By JOHN EBY
Dowagiac Daily News

CASSOPOLIS  – “Planning Ahead in Difficult Times” is the title of three November evenings during which the Cass County Board of Commissioners will hear from each elected official, department head and agency director.

The first session takes place Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. in the commission chamber of the 1899 courthouse.

“Each speaker will have 20 minutes to address strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of their department or agency,” County Administrator Terry Proctor said Nov. 5. “Then, commissioners will have 10 minutes for questions. As you might imagine, there’s going to be a lot going on between 5 and 9 p.m.” over box dinners from Subway in Cassopolis.

Two Tuesday nights that follow will be structured similarly, although the second one will take place at the adjacent E-911 emergency management center.

“Come ready to listen,” Proctor said. “I think it will be very educational and really help us as we plan ahead in difficult times.”

Proctor publicly thanked Sheriff Joe Underwood and Undersheriff Rick Behnke for their numerous E-911 millage presentations throughout the county which resulted in success at the polls Nov. 3.

Commissioners were to spend Saturday at the Billieville conference center at the Edward Lowe Foundation on Decatur Road for a work session that was to include Judge Susan Dobrich’s presentation on Family Treatment Court, an update from the Michigan Association of Counties, a segment on retirement programs, a financial review with accountant Becky Moore and Proctor reporting on job classification and compensation.