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SAND LAKE — Voters in Nelson Township and the village of Sand Lake will head to the polls May 5 to decide whether to dissolve the village government and whether to approve a fire millage increase, two measures that follow weeks of leadership turnover and debate over fire protection. The disincorporation proposal asks whether incorporation of the Village of Sand Lake should be vacated. The measure requires a two‑thirds majority of yes votes to pass, with ballots from township and village residents combined. Because village residents are electors of Nelson Township, all voters will cast ballots at The Gathering Place, 18 W. Lake St., from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Gathering Place - Sand Lake, MI If approved, the village would dissolve and Nelson Township would take on its governmental responsibilities. It would be the first time in the state’s recorded history that a village has disincorporated, marking a milestone for the state. The ballot questions come after a wave of resignations left the village without a quorum. Village President Mollie Doerr and council members Cherrie Camilleri, Jack Christensen, Kim Latham and Kevin Wright resigned, along with members of the Planning Commission and Finance Director‑Treasurer Tyler Kaiser. Days later, the village appointed five new council members, restoring its ability to conduct business. Former village president Dan Hula was appointed to lead the new council, which also includes Ken Johnson, Justin Van Ettin, Maggie Merritt and Abbey Shirey. Chris Stieg, one of two remaining council members at the time, presided over the transition meeting. During that meeting, the newly seated council unanimously approved a 10‑year agreement with Nelson Township for fire protection services. Under the deal, Nelson Township will assume control of the Sand Lake Fire Department through a contract valued at roughly $500,000 over 10 years, including equipment, trucks and liquid assets. The arrangement equates to about $50,000 per year for fire coverage, with terms to be renegotiated at the end of the contract. The council also approved a $40,000 budget allocation for firefighters, releasing funds that had already been included in the village budget. Nelson Township Supervisor Robyn Britton called the agreement beneficial for the broader community and said it ensures continued fire service in Sand Lake as the township works with neighboring communities to strengthen regional coverage. In a separate but related ballot proposal, Nelson Township voters will consider increasing the fire millage to 1.5 mills, or $1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value, for four years from 2026 through 2029. If approved, the millage is projected to generate $314,343 in its first year to support operations, equipment and facilities for the township fire department. The disincorporation proposal was placed on the ballot after resident Samantha Gore gathered signatures. Gore said while she views the new council’s actions on fire protection as a positive step, she continues to support dissolving the village, citing concerns about past governance and long‑term stability, including debt left over by the previous administration. With a newly appointed council in place and a fire services agreement secured, Sand Lake has regained short‑term operational stability. The May 5 election will determine whether the village continues as an incorporated municipality or transitions fully under township oversight, and how fire protection will be funded in the years ahead.

