Residents and local officials praise Red Arrow trail upgrades and raise concerns on senior-center funding; sheriff outlines new child-seat law and warns of scam

Several members of the public and local township officials used the general-public-comment period at the Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting to praise recent road and trail work on Red Arrow Highway and to raise concerns about county senior-center funding and phone scams.

Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunty said the township’s multi-year Red Arrow Highway reconstruction and trail project has demonstrated benefits and public-safety improvements. “Please don’t listen to the negative Nellis that are trying to tamp down these projects,” Bunty said, adding that the road department’s data has “proven to be factual and supported on a daily basis.” He said earlier worries about backups and emergency access were addressed by the road department.

Lake Charter Township Supervisor Zach Carson echoed Bunty, thanking the county and road department for outreach and saying township residents want a smooth road. Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle (last name not specified) also praised the county’s partnership and singled out county road engineer Kevin Stack: “We probably I don't think we would have accomplished as much as we have without him.”

A resident identified as Thompson criticized the distribution of county funds to senior centers as unequal, saying some centers receive far more funding despite lower local participation. Thompson said the allocation “is so unfair” and asked how to change the funding formula.

Sheriff Chuck Heick announced a change to child-safety-seat law effective April 2 and urged residents to comply: infants to 2 years must remain in rear-facing five-point harness seats until they reach the manufacturer’s maximum height and weight; children 2 to 5 may use forward-facing seats until that limit; ages 5 to 8 should use a booster until 4 feet 9 inches or age 8; children younger than 13 should ride in the rear seat when available. Heick also warned about ongoing fraud calls that use law-enforcement names and demand payment by Bitcoin or other unconventional methods: “I assure the public, we do not do that. We do not make calls. If someone's in trouble, we for sure won't ask you to use a Bitcoin.”

Why it matters: The public comments reflect local support for transportation and trail investments that affect recreation, commerce and emergency access, plus public concerns about funding equity for senior services and an active fraud threat that has already resulted in at least one significant loss.

What’s next: Commissioners noted the road and trail project has been reviewed by the administration committee and said they do not plan another public forum on the matter. The sheriff’s office and health department issued a joint press release on the child-seat-law change and will continue public outreach about scams.