2020 was a year of protests, police and change in Kalamazoo
Updated Dec 30, 2020;
Posted Dec 30, 2020
2020 in Kalamazoo was a year marked with protests, change and deeper looks at race, policy and those who lead. (Joel Bissell | MLive)
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KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo in 2020 mirrored much of what was going on across the nation.
The varying affects of the coronavirus pandemic. Protests. A deeper look at racism in America. Contention in the political sphere. And changes in leadership.
After a relatively quiet start to the year, and almost eerie silence on the streets brought on by two months of COVID-driven shutdowns, things changed drastically again after George Floyd was killed May 25 by a Minneapolis police officer as two fellow officers stood by.
Commissioners learned police chief was fired months after the fact
Updated Jan 19, 2021;
Posted Dec 23, 2020
After 23 years with the department, Karianne Thomas is set to be sworn in as the sixth chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Police and firefighters have been a combine, cross trained department since 1982. Photo taken in December of 2017. (MLive.com file photo)
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KALAMAZOO, MI Two Kalamazoo City Commissioners said they only found out that Public Safety Chief Karianne Thomas was fired through an email they received from city administration sent hours before a news article revealed the truth to the public.
Commissioner Chris Praedel said he found out the chief was terminated without cause from an email the city manager’s office sent to members of the Kalamazoo City Commission at 10:29 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Kalamazoo city manager apologizes for not disclosing that police chief was fired
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema listens as community activists ask question during a press conference at City Hall in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. The press conference was held after protestors and counter protestors clashed in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, Aug. 15. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com
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KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema apologized to the community for how his office withheld key information about former chief of public safety Karianne Thomas’s separation from the city.
Karianne Thomas was fired, the Kalamazoo Gazette confirmed in a story published in December, months after she left her position as public safety chief.
Credit Andy Robins / WMUK
New Year s Eve revelers will be able to take alcoholic drinks into Kalamazoo s Bronson Park this year.
City have commissioners added the park to the city s new social district. It s intended to help downtown bars and restaurants survive COVID-19. But resident Jeff Messer says the move doesn t go far enough. Rather than picking winners and losers among liquor purveyors and their customers, the City Commission should just repeal all prohibitions.
Members of the city s parks board opposed the change. They say the city should revisit the issue before next summer.
City Commissioner Chris Praedel supports the change. He says it will help struggling downtown businesses like bars and restaurants, and their employees, get through the pandemic.
Alcoholic beverages will be allowed in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
An alcoholic beverage in a Central Commons Refreshment Area plastic cup in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)
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KALAMAZOO, MI The Kalamazoo City Commission said cheers to extending the area where drinking is allowed outdoors downtown, to include Bronson Park.
Commissioners voted on Monday, Dec. 21, to approve the measure, which will allow people to drink alcohol using specific cups filled with alcoholic beverages bought from businesses included in the approved zone. The change will go into effect in 10 days, on New Year’s Eve.