This week, the school board voted to demolish the Hilltop building. I know you already know, but I had to begin this editorial somehow. I covered the decision and wrote about the costs, the planning and what comes next. But what has stayed with me isn't so much the vote itself as the thought of all the days that building held. One hundred years is a long time for any structure to stand in place. Long enough for generations to pass through it without thinking much about the fact that they were part of a long line. My own grandmother graduated high school at Hilltop, and my parents attended junior high there. So when I say generations, I mean literal generations. It's not hard to imagine the rhythm of life inside those walls. Mornings when kids walked in with brand new backpacks at the start of the school year, nervous but pretending not to be. Afternoons when the final bell sent everyone out the doors in a rush. Random Tuesdays that no one remembers clearly now, but once felt important in the way only childhood days can. If you attended school at Hilltop, you probably don't remember everything. But you may remember fragments, such as a teacher’s voice or how it would get decorated around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Personally, I remember the way the building seemed enormous when I was young and somehow smaller once I grew. So, that's what strikes me. The days gone by that were held within the building. Not the vote. The vote was, quite honestly, unsurprising despite the lingering sentimentality of it all. But sentimentality comes at a price. And Cedar Springs has never been a community that approves spending easily. Looking back over the past twenty years, school related bond proposals have often struggled unless residents were convinced they were absolutely necessary. In 2007, an operating millage increase failed with 49.15 percent voting yes. In 2011, a sinking fund was rejected at 47.91 percent before passing the following year at just 50.62 percent. Again, in 2019, a construction bond received only 43.64 percent support and failed, only to pass in 2020 with a mere 50.21 percent. Even just this past November, a regional enhancement proposal fell short at 47.42 percent. Courtesy of CSPS Superintendent Scott Smith If that pattern says anything about this town, it's this: Cedar Springs requires convincing and is not quick to approve new spending. Nor does it consist of sentimental voters. When viewed in that light, the decision about Hilltop doesn't feel so sudden anymore. It feels like the end of a conversation that has been circling for decades...and it has. The question of whether it could or should be saved is not new. In 1985, former Bugle founder and publisher Niels Andersen wrote, “Why A New School? Can’t Hill Top [sic] Be Saved?” He went on to argue that the building was sturdy and could stand for another 60 years. Even then, the tension between preservation of sentiment and practicality was present. A building can hold thousands of small, unremarkable days, and those days subtly shape lives. The children who once moved through those hallways are adults now. Some of them have children of their own attending school in other buildings like Beach or Cedar View. And today, those buildings are holding thousands of small, unremarkable days, subtly shaping the lives of those who attend. Hilltop stayed in place while everything changed around it. Now it will change too. When Hilltop eventually comes down, it will leave only a new skyline. Not the memories of the people who passed through it. No, those will remain in conversations, in old photographs, at the invaluable resource of the Cedar Springs Museum which you should all be visiting, and in the simple sentence, “I went to school there.” That’s it. There is no dramatic lesson here. Just the recognition that places matter because of what happened inside them, not because they last forever. Time does not pause while we decide how we feel about it. It keeps moving. Hilltop had a long chapter in Cedar Springs. One might say it finally reached the top of the hill. I’ll resist going any further with that. Regardless, it seems that now is the time to turn the page in the school's and the town's history. Just like they did one hundred years ago.

WEST MICHIGAN — Foreclosure activity is climbing across the country, but West Michigan, including Cedar Springs and much of Kent County, remains comparatively steady. Nationally, foreclosure filings increased in March compared with both the previous month and a year earlier, signaling what housing analysts call a post-pandemic normalization. While filings are rising, experts say the numbers are still far below the levels seen during the Great Recession. Michigan, meanwhile, has seen overall improvement since 2023, when the state recorded about 12,490 foreclosures. Filings declined sharply in 2024 and continued to ease through 2025. Analysts project roughly 950 filings statewide in 2026 if current conditions hold. In early 2026, Michigan ranked 25th nationally in foreclosure rate, with about one filing for every 3,907 housing units. Most cases remain concentrated in larger metro areas. Kent County has not ranked among the state’s hardest-hit regions, though neighboring Montcalm County has reported higher foreclosure rates in recent comparisons. The relative stability in West Michigan comes at a time when many households are feeling squeezed. Inflation remains elevated, interest rates are high and borrowing costs continue to weigh on homeowners. Gas prices and everyday essentials are stretching family budgets, making it harder for some to keep up with monthly payments. Still, strong home equity and tighter lending standards have helped prevent a broader spike in distress locally. In Michigan, the foreclosure process begins after missed payments and includes a sheriff’s sale followed by a six-month redemption period in most cases. For Cedar Springs residents, the message is one of cautious reassurance. While national numbers are rising and economic pressures persist, West Michigan’s housing market has so far remained on steadier ground.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — The Solon Township Planning Commission took a more measured tone Wednesday night as it held a public hearing on a proposed rezoning along Algoma Avenue, ultimately voting to table the decision to allow for additional public notice.

CEDAR SPRINGS — With less than a week remaining before the application deadline, interest in the two vacant Cedar Springs City Council seats and one open Planning Commission seat appears modest. As of this week, city officials have received two applications total for the two council openings and the Planning Commission seat. The City of Cedar Springs began accepting applications after the April 9, 2026 council meeting, when members unanimously voted to accept the resignations of Brayden Marvel and Alice Rudy. Marvel stepped down after relocating outside the district. Rudy’s resignation came during the meeting, citing personal and family reasons. The departures leave two council seats open with terms expiring in November 2027 and November 2028. City officials have emphasized the importance of filling the seats promptly to ensure a full governing body. Applications will be accepted through Monday, April 27, 2026 at noon. Applicants must: Live within Cedar Springs city limits Provide a utility bill as proof of residency Submit a resume Provide a cover letter explaining their interest in serving Complete the city’s Boards and Commissions application Materials may be emailed to City Manager Darla Falcon at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org or mailed to PO Box 310, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Public interviews are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2026, during a special meeting at the new City Hall located at 130 W. Muskegon St. In addition to the council openings, the city is also seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission, the body responsible for reviewing zoning matters, development proposals and long-term planning initiatives. City leaders have repeatedly stressed the importance of civic participation. “We need residents who are willing to make a difference and take an active role in shaping our community,” Mayor Lisa Atchison said during the April 9 meeting. With only three applications received so far for three open seats, city officials say there is still time for residents who have considered serving to step forward. The appointments will shape city leadership through at least the next two years, including budget decisions, infrastructure planning, zoning matters and community priorities. For more information or to access the Boards and Commissions application, visit www.cityofcedarsprings.org or contact City Hall at (616) 696‑1330. The deadline is approaching quickly. For residents who have ever thought about getting involved, the window to do so is now.

