Two Hillsdale nonprofits and their founder have filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Hillsdale, alleging city officials illegally blocked housing for people recovering from substance abuse. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys with Robin Wagner Law PLLC and Hurwitz Law PLLC based in Ann Arbor, claims the city violated the Fair Housing Act, the...
Author: Sydney Green (Sydney Green)
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City zoning board denies HOPE Harbor appeal
The Hillsdale Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request from a proposed sober living home to operate in a business district during its Feb. 11 meeting. HOPE Harbor — which stands for Hillsdale Opportunity Promoting Empowerment — is the new name for a sober transitional housing facility that its director, Melissa “Missy” DesJardin, hopes to...
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Spalding urges educators to encourage patriotism
Teachers must encourage their students to love America by capturing their imagination, said Matthew Spalding, dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government in a talk at Hillsdale’s main campus Feb. 9 “The good life is one that calls us to rightly order our loves, and the Declaration of Independence is part of our...
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New city engineer aims to cut costs
Hillsdale’s new city engineer, Rob Stiverson. Courtesy | Rob Stiverson After several months without a permanent city engineer, the City of Hillsdale filled the position last September with a familiar face and a seasoned resume. Rob Stiverson, a Hillsdale County native with more than 30 years of civil engineering experience, stepped into the role with...
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City denies HOPE Harbor’s request for fine forgiveness
The Hillsdale City Council denied HOPE Harbor’s request on Monday to forgive a $2,834 fine issued after the city ordered the removal of its tent in October. “I have learned from the past that leniency on taxes leads to more leniency on taxes,” Ward 4 Councilman Robert Socha said. “If we keep being lenient, we...