LANSING – A plan by State Representative Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) to allow Kalamazoo County to appoint a temporary Drain Commissioner was signed into law today, enabling urgent work on the Galesburg Townline Drain project to proceed.
"This Galesburg Township project affects thousands of residents, and I am glad we cleared this obstacle so that progress can continue on this critical work," Jones said. "Acting quickly to close this loophole in the law is in the best interests of the residents of Kalamazoo County. Appointing a temporary commissioner protects residents' safety and puts their taxpayer dollars to best use."
Jones' amendment to legislation, which Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law Tuesday, allows Kalamazoo County to appoint a temporary Drain Commissioner who can sign bond documents and keep local drain projects on track.
Work on the Townline Drain project was halted when current Drain Commissioner William French suffered a stroke on Aug. 10 and fell into a coma. State law has no provision that allows a temporary Drain Commissioner to be appointed when the current one is incapacitated. Local officials appealed to Jones to intervene to allow the project to proceed.
Now, thanks to Jones' quick action, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor and County Clerk can appoint a temporary Drain Commissioner to fill in for French as soon as possible.
"Our prayers and thoughts are with Commissioner French and his family," Jones said. "We wish them the best during this difficult time."