[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6427344,"mediaKeyId","5869270-49e88b790e85c72c63173111c471e989","parentId",5869270,"title","Benton Harbor committee recommends citizen appointments be sent to full commission","audioSeconds",793,"startMs",24000,"endMs",817000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869270-49e88b790e85c72c63173111c471e989&start=24&end=817","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869270-49e88b790e85c72c63173111c471e989/thumbnail_24000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427344/Benton-Harbor/Berrien-County/Michigan/Benton-Harbor-committee-recommends-citizen-appointments-be-sent-to-full-commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427344-1588cd5fbc6744a2bba79fa1e9bef5cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177728&Signature=m5aNID7tXBIl8Xm3NWTxePwMRIxNT7o8C9EvgvxDPOII3Qsd6~SREsDPqvODtztVxDwllIuAyWS1bCSQ6Px1C9INkcxMqfGdpY5~uJzbL5RVWlnyFlPpR~a8tDFXHmN9E9DMcV-8c9PxgQPmZtLpkh1xD4BRbdEjnV1kS7ok4HcNEfoLKS~ZKj2BHINgoj-C2PnoRuPvhtKaL7hkgHx2QOM-vhxAtrByRnk3RJOybvKva7XAkFuJC6je-Ad4eTs1DEFek9ZVhR14IGW-Tw2LaE4ovJdApLFCrvghu6UgvEkraOtVfGe0PUZ7eoNmrbuLUribnJDPaldqRg23OGyXPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Benton Harbor","date","2025-10-01T21:48:47Z","article","At a legislative committee meeting in Benton Harbor, members said they would recommend three resident appointments to the full Benton Harbor City Commission for final approval on Monday.

The recommendation covers applicants for several standing committees: James Moore for the legislative committee, Glenda Wissnad for the economic development and parks and recreation committee, and Angela Berry for the communications and public relations committee. Committee members said they will forward the names to the full commission for a vote rather than making final appointments at the committee meeting.

Committee members and staff emphasized the expectations and supports available to volunteers. City Clerk Moore told applicants that the clerk's office provides a packet with information, training opportunities and meeting schedules for people serving on city boards and committees. The committee chair noted that the committee will \"make a recommendation to send this to the full commission,\" and that the commission will vote Monday.

James Moore introduced himself to the committee and described his interest in service and his local roots. \"I was born and raised in Ben Harbor. Been here all my life. Been running a business here for the last, 17 years,\" he said, adding that dedication keeps his business running. \"I believe that's why I'm still in business because I've been dedicated and God has blessed me,\" Moore said.

Glenda Wissnad said she has lived in Benton Harbor and believes she can contribute to economic development and parks work. Committee members thanked her for volunteering and noted that committee service has a time commitment.

Angela Berry told the committee she wants to improve communication and public participation. Speaking about how information circulates, Berry said, \"Don't go on Facebook and say, 'oh, that's true' ... Let's communicate. Let's put together and talk.\" Committee members said Berry will join Commissioner Henry on the communications committee, which meets on the fourth Monday of each month.

City Clerk Moore and other members explained practical next steps: the clerk's office will provide onboarding materials and instructions for required volunteer clearances or trainings; the legislative committee meets the first Wednesday of each month; the communications committee meets the fourth Monday. The committee did not take a final vote on any appointment at the meeting; members said the full commission will act on the recommendations at its Monday meeting.

Final appointment remains subject to the full Benton Harbor City Commission's vote on Monday.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative 10.1.25","oneSentenceSummary","The legislative committee reviewed three citizen applications for city committees and agreed to recommend forwarding the names to the full Benton Harbor City Commission for final approval Monday; committee staff will provide onboarding materials and training information to appointees.","taxTitle","Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan","taxId",70841,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6427336,"Committee backs resolution to rename Britton Park play area after former Mayor Hightower",808,810000,1065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869270-49e88b790e85c72c63173111c471e989&start=810&end=1","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869270-49e88b790e85c72c63173111c471e989/thumbnail_810000.jpg","/articles/6427336/Benton-Harbor/Berrien-County/Michigan/Committee-backs-resolution-to-rename-Britton-Park-play-area-after-former-Mayor-Hightower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427336-092bb8ffdb2b69fd2f812e912e946050/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177728&Signature=DFZdSzb7UMmfomuABmkxeKNdTwyaTLXzTa05OdJ5VOiuAV6tQKOef29i9bJL15XMfq6hzb3xQES6d3Uv-4whO~GKxhKa1GyjfeIB4kdRuN1FfnQc5MkxIOwasSzoEvgphvAiL~4lVOECPFZQv-XO8j5yiCNdi~vcR8tBPSaCGZ6RF4vBYeXZ-Oaei4vUVHgtAPA~aokC06dkmmu4N5LiOCaC9IWWiv511fefZbtMZ60qW-i~p8JGI2SuFI6W2LW2h7yvrNO6YPMzfUpewPnBuce1XeOYq23sF-MyccubB4OoOZc9BkUL5M7sj1ma6MDvBxmJ7AU~ntqz4DKCzHGxTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The legislative committee recommended forwarding a resolution to the full Benton Harbor City Commission to rename the Britton Park play area at Britton and Pipestone as Hightower Park.

City Manager Little told the committee that former Mayor Hightower served the city during difficult periods and has lived across the street from the park for many years. Little said Hightower frequently cleaned and maintained the small playground so it would be safe and usable for young children. \"It was pointed out that, former mayor Hightower ... lives across the street from that park, and I understand he's been many days cleaning it up and trying to make it ready and safe for the small kids to use,\" Little said.

Committee members voiced support for honoring Hightower. Citing a colleague, one committee member quoted Commissioner Seats: \"give someone their flowers while they're alive,\" and said renaming the play area would recognize Hightower's service and community work.

The committee described the site as a neighborhood \"baby park\" used by caregivers and small children. City Manager Little and committee members agreed the resolution is appropriate to honor a longtime local resident who volunteered time to keep the site safe.

Committee members asked if anyone in the audience wished to comment; no audience members spoke on the item at the committee meeting. The committee indicated it would move the resolution forward to the full commission for a Monday vote; no final action was taken by the committee itself.

If the full commission approves the resolution, the play area will be renamed Hightower Park; no ordinance number or resolution number was provided in the committee discussion.","The committee recommended a resolution to rename the small play park at Britton and Pipestone to Hightower Park in honor of former Mayor Hightower, citing his longtime stewardship of the site; the recommendation will go to the full city commission for consideration Monday.","actionData","errors"]

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Benton Harbor committee recommends citizen appointments be sent to full commission

Committee backs resolution to rename Britton Park play area after former Mayor Hightower