A Superfund site in the Kalamazoo area remains on the EPA's list of top priorities. Two Democrats top $475,000 to campaign for the Congressional seat held by Republican Fred Upton. Governor Snyder releases a new school safety plan, but doesn't address the debate over guns.
A major pollution site in southwest Michigan is still on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of top priorities. The agency says the Kalamazoo River-Allied Paper Superfund sites in Kalamazoo and Allegan counties are still in line for - in its words - "immediate, intense action." The EPA announced the decision by Administrator Scott Pruitt Monday. Two sites in Texas that were on theoriginal listearlier this year have been removed. Others in California, Minnesota, and Delaware were added.
Governor Rick Snyder wants to boost security at hundreds of schools and expand an anti-bullying tipline. A task force would also come up with more ways to improve school safety. Governor Snyder says he thinks these are plans most people will agree on. The governor says he intentionally stayed away from the debate over firearms. This is the governor’s formal response to the Florida school shootings a month ago. Snyder’s expressed interest in allowing authorities to temporarily seize firearms of people deemed a danger.
The Kalamazoo City Commission has approved salary increases for the city’s top administrators. The Kalamazoo Gazette says commissioners approved an 8% increase for City Manager Jim Ritsema, 8.8% for Clerk Scott Borling, 7.1% for Internal Auditor Ann Videtich and 4% for City Attorney Clyde Robinson. All four administrators were given lump sum payments between $1,700 and $3,997. The lump sum payments are equal to two and a half percent of their base salaries.
The latest report on child well-being in Michigan shows most indicators have stagnated or become worse since 2010. The Michigan League for Public Policy says the 2018 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book shows high rates of poverty persist, especially for minority children in the state. One policy recommendation from the League says Michigan should raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to 18. It would require that someone be at least 18 years old to be charged as an adult in a criminal matter. The League's report includes county by county assessments - Kalamazoo County, Calhoun County, St. Joseph County, Van Buren County, Allegan County, Barry County.
Two of the Democrats running for Congress in Southwest Michigan’s Sixth Congressional district have now raised more than $475,000 for their campaigns. Federal Election Commission filings show former Kellogg executive George Franklin raised $208,000 during the last quarter bringing his total so far to $534,000, while Portage physician Matt Longjohn brought in $146,000 in the first three months of the year. They are two of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the district currently represented by Congressman Fred Upton. The Saint Joseph Republican still holds a large advantage in cash on hand with more $1.1-million for his re-election campaign. Paul Clements, the Democratic candidate in the Sixth Congressional district in 2014 and 2016 has raised nearly $259,000 for his campaign. Rich Eichholz, David Benac, Eponine Garrod and Aida Gray are also running for the Democratic nomination in the Sixth Congressional District.
A group of activists in Saugatuck is appealing the state’s decision to allow development along the Kalamazoo River. The Saugatuck Coastal Alliance wants the state to reconsider its decision to allow the proposed Padnos Marina. The Alliance says the development violates a state law against sand dune mining for commercial purposes, and also breaks local zoning laws. (Michigan Radio)