County Commission

Cody Sharpe plans to Commissioner run

A Three Rivers resident said he plans to challenge county commission chairman Allen Balog for his board of commissioners seat in the November general election. Cody Sharpe, who plans to run as a Democrat, is seeking the First District seat, which represents the city of Three Rivers, and Fabius and Flowerfield townships. Sharpe said his primary concern is the accountability …

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Dennis Allen will seek seat on Board of Commissioners

The first person to publicly announce his candidacy for the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners is a longtime Centreville resident and public official. Dennis Allen said he will seek the Third District seat currently held by 20-year board member and Fishers Lake resident Rick Shaffer. Shaffer has already stated he will not seek re-election for an additional two-year term. …

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Courthouse addition named priority for commissioners

A courthouse addition for the county courts departments was identified as the No. 1 priority based on an informal poll during this week’s county commissioner workshop. The five-member panel over the course of an hour Tuesday revisited a number of projects either in progress or on the drawing board. Among the projects in either the planning or discussion stages, however, …

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Commissioners table marketing plan

County commissioners appear deadlocked on whether to move forward with a marketing plan to encourage Chicago and its suburban residents to consider making St. Joseph County a vacation and, potentially, a permanent destination. The issue was discussed during Tuesday’s work session involving the five-member commission. As part of its goal to promote its 150 miles of rivers, the county has …

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Last phase of river trail plan approved

St. Joseph County’s commitment to a river trail plan is now fully implemented, as county commissioners last week approved the third of the three-phase process. In summary, the third phase emphasizes marketing. The target of marketing efforts will be Chicago adults between 45 and 70 years of age, with middle to high income. The target group will be encouraged to …

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Plans for park upgrades move forward

The project to bring sanitary sewer and water service to a county park in Fawn River Township moved another step forward last week. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, commissioners approved Elkhart-based Jones Petrie Rafinski for engineering-related services centering on extending the utility services to all 43 campsites at Cade Lake Park and Campground. As part of its work, Jones Petrie …

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Commission approves COA receptionist

St. Joseph County commissioners this week agreed to the hiring of a part-time receptionist for Commission On Aging. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved the agency to fill the position, which will cost an estimated $17,000. In a separate matter, commissioners OK’d the classification of a lead ranger for the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. The position is for …

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Commissioners approve millage request for road commission

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved ballot language for a millage request being sought this spring by the county road commission. At stake May 3 will be a request of up to 2.5 mills, which would yield more than $5.4 million annually over a 10-year period. Road commission members last month approved a plan that would call …

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Commissioner Baker will not seek additional term

St. Joseph County Commissioner Robin Baker of said last week he will not seek re-election to an eighth term this fall. Baker, 64, indicated his intention after he turned down the vice chairman position for Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency during its monthly meeting Thursday. Baker spent more than 25 years with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department before retiring …

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MSU Extension contract renewed

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has renewed its annual contract with Michigan State University for extension services. During the board’s meeting last week, commissioners OK’d the contract that calls for the full-time equivalent of one extension educator, whose collective duties will include field-crops expertise, program coordination and additional 4-H programs. The county will provide office space, utilities, high-speed internet …

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