Harris Shakes Up Benton Harbor Cemetery Board

There's been a shakup of the Crystal Springs Cemetery Board. Benton Harbor Emergency Manager Joe Harris has kicked Chairman Thom Golba and City Commissioner Dennis Knowles off of the board. In removing Knowles, Harris cites a 1990 ruling from the city attorney that there is a conflict of interest for a sitting city commissioner to serve on the board. Golba has been removed over allegations by Knowles and others on the board that he committed a crime by selling scrap metal from the cemetery and not turning over all the proceeds. The board has voted to authorize a police investigation into the sale. Golba sold the metal for 25-hundred dollars, of which he says he used 12-hundred to give to employees, buy flowers for the cemetery and lunch for volunteers. He has reimbursed the cemetery for all of the money. Harris told the "Herald Palladium" his authority only allowed for removing the board members, and any potential prosecution of Golba is up to the board, police and Berrien County Prosecutor Art Cotter.