Township Board Votes to Recommend State Rescind License After Divisive 4-2 Decision
*COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich.* — A contentious public hearing turned into a political showdown Tuesday night as Comstock Township trustees voted four to two to recommend the state rescind township supervisor Ben Martin's liquor license for his cidery, Soil Friends.
The divided board decision does not immediately revoke the license but sends a formal recommendation to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, which holds final authority over such matters.
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.
About three hours after the rescheduled meeting began, the vote unfolded in the high school auditorium where officials had relocated from the township hall in anticipation of a large turnout.
Decades-Old Ordinance Clashes With State Wine License
The board's recommendation relies on Ordinance 27.00, a 1983 rule prohibiting township board members from holding liquor licenses or having any interest in manufacturing alcoholic liquor.
Clerk Nicole Beauchamp, Trustees Kristie Cherry, Terry McIver, and Bob Pratt all voted yes on the recommendation, while treasurer Sandy Bloomfield and Trustee Jerry Amos voted no. Supervisor Ben Martin abstained from the vote.
The Martins and their supporters argue the ordinance does not apply because Soil Friends holds a state-issued small winemaker's manufacturing license, not a retail liquor license, which they claim are different categories under state law.
State Official Says License Recently Renewed
MLCC spokesperson David Martin confirmed Supervisor Ben Martin's license was renewed earlier in the month and said 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.
However, the commission spokesperson said it has not yet received any documentation from the township or any other source.
Community Divisions Emerge at Public Hearing
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 hearing drew significant attention and drew a crowd that forced officials to move the meeting to a larger venue.
Public time and resources are being spent pursuing a political vendetta and witch hunt rather than doing the basic research needed to understand how state-issued winemaker licenses are regulated, Soil Friends' post on Facebook read.
Soil Friends, located in Comstock Township, brews and sells hard cider on site alongside goats, chickens, seasonal baked goods and produce. The business operates as a farm stand with tasting room.
Recall Effort Looms
The liquor license controversy has already triggered a recall effort against Martin. Community members who disagree with the board's direction are organizing to challenge the supervisor in the upcoming election.
The situation has drawn comparisons to other local government conflicts in Southwest Michigan, where tensions between elected officials and their oversight bodies have intensified in recent years.
What Comes Next
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission must now decide whether to accept the township's recommendation and initiate a review process that could ultimately revoke Martin's license. The commission has final authority over all liquor licenses in Michigan.
The timeline for such proceedings is uncertain, but the MLCC typically reviews complaints within 30 to 60 days after receiving formal documentation.
Martin continues to serve as township supervisor while the license issue plays out. The board's recommendation does not change his status or authority to hold office.
Broader Implications
This case may set a precedent for how Michigan local governments handle conflicts between township ordinances and state licensing laws. Other jurisdictions could face similar situations as more local officials pursue entrepreneurship alongside their public service duties.
The outcome could influence how other Michigan communities approach ordinances governing liquor licenses and business ownership by elected officials.
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