State orders performance evaluation of Village of Cassopolis following WNDU I-Team report

CASSOPOLIS, Mich. (WNDU) – The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has approved a performance evaluation of the Village of Cassopolis.

The state’s Construction Code Enforcement Committee approved the evaluation to start at a gathering final week.

It comes 5 months after Melissa McKay filed a grievance about her certificates of occupancy. But she says her issues began years earlier than that.

“I mean, these are serious issues. We have people that have some very, very, very large concerns about how this village is being ran, and how code enforcement is being enforced,” McKay stated.

As we informed you in our earlier WNDU 16 News Now I-Team report, “An American Nightmare“Melissa McKay filed a complaint with LARA after she said the village issued her a certificate of occupancy for her new home in October 2022 when her wastewater system was not working. McKay said she had to use composting toilets and could not use the sink or dishwasher.

What the evaluation includes

A LARA spokesperson said the performance evaluation may include observing inspections alongside local officials and reviewing records such as permits, inspection reports, correction notices, stop-work orders and certificates of occupancy — the center of McKay’s complaint.

PREVIOUS REPORTING – An American Nightmare: Cassopolis woman contacted by state after WNDU I-Team report

Village responds

The village manager declined to speak with the I-Team on camera but shared a statement saying the village welcomes the performance evaluation from the state.

McKay said she is not the only one in the village who has voiced concerns about inspection practices and enforcement.

“I shall be circulating a recall petition within the Village of Cassopolis. We will get the correct folks in right here main us, since we won’t get the correct folks right here now, since we do not have them now,” McKay said.

There is no timeline for how long the state’s performance evaluation will take.

Stay updated on native information with WNDU on-air and on-line. Be positive to obtain the 16 News Now app and observe our YouTube web page as we proceed to deliver you the newest information protection.