Community Matters Calhoun County

Firefighter and fire safety educator Michael McLeieer visits with Community Matters to discuss fire and environmental concerns related to electric vehicle battery fires. McLeieer, who heads the organization ESCAPE (Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations), talks about how firefighters approach an EV fire, either in a vehicle or in a large manufacturing facility, such as th...

In his regular update to Community Matters listeners, Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) echoed other community leaders, saying he expects construction on Ford's EV battery plant to continue at the Marshall Megasite. Ford announced a temporary stop on construction on September 25, 2023, citing concerns over the ability to "competitively operate the plant". In the days that followed,...

Calhoun County (Michigan) Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Steve Frisbie updates listeners on attempts to establish a transit authority - which met with success in September, 2023. But, not all municipalities in the county are on board. Frisbie also offered his view on the late-September announcement from Ford Motor Company that it would pause construction on the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan on...

The auto industry is a big deal in Michigan. So, when the United Auto Workers use a work stoppage as leverage to negotiate a new working agreement, that's a big deal, too. In this episode, Vince Pavone with Lakeview Ford Lincoln in Battle Creek returns - this time to talk about what dealers typically worry about when a UAW strike is underway. As well, Vince and Richard talk about Richard&apos...

Jim Schwartz, the mayor of Marshall, Michigan, is taking Ford Motor Company at its word that construction on the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan is temporarily stopped - and will resume. Ford issued a statement on September 25, 2023 announcing construction would be paused: "We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall project until we’re confident about our ability...

Ford Motor Company's plans for the Megasite in Marshall Township, Michigan back in February, 2023 were clear: Ford will build a lithium ion phosphate battery plant on the site and bring 2500 new jobs to the area. The site has been readying for construction in earnest, even while a grassroots lawsuit attempted to stop construction, so far unsuccessfully. Then, amid strike talks with the UAW, F...

In the second episode of Richard's first EV adventure in a Ford Mustang Mach-E, he discusses the distance test. OK, so, range anxiety is real when it comes to EVs. But, if you enter into it with the right frame of mind, it actually works out well. Admittedly, this trip was only 300 miles round trip, but there was some analysis and planning involved. Click and hear Richard talk about that plan...

Fresh back from Governor Gretchen Whitmer's business development mission to Japan, Battle Creek Unlimited's Joe Sobieralski returns to Community Matters. He discusses the multimillion dollar reinvestment by DENSO Manufacturing Michigan to modernize its Battle Creek plant - and, he says, why more such investments would be a good thing - even though they are not tied to producing additiona...

Glenn Kowalske, spokesperson for the organization opposing construction of the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant in Marshall, returns to Community Matters. This is Kowalske's first conversation with Community Matters after a judge ruled against the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite's lawsuit targeting the zoning process for the plant. At the time of the interview, the court had...

The Humane Society of South Central Michigan representative of adoptable pets this time is Sid, a Terrier/Australian Cattle Dog mix. Jessica Gilbert visits Community Matters to fill us in on Sid, who has a lot of energy and is ready for an active owner. We'll also learn about an opportunity for an artist's rendition of your favorite pet. Episode Resources HSSCM website Richard reads to t...

Community Matters host Richard Piet, being a bit of a car guy, is typically interested in many things automotive. This time, he is setting out to have his first longer-term drive behind the wheel of an EV. In fact, he will spend a few weeks with the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E all-electric vehicle, working to integrate it into his normal travel plans. Click to hear his first impressions and initial e...

Ford Motor Company's plans for a lithium iron phosphate battery production facility in Marshall, Michigan seemingly remain on track. On September 15, 2023, Judge William Marietti sided with Ford in a decision over potential rezoning of the site. The case was brought by a citizens' group, Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite , a spokesman for which told Community Matters their ultimate...

First Aired September 9, 2023 Luke Wilson is quite clear: "I was pretty much against electric vehicle ownership about ten years ago."  Fast forward to the summer of 2023 and Luke joined his fellow members of the West Michigan Mustang Club, showing off his 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle. It has 30,000+ miles logged on the odometer. In this Community Matters visit, Luke talks ab...

