BARODA, MI – The issue that has taken center stage in the Baroda area over much of the last year will come to a head this Nov. 3. Baroda Township and Baroda Village voters will decide whether the village should be disincorporated as well as whether Township Clerk Christina Price should be recalled.
In addition, Baroda Village voters will decide a two-way race for village president and a seven-way race for three village council seats. The village president and council races are non-partisan. The president’s term is for two years, while the council terms are for four years.
With the disincorporation issue now before voters, Baroda Village and Township officials initially considered forming a disincorporation commission to study the issue after receiving the petitions in late January. That commission was to make a recommendation about putting the matter on the ballot but the commission never ended up meeting.
If the proposal had been placed on the ballot as a result of the disincorporation commission recommendation, it would have required a majority vote in both the village and township to pass. As it stands now, it will require an overall two-thirds vote from village and township residents in favor to be approved.
Residents Jim and Joanna Whitehead started the petition drive and stick by their efforts. Both in fact are getting more involved in the political process as they are running for seats on the Baroda Village Council this November.
They reiterated earlier this month that they pursued the disincorporation idea based “purely on economics” including the conversations they had with other residents who are struggling with high prices and high taxes. They said they favor smaller government and lower taxes.
Those opposed to the disincorporation proposal say that more information is needed before such a drastic step is taken. They also are concerned that such a move would hinder the village’s economic and community development into the future.
Resident Angela Tyler was among those who spoke out early on against the disincorporation effort and said recently that she’s still opposed to it. She said that residents and business owners she’s talked to still have questions and concerns that haven’t been answered.
“There are no clear, complete details regarding the short-term and long-term impacts on our infrastructure, including the brick streets, road maintenance, water and sewer systems, and overall economic development,” she said. “Voting yes to disincorporate … is voting yes to uncertainty and chaos.”
The recall against Price is an offshoot of the disincorporation issue. Recall organizers targeted Price for recall for her involvement in circulating petitions calling for the village disincorporation including using township resources. The recall was approved after the submission of signatures in late July and the election was called in early September.
In the recall election, Price is running as the Republican nominee for township clerk. She and her husband, Michael, live in Baroda with their family. Michael Price is the Baroda village president. Christina Price was appointed clerk in 2019 and elected to the position in 2020 and 2024.
In a letter to residents, Price wrote that public service is “about much more than what happens behind a desk” and is about people, trust, responsibility and community. She said “Baroda Township is where neighbors know one another, families put down roots, and people step forward when someone needs help.”
Price has commented in the past that she supported the disincorporation effort since it started in 2025 and that her involvement in the petition drive was as a private citizen. “I will always support lower taxes and smaller government,” she said.
Chelsie Nitz, 36, is running without party affiliation and making her first run for public office. She and her husband, Zach, live in the township with their two daughters. She owns Rising Fire Media Co. where she helps businesses with marketing, social media and communication.
Chelsea Nitz
She said she decided to run because she cares deeply about Baroda and want to contribute to the community. She said she knew Baroda as a welcoming, relaxed community when she was growing up but now sees division and tension taking that away. “I want to help bring it back, and I believe that work starts with our local leaders,” she said.
She said her goal is to have a clerk’s office that is transparent, dependable, and receptive to everyone with residents feeling comfortable raising questions. “They should be able to trust that their concerns will be taken seriously, commitments will be honored, and decisions will be made thoughtfully,” she said.
In the village races, Michael Price is facing off with former council member Milton Sluder for village president. The two faced off two years ago as well with Price coming out the victor.
There are seven people running for three four year council seats. Like with the village president race, the council races are non-partisan. Incumbent Steven Hillhouse faces challengers Brad Mattner, Jodi Mattner, Lisa Radde, Doreen Schultz, James Whitehead and Joanna Whitehead. All but the Whiteheads are opposed to the disincorporation proposal.
