South Kent News

State Representative Angela Rigas, representing Caledonia, has announced that the Michigan House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Weaponization of State Government is set to hear testimony from small business owners impacted during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, will feature Marlena Hackney from Holland and Karl Manke from Owosso, both of whom encountered legal challenges from the attorney general’s office due to the operation of their businesses amid the 2020-2021 lockdown period.

Hackney operates Marlena’s Bistro & Pizzeria located in Holland, while Manke owns Karl Manke’s Barber & Beauty Shop in Owosso. Both business owners continued to operate their establishments in defiance of the lockdown, which led them to face criminal charges, despite emergency powers for such orders being later deemed unconstitutional.

“Marlena and Karl are patriotic, law-abiding business owners who were trying to live the American dream and provide for their families,” stated Rigas, who chairs the subcommittee. She added, “Even after the emergency orders were struck down as unconstitutional, they were persecuted for trying to survive and stay afloat. We want to know why.”

The testimony is set for 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Representative Angela Rigas can be reached for more information at (517) 373-1403 or via email at [email protected].