Township Supervisor Owns Farm and Cidery That Allegedly Violates 1983 Ordinance
A divided Comstock Township Board voted 4-2 on Tuesday night to formally recommend that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) rescind the liquor license held by Soil Friends LLC, a farm and cidery owned by the township's elected supervisor, Ben Martin.
The vote came after a special board meeting that was rescheduled and relocated from the township hall to Comstock High School auditorium in anticipation of a high turnout. About three hours after the meeting started, the board cast their votes in favor of writing a letter of recommendation to the MLCC regarding the winery and tasting room license.
Clerk Nicole Beauchamp, Trustees Kristie Cherry, Terry McIver, and Bob Pratt all voted yes. Treasurer Sandy Bloomfield and Trustee Jerry Amos voted no. Supervisor Ben Martin abstained from the vote.
The board's decision does not revoke the license outright, but approves a formal recommendation to revoke Martin's license be sent to the MLCC, which has final authority over liquor licenses in the state.
"What's happening here is an interpretation of a local ordinance we believe is being applied to a situation it was not intended for," Sarah Martin, Soil Friends co-owner and Ben's wife told the board during the hearing.
The Martins and their supporters insist that the ordinance does not apply because Soil Friends holds a state-issued small winemaker's manufacturing license, not a retail liquor license, which they argue are different categories under state law.
Decades-Old Ordinance Prohibits Elected Officials From Having Interest in Alcohol Production
The vote centers on Ordinance 27.00, a 1983 rule that prohibits township board members from holding a liquor license or having any interest in manufacturing alcoholic liquor.
The ordinance states that any person who is a member of the township board shall not have an interest in the production or sale of alcoholic liquor. This prohibition was designed to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that elected officials maintain impartiality in their official duties.
However, Martin argues that the MLCC renewed his license just last week, with knowledge of his position as supervisor. He also argued that the supervisor position carries no penal enforcement duties, meaning the local ordinance does not apply to his situation.
The MLCC spokesperson, David Martin, confirmed that Supervisor Ben Martin's license was renewed earlier in the month. The commission needs to receive a formal complaint to review the status of a license. Once received, the commission can evaluate whether due process was achieved and if the evidence is strong enough to rescind the license.
Community Members Showed Up in Force, Booing Trustees Who Voted for Revocation
During the meeting, many community members came to show support for Martin, with several booing the trustees who voted in favor of rescinding the license.
The special meeting was moved to a larger location, as officials expect a large turnout. The crowd gathered in the high school auditorium, creating a tense atmosphere as the board members debated the ordinance and the implications of their vote.
The board's decision does not end the controversy. The MLCC now has to review the formal recommendation from the township board before making a final determination on whether to rescind Martin's license.
Broader Context of Recall Efforts and Legal Challenges
This liquor license controversy comes in the wake of ongoing legal and political challenges facing Supervisor Ben Martin. He was elected supervisor in November 2024 and has since faced multiple controversies related to his ownership of Soil Friends.
The township has also seen recall efforts targeting Martin, with the Kalamazoo County Election Commission reviewing grounds related to his role as supervisor. As of the latest report, none of the members of the Comstock Township Board have officially been recalled.
Trustees Jerry Amos and Sandy Bloomfield have also been the target of recall petitions, along with the liquor license controversy.
The situation highlights the complex intersection of local governance, state licensing laws, and community expectations. The MLCC will now have to weigh the decades-old ordinance against the practical realities of a small winemaker's manufacturing license held by an elected official.