By John Raffel
Correspondent
ALLEGAN – Allegan County Board of Commissioners chairmnan Jim Storey reports that during the last session of the current legislature, the Michigan House of Representatives approved a bill putting a third circuit judge in Allegan County.
“This is addressing the long docket delays for jury trials,” Storey said. The bill passed the House on a 98-1 vote near 1 a.m. on December 8. Earlier the Senate unanimously passed the bill that also creates a new judgeship in Kalamazoo County. The additional judgeship has been sought by the county’s judicial sector to reduce the wait time for jury trials.
“The Board of Commissioners endorsed the concept in a resolution passed at the beginning of the year. The bill now goes to the Governor for her consideration.”
If signed into law, the county’s third circuit court judge would be elected at the 2024 general election, Storey added.’
Meanwhile, Storey pointed out one of Allegan County’s key visitor destinations is the Bittersweet ski hill in Otsego.
“The past week the snow associated with Michigan in December has been scant,” Storey said. “Forecasters predict that will change this coming week, brightening the prospects of ski enthusiasts and operators alike.”