Man Sued Over Unpaid Rent Will Paint Town's Vehicles Instead

DURAND, Mich. (AP) - A small Michigan community found a creative way to settle a lawsuit: a new paint job on four publicly owned vehicles.

The Argus-Press reports that Durand reached a deal with Gary Stiles. He'll settle a $17,000 debt by refurbishing, sandblasting and painting the vehicles, including dump trucks.

The city in Shiawassee County had sued Stiles over unpaid rent on farmland owned by Durand. City Manager Amy Roddy says the lawsuit was "going nowhere." Then she learned that Stiles is skilled in painting vehicles.

Durand City Council members approved the settlement last week. Stiles must complete the work by Nov. 15.

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