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City of Kalamazoo receives quarterly update on odor mitigation activities By Will Kriss Apr 19, 2021 9:24 PM KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo City Commissioners has received a quarterly update regarding the ongoing odor mitigation strategy for Graphics Packaging International (GPI), as well as the city wastewater treatment facility. Residents have previously said that the foul odors have been a nuisance and health risk for years. Complaints have also been made regarding odors from the city wastewater treatment plant, which sits along the Kalamazoo River. Should the company not show any significant progress, or is found to not be operating in compliance with the agreement, the City of Kalamazoo could rescind the tax break if it chooses. ....
As stimulus flows, Kalamazoo already has experience spending millions Updated Mar 31, 2021; Posted Mar 31, 2021 Loy Norrix students board the Kalamazoo Metro Transit 12-Duke line along East Kilgore Road in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. Joel Bissell | MLive.com Facebook Share KALAMAZOO, MI Looking around Kalamazoo, the impacts of the Foundation for Excellence are visible, though some will not be fully realized for years. The foundation, formed after Kalamazoo received millions of dollars in donations beginning in 2016, is meant to fund projects to benefit residents and the city, with a plan to continue on forever. The funds are designated to be spent in three areas: to offset a portion of taxes for property owners, to add money to the city budget, and for aspirational projects. ....
Credit Andy Robins / WMUK Kalamazoo is cutting its ties to Southwest Michigan First. City commissioners pulled out of the regional economic development agency on Monday February 15. The decision comes after Southwest Michigan First picked former State House speaker Lee Chatfield as its new CEO. City Commissioner Erin Knott says Chatfield, a Republican, isn t the kind of person the city wants or needs. Chatfield ran on division, not unity. Seeing an opportunity to take extreme positions to win a seat by challenging the establishment, he aligned himself with the Tea Party. Knott is the head of the group Equality Michigan. It fought Chatfield s opposition to expanding Michigan s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBTQ people when he was in office. ....
Kalamazoo, MI, USA / WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo | 590 AM · 106.9 FM Feb 15, 2021 11:33 PM Kalamazoo City Commissioners meet virtually on 2/15/21. (Photo courtesy of City of Kalamazoo via Zoom Meeting). The measure to do so was introduced by Commissioner Erin Knott, who also serves as the Executive Director of Equality Michigan. She said that she had received several communications on the matter prior to the meeting. “He was a champion against equality, I’ve mentioned this, you’ve heard some of that from news reports and people that have called in this evening,” Knott said. “Mr. Chatfield simply did not hold anti-DEI positions, he positioned himself to be a leader against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” ....
Kalamazoo commissioners cancel membership with Southwest Michigan First over CEO selection Updated Feb 16, 2021; KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission has distanced itself from Southwest Michigan First after the organization hired a new CEO with a high-profile political resume and views that commissioners say they do not agree with. Former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield has been hired as CEO of the economic development nonprofit Southwest Michigan First, the organization announced on Thursday, Feb. 11. At the Kalamazoo City Commission meeting on Monday, Feb. 15, Commissioner Erin Knott made the motion that the city withdraw from Southwest Michigan First’s Council of 100, which includes other entities such as Western Michigan University, Bronson HealthCare, Millennium Restaurant Group, Greenleaf Trust, Stryker, and others, according to the Southwest Michigan First web site. ....