhile, said the idea would have given the village council too much political authority in who it selects.

White Pigeon to cut budget

The elimination of its office manager and removing a proposed 3-percent raise to village employees from the table were two steps taken recently by the White Pigeon Village Council.

The cuts were part of a money-saving measure the village is taking to help balance a $61,000 shortfall in its projected debts versus revenues.

Carol Gilbert, who has served as office manager for seven years, will be let go in April as a result of the action. Upgrades to the village office building, building maintenance and mower expenses also were mentioned as possible expenses that could be eliminated from the list of expenditures.

Further discussion on cuts and ways in which Gilbert’s role will be filled will likely take place during a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday next week.

Voters to vote on millage in Sturgis

Voters in the city of Sturgis will have an opportunity later this year to decide whether to support a financial request exclusively for road and sidewalk repairs.

Members of the city council Wednesday voted to put a millage request proposal before city residents May 7.

The question will give city officials an opportunity to dedicate a 3-mil, 10-year property tax to cover the dedicated fund. City manager Mike Hughes said the city is facing a mounting number of road-repair issues and the money to address the problem is becoming more difficult to budget.

Hughes said the average homeowner would pay an additional $100 a year if the proposal is supported.

He added that during public comment on the matter, those who spoke about the issue were in favor of putting the request before voters.

Water-main break repaired

Department of Public Works employees in Constantine spent two hours Wednesday repairing a water-main break.

The faulty pipe was at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets.

Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the pipe had leaked about 250,000 gallons per day over the past week and it was necessary to shut down the entire water system because the hole was filling with water.

The situation was corrected by 4:30 p.m.

Fundraiser for defibrillators

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month.

A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested.

Chief Mike Haydon said the department has raised more than $4,100 of the $ 7,000 needed to purchase the five devices. Two are to be earmarked for the fire department, a pair will be designated for the Constantine Police Department and one for the Constantine Village Office.

There will be a silent auction in addition to the dinner. Members of the Constantine Downtown Brainstormers are asking for items to be donated in the silent auction.

The cost of the dinner will be paid for by donations from the Three Rivers Eagles.

Deciding on new police car

Members of the Centreville Village Council are debating whether to purchase a police vehicle to replace the current car.

The council is mulling the idea of a Chevy Tahoe. Council member Jeff Johnson said the vehicle – fitted with standard law-enforcement equipment – would cost about $ 35,000.

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite has been involved in the process and has referred the council to a Department of Agricultural grant to potentially help with the purchase.

Additional discussion on the matter is expected at future meetings.

Meanwhile, the village is expected to continue its agreement with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department for police coverage.

The village’s current contract is $167,000 a year and expires next month.

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