CEDAR SPRINGS – Cedar Springs’ Hilltop school building is turning 100 this year, and once again the school board is in a position to decide what to do with it.

I’ve spent enough evenings at City Hall over the last several months since taking over The Bugle that I don’t really think about it anymore when I grab my notebook and head out the door. It’s just part of the process. Most nights it’s a mix of council members, a few staff, and, at best, a handful of residents who decided that whatever was on the agenda was worth their time. There’s usually a quiet murmur before things begin, council members catching up or asking a quick question, and then everyone settles in and the work starts. It has yet to feel dramatic, though drama is not what I would expect. When I covered the discussions about the new City Hall, the conversations stretched across months. There were practical questions about costs and long term needs. Nobody stormed out or gave a speech that will end up in a history book. People asked questions, sometimes circled back to the same concerns, and eventually a decision was made because the people at the table had to make one. I saw the same thing during the talks about downtown improvements with the Downtown Development Authority. Progress came slowly, in fact, it's still moving along. It came because certain residents, in this case, local business owners, kept showing up, even when the crowd was thin and the topic was technical. You could see the fatigue some days. You could also see the commitment. A couple weeks ago I reported on the two open seats on the City Council and the opening on the Planning Commission. Those vacancies are chairs that will be filled by whoever is willing to step forward and take on the responsibility. Around the same time, we covered the closing of the Chamber of Commerce. That story stayed with me. This iteration of the Chamber had been part of the community for fourteen years, organizing events and supporting local businesses. In the end, it wasn’t a scandal or a single bad decision that shut it down. It was the slow reality that there weren’t enough people able... or let's face it, willing to carry it anymore. That’s the part of community life we don’t always talk about; though we're pretty committed to keeping it in the spotlight here at The Bugle . Things continue when people invest in them. Participation dries up when people condemn loudly what they are unwilling to improve. When residents shrink from the hard work of construction, yet are tireless in the easy work of contempt. From where I sit, literally in the back row most nights, it’s clear that the future of Cedar Springs is shaped by whoever decides to be present. Not in a grand, sweeping way, but in constant, practical decisions about budgets, zoning, services, and priorities. The fact is...the future belongs to those who show up.

CEDAR SPRINGS - Cedar Springs and nearby communities are drying out and cleaning up after Tuesday night’s severe storms brought destructive winds, flooding, and heavy rain, with another round of storms expected before conditions begin to improve this weekend. Wind gusts near 80 mph ripped through parts of West Michigan Tuesday night, downing limbs and scattering debris across neighborhoods in and around Cedar Springs. Standing water lingered through midweek as already saturated ground struggled to absorb nearly continuous rainfall. Cedar Creek at Main St Bridge, Cedar Springs. Photo credit: Kristen's Flashback Photography Closer to home, area creeks pushed beyond their banks. Cedar Creek in Cedar Springs, Nash Creek in Sparta, and Ball Creek in Kent City all experienced partial flooding, sending water into low lying yards and fields and soaking parks and natural areas that line the waterways. Nash Creek at Rogers Park, Sparta. Photo credit: Kristen's Flashback Photography Another storm system is expected to move through West Michigan tonight into early Saturday. Forecasters say there is a low risk for strong to severe storms, but damaging winds and large hail remain the main threats. A low pressure system will move into the area between 11 p.m. and 9 a.m. Friday night into Saturday morning, with the heaviest rain expected from midnight to 4 a.m. The system is forecast to bring just over an inch of additional rain, which will fall on already saturated ground and keep local flooding a concern. Rivers, including the Muskegon River, are expected to crest over the next 48 hours. In a statement sent to The Bugle this week, Consumers Energy said its 13 hydroelectric dams continue to operate safely despite surging rivers and flooding across the state. The company said it is closely monitoring water levels while assuring customers that the dams are serving Michigan safely and reliably. One of the longer term concerns around the West Michigan area is the impact on farmers who are waiting for fields to dry out so they can begin spring work. The Bugle spoke with local farmer Dave Johnson, who said the repeated rounds of rain have kept equipment idle. “I bought a new disk for this season, and it's just sitting along with the tractor. Nothing is moving because the ground is way too wet and there is more rain coming,” Johnson said. “That is just farming, I guess. You wait for the fields to be ready and work on other things to make sure you are good to go when the time is right.” The good news, forecasters say, is that after this system moves through in the next 48 hours, conditions should begin to settle down, bringing some much needed relief to Cedar Springs and surrounding communities that have spent the week drying out basements and watching the creeks rise.

