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.

Demolition of two properties

Members of the Sturgis Neighborhood Program have presented to city officials bids for demolition of two properties.

In September, the Sturgis City Commission toured five tax-foreclosed properties, which the city had purchased in August. Based on the tour, two homes were selected for demolition.

The property at 206 Jacob St. has two structures and the property at 506 E. Hatch St. has a single-family house.

The Sturgis Neighborhood Program applied for and received a $28,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to cover expenses related to the impending demolitions.

Structures on both properties will be taken down by Grand Rapids-based Pitsch Companies, which submitted a bid of $21,600.

Reviewing idea for new police vehicle

A three-member committee in Centreville is reviewing the prospect of buying a new police vehicle.

Members of the Centreville Village Council designated Dennis Allen, Keith Shears and Jeff Johnson to look into the details and financial impact of such a purchase.

Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite informed municipal leaders of a possible $6,000 grant toward the purchase of a new cruiser, which would be priced around $25,000 not including the potential grant money.

Lillywhite recommended a $26,000 Chevy Tahoe from Lansing-area Shaheen Chevrolet.

The committee indicated it will update the council on the matter next month.

Sturgis ice rink is now open

Sturgis municipal officials said thanks to freezing temperatures, the portable ice rink it recently purchased is open.

Located at North Monroe Street and East Chicago Road, the rink is open 8 a.m. to noon daily for hockey. It will be open noon to dusk Sundays through Thursdays and noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Honeysett declines offer

Constantine village manager Mark Honeysett has declined a raise offered by the village council.

In lieu of the raise and at Honeysett’s request, funds will instead go toward a budget allocated to the village’s police cars. The village budgets $4,800 for such expenses, but with the increased cost of gas and with Honeysett’s request, the fund will increase to $5,400.

Honeysett earns $54,000 annually.

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