First Aired September 9, 2023 An analysis of the latest Calhoun County ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) information shows a glimmer of hope: A reduction in poverty stats in the county. Alyssa Stewart, chief impact officer with the United Way of South Central Michigan, visits Community Matters to discuss what that really means. As well, she talks about how the Battle Creek City Com...

First Aired September 2, 2023 Most automakers are moving ahead fervently with a plan to convert all or much of their lineups to electric models in the coming years. At the same time, researchers are working to study and improve battery techology for EVs. In the first in a Community Matters mini-series of episodes meant to help educate folks about EVs, Lakeview Ford-Lincoln's Vince Pavone talk...

First Aired September 2, 2023 In her last Community Matters check-in before the fall 2023 legislative session in Lansing, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) of Michigan's 45th District talks about a number of subjects. Among them: The House independent contractor bill lingering in Lansing, bills associated with juvenile justice and more. She also offers perspective on what the partisan climat...

First Aired September 2, 2023 Calhoun County Vice-Chair, Commissioner Steve Frisbie tells Community Matters the latest attempt at establishing a transit authority in the county "will probably pass". The question was removed from the agenda at a County Board of Commissioners meeting earlier in the summer of 2023 after it appeared not to have enough support among municipalities in Calhoun...

First Aired August 26, 2023 Community Matters visits with Emmett Township Supervisor Deb Belles about early road maintenance, aging infrastructure and the prospect of a Ford battery plant right next door. Episode Resources Emmett Township, Michigan website Emmett Township Local Road Project Info ABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERS Former WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Communit...

First Aired August 26, 2023 Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) of Michigan's 44th District including Battle Creek, speaks with Community Matters just ahead of the autumn session in Lansing. In doing so, Haadsma discusses legislative priorities, the so-called independent contractor bill and his perception that political conflict between Democrats and Republicans will be more significant. Episod...

First Aired August 26, 2023 Unmanned aircraft systems - or UAS - will have lots of uses and that is why Battle Creek is seizing an opportunity to attract such business to the local airport. That's the word from Battle Creek Unlimited CEO Joe Sobieralski. Sobieralski tells Community Matters what some of those uses are and how preparing the Battle Creek Executive Airport for UAS business is a f...

First Aired August 19, 2023 Community Matters continues its coverage of the Marshall, Michigan-planned Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant. This time, Richard Piet is joined by attorney Robby Dube, a member of the legal team for the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite. Dube offers an update on a course of events that seemed headed for a delay in the progress of the lawsuit in August 2023...

First Aired August 19, 2023 Just ahead of a big welcome-back event for Harper Creek Community Schools staff on August 16, 2023, Superintendent Rob Ridgeway joined Richard Piet on Community Matters . Superintendent Ridgeway talked about priorities for the new school year, growth in the district and what a potential BlueOval plant in Marshall could mean for its Harper Creek neighbors. Episode Resour...

First Aired August 19, 2023 Jessica Gilbert with the Humane Society of South Central Michigan returns to Community Matters with another Wiggly Tail update! This time, we meet Chicky the yellow Lab mix, whose personality may be cuddly and playful perfect. And, hear more about the Canine Carnival set for August 26, 2023. Episode Resources HSSCM website Richard reads to the kittens at HSSCM More Wigg...

First Aired August 12, 2023 Ford Motor Company's intent to build a new battery plant in Marshall, Michigan presents an interesting opportunity: The chance to build a new manufacturing facility from the ground up. On this episode of Community Matters , we ask manufacturing consultant Mike Craig of the west-Michigan-based GKW Business Solutions to help us understand what innovations Ford might...

First Aired August 12, 2023 The first-ever effort to provide tuition for every graduate of a school district happened in 2005 right next door to Battle Creek - with the Kalamazoo Promise. With Battle Creek Public School's first set of Bearcat Advantage scholars headed off to college, Community Matters asked one former Kalamazoo Public Schools insider to relate his observations and insights fr...