Saugatuck/Douglas Commercial Record

Mike’s Musings: USPS keeps raising prices while providing poorer service

Mike’s Musings: USPS keeps raising prices while providing poorer service

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20243 min read

Trouble might come with this rant, but I’ve about had it with United States Postal Service.They just recently raised the price of a postage stamp to 71 cents. It seems every year the price goes up another 5 cents. I’m…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffAug 7, 20244 min read

Pat and I have been to Paris several times, so we were eager to watch the opening of the Summer Olympics there.  We knew we would see familiar haunts, which excited us. The creativity and style of Parisians appealed to…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assisant Luke Thompson as its new city head of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing…

Ferry sinkhole closes road to beach

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20242 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor A key stretch of Ferry Street in Douglas leading north to Saugatuck’s Oval Beach, Mt. Baldhead and more will close indefinitely Friday, Aug. 2, during peak summer season. The decision, said Douglas City Manager Lisa Nocerini,…

‘Wild Heart of Saugatuck’ suits rage on

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20247 min read

By Scott Sullivan Editor Developer North Shores of Saugatuck, L.C.C. has sued Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance founding president David Swan in Allegan County Circuit Court for: • Tortious interference with contract, business relationship or business expectancy; • Civil conspiracy; and…

Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Beery

Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Beery

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20242 min read

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery.Born on Aug/ 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on July 28, 2024. He…

Obituary: Robert (Bob) Koenig

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20242 min read

Robert (Bob) Koenig passed quietly July 24, 2024, after a short illness.Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, May (Smith) Koenig, his older sister Lois Eckelman.He is survived by his brother Arthur (Bud) Paul Koenig;…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorColorsWhy do the Summer Olympic Games seem to come in the nick of time?I was 13 when the ’68 Games arrived, fresh from seeing assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy play over and on…

Summer peaks in Venetian Fest

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20244 min read

By Scott SullivanEditor“It” was about: Saugatuck intoxication and enchantment this Venetian Weekend.Seamen standing watches onboard or in ports here nights drank in cooling trade winds during nights warming to low-80s sunshine by middays.First-timers came to experience what “it,” the buzz…

‘Wild Heart’ suits rage on

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20247 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorDeveloper North Shores of Saugatuck, L.C.C. has sued Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance founding president David Swan in Allegan County Circuit Court for: Going BackNorth Shore’s latest filing dates back to when Oklahoma City natural gas magnate Aubrey McClendon…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20243 min read

The smartest thing a city can do is install sidewalk benches in its retail distract. If one of a couple wants to pop into a shop, the other can sit outside people watching.Am I looking in a mirror when I…

Mike’s Musings: Olympics should be about sports and sports only

Mike’s Musings: Olympics should be about sports and sports only

Editorial StaffJul 31, 20243 min read

I’ve been an avid fan of the Olympics since I was a pre-teen. I was glued to the TV set in my teenage years, watching the opening ceremony and most of the events. It was a tradition I have always…

Obituary: William “Bill” Beery

Obituary: William “Bill” Beery

Editorial StaffJul 30, 20242 min read

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bill Beery. Born on August 25, 1950, to Donna and Harold Beery, Bill lived a full and vibrant life until his peaceful departure on July 28, 2024.…

Festival of light, life here!

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20246 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming! The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy…

Audit shows Laktown in solid shape

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

By Jim Hayden Correspondent Laketown Township is in solid financial shape, per its recently-completed audit. Siegfried Crandall principal accountant Joshua Gabrielse presented the 2023-24 fiscal year audit to the township board Wednesday, July 10. Highlights: • Laketown’s total net position…

‘Million Dollar Quartet heat up at SCA

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

The Million Dollar Quartet — rock’n’roll legends Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — met in Memphis Dec. 4, 1956 for an epochal 1-day gig you can see re-created starting Aug. 10 at the Saugatuck Center…

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

City taps Thompson as new planning/zoning head

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20242 min read

BY SCOTT SULLIVANEDITOR Saugatuck has appointed South Haven planning and zoning assistant Luke Thompson as its new cityhead of both. As planning and zoning director, Thompson fills a post city manager Ryan Cummins has doubled in since replacing former manager…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorThe Big Wave“One in five Michiganders,” says the Vertical Cherry website, “turn to alcohol for making big financial decisions.” Well, that explains things.“Do I dare to eat a peach?” I’d say in the day, overlooking the produce aisle.…

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Venetian Fest brings back boom!

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20246 min read

To arms, legs and hearts: The Venetian Fest is coming!The community’s annual celebration of life on our waterways arrives this weekend starting with a dance party Friday, July 26 in Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park; continues Saturday with an afternoon dinghy poker…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJul 24, 20247 min read

    On Saturday the thirteen of this month, Pat and I were out along the lakeshore for beautiful evening at Ox-Bow School of the Arts.  There is not cell phone service there, so we missed hearing the news of the…

PUBLIC NOTICE
2026 ALLEGAN COUNTY PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET

The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allegan will hold a budget hearing on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for all interested citizens to comment and discuss the proposed budget.

The hearing will take place at 7:00 PM in the Board Room, County Services Building, 3283–122nd Avenue, Allegan, Michigan, to discuss the proposed budget. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. The public may also participate in the meeting/public hearing by calling 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 891 6032 7098, and Meeting Password 471420. For other options connecting to the meeting, please visit the meeting calendar website at www.allegancounty.org or contact the County Administrator’s Office.

The proposed budget may be examined online at www.allegancounty.org under News Media Room or on weekdays at the Office of the Allegan County Administrator (address below), between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. All interested citizens will have the opportunity to give written and/or oral comments.

County will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the public hearing upon one (1) week notice. Individuals requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the following in writing or by telephone:

Robert J. Sarro,
County Administrator,
3283 – 122nd Avenue,
Allegan, Michigan, 49010
269-673-0239