PORTAGE (WKZO-AM) — Sparks flew Wednesday between incumbents and a challenger vying for the three available Portage City Council seats in November’s election.
Both the incumbents and challenger Tim Earl had different opinions about how Portage is being run, and some weren’t happy with decisions made by the council, including the hiring of city manager Lawrence Schaffer.
“I think that was one of the worst decisions this council has ever made,” Earl said. “A quick Google search of Larry Schaffer before he was hired brought up all kinds of red flags.”
Earl continued, saying that Schaffer poisoned the atmosphere at Portage City Hall. Current council members, however, disagreed.
“Larry has done a lot of good things in this city,” Richard Ford said.
“If you go to any elected official around the county, (you can see) all of the work Larry Schaffer has done — working (in) partnership county-wide (and in) cooperation,” Jim Pearson said.
First-timers Earl and Jeff Bright are challenging the three incumbents, Ford, Pearson and Patricia Randall for the available seats.
– John McNeill
