Politics

In a housekeeping matter Wednesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Also, executive committee meetings – during which matters on the county commission meeting agenda are discussed in detail – will remain at 8 a.m. the Friday before a county commission meeting. …

Sturgis resident and former mayor John Dobberteen was selected Wednesday to succeed Rick Shaffer as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. By unanimous vote, the 53-year-old Dobberteen was chosen to preside over the five-member board for 2013. As chairman, Dobberteen’s primary duty will require him to facilitate the board’s twice-a-month meetings. Dobberteen, a plumbing inspector, joined the …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has decided to not pursue a request by newly sworn-in District Court Judge Rob Pattison for new carpet in his office. Commissioners last month looked at three vendor quotes and reviewed the state of the current carpet. Ultimately, commissioners agreed the wear of the carpet in heavy foot-traffic areas was noticeable but no worse …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners will address a few housecleaning matters during its 5 p.m. meeting today. Assembling one day later than usual because of the New Year holiday, commissioners are expected to revise policies related to its MERS hybrid pension plan and its health insurance program; review addendums to employment contracts with Lori Barczak and Patricia Kane; and …

A light agenda awaits Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Approving the minutes of the commission’s Dec. 18 meeting and six matters all under the consent agenda comprise the only business before the city commission today. There are no presentations, public hearings or communications scheduled. The meeting is slated to begin at 6 …

A rare ceremony will take place Friday at the St. Joseph County Courthouse, where a dual swearing-in ceremony will take place for the incoming judges of probate and district courts. The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature traditional pomp and circumstance typically accompanying the swearing-in of new judges. On Jan. 1, David Tomlinson will begin his six-year tenure as probate judge …

The Sturgis City Commission last week adopted the focus areas and goals for Sturgis 2022. The two focus areas – A Great Place to Do Business and A Community of Choice – have nine total goals which cover many of the areas presented during our feedback process this summer. Among those goals are declarations such as Sturgis will be: A …

Three members of the St. Joseph County Planning Commission, whose terms expire at the end of the year, were reappointed to three-year terms. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to reappoint Edward Bell of Colon, Lon Huffman of Mendon and Dennis Wilson of Sturgis. In a separate matter, Three Rivers resident Douglas Lockwood was reappointed to …

A Three Rivers-based construction company was chosen to serve as contractor of the city’s downtown Mural Mall renovation. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week approved a $776,000 bid for Brussee/Brady Inc. to perform the task that will include concrete and lighting work. Funding for the project comes from a city contribution of $190,000, being complemented by a $750,000 state …

St. Joseph County and MSU Extension Services have reached an agreement for the 2013 calendar year. The base agreement will allow the county access to the full range of the extension’s statewide programs. For 2013, the county’s agreement with the extension office is $130,000, which was approved last week by the county’s board of commissioners. Payment is to be made …