State flag in Constantine

A state of Michigan flag is flying outside Constantine’s village office, thanks to State Rep. Matt Lori and a first-grade class at Eastside Elementary.

Lori on Monday presented village officials a state flag that was flown over the capitol on June 21. The flag was raised below the U.S. flag on the flagpole outside the village’s municipal building.

First-grade teacher Sheree Sorensen and her class in May asked the village if it would consider displaying the state of Michigan flag. The request came after the class studied the state during Michigan Week.

Village Manager Mark Honeysett said Lori was happy to oblige and was proud to deliver the flag in person.

Rep. Lori comments on education budget

State Rep. Matt Lori issued a press release last week regarding legislators’ approval of Michigan’s K-12 education budget.

Lori said the ability to get the budget approved months before it was due could be attributed to the efforts of first-term lawmakers from both parties. Lori said the group had been pushing behind the scenes to get the budget approved earlier in the year so schools will have time to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said the matter is a victory for the bipartisan freshman caucus. He said that when people are committed to working together instead of fighting, it’s possible to find compromises to which both sides can agree.

The state’s K-12 education budget is on its way to Gov. Granholm for her endorsement. The rest of the state’s budget, meanwhile, remains to be completed. Lori said he supports legislation to move the budget deadline to July 1 – three months before the start of the new fiscal year and dock lawmakers’ pay for each day the budget is late.

Rep. Lori comments on young drivers

State Rep. Matt Lori said he is working to limit the number of young passengers who can ride in a car with a newly licensed driver.

In a press release issued Thursday, Lori said he supports legislation that limits drivers with a Level 2 graduated license to only one passenger under the age of 21. An exception would be made for immediate family members.

The bill under review also prohibits young drivers from using cell phones or other wireless devices while operating a motor vehicle, except to report an emergency.

A Level 2 graduated license applies to new drivers for the first six months in a vehicle without adult supervision. Lori said he expects a vote in committee to be taken soon before the bill heads to the full House for a final verdict.

Rep. Upton visits TR area plant

Congressman Fred Upton, a Republican from St. Joseph, spent an hour at a local manufacturing plant yesterday in an effort to gauge the direction of the auto industry.

Upton met with officials from Peterson Spring at its Park Township location. The Heimbach Road plant produces springs, rings and wire forms for Chrysler and a number of automotive suppliers.

Prior to a tour of the factory floor, Upton was told by Donald Lowe, senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Southfield-based company, that initial projections for car sales in the U.S. this year have been revised from about 8 million to 12 million vehicles.

Lowe said he is hearing that by 2014, auto sales will be to the levels where they were in 2007.

Upton said the resurgence of General Motors has been huge for Southwest Michigan companies that have manufacturing ties to the auto industry. Had GM not survived, Upton said, auto-related industries would have sustained a crippling blow and likely no longer be in business.

Peterson Spring has 11 manufacturing plants worldwide and collectively employs about 550 people. Its Park Township facility has 55 employees.

Primary election August 3rd

There could be as many as four new faces on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners next year.

The deadline for petitions for candidates seeking office in the August primary was 4 p.m. Tuesday, and two county board incumbents will be challenged, while another pair of seats will be filled by newcomers to the seven-member board.

Three Rivers Mayor Al Balog and Lockport Township resident Jim Bippus will vie for the seat held by board chairman Mike Dunlap. Dunlap has decided to not seek re-election to the District 3 seat, which covers the city of Three Rivers and a portion of Lockport Township.

Incumbent John Dobberteen will seek another term to represent District 7, which includes the city of Sturgis. He will face a challenge from Sturgis City Commission member Caralee Mayer.

District 5, with boundaries that include all or portions of Florence, White Pigeon, Sturgis and Fawn River townships, will see incumbent Jerry Ware go up against former commissioner Monte Bordner.

And in District 6, which includes all or portions of Sherman, Burr Oak and Fawn River townships, Don Eaton will take the seat of David Pueschel, who is not seeking re-election.

All contested races in the Aug. 3 primary feature Republican candidates, and all terms are for two years.

Incumbents Rick Shaffer, Gerald Loudenslager and Robin Baker are running unopposed.

Slate for TR primary

The August primary will see one contested race in the city of Three Rivers. Incumbent Daryl Griffith is being challenged by Blaine Edgell, according to petitions filed by Tuesday’s deadline.

Running uncontested to the seven-member Three Rivers City Commission are Elbert Foster, Carolyn McNarry and George Ramsey. All seats being sought are for two-year terms, except for Ramsey, who will complete a one-year assignment.

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