Two candidates in the fast-approaching August 6 primary election attended the Coloma City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, July 22, 2024 at Coloma City Hall. Current Berrien County Sheriff, Chuck Heit, and Berrien County Treasurer Shelly Weich attended the meeting to promote their re-election campaigns.
Sheriff Heit’s career highlights
Sheriff Chuck Heit started his career in law enforcement in 1993 after being hired by the Buchanan Police Department. He left the BPD in late 1993 to join the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office where he initially served as jail deputy and evidence technician. He also served as a member of the Tactical Response Unit and on Berrien County Road Control.
Heit then left the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 to become New Buffalo’s Chief of Police before returning in 2001, where he served as undersheriff for 21 years, under retired Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey. Bailey retired in 2023 after serving 45 years in law enforcement and 23 years as Berrien County’s Sheriff. Heit said that his days as undersheriff and experience he gained in his early days at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office give him an advantage over other candidates.
“During those years as an undersheriff, I gained a great deal of administrative experience and got to know the day-to-day operations,” Heit said.
The graduate of the FBI National Academy added that he has been endorsed by Sheriff Bailey and is confident in his administration.
“I’m very proud of the men and women who work at the sheriff’s office. We have a new administration who will move things forward the best they can for the residents of Berrien County and we are asking for your support and vote on August 6th.”
Weich runs for a second term
Berrien County Treasurer Shelly Weich is also running for re-election. The Stevensville native, who now lives in Baroda, joined the Berrien County Treasurer’s Office in 2007, auditing homestead exemptions. As a result of her work, Berrien County schools received millions of dollars due to invalid exemptions.
“Due to finding the invalid homestead exemptions, we generated over 10 million dollars for the local schools. That program still continues today at my office and I have a full-time person who handles that for the Treasurer’s Office,” she said.
Weich became Berrien County’s deputy treasurer in 2010 before obtaining the title of treasurer as a result of the 2020 election. Weich added that her office strives to avoid tax foreclosures, something that continues to be relevant in Berrien County but was particularly so during the pandemic.
“Our tax foreclosure numbers have gone down over the years due to the fact that we do payment plans, we’ve had government funding come through, especially during the COVID pandemic came about which helped a number of citizens keep themselves in their homes and that’s our goal,” she said.
Weich went on to stress how important Berrien County voters are to the Treasurer’s Office.
“We don’t make the tax bill, we don’t lower the tax bill, we can’t heighten the tax bill, that is all up to all of you as voters—what goes on with the tax bills, school bonds, public safety, and parks and such. I have the support of all the local treasurers, many municipal leaders as well, banking officers and many people in the community and I would appreciate your support and vote.”
Stevensville resident Margaret Fife is running against Weich in the August 6 election. It was later announced by Coloma City Clerk Kelly Clements that the polling location for the August 6 election will take place at the Coloma Public Library from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Baker Street parking
A conversation about parking on Baker Street was also continued from the commission’s last meeting. Coloma City Police Chief Wes Smigielski attended the meeting on July 8 to express concerns over the public’s right to park on Baker Street, which is known to many as the alleyway between Subway and Keep Me in Mind.
According to Coloma City Mayor Marsha Hammond, Chief Smigielski submitted a formal report to the council about the issue that was then looked over by Coloma City Attorney, Jessica Fette. Upon her review, Fette found that she does not think the city has the authority to close that portion of the street because the alleyway is considered private property.
“Because it is private property, our police force cannot police it or write any type of a ticket or anything. If there is a truck parked there, the only ones who can tell them to move are the two owners,” Mayor Hammond said. “If there is someone parked there, the police cannot ticket it, remove it, or tow it away—it’s a unique situation.”
Mayor Hammond added that the city asked the owner of that property many years ago if the owners would be willing to split Baker Street with the city; however, the owners declined the offer when it was presented to them. There has not been a second inquiry by the city since.
Norma Jean Sommer Splash
Pad update
Mayor Hammond later gave updates about the annual Glad-Peach Festival which is planned to take place from August 2 through 4 in downtown Coloma. Hammond said that the city will have a float in the yearly parade and will be used to advertise the future Norma Jean Sommer Splash Pad at Randall Park, as well as its contributors.
Hammond added that there will be a news conference at the site of the Splash Pad at Randall Park on July 31 at 4 p.m. The conference is open to the public.
“We are going to send the thermometer up to the top and announce that we will be having a groundbreaking and we will be working on putting a splash pad there. We have met our goals thanks to many so we’re pretty excited about it,” she said.
In other city news
Downtown Development Authority member Chana Kniebes announced that the North Berrien Community Development (NBCD) and the Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce (CWACC) are still looking for participants for their annual Community Golf Outing. Participants are not limited to members of the DDA, NBCD, or the CWACC. A $60 registration fee includes food for the day, equipment, and golf cart rental. There must be four people per team to participate.
Coloma Library Director Mary Harrison gave an update on rules for the kids scavenger hunt that will take place during the Glad-Peach Festival. Local businesses have agreed to participate in the scavenger hunt by putting peaches made of paper with words on them in their storefront windows. Children who go to all participating businesses and solve the word puzzle can turn in their findings at the Coloma Public Library during their book sale on Saturday, August 3.
Harrison also spotlighted the return of a science exhibit that will be sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the Coloma Public Library. Harrison said that initially, the library expected the new exhibit to come in September but has now been moved to August. The last NASA exhibit, From Our Town to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond, was displayed at the Coloma Public Library in 2022.
“We’ll be setting up another wonderful display and setting up equipment to prepare,” she said. Harrison added that the library will be closed for one day in the coming weeks to get the exhibit situated. That date is yet to be determined.
Mayor Pro-Temp, Linda Freitag gave an update about the North Berrien Fire Rescue pancake breakfast with eggs and sausage that will take place at the Coloma fire station at 170 Washington Ave. on Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. Additionally, there will be free games and crafts available for children.
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