By WILLIAM F. AST III - H-P Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, June 13, 2010 1:07 PM EDT
STEVENSVILLE - Stevensville Village Council members want to see residents at their meetings, but on Thursday they weren't completely displeased to see only one person show up - the husband of a member.
"I think it's a good sign," council President Lori Gibson said after the meeting. "I hope that the residents that have been coming to our meetings are seeing that we've been very diligent. I hope they're gaining some new confidence in this council, that we are moving forward and watching everything very closely and carefully."
Meetings in recent months have been relatively well attended, but that was because some residents were upset by an embezzlement scandal. Former Manager Todd Gardner has been accused of taking some $297,000 from the village, and some residents had told council members they should resign over their lack of oversight.
Now things may be settling down a little. The council has limited itself to paying no more than $35,000 a month in bills until a big arrearage is paid off, and it's been sticking to that - even though it had to go over the limit by $5.10 on Thursday.
Gardner's trial in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids is scheduled to start July 13. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, three years' probation and a $50,000 fine and other costs. He is free on $25,000 bond.
Gibson said that as far as she knows, no village officials have received subpoenas to testify.
Also Thursday, the council in a 5-1 vote approved paying $159 for a banner welcoming the new Meijer store just north of the village limits on St. Joseph Avenue.
The banner will be placed near the village limits, Village Manager Derek Perry said.
Trustee Don Meyer, who said later he thinks the banner is attractive, cast the only no vote.
"What's the criteria for spending village funds to promote a private business?" Meyer asked. "At what point do we decide to do a promotion like this, or don't do a promotion like this? If we're not consistent it could then be construed as sponsorship if we pick and choose."
But Trustee Pat Arter said, "I think we can take them on a case-by-case basis."
Trustee Kim Peters was absent. Voting yes were Gibson, Arter and Trustees Steve Slavicek, Don Schlipp and Ken Hansen.
Construction is well under way on the $16 million store at St. Joseph Avenue and Red Arrow Highway. The store, scheduled to open in 2011, will have between 300 and 350 employees and an annual payroll of more than $6 million, Meijer officials have said.
In other matters, the council revoked some out-of-date property tax breaks for companies no longer in business and approved allowing the family of the late Fred Albrecht to solicit Relay for Life donations in his name on June 19.
The solicitations will take place that Saturday at the intersection of John Beers Road and St. Joseph Avenue.
Gibson said there will be a villagewide rummage sale June 24-26. Clerk Tiffany Moore said residents need to come to Village Hall to get permits to take part, but added the permits are free.
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