CEDAR SPRINGS - Creative Technologies Academy has announced Keaton Kindy as valedictorian and Olivia Davenport as salutatorian for the Class of 2026, recognizing two students who have spent nearly their entire school careers as Chargers. Kindy, a 13 year CTA student, said he is honored to serve his classmates as valedictorian after years of academic achievement and leadership on campus. Keaton Kindy - photo courtesy of CTA He has been a consistent high achiever in the classroom, earning membership in National Honor Society, a place on CTA’s Honor Roll, and repeated recognition on the Grand Rapids Community College Dean’s List through dual enrollment. Since 10th grade, Kindy has been enrolled at GRCC through the LaunchU program while also completing coursework through Ferris State University. He is on track to earn his associate degree in mechanical engineering next year. Along with his academic work, Kindy has been a familiar face in student leadership. He attended the Leader Summit at Ferris State University as a junior and participated in leadership conferences throughout ninth, 10th, and 11th grades. During his senior year he was selected as part of CTA’s Homecoming Royalty. On the court and field, Kindy played soccer for two years and basketball for five years, serving as captain for one season in each sport. Some of his favorite memories, he said, come from school dances with friends. “I am always the first one on the dance floor,” Kindy said, adding that those events helped define his time at CTA. Outside of school, he enjoys thrifting, playing video games, and snowboarding. Faith is at the center of his plans and his free time. “Most importantly, I enjoy worshiping the Lord,” he said. This summer, Kindy will serve as a camp counselor in Nebraska, where he hopes to share his love for Jesus with young people. Looking ahead, he plans to continue in ministry with the goal of becoming a youth pastor or taking part in missionary outreach. “I am grateful for my time at CTA and proud to be a Charger,” Kindy said. Davenport, also a 13 year CTA student, has been named salutatorian. She has balanced a strong academic record with musical talent and creative hobbies. Olivia Davenport - photo courtesy of CTA Davenport is a member of National Honor Society and will graduate having earned more than 24 college credits, giving her a head start on her degree. Her favorite memories at CTA have come on stage with the school orchestra, performing for friends, family, and staff. “My favorite moment at CTA has been my orchestra concerts and being able to play in front of people I know,” Davenport said. Outside of class, she enjoys nail art, making jewelry, and playing the violin. Music remains a big part of her life, and she shared that her favorite band is Twenty One Pilots. After graduation, Davenport plans to attend Ferris State University to study diagnostic medical sonography, preparing for a career in medical imaging and patient care. School leaders said both students represent the character and commitment CTA hopes to inspire. With commencement approaching, Kindy and Davenport will lead their classmates across the stage, closing 13 years at Creative Technologies Academy and beginning the next chapter of their academic and personal journeys.

