Contract terminated

Sturgis-based Michigan Agency with Choice has terminated its contract with Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County.

The decision was made based primarily on the agency’s refusal to reinstate services for people with disabilities, according to John Carmichael, director of business development of GT Independence, the parent company of MAWC.

Liz O’Dell, Community Mental Health executive director, said as a result of the action on behalf of MAWC, a 60-day termination clause in the contract that went into effect Oct. 1 last year means the agreement will expire June 10.

O’Dell said a variety of new-provider agencies will be able to fill the void left by MAWC. Still, she  called the decision unfortunate.

The Centreville-based agency has a client roster of 2,700 people, which includes the 235 from MAWC, O’Dell said.

Grant awarded to Conservation District

The St. Joseph County Conservation District received confirmation of its annual allocation for river clean-up projects.

Provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission, the $2,750 grant awarded to the Centreville-based organization will allow it to fund transportation and materials necessary during seven river and river bank clean-up events this summer.

The first is slated to take place June 1 on a stretch of the Prairie River in Lockport Township.

County Board meeting

A number of St. Joseph County residents expressed concerns over a variety of subjects during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting.

The focus of most comments revolved around potential plans to build a senior center in Sturgis and a proposal to market St. Joseph County as a retirement destination to retirees in the Chicago market.

Points were made by Florence Township resident Tim Carls, Rebecca Shank and Andrew Grant of Fabius Township, Lois Ware of Sturgis, Constantine’s Dan Lucas and Dennis Bohm of Nottawa Township, who said more candidates should have been interviewed before the job of county administrator was given to Pat Yoder.

First County Board meeting

Pat Yoder’s first St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday was a quick but uneventful experience.

Yoder, who took over as county administrator Monday, sat in on his first county commission meeting in 20 years, as he previously held the position from 1990 to 1994. The 63-year-old Yoder was hired for the job after Judy West-Wing retired in January.

Tuesday’s meeting was light on agenda items and concluded in less than 30 minutes.

Awards presented at meeting

Four awards were presented during Wednesday’s 65th St. Joseph County Conservation District annual meeting.

A committee of Conservation District officials chose Mendon Township residents Roger and Ann Gentz as recipients of the Soil and Water Steward award. The couple last year was Environmentally Verified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.

Flowerfield Township farmer Mark Proxmire was presented the Livestock Stewardship award. Proxmire was recognized for his rotational grazing system that ensures his cattle graze in different sections weekly on his 60-acre property.

White Pigeon Township resident Jean Mock was named Conservation District volunteer of the year. Her hours of service to the Centreville-based organization were noted and applauded by Conservation District officials.

The St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman’s Club was presented the Organizational Steward award. The Sherman Township-based club, which hosted Wednesday’s gathering, sponsored local river cleanup projects led by the district in 2012 and purchased about 150 walnut tress to plant on its property.

People appointed to boards

A number of people were appointed or reappointed to various county boards Tuesday.

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to reappoint Dennis Bradley to the county’s Jury Board for a six-year term.

Action by commissioners also will see the St. Joseph County Transportation Board served for two more years by Allen Balog, Charles Thompson, Joseph Haas, Aaron Cullifer, Kelli Tackett, Connie Stoppenbach and Bruce Zakrzewski.

Three-year terms to the county’s Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board were given to Gaylene Adams, Rebecca Black, Veronica Atkins and Dori Leo-Baranski.

« Previous Page — Next Page »