Bond proposals, pot top W Mich ballots

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Voters in Kalamazoo may, in essence, decriminalize pot while they choose a new city commission and mayor when they go to the polls next Tuesday.

All seven seats on the Kalamazoo City Commission are up for re-election, and all the incumbents are running. A total of 13 candidates plus a write-in will vie for those seven seats, and the top vote-getter becomes mayor.

Kalamazoo voters could also amend the city charter to make the use and/or consumption of one ounce or less of usable marijuana by people at least 21 years old the lowest priority for law enforcement.

School bond proposals are on the ballot for Mattawan and Kent County.

The Mattawan proposal would build two new elementary schools along with improvements at other buildings. The $59.9 million bond would cost a person whose home has a taxable value of $100,000 an extra $340.

Northview Public Schools in Kent County has two proposals on the ballot. "Proposal 1 asks for $31.6 million for academic, technology and safety improvements through renovations and additions to existing facilities," Superintendent Mike Paskewicz said. "Proposal 2 asks for $11.9 million for replacement of the 40-year-old pool, conversion of existing pool space to a fitness/exercise gym and improvements to other athletic facilities.

"Due to restructuring of existing debt, the tax increase if both proposals pass would be 3.73 mills (Proposal 1 - 2.68 mills, Proposal 2 - 1.05 mills).

"A homeowner with an annual household income of $40,000 living in a $50,000 taxable value home, who is under 65 years of age, and itemizes state and federal taxes will have a net tax increase of $65.76 per year if both proposals pass.

"A tax calculator is available on the district webpage so that voters may plug in their own values and get a sound estimate of the tax increase."

And in Newaygo, residents who live in the northwest quarter of the city would become residents of Garfield Township if voters OK redesignating 680 acres of land -- about 30% of the city.

Stay with 24 Hour News 8 for all your election coverage.