A few days ago, we reported on the two open seats on the Cedar Springs City Council. There’s also an open seat on the Planning Commission. On paper, it reads like normal city business. Resignations were accepted. Applications are now open. Interviews will soon be scheduled, and the calendar moves forward. Sitting in that council meeting, though, it felt a little more personal than procedural. Council members took a moment to thank Brayden Marvel and Alice Rudy for their service before voting to accept their resignations. You could see in the council member’s expressions the moment they realized that two people who deeply cared about their community would no longer be there on the second Thursday of each month. There was an understanding in that room. A realization that when someone steps away, there is more left behind than an empty chair. These roles matter. Not so much in a dramatic way, and not in a way that always draws a crowd, as evidenced by the empty chairs at the meeting. No, these roles matter in the consistent work of shaping what Cedar Springs looks like a year from now and ten years from then. The planning commission reviews development and long-term growth. The council sets policy. Those decisions show up in everything we see in our town; in the little neighborhoods held there within, in our main street businesses, in the way our downtown continues to evolve. They affect daily life more than most people realize. It’s easy to watch local government from a distance. Meetings are livestreamed and agendas are publicly posted online. Many people watch it from a distance. Many don’t even do that. Commentary often appears on social media by those who don’t watch local government, even from a distance. They speak as if criticism is virtue and treat cynicism as though it were wisdom. Participating, however, is different. It means reading through packets that are not always exciting. It means listening to residents who may disagree with one another. It means weighing tradeoffs and making a decision that will not please everyone in the room. After covering city hall for a while, one thing has become clear to me. The people serving are not there because it is convenient. They are there because at some point they decided they cared enough to list their name on the roster. Now there are open seats. The application deadline is April 27. Interviews are to be scheduled for May 7 at the new City Hall on Muskegon Street. The process is straightforward and the commitment is real. If you have ever wondered how decisions are actually made in this town, this is one of those moments when you can move from wondering to being a part of it. The truth is someone will fill those seats. To that effect, I will share a very brief statement from a speech I wrote in 2025 titled, “Citizenship Fulfilled” “If decent people withdraw from responsibility, then responsibility will not remain unclaimed. It will be seized by the careless, by the self-serving, by the fanatical, by those who enjoy power for its own sake. This is not a matter of politics. It is a matter of character.” It might be someone who has lived here for decades. It might be someone newer to town. It might be someone who has been quietly paying attention for years and finally feels ready. In any case, the seats will be filled. However it unfolds, this is what local citizenship looks like in real time. We’re going from theoretical idea to a chair at a table, a packet to review, and a vote that carries weight. Until then, there remains a chance to step in.

SOLON TOWNSHIP — Around 5:04 p.m. Friday, the Solon Township Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire in the 3600 block of Solon Road at the corner of Solon and Edgerton roads.

CEDAR SPRINGS — The Cedar Springs City Council is accepting applications to fill two vacant council seats. On April 9, 2026, the council voted unanimously to accept the resignations of Brayden Marvel and Alice Rudy. Marvel stepped down after moving with his family outside the district. Rudy’s resignation came as a surprise during the meeting, when she asked the council to accept her resignation, citing personal and family reasons. Council members offered statements of appreciation for both officials before voting to accept their departures. The vacancies leave two open seats with terms expiring in November 2027 and November 2028. City officials have opened an application process to appoint replacements who will serve the remainder of those terms. Applicants must be residents currently living within the Cedar Springs city limits and must be able to provide a utility bill as proof of residency. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter explaining their interest in serving, and a completed Boards and Commissions application. Applications will be accepted through April 27, 2026, and may be submitted to City Manager Darla Falcon by email at manager@cityofcedarsprings.org or by mail to PO Box 310, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Public interviews with applicants are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2026, during a special meeting at the new City Hall, 130 Muskegon St. The Boards and Commissions application is available on the city’s website, www.cityofcedarsprings.org, or in person at the current City Hall, 66 S. Main St. City leaders emphasized the importance of civic engagement and maintaining a full council. “We need residents who are willing to make a difference and take an active role in shaping our community, rather than limiting their involvement to social media commentary,” mayor Lisa Atchison said. She added that council service provides an opportunity to participate in informed discussions, vote on issues affecting the city and make a meaningful difference in local government. Council member Rose Powell said the council chamber is where substantive decisions are made. “This is the place to deal with the facts, not Facebook,” Powell said. “It’s where we deal with the laws, the budget, and we have a fabulous city staff that helps us. It’s our wonderful little city and we want to keep it that way.” City Manager Darla Falcon said a full council is essential to the city’s operations and policy direction. “Being a city council member is so important,” Falcon said. “We need a full board, and the different ideas that sets policy for the whole town. It’s important for my staff and I to have a full board so they can all have different opinions about what we’re putting in policy, we get our direction from them. They set the policies and my staff and I carry them out.” With two seats now open, the city says the appointments will play a key role in ensuring continued community representation in the months and year ahead.