Barry County voters did not ride the ‘Blue Wave’ on Tuesday, voting mostly Republican in the state wide races for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and nearly 2 to 1 for Republican Mike Rogers over Democrat Abdul El Sayed for US Senate, and for John Moolenaar for Congress.

 

Barry County said NO to statewide proposal 1 that would have called for a state constitutional convention, and said YES to proposal 2, a citizen-led ballot initiative that will restrict campaign contributions from regulated utility companies and government contractors.

On Tuesday,  voters in the Hastings Area School district narrowly passed a bond proposal by just one percentage point, 4619 YES to 4501 NO.

 

The bond is poised to generate $24.8 million in revenue to fund district-wide improvements with an estimated zero-percent tax rate increase over the current rate. The projects were identified through a comprehensive, district-wide facilities study conducted this past spring that included input from all stakeholders, from administration and teachers to families and support staff. These projects aim to create a learning environment that is safer, more efficient, and more practical.

 

“The results of Tuesday’s election are just one of the many ways we see our community show up for our district and its students all the time,” said Superintendent Nick Damico. “We are beyond thankful for the support that voters showed us during this crucial ballot proposal, but we also acknowledge the many ways that countless individuals, organizations, and businesses chip in to help us build successful Saxons on a daily basis.”

 

The project list targets the highest priority improvements cited by the facilities study, including:
- Safety and security: Improving secure entryways at all schools, adding security glazing film, replacing PA systems, and replacing fire alarm systems.
- Facilities and infrastructure: Improving aging and overcrowded kitchen spaces at all elementary schools, improving parking and traffic flow, renovating high school restrooms, increasing stadium bleacher capacity, and replacing the aging bus fleet.
- Academic and learning spaces: Modernizing classroom environments for core academic subjects at the high school, and improving Career and Technical Education (CTE) and hands-on learning spaces at both the middle school and high school.

This decision by voters comes on the heels of a successful bond passed in 2023, which funded three years of campus-wide improvements, including new roofing, updated playgrounds, and new locker rooms, among many other projects. The full scope of the 2023 projects was completed slightly under budget, a feat that the district aims to replicate.

“A lot of hard work goes into identifying our facility needs and educating our district families about school funding and how bonds fit into that process. However, the work on our end is just beginning,” Damico added. “We look forward to bringing our families along for the ride with updates via social media, newsletters, and more, as we tackle these upcoming projects with our sights set on both transparency and fiscal responsibility. We’re dedicated to affirming with our taxpayers that we are good stewards of their funds.”

 

School Board Election:

Kevin Dickinson,  Luke Haywood, and Darrell Slaughter were elected to 6 year terms on the Hastings Board of Education, while Brad Tolles will serve a partial term ending 12/31/2028.

 

A factory building is re-opened following a mercury spill on Tuesday.  Barry Eaton District Health Department reported Wednesday morning the unidentified building has been cleared by HAZMAT and is safe to resume operations.

 

In a social media post Tuesday evening, the Barry Eaton District Health Department said "BEDHD was made aware of a mercury spill at a factory in Hastings, MI. The building has been evacuated while we identify where the mercury vapor might be present. We are working with local community partners to assess the building and make sure it is safe for workers to return."

 

The news post went on to say "We will continue to provide updates to the community as we are able to", however the Health Department did not identify what factory was evacuated.  It said "The health and safety of the workers and community are our top priority."

The Hastings Department of Public Service crews will resume leaf pickup on Wednesday, November 4, beginning at W. Court St. and S. Washington St., heading south and east.

 

 

Bradford White workers will soon return to the production line following a majority voted over the weekend to accept a new contract proposal.

 

According to union officials, some 58.6% of the nearly 1300 UAW Local 1002 union members at the Middleville plant voted Sunday to approve the labor agreement, bringing an end to their strike that began September 16^th.

 

The company reportedly called it their best and final offer,  with terms similar to an offer that was rejected just over a week ago, but included bonuses of $250 for new hires and $500 for other existing workers. Details of the new agreement have not yet been made public.