Federal Judge turns down Champagnes motions
At a hearing in Federal District Court in Detroit on Monday afternoon Judge Marianne O. Battani turned down two motions brought by the attorney of fired Van Buren Township public[…]
Wayne County Elections Commission rejects VBT recall wording
On Friday, July 10, 2009, the Wayne County Elections Commission rejected the recall language submitted against Van Buren Township Supervisor Paul White. Recall supporters then withdrew the petitions against Clerk[…]
Belleville Police Chief: Strawberry Festival should be cancelled
Belleville Police Chief Gene Taylor told the City Council on Monday that Strawberry Festival should be cancelled in the future because of the mob of 1,500 that overwhelmed police and[…]
Belleville’s new city manager misstates holding PhD degree
The Belleville City Council hired a fast-talking city manager with neither education nor experience, but with a penchant for stretching the truth. During his March 14 interview for the job[…]
Michigan Tax Tribunal decision costs VBT some $270,000 in tax income
On Sept. 12, the Michigan Tax Tribunal ordered big tax relief to Ecorse Belleville LLC for Van Buren Township tax assessments in 2006 and 2007. VBT Clerk Joannie Payne said[…]
City Council selects six candidates for city manager interviews
The Belleville City Council met in a brief special session on Monday to discuss the 27 candidates they have for the vacant city manager’s position. The council, plus a representative[…]
Assault, police action punctuate raucous VBT board meeting
Van Buren Township Police Sgt. Charles Bazzy charged into a melee in the audience at the June 2 meeting of the VBT Board of Trustees and came out dragging a[…]
VBT board meeting spins out of control over Champagne firing
Van Buren Township’s regular June 2 board meeting turned into a rally for fired Public Safety Director Jerry Champagne, who spoke about five different times during the public comment period[…]
Michael Bush bound over for trial in murder of Frances Cothern
Michael Bush, 25, of Sumpter Township was bound over to circuit court for trial following a two-hour preliminary exam June 3 before Judge Brian Oakley in 34th District Court. Bush[…]
VBT board holds appeals hearing: Champagne still fired
After an eight-and-a-half-hour appeals hearing that began Tuesday evening (June 23, 2009) to consider Jerry Champagne’s firing, the Van Buren Township Board voted 4-3 against his reinstatement. It was the board[…]
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