By Sue Moore
Because it signed a Federal government loan contract, the village of Vicksburg must opt out of any kind of retail sale of marijuana within the village, attorney Andrew Horne told the village council. That will prohibit any sale or consumption of marijuana in public places within the village.
In 2018, the village applied for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for construction of sewers scheduled this year and next. The Federal government still lists marijuana as a controlled substance even if 11 states, including Michigan, have voted to allow retail sale. In this case, state law can’t supersede federal law, Trustee Tim Frisbie said. People can grow marijuana for their own personal use but it must be within their own home – not even on their front porch, Horne told the council.
It was also announced that the annual spring clean-up that has historically allowed residents to put items out on the curbside for pickup will move to a central pick-up place in May. The trash companies that have bid on the pick-up have decided to discontinue that service.
New rental fees were set by the Council for the Historic Village gazebo from $25 to $50, with $25 refunded if everything is cleaned up. The Historic Village grounds rental will be $100, with $50 refunded if there’s no damage. Disc golf for events will be $50, with $25 refunded if all is in order. Trustee Rick Holmes suggested that a rental rate be set for the caboose at the Historic Village. He noted that it would be a great place for kids’ birthday parties.
Budget amendments occupied a good portion of Village Manager Jim Mallery’s report to the Council. He indicated the village will continue to invest in ways that will not raise tax liability for any future capital outlays. The village financial team meets each week and every three months meets to complete budget amendments. “By doing this as a staff, we capture a lot more data to plug into multi-year projections to be sure we are debt-free as the village moves forward.”
Henry Yaple, who grew up in Vicksburg and is now a resident of Powell, Wyoming, urged the council to not lose the Historic Village. “All the assets, i.e. buildings, were financed by people’s love and dedication to history. Do be careful, please.”