Grand Rapids Council Member & Mayor Face Off in Town Hall Parking Lot

The Grand Rapids Village Council met Monday, July 8, inside Town Hall. Council met at 6 p.m. to discuss a food truck policy, which appeared to be productive. Many residents showed up and packed the meeting room to discuss their support or concern. Council says they plan to allow food trucks but would like a standardized policy.

At 7 p.m. the regularly scheduled meeting was held. Many of the residents who showed up for the food truck meeting appeared to remain in attendance for the main meeting. Multiple concerns were communicated to the sheriff’s deputy who submitted his report. Much of the concern was regarding speeding on Front Street and Third Street.

Overall, the meeting appeared to remain mostly professional. Past meetings had been interrupted by tension between Councilmember Sylvain and Mayor Berry. Those attending meeting have noted tension has risen throughout the year and has led to litigation between Sylvain and the village in regards to property she owns next to town hall.

The dispute is regarding a white building that sits partially on Sylvain’s property and on village property near Town Hall. In past meetings it was suggested that the building would need to be torn down to allow more parking at Town Hall.

According to court records filed at the Wood County Court of Common Pleas, a pretrial order was issued on June 21, “There being no settlement at this time, this matter is referred to court mediation for a mediation proceeding and shall be mediated on or before 2/12/2025.” The court continued the case to final pretrial on April 15, 2025, and a possible bench trial on May 7 and May 8, 2025. NWO Community Media will follow updates as they are available.

After the meeting Councilmember Sylvain appeared to block Mayor Berry and Administrator Chad Beyer’s vehicles from leaving the parking area near town hall. It appeared the Mayor and Administrator backed their trucks up to the western edge of the town hall property, which lines up with Sylvain’s property. Sylvain appeared to park her truck between the Mayor and Administrator’s trucks blocking them from exiting Town Hall through Bass Street.

A sheriff’s deputy appeared to get involved as neighbors and those practicing for “The Sound of Music” at Town Hall watched the spectacle.

The incident appeared to come to a close when the Mayor maneuvered his truck around Sylvain’s, which eventually allowed the Administrator to pull his truck to freedom. Sylvain then appeared to leave the property followed by other involved parties.

Below is raw footage taken of the incident from across the street.