The Kalamazoo County Republican Party Resolution of No Confidence in Comstock Township Trustees Jerry Amos and Clyde Sherwood, in their Official Capacity.
Almost 10 months ago a local farm located in Comstock Township, Soil Friends LLC, had their entire business turned upside down. The township moved to condemn the entire property, over an alleged zoning issue of one barn on the property. Overnight Soil Friends was prohibited from selling pumpkins, squash, Christmas trees, and had to cease all activities on the property per a court order, initiated by the township.
In February of 2023, a court order was stipulated by both parties and the judge ordered that the Township work in good faith, in a timely manner with Soil Friends for them to get the necessary permits to open back up fully.
Since that time, the Township has continued to move the goal post. After going through the permitting process and getting the “special use permit” that the Township was requiring, the Township then changed the zoning of Soil Friends to be “mixed use assembly and manufacturing” and required a new building permit application.
Restarting the entire process over.
Under this new designation Soil Friend’s may be required to install a fire suppression system that would cost roughly $300,000, install a partial concrete driveway, and other construction changes that are costly. These were never brought up before court, or during the litigation.
The Township also contacted the Michigan Liquor Control Commision and withdrew their “approval” for a small winemakers permit, that they voted in favor of in 2017. Thus, Soil Friends liquor license was suspended by the State, simply from a phone call from someone in the Township office.
During this time both Jerry Amos and Clyde Sherwood, who ran under the Republican Party during the 2020 election, have been silent. Neither Trustees have shown support to Soil Friends, or have spoken out against their colleagues in the Township. Neither of the Trustees have expressed dissatisfaction with the planning and zoning administrator, or the Comstock Township Superintendent.
Neither Trustees have used their position on the board to ask the difficult questions, demand transparency, or demand answers.
Neither Trustees have embraced or displayed the Republican Party platform of promoting small business and entrepreneurship.
Instead they have acted as a rubber stamp for the Democrat majority on the board.
On June 30th, Soil Friends filed a motion for show cause and to hold the Township in contempt of court for not following the February court order.
Let it be known: The Kalamazoo County Republican Party will not endorse or support Jerry Amos or Clyde Sherwood in the 2024 election, The KGOP will seek to recruit and support candidates for this office that will stand up for small family businesses in Comstock Township.
Resolution Passed at the Kalamazoo County Republican Party Executive Committee Meeting on July 10, 2023.
Chairwomen Kelly Sackett.