SPARTA, Mich. — A heated commission meeting in Sparta Township on Tuesday left many in frustration.
It all started after controversy over a campaign rally at a Sparta Township farm for JD Vance in September. The owner of Apple Valley Event Center received violations after the rally that could affect his permit to hold other events.
"I really appreciate all the support, because that's what we needed. Everybody can clearly see what a problem this is now," said Apple Valley Event Center owner, Chad Momber.
The township said Momber's event violated the parameters of event laws in the township — including having more than the allotted number of people allowed in the building.
"I think their allegations were, we only supposed to have 99 but as you see, what the fire chief said tonight, they made the determination between Secret Service and the fire department. I think our fire chief said that we had almost 300 people but that was due to somebody at every door and Secret Service at every door," said Momber.
There are no resolutions on the violations because the meeting was adjourned and tabled for another session. Momber is still allowed to hold events at his center and said he hopes the violations will be dropped.
"We need these events. To violate me, this is insanity. I hope we go the other way with this and they loosen up and maybe allow me to do bigger things," said Momber.
13 ON YOUR SIDE asked the planning commission at the meeting for comment about the violation but they chose not to respond.